WordPress is one of the most powerful content management systems (CMS) available today, allowing users to create a wide range of websites, from blogs to e-commerce platforms. One of its most flexible features is the ability to create custom post types. These allow website owners to add and manage different types of content beyond the default posts and pages.
In this article, we will explore what custom post types are, why they are important, and how to create them in WordPress. By the end of this guide, you will have a clear understanding of how to enhance your WordPress website with custom content structures.
What Are Custom Post Types?
By default, WordPress comes with a few built-in post types:
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Posts – Used for blog entries
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Pages – Used for static content like an “About” or “Contact” page
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Attachments – Files such as images, PDFs, or videos
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Revisions – Saved versions of posts and pages
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Navigation Menus – Items for menus
However, sometimes you need a different type of content that doesn’t fit into these categories. This is where custom post types come in. They allow you to create a structured content format that is separate from your standard blog posts and pages.
For example, if you are running a real estate website, you might want a property custom post type. Similarly, for a movie review website, you might need a movies post type.
Why Use Custom Post Types?
Custom post types are incredibly useful for organizing content efficiently. Some of the key benefits include:
Improved Organization – Helps separate different types of content rather than mixing them all as standard posts.
Better User Experience – Users can navigate through different types of content more effectively.
Customization Flexibility – Allows developers to design the website structure according to specific needs.
SEO Benefits – Custom post types can have dedicated SEO settings, making it easier to optimize content.
For businesses, bloggers, and website owners, using custom post types ensures that content is properly categorized and easily manageable.
How to Create Custom Post Types in WordPress
There are two main ways to create custom post types in WordPress:
Using Code (Manual Method)
Using a Plugin (Automatic Method)
We will go through both approaches so you can decide which works best for you.
Method 1: Creating Custom Post Types Manually
To create a custom post type manually, you need to edit your WordPress theme’s functions.php file.
Steps to Create a Custom Post Type Manually
Access Your Theme’s Functions File
Go to the WordPress dashboard.
Navigate to Appearance > Theme File Editor.
Find and open the functions.php file.
Register Your Custom Post Type
Add a function to register a new post type inside the functions.php file.
Assign a unique name to the post type (e.g., “Books” if you’re creating a book library).
Define the labels, visibility settings, and features the post type should support.
Save Changes and Refresh
Click Update File and refresh your WordPress dashboard.
You should now see your new custom post type appear in the WordPress admin menu.
Check for Errors
If your new post type doesn’t appear, go to Settings > Permalinks and click Save Changes to flush the permalink structure.
Method 2: Using a Plugin to Create Custom Post Types
If you’re not comfortable editing code, you can use a plugin to create custom post types easily.
Recommended Plugins
Custom Post Type UI
Install and activate the Custom Post Type UI plugin from the WordPress repository.
Go to CPT UI > Add New Post Type in the WordPress dashboard.
Enter the post type name, labels, and settings.
Click Save Post Type, and your custom post type will be created.
Pods – Custom Content Types and Fields
This plugin allows you to create custom post types and also add custom fields to them.
After installing the plugin, go to Pods Admin > Add New to create a new post type.
Advanced Custom Fields (ACF)
While ACF is mainly for adding custom fields, it works well when combined with custom post types.
Using a plugin is the fastest and safest way to create custom post types, especially for those unfamiliar with coding.
Adding Custom Taxonomies for Better Organization
Custom taxonomies allow you to group and categorize your custom post types. Just like categories and tags are used for regular posts, you can create custom taxonomies for your new post types.
Examples of Custom Taxonomies
For a book post type: Custom taxonomies could be Genre or Author.
For a real estate post type: Taxonomies could be Property Type (e.g., Apartment, House) or Location.
Using taxonomies makes it easier to filter and search content within your website.
Displaying Custom Post Types on Your WordPress Site
After creating a custom post type, you’ll need to display it on the front end of your website. Here are a few methods:
Using Page Templates
You can create a new template file in your theme to display your custom post type.
Using the Query Loop Block in Gutenberg
If your site uses the WordPress block editor (Gutenberg), you can use the Query Loop Block to show posts from your custom post type.
Using a Page Builder Plugin
Popular page builders like Elementor and Divi have built-in support for custom post types.
Best Practices When Creating Custom Post Types
Choose the Right Name – Use a singular and unique name for the custom post type to avoid conflicts.
Backup Your Site – Always create a backup before editing theme files.
Use a Plugin If Needed – If you’re not comfortable with coding, opt for a plugin to prevent potential errors.
Organize With Taxonomies – Implement custom taxonomies to make content easier to navigate.
Optimize for SEO – Configure SEO settings for your new post type using an SEO plugin like Yoast SEO.
Conclusion
Custom post types are a powerful feature in WordPress that allow you to organize and display different types of content more effectively. Whether you create them manually using code or with a plugin, custom post types can help enhance your site’s structure and user experience.
By following the steps in this guide, you can create custom post types that suit your website’s needs, making it easier to manage your content efficiently. If you’re not comfortable with coding, using a plugin like Custom Post Type UI is the best option.
Would you like to create a custom post type for your website? Start today and give your site a more structured and organized content system!
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