Technical Task for the Developer
Job Title: Creation of a High-Performance Media Site: The Weed Blog (GeneratePress + GenerateBlocks)
Project Description: We are executing "clean" development for an authoritative media site (The Weed Blog — https://theweedblog.com/). This is a technical implementation project, not a creative design exploration. The technology stack, design system (hex codes, fonts), and layout logic are defined. A qualified performer is needed to realize this vision.
Deadline: 7 days from the moment of hiring
Current Project Status: Ready for development
Hosting: WP Engine development environment
Plugins: All premium plugins installed, licensed, and active
Access: Administrative access provided immediately
Materials: All global colors, typographic scales, and reference layouts defined and ready for use
Scope of Work
The performer will create the main framework of the site using GeneratePress Premium + GenerateBlocks Pro. The build includes a custom mobile layout in the style of Netflix, a high-density desktop grid, and a custom-styled recipe engine.
1. Technical Specifications and Plugin Stack
Base Infrastructure:
GeneratePress Premium (theme)
GenerateBlocks Pro (layouts and patterns)
Code Snippets (for custom PHP functions — keep functions.php clean)
Performance and Security:
Perfmatters (script manager, deferred JS, removal of unused CSS)
Imagify (image optimization — WebP/AVIF)
Wordfence (web firewall)
Limitations: Wordfence must be configured in "optimization mode" (.user.ini) with the Live Traffic option TURNED OFF.
Limitations: Must not override or conflict with Global Edge Security from WP Engine.
SEO and Content:
Yoast SEO Premium (headings, canonical URLs, breadcrumbs, schema)
TaxoPress (taxonomy management)
Recipes:
Forms and Metadata:
Operations:
2. Site Structure and Pages (Skeleton)
The performer is responsible for creating an empty structure/skeleton. DO NOT migrate old content yet (except for pages that meet the requirements).
Main Pages (create empty templates and add to the footer menu):
About Us
Contact — integrate Gravity Forms
Privacy Policy — Critical: text must be transferred verbatim from the live site to meet SMS requirements
Terms & Conditions — Critical: text must be transferred verbatim from the live site to meet SMS requirements
Advertise / Media Kit
Page Layout Settings:
All pages must use the default layout (content only, no sidebars) with a container width of 800px for readability.
Taxonomy Structure (Main Menu):
Set up the main menu with 6 categories: News, Culture, Growing, Science, Advocacy, Reviews.
3. Main Page Architecture ("Responsive Transformation")
A high-density main page is needed, implemented with Query Loops from GenerateBlocks, adapting behavior based on the device.
A. Mobile Layout: "Netflix" Stack (Critical)
A specific layout is needed — a vertical+horizontal hybrid navigation.
Technical Implementation:
Visual Hint:
Element Flow:
Search bar: small, sticky at the top.
Trending banner: main headlines.
Category carousels: 3–5 horizontal rows (e.g., News, Growing, Strains). Each with a clear heading.
Featured story: highlighted "hero" card separating carousels and the feed.
Latest news: vertical feed (standard grid) at the bottom.
B. Desktop Layout
4. Custom Functions (on code/blocks — WITHOUT plugins)
Social Media Buttons:
Build using GenerateBlocks and embedded SVGs.
Limitations: DO NOT install heavy JS plugins like AddToAny or ShareThis.
Location: header, footer, and "Share" section in individual posts.
Related Posts:
Estimated Reading Time:
Table of Contents:
Create a lightweight custom block pattern that automatically generates links from H2/H3 headings, with minimal JS.
Limitations: no layout shift (reserve space for TOC in the template).
How We Work
I act as the lead architect. I have defined the stack, design system, and site map. I need a qualified performer to implement this vision strictly according to the specifications provided.
Website Link: https://theweedblog.com/