In WordPress, custom post types allow you to organize and display different types of content beyond traditional posts and pages. However, displaying these custom post types on your website requires creating custom archive pages tailored to their specific content. If you’re a beginner hosted with US Domain Center and want to learn how to create a custom post types archive page in WordPress, this guide is for you. We’ll walk you through the process step by step.
Why Create a Custom Post Types Archive Page?
Creating a custom post types archive page in WordPress offers several benefits:
- Organized Content: Keep your custom post types separate from regular posts and pages for better organization.
- Improved User Experience: Provide visitors with dedicated pages to explore specific types of content.
- Enhanced SEO: Optimize each custom post types archive page for relevant keywords and improve search engine visibility.
Step 1: Register Your Custom Post Type
Before creating a custom post types archive page, you need to register your custom post type in WordPress. Follow these steps:
- Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard.
- Navigate to your theme’s functions.php file.
- Add code to register your custom post type using the
register_post_type()function. For example:
function custom_post_type() {
register_post_type('books',
array(
'labels' => array(
'name' => __('Books'),
'singular_name' => __('Book')
),
'public' => true,
'has_archive' => true,
)
);
}
add_action('init', 'custom_post_type');
Step 2: Create a Template File for Your Custom Post Type
Next, you’ll need to create a template file to display your custom post types archive page. Follow these steps:
- Create a new file in your theme directory named archive-books.php (replace “books” with the name of your custom post type).
- Add code to display the archive page content, such as a loop to list all custom post types. You can use standard WordPress loop functions like
get_header(),get_footer(), andwhile (have_posts()). - Customize the appearance and layout of your archive page as desired using HTML and CSS.
Step 3: Customize Permalinks (Optional)
If you want to customize the permalink structure for your custom post types archive page, you can do so in the WordPress settings. Follow these steps:
- Go to “Settings” > “Permalinks” in your WordPress admin dashboard.
- Choose a permalink structure that includes your custom post type name, such as “/books/%postname%/”.
- Click “Save Changes” to update your permalink settings.
Step 4: Test Your Custom Post Types Archive Page
Once you’ve created and customized your custom post types archive page, it’s time to test it. Follow these steps:
- Visit your website’s front end and navigate to the URL of your custom post types archive page (e.g., www.yourdomain.com/books).
- Verify that the archive page displays correctly and lists all custom post types associated with your registered post type.
- Test the functionality of the archive page, including navigation, pagination, and any custom queries or filters you’ve implemented.
Conclusion
Creating a custom post types archive page in WordPress hosted with US Domain Center allows you to organize and showcase specific types of content on your website. By following the steps outlined in this beginner’s guide, you can create a dedicated archive page for your custom post types and enhance the overall user experience. Experiment with different layouts, templates, and permalink structures to find what works best for your website and content.