Getting Started

Let’s get started!  First, make sure that you have all the necessary things required to install Benevolent Pro.

Theme Requirements

Make sure you have the latest version of WordPress installed, by checking the updates tab from your current WordPress dashboard.

If you haven’t downloaded WordPress already, you can download it from the WordPress repository via https://wordpress.org/download/ .

Although Benevolent Pro will work with 4.5 and above versions of WordPress, it is recommended to have the latest version of WordPress.

After you have the latest version of WordPress, download the theme, and save it somewhere handy on your computer, as you will be using the included files for the rest of the installation process.

Theme Files

Benevolent Pro includes:

WordPress Theme Files— This ( benevolent-pro.zip) is a compressed WordPress theme file containing all of the required templates, images and icons required for the theme to function properly.

Step 1: Upload and Activation

There are two methods to install Benevolent Pro theme.  You may either upload the benevolent-pro.zip file using the WordPress theme installer (Recommended), or you can unzip benevolent-pro.zip and upload the unzipped folder via FTP (Advanced).

Method 1 ( Recommended) : Install Using the WordPress Theme Installer

1. Log into your WordPress site and opens the Administration Panel.
2. Go to Appearance > Themes in the WordPress Dashboard
   
3. Click on the Add New button
   
4. Click on the Upload Theme link
   
5. Click on Choose File, select the Benevolent-pro.zip file from your computer and click upload.
6. Click Install Now.
   

Method 2: Install Using File Transfer Protocol (FTP)

Unzip “benevolent-pro.zip” file on your computer.

Login using FTP client to access your host web server.

Locate the wp-content folder in your WordPress install files.

Upload the un-zipped Benevolent Pro folder into the: wp-content/themes folder.

For More Information about installing theme using FTP visit : http://codex.wordpress.org/Using_Themes#Adding_New_Themes

Activate the theme

1. Log in to the WordPress Administration Panel.
2. Go to Appearance > Themes in the WordPress menu
3. Hover over the theme thumbnail and click the Activate button.

Plugins Installation

Installing Plugin:

To install a plugin in your WordPress admin panel and follow the following steps.

1. Navigate to Plugins > Add New.
   

2. Search for the name of the plugin you wish to install which will return a list of potential plugins.
3. Click Details to read more about a plugin.
4. Click “Install Now” if you wish to install the plugin.
5. It may ask if you are sure, and you may proceed. The installation will commence once you confirm to proceed.
6. After the plugin is downloaded. Go to Plugins>Installed Plugins. Click “Activate Plugin” to make it available for use.

Recommended Plugins:

We recommend you to download the following plugins when necessary:

1. Jetpack by WordPress.com, by: Automattic

The plugin provides a variety of complementary features for your Theme.

2. Regenerate Thumnails by Alex Mills (Viper007Bond)

If you have existing content, this will help you update your image thumbnails sizes.

3. Contact Form Seven
   The allows you to display and manage contact form in your website.

4. Give

Give is the plugin available for accepting donations. Upon activation, Give provides features towards helping you raise more funds for your cause.

Setting up the Homepage

To create a new Page

1. Go to Pages > Add New.
   

2. Enter the Page Title for the Page. You do not require to enter anything in the content section for creating a home page.
3. Select the Homepage Template from the Page Attributes section.
4. Click Publish.
   

Configuring the front Page display setting

1. Go to Appearance>Customize >  Static Front Page.
2. Select A static page under Front Page displays
3. Choose the page you just created as Front page.
4. Click Save & Publish.

Slider Settings:

Note: Please make sure that you have set up the homepage for the slider to appear on your homepage.

Slider using Posts 

1. Go to Appearance> Customize> Slider Settings> Slider Contents
2. Choose Slider Type to Post
3. Choose Posts to be displayed as slider under Choose Post One, Choose Post Two, Choose Post Three, Choose Post Four, and Choose Post Five.
   • The featured Image of the selected posts will appear as Slider Image. ( Width: 1920px, Height: 970px )
   • Post Title of the selected post will appear as Slider Title.
   • Post Excerpt will appear on the Slider as slider Content. The first few sentences of the post content will appear as slider content if the Post excerpt is not entered.
4. Enter Readmore Text.
5. Click Save & Publish.
   

Slider using Category 

1. Go to Appearance> Customize> Slider Settings > Slider Contents
2. Choose Slider Type to Category
3. Choose the Slider Category.
   • The featured Image of the posts under selected category will appear as Slide Images.
   • Post Title of the post under the selected category will appear as Slide Title.
   • Post Excerpt will appear on the Slider as slide Content. The first few sentences of the post content will appear as slide content if the Post excerpt is not entered.
4. Enter Readmore Text.
5. Click Save and Publish.
   
   

Slider using Custom

1. Go to Appearance> Customize> Slider Settings > Slider Contents
2. Choose Slider Type to Custom.
3. Click on Slides #
4. Click Add Image to upload an Image.
5. Enter Title, Content and Link for the Slide.
   
6. Click Add new Slide to add new Slide.
7. Enter Readmore Text.
8. Click Save and Publish.
   

Slider Options:

1. Go to Appearance> Customize> Slider Settings> Slider Options
2. Enable Home Page Slider using toggle to display it on the home page. (Blue is enabled)
3. Enable Slider to Auto Transition using toggle for the slides to transition automatically (auto-scroll) without a click. (Blue is enabled)
4. Enable Slider Loop using toggle to continue the slide transition in the loop. (Blue is enabled)
5. Enable Slider Pager using toggle to allow manual navigation for paging control of each slide. (Blue is enabled)
6. Enable Slider Caption using toggle to show the post title to appear on the slider post image. (Blue is enabled)
7. Enable Use Full Size Image, if you wish to display the full image on the slider rather than the cropped image. ( In this case, make sure that all the selected images have the same image size, so that the design is maintained)
8. Select the Slider Transition type to “fade” or “slide”
9. Choose Slider Speed and Slider Pause for Slide Content using slider.
10. Click Save & Publish.
    

Homepage Settings:

Note: You must first set up your Homepage as per above instruction, for the following sections to display on the homepage.

Intro Section:

Note: Please make sure that you have set up the homepage for the section to appear on your homepage

1. Go to Appearance> Customize> Homepage Settings> Intro Section
2. Enter Section Title and Section Content.
3. Enter Intro Title, Intro Link Labels, Intro Links and upload respective Intro Logo and Intro Image .
4. Click Save & Publish.
    

Community Section

Note: Please make sure that you have set up the homepage for the section to appear on your homepage

1. Go to Appearance> Customize> Homepage Settings>Community Section
2. Enter Section Title.
3. Select Post One, Post Two, Post Three and Post Four.
4. Click Save & Publish.
   

Stat Counter Widget Section:

1. Go to Appearance> Customize> Homepage Settings>Stat Counter Widget  Section.
2. Click Add a widget.
3. Add Rara Stat Counter Widget. You can add as many Stat Widgets as you wish
   
4. Enter Counter and Title.
   
5. Click Save & Publish.

Give Section:

Note: This Option will only appear on your dashboard if you install and activate the Give Plugin.

1. Go to Appearance> Customize> Homepage Settings>Give Section
2. Enter Give Section Title and Give Section content.
3. Enter Donate Button Label and choose excerpt character  .
4. Click Save & Publish.

 

Blog Section

Note: Please make sure that you have set up the homepage for the section to appear on your homepage

1. Go to Appearance> Customize> Homepage Settings>Blog Section 
2. Enable to Show Blog Date.
3. Enter Section Title and Section Content.
4. Enter the Read more text.
5. Click Save & Publish.
   

Sponsor Section

Note: Please make sure that you have set up the homepage for the section to appear on your homepage.

Uploading a Logo 

1. Go to Logos> Add New
   
2. Enter Logo Title and Logo Link and set featured Image ( logo).
3. Choose category for the Logo
4. Click Publish. 

Sponsor Section

1. Go to Appearance> Customize> Homepage Settings>Sponsor Section 
2. Enter Section Title and Section Content.
3. Choose Sponsor Logo category.
4. Click Save & Publish.
   

CTA Widget Section:

1. Go to Appearance> Customize> Homepage Settings>CTA Widget  Section.
2. Click Add a widget.
3. Add Rara Call to Action Widget.
   
4. Enter Title, Content, Button Text and Button Link.
   
5. Click Save & Publish.

Sort Homepage Section

1. Go to Appearance> Customize> Homepage Settings>Sort Homepage Section.
2. Click on the eye Icon to show or hide the section.
3. Use drag and drop to sort the section.
4. Click Save and publish.
   

Header Setting:

Header Layout: 

1. Go to Appearance > Customize > Header Settings > Layout Settings
2. Choose the header layout by clicking on the Image.
3. Click Save and Publish.
   

Site Identity

To set up Site Identity,

1. Go to Appearance> Customize>Header Setting > Site Identity
2. Click Select logo by clicking Select Logo.
3. Upload and select the desired image.
4. Enter the Site Title and Tagline
5. Check Display Header Text for the Site title and Tagline to appear on your homepage.
6. Click Select Image under Site Icon
7. Upload and select the desired image. (The Site Icon/ favicon is used as a browser and app icon for your site. The recommended Site Icon size is 512*512 pixels.)
8. Click Save & Publish.
   

Miscellaneous Settings

1. Go To Appearance> Customize> Header settings> Misc settings
2. Enable or disable Search Form
3. Enable or disable Donate Button
4. Enter Donate Button Label and Donate Button Link ( This option appears only if the Donate Button is enabled)
5. Choose whether to use donate Form or not (  This option appears only if the Donate Button is enabled)
6. Choose the Donate form. (  This option appears only if use donate form is enabled)
7. Click Save & Publish.
   

General Settings:

1. Go to Appearance > Customize > General Settings
2. Enable or Disable admin Bar
3. Enable or Disable Light Box.  ( Blue is enabled)
4. Enable or Disable Ajax quick search
5. Choose Pagination Type .
6. Click Save and Publish.
   

About Page Settings:

Note: Before you start with the section, make sure to create a page with a about page Template.

To create a new Page

1. Go to Pages > Add New.
   

2. Enter the Page Title for the Page. You do not require to enter anything in the content section for creating a home page.
3. Select the About Page Template from the Page Attributes section.
4. Click Publish.

Intro Section:

1. Go to Appearance> Customize> About Page Settings> Intro Section
2. Enter Video Iframe and Video Caption
3. Click Save & Publish.
   

Profile Section

1. Go to Appearance> Customize> About Page Settings> Profile Section
2. Enter Profile section title and Profile section Content.
3. Click Save & Publish.
   

Profile Section Widget 

1. Go to Appearance> Widgets
2. Add Rara : Icon Text Widget to Profile Section Widget.
3. Fill the necessary details.
4. Click Save.
   
   

 

Stat Counter Section:

1. Go to Appearance> Customize> About Page Settings>Stat counter Section
2. Choose the background Image
3. Click Save & Publish.
   

Stat Counter  Widget 

1. Go to Appearance> Widgets
2. Add Rara : Stat Counter Widget to Counter Section Widget.
3. Fill the necessary details.
4. Click Save. <br/.
   

We Believe Section

1. Go to Appearance> Customize> About Page Settings>We Believe Section
2. Enter Section title.
3. Enter Section Content by Clicking on Open Editor.
4. Click Save & Publish.
   

Current Project Section

1. Go to Appearance> Customize> About Page Settings>Current Project Section
2. Enter Project section Title
3. Choose Post One Post two and Post Three
4. Click Save & Publish.
   

Sort About Page Sections:

1. Go to Appearance> Customize> Homepage Settings>Sort About Page Section.
2. Click on the eye Icon to show or hide the section.
3. Use drag and drop to sort the section.
4. Click Save and publish.
   

Service Page Settings:

Note: Before you start with the section, make sure to create a page with a Service page Template.

To create a new Page

1. Go to Pages > Add New.
   

2. Enter the Page Title for the Page. You do not require to enter anything in the content section for creating a home page.
3. Select the Service Page Template from the Page Attributes section.
4. Click Publish.

Intro Section:

1. Go to Appearance> Customize> Service  Page Settings> Intro Section
2. Enter Video Iframe
3. Click Save & Publish.
   

Service Section:

1. Go to Appearance> Customize> Service  Page Settings> Service Section
2. Enter Service section Title and Service Section Content.
3. Click Save & Publish.
   

Service Section Widget 

1. Go to Appearance> Widgets
2. Add Rara : Icon Text Widget to Service Widget Section. 
3. Fill the necessary details.
4. Click Save.
   

Donor Section:

1. Go to Appearance> Customize> Service  Page Settings> Donor Section
2. Enter Donor section Title and Donor Section Content.
3. Enter Donor Logo Category.
4. Click Save & Publish.
   

 

CTA Section :

1. Go to Appearance> Widgets
2. Add Rara : call to Action Widget to  CTA Section ( service). 
3. Fill the necessary details.
4. Click Save.

Sort Service Page:

1. Go to Appearance> Customize> Service Page Settings>Sort Service Section.
2. Click on the eye Icon to show or hide the section.
3. Use drag and drop to sort the section.
4. Click Save and publish.
   

Blog Page Settings

Note: Before you start with the section, make sure to create a page with a Default Template.

To create a new Page

1. Go to Pages > Add New.
   

2. Enter the Page Title for the Page. You do not require to enter anything in the content section for creating a home page.
3. Select the Default Template from the Page Attributes section.
4. Click Publish.

Blog Page Settings

1. Go to Appearance> Customize> Blog Page Settings
2. Choose Blog Page Layout
3. Check the category you like to exclude from the blog page.
4. Click Save & Publish
5. 

Contact Page

To create a new Page

1. Go to Pages > Add New.
   

2. Enter the Page Title for the Page. You may enter shortcodes generated by contact form seven to display contact form in the page.
3. Select the Contact Page Template from the Page Attributes section.
4. Click Publish.

Google Map Settings

Note: Google Map can be displayed on the Contact Page.  Make sure you have created a page with Contact Form template for the map to be displayed on it.

1.  Enable Google map to display it in the Contact Page.
2. Enable/Disable Scrolling Wheel.
3. Enable/Disable Map controls
4. Enter Google API Key
5. Enter Longitude, latitude, Map height, Zoom level and Map type.
6. Click Save and Publish.
   

 

Testimonial Page 

To create a new Page

1. Go to Pages > Add New.
   

2. Enter the Page Title for the Page. You do not require to enter anything in the content section for creating a home page.
3. Select the Testimonial  Page Template from the Page Attributes section.
4. Click Publish.

Post Page Settings

1. Go to Appearance> Customize> Post Page Settings.
2. Enable or Disable Show Featured Image
3. Enable or Disable Show Comments
4. Enable or Disable Show Author Comment
5. Click Save and Publish 

Post Meta Settings

1. Go to Appearance> Customize> Post Meta Settings.
2. Choose meta for Post meta Single Page and Post Meta Other pages. You can also change the order of Meta by using drag and drop. Available Meta are Date, author, and comment
3. Select No of character of Post excerpt
4. Enter Post Read More Text
5. Click Save & Publish. 
   

 

Breadcrumb Settings:

1. Go To Appearance> Customize> Breadcrumb Settings.
2. Choose to enable or disable Breadcrumb
3. Choose to show or hide Current.
4. Enter Breadcrumb Home Text.
5. Enter Breadcrumb Separator.
6. Click Save & publish.
   

Styling Options

1. Go to Appearance> Customize> Styling Options
2. Select Layout Style for Single Posts and Archive pages
3. Select Color Scheme using color pallet.
4. Configure Background Color, Body background or upload Background image as desired.
5. Click Save & Publish.
   

Typography Settings :

You can find theme font options by navigating to Go to Appearance> Customize> Typography Settings

This will allow you to configure the typography used on your site. You are able to configure fonts, variant, size, color ( Using Color pallet)  and line height to apply the settings to.

Click Save & Publish, once you are satisfied with your configurations.

Sidebar Settings

Add a Sidebar

1. Go to Appearance> Customize> Sidebar Settings
2. Click Add New sidebar.
   
3. Give the sidebar name and unique id.
   
4. Click Save & Publish.
   
   

Sidebar Settings

1. Go to Appearance> Customize> Sidebar Settings
2. Choose the Sidebar for various Pages like, Single Page Post Page etc.

The sidebar selected under the particular pages will be displayed on the page.

For example:  Blog  Sidebar: Appears only in Blog .

3. You can Add widgets to sidebar from Appearance> widgets.
4. Click Save & Publish.
   

Social Media Links

1. Go to Appearance> Customize> Social Settings
2. Enable Social Links in Header to show it in header
3. Enable Social Links in Contact Section to show it in Contact Section
4. Choose the social media icons to display in Contact Section.
5. Add Social Links by clicking Add new Link . 
6. Click Save & Publish.
   

   Configuring Custom Menus

   The benevolent Pro allows you to have two custom menus: Primary and Secondary menu .

   Option One:

   1. Go to Appearance > Customize>Menus  in the WordPress Dashboard
   2. Click on Add new menu button.
      
   3. Give a name to your menu in Menu Name and click Create Menu button
   4. Choose the pages, categories, custom links from the left-side of your screen by selecting the checkbox and click on Add to Menu for desired Menu items.
      
   5. Order the menu items by using drag and drop function in Menu structure Panel.
   6. Check the Menu locations to either Primary or Secondary.
   7. Click Save and Publish after adding required pages, categories in the menu.

Option Two

1. Go to Appearance > Menus in the WordPress Dashboard
2. Click on Create a new menu link. 
3. Give a name to your menu in Menu Name and click Create Menu button.
4. Choose the pages, categories, custom links from the left-side of your screen by selecting the checkbox and click on Add to Menu for desired Menu items.
5. Order the menu items by using drag and drop function in Menu structure Panel.
6. Check the box for “Primary Menu” under “Theme locations” if you want the menu to appear below the header bar. Check the box for “ Secondary Menu” under “ theme location” if you want the menu to appear on the header bar along side the search box.
7. Click Save Menu after adding required pages, categories in the menu. 

Widgets

Adding a widget:

Option 1:

1. Navigate to Appearance> Widgets
2. Drag the desired widget to  the desired widget space. There is a description of each included widget that you can choose from.
   

Option 2:

1. Go to Appearance > Customize > Widget
2. Click the desired Widget Area (Right Sidebar, Footer One, Footer Two etc)
3. Click Add a Widget. There is a description of each included widget that you can choose from.
4. Click on the desired widget.
5. Drag and reorder the widget as desired
6. Click Save & Publish.
   

Remove  Widget

1. Go to Appearance> Customize>Widget
2. Click the desired Widget Area (Right Sidebar, Footer One, Footer Two etc)
3. Click the widget you want to delete and click delete.
4. Click Save Changes.
   

Custom Codes:

1. Go to Appearance> Customize> Custom Codes
2. Click Open Editor to open editor, enter your codes.
3. Click Save and Publish.
   

Footer Copyright Editor: 

1. Go to Appearance> Customize> Footer settings
2. Enter Footer Copy Right text
3. Hide or Show Author Link and WordPress Link. (Blue is Hide)
4. Click Save and Publish.
   

Helpful Tips

1. We highly recommend to use Child Theme if you need to change the code of the theme. Do not change the codes in the files of the parent theme as all such changes will be lost when the theme is updated. For information about How to create a child theme visit :https://codex.wordpress.org/Child_Themes
2. Always keep BackUp of your theme before making any changes to the theme.
3. If you get any problem in using the theme, you can do the following things:
   • Deactivate the plugins, sometime plugin conflict may cause issues with the theme. Please deactivate the unused plugins.
   • Replace latest modified code with the original code.
   • If the issue still pertains, feel free to contact us using our Support Ticket