--- title: "Getting Started with Kadence Site Assist" source: "https://docs.nexcess.com/software/kadence/kadence-site-assist/" description: "Kadence Site Assist guides you on setting up your Kadence website efficiently and thoroughly. Site Assist is a feature available with the free AI Powered Starte…" vertical: "Software" area: "Kadence" date: "2025-04-16" last_modified: "2026-08-11" --- # Getting Started with Kadence Site Assist **Kadence** **Site** **Assist** guides you on setting up your *Kadence website* efficiently and thoroughly. **Site** **Assist** is a feature available with the free **[AI Powered Starter Templates by Kadence](https://wordpress.org/plugins/kadence-starter-templates/)** plugin. Whether you are a WordPress Expert or a beginner, Site Assist helps set up the foundation of your website, such as the Site Logos, Colors, Security Configurations, and more. ![Kadence Site Assist](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Kadence-Site-Assist-scaled-1.jpg) Getting Started To get started with **Site** **Assist**, you must install and activate the free **[AI Powered Starter Templates by Kadence](https://wordpress.org/plugins/kadence-starter-templates/)** plugin. You can find this plugin by going to the **Dashboard -> Plugins -> Add New** **Plugin** page and searching for **“Kadence”**. ![Search for Kadence Plugins](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Search-for-Kadence-Plugins-scaled-1.jpg) Once the *AI Powered Starter Templates plugin* is active on the website, you can access the *Site Assist* *settings* from the **Dashboard -> Site Assist -> Site Assist** page. ![Site Assist Settings](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Site-Assist-Settings.jpg) This document will walk you through each step of the **Kadence Site Assist** setup process from start to finish. AI Starter Site The first step in the **Site** **Assist** process is activating and configuring **Kadence AI**. If you do not want to use Kadence AI, you can [import a Pre-Designed Template](https://docs.nexcess.com/software/kadence/pre-designed-starter-templates/) instead. ![Step 1](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Step-1-1024x452-1.jpg) *(If you wish to skip using a Starter Site/Template, [skip ahead](#basic-site-setup))* Activate Kadence AI The first step is to **Activate *Kadence AI*** on your website. This is done by connecting your WordPress Website directly to your Kadence Account. Click on the **Activate** button to make this connection. This will open the **Kadence Account Connection** wizard. Click on the **Connect** button to connect your website to Kadence AI. ![Activate AI](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Activate-AI.gif) Setup Site AI Profile The second step is setting up the ***Site AI Profile***. This process trains *Kadence AI* to understand your website’s niche and goals, allowing it to use recommendations for your specific needs. The **AI Wizard** consists of five steps. Steps 1–4 focus on gathering precise details about your website, while Step 5 lets you choose images for your Kadence designs. You can select *AI-picked Pexels* images*, Kadence Starter Template* images, or you can use your own custom image collections. For a detailed guide on filling out the AI wizard [click here](https://docs.nexcess.com/software/kadence/activate-kadence-ai/). ![Setup Site AI Profile](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Setup-Site-AI-Profile.gif) Import Starter Site The next step consists of importing a **Starter Site**. When clicking on the Setup button, you will be brought to the AI Starter Template Library. Here you can pick and import your preferred AI-Powered Starter Template. ![](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Screenshot-2025-04-10-at-12.32.02-PM-scaled-1.webp) If you are not using Kadence AI, and wish to use a **Pre-Designed Template**, you can navigate to the **Dashboard -> Site Assist -> Starter Templates** page and select the *Use a Classic Template* option. Then, you can import the Starter Template following the wizard. ![Use a classic template](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Use-a-classic-template-1024x590-1.jpg) ![Templates](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Templates.jpg) Basic Site Setup The **Basic** **Site** **Setup** helps establish your website identity. From setting the title, tagline, and icon, to setting up the language and timezone. These steps will guide you in setting up your **General WordPress Settings** for your website. ![Basic Site Setup](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/basic-site-setup.jpg) Provide Site Title & Tagline The first step is to provide the **Site Title & Tagline**. Once clicking on the Setup button, you will be brought to the **Dashboard -> Settings -> General** page. You can adjust the first two fields to set the Site *Title* and *Tagline*. ![Tagline](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Tagline.jpg) Set Site Icon The **Site** **Icon** can be set from the **Dashboard -> Settings -> General** page. The *Site Icon* represents the Favicon and will be displayed as the Site Icon in web browsers and other applicable areas. ![SiteIcon](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/SiteIcon.jpg) Upload Site Logo The **Site** **Logo** can be set from the **Customizer -> Header -> Site Identity** settings. The logo will appear in the website header across your website. Adjust the **Logo Max Width** setting to control the overall Size of the logo. Use the **Logo Layout** settings to choose what you want to display: just the logo, the logo with your site title, or the full combo of logo, title, and tagline. You’ll also be able to choose how these things are positioned. Options include: - Logo on the left, title on the right - Logo on the right, title on the left - Logo above, title below - Title above, logo below ![Site Identity](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Site-Identity.jpg) Set Site Language Set the default Site Language. This will determine which language WordPress will use and your website code will identify your site as using. *(This setting can be found on the Dashboard -> Settings -> General page.)* ![Site Language](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Site-Language.jpg) Site languages can also be set on a user-to-user basis by editing the user from the Dashboard -> Users page. Get Site Timezone Set the official website **Timezone**. You can choose either a city in your desired timezone or a UTC Time Offset. Use the **Date** **Format** setting to control the format of dates across your website. Use the **Time** **Format** setting to control the format of specified times across your website. Use the **Week Starts On** setting to control which day of the week is the first day of the week. ![Timezone](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Timezone.jpg) Design & Customization ![Design Customization](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Design-Customization.jpg) Customize Colors The first *Design & Customization* step is to **Customize** the **Colors**. This includes setting up the Website Global Palette and other *basic color styles*. This option will bring you to the **Customize -> Colors & Fonts -> Colors** settings. Notice the settings offer a desktop, tablet, and mobile icon. Use these Icons to control these settings responsively. Use the **Global** **Palette** settings to adjust the *Global Palette Colors*. Learn how to properly set up your Global Palette [by clicking here](https://docs.nexcess.com/software/kadence/theme/theme-color-palette/). Use the **Site** **Background** setting to set the Site Background. This is for the main website and will appear as the main layer under the content layer. This Background is only viewable on Boxed-Styled-Content. ![Boxed Styled Content](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Boxed-Styled-Content-scaled-1.jpg)Use the **Content Background** setting to set the Content Background Color. This is the main Background Color for UnBoxed-Styled-Content and the secondary background for Boxed-Styled-Content. ![Customize Colors](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Customize-Colors-402x1024-1.jpg) Use the **Title Above Content Background** setting to control the Color of the *Title Above Content background*. This setting offers the use of a Color, Gradient, or Image. Then, use the **Title Above Content Overlay Color** setting to control an *Overlay* *Color*. You can use a Solid Color or a Gradient. ![Above Title Colors](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Above-Title-Colors.gif) Customize Header The next step is to set up and customize the **Header**. This will bring you to the **Customize -> Header** settings. ![Header Settings](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Header-Settings.gif) Header Items can be dragged from the **Available** **Items** **list** in the *Customizer settings* or by clicking on the **Plus** **Icon** of a section within the **Visual** **Builder**. ![Adding Header Items](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Adding-Header-Items.gif) When customizing the *Theme Header*, *Header Items*, and *Header Rows*, use the **General** and **Design** settings to control their behavior and appearance. ![General and design settings](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/General-and-design-settings.gif) To learn more about the Kadence Theme Header and how to customize it to meet your needs, consider viewing the resources below. - [How to customize the Theme Header](https://docs.nexcess.com/software/kadence/theme/customize-kadence-header/) - [Transparent Headers](https://docs.nexcess.com/software/kadence/theme/use-transparent-header/) - [Sticky Headers](https://docs.nexcess.com/software/kadence/theme/sticky-header/) - [Creating Mobile Navigations](https://docs.nexcess.com/software/kadence/theme/customize-mobile-navigation-area/) - [Conditional Headers](https://docs.nexcess.com/software/kadence/theme/conditional-headers/) - [Kadence Theme Header Main Knowledgebase](https://docs.nexcess.com/software/kadence/) Customize Footer The next step is to set up and customize the **Footer**. This will bring you to the **Customize -> Footer** settings. Use the **Footer** **General** and **Design** **Tab** to control the main *Footer Functionalities* and *Styles*. ![Footer settings](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Footer-settings.gif) To customize the **Footer**, drag and drop items from the **Available Items list** into the *Footer area*. Above the *Available Items*, you’ll find item names accompanied by an arrow icon, representing setting tabs for each item currently in the footer. As you add items, they’ll appear in this list, allowing you to click on any item tab to customize its settings individually. ![](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Gif-Footer.gif) You can learn more about the **Kadence** **Theme** **Footer** **Builder** [by clicking here](https://docs.nexcess.com/software/kadence/theme/customize-the-kadence-footer/). Customize Typography The **Typography** **Settings** control the **Font** **Color**, **Size**, and other **Styles** across your website. The **Base** **Font** controls the basic font across the website. For example, in paragraph text and navigation texts. The **Heading** **Font** **Family** option allows you to set a font that applies across all headings. Notice each Heading Font is set to inherit, which inherits this main font. You can change any individual font by manually selecting the heading font. Use the *Color Picker* to select a **Font** **Color**. Then, you can use the *Font Selector* to set a specific font. On the side of the *Font Selector*, you can set the **Font** **Weight**. Next to the *font weight,* you can set a specified **Font** **Size** and adjust additional font settings. ![Font Settings](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Font-Settings.gif) On the far right of the **Typography** **Setting**, use the dropdown arrow to view an example of the current font setting selection. ![Typography Settings](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Typography-Settings.gif) Customize Buttons The **Customizer -> Colors & Fonts ->** **Buttons** settings allow you to adjust the styles of buttons across your website. This includes the Text Colors, Background Colors, Border Settings, and more. [Click here](https://docs.nexcess.com/software/kadence/theme/style-buttons/) for a complete overview of the Kadence Theme Button settings. ![](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Block-Styles.jpg) Custom Posts Layout Use the **Customizer -> Post/Pages Layout -> Post Layout** settings to control the layout of Single Posts on your website. You can also navigate to the **Customizer -> Post/Pages Layout -> Page Layout** to adjust the layout of Pages on your website. [Click here](https://docs.nexcess.com/software/kadence/theme/post-page-archive-layout-settings/) to learn more about the Customizer Posts/Pages Layout settings. ![Title Settings](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Title-Settings-539x1024-1.jpg) Custom Archive Layout Use the **Customizer -> Post/Pages Layout –**> **Archive** **Layout** settings to control the layout of your archives. This includes pages like the main blog page and taxonomy archives, such as category and tag archives. [Click here](https://docs.nexcess.com/software/kadence/theme/archive-layout-customizer-settings/) to learn more about the Customizer Archive Layout settings. ![Archive Layout Demo](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Archive-Layout-Demo.gif) ![Title Settings](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Title-Settings-539x1024-1.jpg) Website Email Setup WordPress can handle basic emails, like admin emails, out of the box. However, configuring SMTP is essential to ensure more complex emails, such as contact form submissions, go through properly. The **Website Email Setup** options allow you to install, configure, and test your **Email SMTP Setup**. ![Website Email setup](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Website-Email-setup.jpg) Install SMTP Plugin Use the Install SMTP Plugin option to install and activate the Solid Mail plugin. This plugin will allow you to quickly set up and configure the SMTP settings for your WordPress website. ![Solid Mail](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Solid-Mail.jpg) Configure Email Connection The next step is to configure your **SMTP** **Connection** settings. ![Add Connection](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Add-Connection.jpg) Once you click on the Add Connection button, select a provider and fill out your SMTP settings respectively. ![SMTP Gif](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/SMTP-Gif.gif) To learn more about the Solid Mail Connection Settings and how to set them up, [click here](https://solidwp.com/documentation/mail/setup-guide/getting-started-solid-mail/). Test Email Connection Once you have configured the *SMTP settings*, you should **Test** the **Email** **Connection**. This will check and confirm that the email connection is working as it should. You can do so by filling out the Email Test form. This form includes the **To** **Email**, a **Subject**, and a **Message**. Fill out the details, then click on the **Send Test Email** button to test your email. ![Test Connection](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Test-Connection-1024x373-1.jpg) Once the test email is confirmed to work, your emails will work across the website. Including emails from [*Kadence Forms*.](https://docs.nexcess.com/software/kadence/advanced-form-block/) Website Security Setup ![Site Security Setup](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Site-Security-Setup.jpg) Install Site Security Plugin Use the **Install Site Security Plugin** option to install and activate the **Solid** **Security** plugin. This plugin will allow you to quickly set up and configure various Security Settings for your website. ![Solid Security Basic](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Solid-Security-Basic-1024x58-1.jpg) Setup Security Plugin The **Solid** **Security** **plugin** offers many essential settings and features to help protect your website from malicious actors. Complete the setup to help secure your website and ensure your data is secure. [Click here](https://solidwp.com/documentation/security/setup-guide/getting-started-with-solid-security/) for a complete overview of setting up Solid Security. ![Security Setup](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Security-Setup-e1744764386605.jpg) Enable Two Factor Login Authentication It is recommended to **Enable Two Factor Login Authentication** to help secure access to your **wp-admin**. If you didn’t enable this during the *initial Solid Security setup*, you should do so now. This can be done from the **Dashboard -> Security -> Features** page. ![Two Factor](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Two-Factor-scaled-1.jpg) Website Performance Setup ![Website Performance Setup](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Website-Performance-Setup.jpg) Install Performance plugin Use the **Install Site Performance Plugin** option to install and activate the **Solid** **Performance** plugin. This plugin will allow you to configure various optimization settings for your website, improving your overall page speed and performance. ![Solid Performance Plugin](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Solid-Performance-Plugin.jpg) Enable Page Caching Page Caching helps improve the overall front-end performance of your website. [Click here](https://help.solidwp.com/hc/en-us/articles/27074021661595-What-is-Page-Caching) to learn more about caching in general. You can enable **Solid Performance Caching** from the **Dashboard -> Settings -> Solid Performance** page. ![Enable Page Caching](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Enable-Page-Caching.jpg) Enable Lazy Load Images Images that appear below the fold should be **Lazy Loaded**. This is standard practice in optimal web development. *Lazy Loading images* allow your website to load important **above-the-fold** content first. Then, as you scroll down the page, the lazy-loaded images will load as needed. You can enable **Lazy** **Loading** from the **Dashboard -> Settings -> Solid Performance -> Advanced** page. ![Lazy Load Images](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Lazy-Load-Images.jpg) Disabling/Enabling Site Assist You can **disable** **Site** **Assist** if you do not wish to use it. This can be done from the **Dashboard -> Site Assist -> Site Assist** page. In the top right corner, click on the three dots to access the option to *disable Site Assist*. ![Disable Site Assist](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Disable-Site-Assist.gif)Once **Site** **Assist** is disabled, you can still access **Starter Templates** from the **Dashboard -> Kadence -> Starter Templates** page. You can also disable Site Assist programmatically by using the following filter (for developers) : `add_filter('kadence_starter_site_assist_enabled', '__return_false');` On the other hand, if you want to see the Site Assist area again, you can do that from the **Dashboard -> Kadence -> Starter Templates** page. Click on the same three-dot icon at the top right to access the option to *Enable Site Assist*. ![](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Zight-Recording-2025-07-04-at-07.32.17-AM.gif)