--- title: "Kadence Getting Started Guide" source: "https://docs.nexcess.com/software/kadence/getting-started-guide/" description: "Welcome to Kadence! Whether you're completely new to WordPress or a seasoned builder exploring Kadence, this guide is designed to help you start creating beauti…" vertical: "Software" area: "Kadence" date: "2025-03-27" last_modified: "2026-08-20" --- # Kadence Getting Started Guide Welcome to **Kadence**! Whether you’re completely new to WordPress or a seasoned builder exploring Kadence, this guide is designed to help you start creating beautiful, fast, and professional websites with ease. Table of Contents - [What is WordPress?](#h-what-is-wordpress) - [Installing Kadence](#h-installing-kadence) - [Installing Kadence](#h-installing-kadence-0) - [Installing Kadence Theme and Blocks (for Plus & Ultimate Plan Customers)](#h-installing-kadence-theme-and-blocks-for-plus-amp-ultimate-plan-customers) - [Choose Your Kadence Adventure](#h-choose-your-kadence-adventure) - [Option 1: Starter Templates](#h-option-1-starter-templates) - [Option 2: Design Library](#h-option-2-design-library) - [Option 3: Build from Scratch with Kadence Blocks](#h-option-3-build-from-scratch-with-kadence-blocks) - [Video Resources](#h-video-resources) - [Premium Support](#h-premium-support) - [More Tools from Kadence](#h-more-tools-from-kadence) ## **What is WordPress?** Before diving into Kadence, let’s clarify WordPress basics. The easiest way to think about it is like this: - **WordPress.org:** A self-hosted platform offering full control over your website, with unlimited access to themes and plugins like Kadence. WordPress.org is like building and owning your own house; you have total creative freedom and control, but you’re in charge of finding a place for it (hosting). - **WordPress.com:** A managed platform where hosting is provided. The WordPress Business Hosting Plan is required in order to use the Kadence Plugins. WordPress.com is more like renting a beautiful apartment. The landlord (WordPress) takes care of the building for you, but you need the right plan to use your own furniture (like Kadence plugins). **[Click here to Learn more about WordPress](https://docs.nexcess.com/software/kadence/what-is-wordpress/)** --- ## **Installing Kadence** ### **Installing Kadence** 1. **Kadence Theme (Free):** - Go to your WordPress Dashboard → Appearance → Themes → Add New. - Search for “Kadence” and click Install → Activate. ![Search Kadence](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Search-Kadence-scaled-1.jpg) 2. **Kadence Blocks (Free):**. - Install Kadence Blocks from Plugins → Add New and search for “Kadence Blocks.” ![](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Kadence-Blocks-Download-scaled-1.jpg) 3. **Creative Kit:** - Navigate to your Kadence My Account → Downloads & Licensing to download Creative Kit (which gives you access to all [Starter Templates](https://www.kadencewp.com/kadence-theme/starter-templates/)). [This video](https://www.loom.com/share/89f659945b204264916fc108d1291375?sid=35f04bd3-b7cb-4c2f-afc3-b5cbbd8d1e57) briefly walks through installing Creative Kit, using the example of the Travel Blog Template. ![Download](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Download-scaled-1.jpg) 4. Next, find the Starter Templates by Kadence download in your Kadence account and install the plugin on your Website to ensure access to Starter Templates. ![](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Search-Kadence-Starter-Template-Plugin-scaled-1.png) 5. **To Access Starter Templates:** - In your WordPress dashboard > navigate to Site Assist > Starter Templates > Here, you can choose to activate Kadence AI to utilize the AI tool to build your site, or alternatively, select a Pre-Designed Starter Template to build your site. ![Starter Templates](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Starter-Templates-by-Kadence-WP-1.jpg) ### **Installing Kadence Theme and Blocks** (*for Plus & Ultimate Plan Customers*) Follow these steps to set up Kadence and get started: 1. **Kadence Theme (Free):** - Go to your WordPress Dashboard → Appearance → Themes → Add New. - Search for “Kadence” and click Install → Activate. 2. **Kadence Blocks (Free):** - Install Kadence Blocks from Plugins → Add New and search for “Kadence Blocks.” 3. **Kadence Theme Kit Pro:** - Download Kadence Theme Kit Pro from your [Kadence My Account](https://www.kadencewp.com/my-account/downloads/) → Downloads & Licensing - Install it **as a plugin** in WordPress under Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin → Activate. 4. **Kadence Blocks Pro:** - Download from your [Kadence My Account](https://www.kadencewp.com/my-account/downloads/) → Downloads & Licensing and upload the zip file to your site via Plugins → Add New. 5. **Starter Templates:** - Download from your [Kadence My Account](https://www.kadencewp.com/my-account/downloads/) or find it in the WordPress repository. Once you’ve installed the core and premium features of Kadence (Theme and Blocks) your foundation is set to add even more amazing tools like Kadence Insights, Conversions, Shop Kit, Galleries, and so much more. **[See Installation Guide](https://docs.nexcess.com/software/kadence/installation-guide/)** --- ## **Choose Your Kadence Adventure** Kadence offers multiple paths to creating your dream website based on your needs: ### **Option 1: Starter Templates** Starter Templates are pre-designed websites ready for customization. - **Pre-Designed Starter Templates:** Choose a layout and customize it with your content. Kadence Pre-Designed Starter Templates are a collection of Free and Premium website templates for blogs, e-commerce, LMS, and more. They require the Kadence Theme and essential plugins to work. Premium templates need a qualifying Kadence plan, and some may require third-party plugins like LearnDash, which are purchased separately. You can still use templates without these plugins, but some content may be limited. [**Getting Started with Pre-Designed Templates**](https://docs.nexcess.com/software/kadence/pre-designed-starter-templates/) - *Pro Tip:* Import specific pages if you don’t need the whole template. --- ### **Option 2: Design Library** The Kadence Design Library lets you create custom layouts with blocks, patterns, and pages. - Easily add **pre-designed sections** or **generate AI content.** - Customize settings or upload your own images and text. [**How to Use the Design Library**](https://docs.nexcess.com/software/kadence/blocks/access-the-design-library/) --- ### **Option 3: Build from Scratch with Kadence Blocks** For those who love complete creative freedom, Kadence Blocks offers the flexibility to design pixel-perfect layouts from the ground up. - [How to define a color Palette with Kadence Blocks](https://docs.nexcess.com/software/kadence/define-color-palette/) - [Setting custom widths in multi-column Row Layout Blocks](https://docs.nexcess.com/software/kadence/set-custom-widths-in-multi-column-row-layout-blocks/) - [How to duplicate and Copy/Paste Block Styles](https://docs.nexcess.com/software/kadence/duplicate-block-styles/) --- ### **Video Resources** - [**Start-to-Finish Kadence Website Creation**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4BSD_mr7Zs&list=PLz7FUcdXQ3YCSMWNmf0SVbtTPDL_Y70KZ)**:** Watch a step-by-step process on how to create a WordPress website from scratch with Kadence. - [**Kadence AI Overview**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxQd4jYQ96o&t=2s)**:** A quick demo of AI features. - [**In-depth AI Tutorial**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilw6-9Yr8Bo)**:** Learn how to customize AI templates. --- ## **Premium Support** When you have an active license for premium Kadence products, you get **priority access** to WordPress support agents whose main goal is to help you succeed online. **Support Hours:** Response Time: Usually 1–3 business hours for the first reply; issues are typically resolved in 2–3 business days. **Technical Support:** Available nearly around the clock, except for weekends (Friday 5PM to Sunday 5PM Central US time). **Customer Success & Accounts:** Weekdays, 9AM–5PM Central US time. [**Learn More & Get Premium Support**](https://www.kadencewp.com/premium-support-tickets/) --- ## **More Tools from Kadence** Now that you’ve got the basics set up, take your site to the next level with these powerful upgrades: **[Kadence Pattern Hub](https://www.kadencewp.com/kadence-cloud/)** – Save and sync your custom designs across multiple sites with your own personal design library. **[Kadence Blocks Pro](https://www.kadencewp.com/kadence-blocks/)** – Build stunning, high-converting pages with advanced design controls, animations, sliders, forms, and more. **[Kadence Theme Kit Pro](https://www.kadencewp.com/kadence-theme/premium/)** – Supercharge your customizer with sticky headers, header/footer scripts, conditional elements, and mega menus. **[Kadence Insights](https://www.kadencewp.com/kadence-insights/)** – Test, track, and optimize your page elements directly within WordPress, and see real-time results to make confident decisions that drive higher conversions. **[Kadence Conversions](https://www.kadencewp.com/kadence-conversions/)** – Create beautiful popups, slide-ins, and banners designed to grow your email list and boost engagement. **[Kadence Shop Kit](https://www.kadencewp.com/kadence-shopkit/)** – The ultimate WooCommerce upgrade: product swatches, advanced reviews, checkout manager, and more. [See Kadence Pricing](https://www.kadencewp.com/pricing/)