Custom post types in WordPress can help create unique content for websites. Standard posts and pages can be limited in their content presentation and unique functionalities. Custom post types allow web developers to create content tailored to their specific needs and goals. In this article, we will explain what custom post types are, how to create them, how to use them to create unique content, examples of custom post types in action, and provide technical tips to maximize their potential.
What are Custom Post Types?
Custom post types in WordPress are a way to create content that is not limited to standard posts or pages. They are separate content types that can be customized to fit specific needs. Custom post types provide flexibility to the WordPress platform to create content that meets the unique needs of websites. Web developers can create custom post types for various purposes, such as portfolios, reviews, or events.
Creating Custom Post Types
Creating custom post types is relatively easy. The first step is to create a new file in your WordPress theme folder. This file should be named “custom-post-types.php” and should contain the following code:
_x( ‘Custom Post Types’, ‘Post Type General Name’, ‘text_domain’ ),
‘singular_name’ => _x( ‘Custom Post Type’, ‘Post Type Singular Name’, ‘text_domain’ ),
‘menu_name’ => __( ‘Custom Post Types’, ‘text_domain’ ),
‘name_admin_bar’ => __( ‘Custom Post Type’, ‘text_domain’ ),
‘archives’ => __( ‘Custom Post Type Archives’, ‘text_domain’ ),
‘attributes’ => __( ‘Custom Post Type Attributes’, ‘text_domain’ ),
‘parent_item_colon’ => __( ‘Parent Custom Post Type:’, ‘text_domain’ ),
‘all_items’ => __( ‘All Custom Post Types’, ‘text_domain’ ),
‘add_new_item’ => __( ‘Add New Custom Post Type’, ‘text_domain’ ),
‘add_new’ => __( ‘Add New’, ‘text_domain’ ),
‘new_item’ => __( ‘New Custom Post Type’, ‘text_domain’ ),
‘edit_item’ => __( ‘Edit Custom Post Type’, ‘text_domain’ ),
‘update_item’ => __( ‘Update Custom Post Type’, ‘text_domain’ ),
‘view_item’ => __( ‘View Custom Post Type’, ‘text_domain’ ),
‘view_items’ => __( ‘View Custom Post Types’, ‘text_domain’ ),
‘search_items’ => __( ‘Search Custom Post Type’, ‘text_domain’ ),
‘not_found’ => __( ‘Not found’, ‘text_domain’ ),
‘not_found_in_trash’ => __( ‘Not found in Trash’, ‘text_domain’ ),
‘featured_image’ => __( ‘Featured Image’, ‘text_domain’ ),
‘set_featured_image’ => __( ‘Set featured image’, ‘text_domain’ ),
‘remove_featured_image’ => __( ‘Remove featured image’, ‘text_domain’ ),
‘use_featured_image’ => __( ‘Use as featured image’, ‘text_domain’ ),
‘insert_into_item’ => __( ‘Insert into Custom Post Type’, ‘text_domain’ ),
‘uploaded_to_this_item’ => __( ‘Uploaded to this Custom Post Type’, ‘text_domain’ ),
‘items_list’ => __( ‘Custom Post Types list’, ‘text_domain’ ),
‘items_list_navigation’ => __( ‘Custom Post Types list navigation’, ‘text_domain’ ),
‘filter_items_list’ => __( ‘Filter Custom Post Types list’, ‘text_domain’ ),
);
$args = array(
‘label’ => __( ‘Custom Post Type’, ‘text_domain’ ),
‘description’ => __( ‘Custom Post Type Description’, ‘text_domain’ ),
‘labels’ => $labels,
‘supports’ => array( ‘title’, ‘editor’, ‘excerpt’, ‘author’, ‘thumbnail’, ‘comments’, ‘trackbacks’, ‘revisions’, ‘custom-fields’, ‘page-attributes’, ‘post-formats’, ),
‘taxonomies’ => array( ‘category’, ‘post_tag’ ),
‘hierarchical’ => false,
‘public’ => true,
‘show_ui’ => true,
‘show_in_menu’ => true,
‘menu_position’ => 5,
‘show_in_admin_bar’ => true,
‘show_in_nav_menus’ => true,
‘can_export’ => true,
‘has_archive’ => true,
‘exclude_from_search’ => false,
‘publicly_queryable’ => true,
‘capability_type’ => ‘page’,
);
register_post_type( ‘custom_post_type’, $args );
}
add_action( ‘init’, ‘custom_post_type’, 0 );
?>
This code will create a new custom post type called “Custom Post Type”. You can change the name of the post type, as well as the labels and other settings, to suit your needs.
Once you’ve saved the file, you can then go to the WordPress admin area and create a new post using the new custom post type. You can also add custom fields and other settings to the post type to make it even more unique.
Using Custom Post Types to Create Unique Content
Once you’ve created a custom post type, you can use it to create unique content for your website. For example, you could create a custom post type for product reviews, or for customer testimonials. You could also create a custom post type for blog posts, or for news articles.
The possibilities are endless, and the content you create can be tailored to your specific needs. You can also use custom post types to create content that is more engaging and interesting for your visitors. For example, you could create a custom post type for video tutorials, or for interactive quizzes.
How to Create Custom Post Types in WordPress with Plug Ins
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to create custom post types in WordPress using plugins:
- Install and activate a plugin called “Custom Post Type UI” from the WordPress plugin repository.
- Once activated, go to the “CPT UI” menu in your WordPress dashboard and click on “Add/Edit Post Types”.
- Fill out the form to create your custom post type, including the name, slug, and any additional options you want to include (such as taxonomies or custom fields). Click on “Add Post Type” when you’re done.
- Your custom post type will now appear in the left-hand menu of your WordPress dashboard. You can start creating new posts of this type by clicking on the name of the post type and then clicking on “Add New”.
- If you want to customize the display of your custom post type on your website, you can install and activate a plugin called “Custom Post Type UI Extended”. This plugin allows you to create templates for your custom post type, as well as add custom fields and taxonomies.
- Once you’ve installed and activated “Custom Post Type UI Extended”, go to the “CPT UI” menu and click on “Templates”. Here, you can create a new template for your custom post type by clicking on “Add New Template”. You can use HTML, CSS, and PHP to customize the display of your custom post type.
- If you want to add custom fields to your custom post type, go to the “CPT UI” menu and click on “Add/Edit Fields”. Here, you can create a new field group and add custom fields to it. You can then assign this field group to your custom post type.
That’s it! With these plugins, you can create custom post types in WordPress and customize their display and functionality.
Examples of Custom Post Types in Action
One of the best ways to get an idea of how custom post types can be used to create unique content is to look at some examples. Here are a few examples of custom post types in action:
• Product Reviews: A custom post type for product reviews can be used to create detailed reviews of products. This can help to inform customers and give them an idea of what to expect from a product before they buy it.
• Customer Testimonials: A custom post type for customer testimonials can be used to showcase customer feedback and give potential customers an idea of what to expect from your business.
• Video Tutorials: A custom post type for video tutorials can be used to create engaging content that helps to educate customers and show them how to use your products or services.
• Interactive Quizzes: A custom post type for interactive quizzes can be used to create fun and engaging content that helps to engage customers and keep them coming back for more.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Custom Post Types
• Make sure to use descriptive titles and labels for your custom post types. This will make it easier for visitors to find the content they’re looking for.
• Make sure to use relevant categories and tags for your custom post types. This will help to ensure that your content is properly organized and easy to find.
• Make sure to use featured images for your custom post types. This will help to make your content more visually appealing and engaging.
• Make sure to use custom fields for your custom post types. This will allow you to add additional information to your content and make it more useful for visitors.
• Make sure to use custom templates for your custom post types. This will allow you to create unique layouts for your content and make it more engaging for visitors.
Real Life Example
Here’s a scenario to help you understand how to create custom post types in WordPress using a plugin:
Scenario: You are a freelance web developer and your client, a small business owner, wants to create a section on their WordPress website where they can showcase their team members. They want this section to have a separate archive page and the ability to add custom fields such as job title and social media links for each team member.
Step 1: Install and activate a custom post type plugin such as Custom Post Type UI or Toolset Types on the WordPress website.
Step 2: In the plugin settings, create a new custom post type called “Team Members”. Set the slug to “team-members” and select the options for public, hierarchical, and show UI to true.
Step 3: Under the custom fields section of the plugin settings, add fields for job title and social media links.
Step 4: Save the custom post type settings and go to the WordPress dashboard. You should now see a new menu item for “Team Members”.
Step 5: Click on “Team Members” and add a new team member. Fill in the name, job title, and social media links in the custom fields.
Step 6: Publish the team member post and repeat the process for all team members.
Step 7: Create a new page called “Our Team” and insert the shortcode for the “Team Members” archive page provided by the custom post type plugin.
Step 8: Save the page and view it on the frontend of the website. You should now see a section for “Our Team” with all the team member posts listed.
Congratulations, you have successfully created a custom post type for team members on the WordPress website using a plugin.
FAQ
Q: What is a custom post type in WordPress?
A: A custom post type is a way to create a different type of post other than the default WordPress posts and pages. It allows you to organize your content in a more specific and structured way.
Q: What are some examples of custom post types?
A: Some common examples of custom post types are products, events, portfolio items, testimonials, and recipes.
Q: Why would I want to create a custom post type?
A: Creating a custom post type can help you better organize your content and make it easier for your visitors to find what they’re looking for. It can also help you customize your website to better fit your needs.
Q: Do I need coding skills to create a custom post type in WordPress?
A: While it’s possible to create a custom post type without coding, using a plugin or a theme that supports custom post types, some knowledge of PHP and WordPress functions can be helpful for more advanced customization.
Q: Can I customize the archive pages and single pages for my custom post type?
A: Yes, you can customize the archive pages and single pages for your custom post type by creating custom templates and using WordPress template hierarchy.
Q: How can I display my custom post types on my website?
A: You can display your custom post types by using WordPress loop or shortcode, and by adding them to menus or widgets. You can also use plugins that offer more advanced display options.
Conclusion
Custom post types are a great way to create unique content for your website. They allow you to create content that is tailored to your specific needs and can help you stand out from the competition. If you’re looking for a way to create content that is more engaging and interesting for your visitors, custom post types are a great option.
If you need help creating custom post types for your website, contact AS6 Digital Agency. We can help you create custom post types that are tailored to your specific needs and can help you create content that is more engaging and interesting for your visitors.
