So I'm setting up a new WordPress site to promote my books and I decided to use Twenty Seventeen because I've used it before for my freelance site. (I have a lot of websites, most of them on WordPress.) It's a bit more complicated than I remember, but I used it many updates ago. I don't remember the pictures of beer and sandwiches when I was setting it up back then. I did manage to remove those from the front page, but they then reappeared on the individual pages and I could not figure out how to get rid of them.
My solution was to delete the pages in question and reestablish them. It worked! Unfortunately, one of the pages was the preinstalled blog page. At first, I figured I didn't need a silly old blog (I got rid of the one on the freelance site) but as I thought things over, I realized I do need a silly old blog. But I can't figure out how to set up a blog page to replace the one I deleted. I can only set up regular pages. I don't have to worry about recovering the posts, because all I had was Hello World.
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To add a “blog” page back to your WordPress site, log into your dashboard, navigate to “Pages” > “Add New”, create a new page titled “Blog”, then in your WordPress settings, go to “Reading” and select this newly created “Blog” page as your “Posts page” to display all your blog posts on.
It sounds like you've run into a common WordPress theme issue with Twenty Seventeen where the default content can be surprisingly persistent. Many users find that removing those stock images from the front page only to have them appear elsewhere is a frustrating experience. This kind of theme behavior often makes people look for WordPress customization solutions to gain better control over their site's appearance.
Your approach of deleting and recreating pages was actually quite logical for handling persistent theme elements. When working with WordPress over multiple versions, it's easy to forget how themes evolve and change their default setups. The platform's flexibility means you can usually find workarounds for most issues, though sometimes it requires exploring different approaches to content management system advantages that WordPress offers.
How to Restore Your Blog Page in WordPress
Restoring your blog functionality is simpler than it might seem. First, log into your WordPress dashboard and navigate to the Pages section. Create a new page titled "Blog" – this will serve as the container for your future posts. The key step comes next: visit the Reading settings under your main Settings menu. Here you'll find the option to set a "Posts page" where you can select your newly created Blog page. This tells WordPress to display all your blog posts on that specific page rather than treating it as a standard static page.
Once you've saved these changes, your blog functionality will be fully restored. You can begin creating posts that will automatically appear on your Blog page. The Twenty Seventeen theme will adapt to show your posts in its standard blog layout, and you'll have complete control over what content appears where. This process works consistently across most WordPress themes, making it a reliable solution for similar situations.
Why did my WordPress theme change after an update?
WordPress themes receive regular updates that can significantly alter their appearance and functionality. These updates often include new features, security patches, and design improvements that might change how default content displays. The Twenty Seventeen theme has evolved through multiple versions since its initial release, which explains why the current version includes different default images and layouts than you remember from previous installations.
Theme developers frequently update their designs to reflect current web standards and user expectations. If you prefer maintaining consistent design across updates, consider using WordPress responsive design principles when customizing your theme. This approach helps ensure your site remains stable through theme updates while preserving your preferred layout and functionality across different devices and WordPress versions.
How can I prevent losing important pages in WordPress?
Establishing good backup habits is crucial for preventing permanent content loss in WordPress. Regularly export your site's content through the Tools section in your dashboard, and consider using reliable backup plugins that automatically save your pages and posts. Before making significant changes like deleting default pages, create duplicates or draft versions as safety nets. Many experienced WordPress users also maintain quality hosting solutions that include automatic backup systems for added protection.
Another effective strategy involves using revision history and trash functionality built into WordPress. When you delete pages, they typically move to the trash where they remain recoverable for 30 days. For critical pages like your blog index, consider setting up user permissions that prevent accidental deletion. Implementing these simple practices can save you from recreating lost content and maintain your site's integrity through various updates and changes.
What's the difference between pages and posts in WordPress?
WordPress distinguishes between pages and posts to handle different types of content effectively. Pages typically serve as static content that doesn't change frequently, such as About Us, Contact, or Services pages. They exist outside the chronological blog structure and don't appear in RSS feeds by default. Posts, however, form the dynamic content of your blog – they display in reverse chronological order, include categories and tags, and appear in your site's RSS feed.
This separation allows for flexible content organization while maintaining clear structure. When you set a page as your "Posts page" in Reading settings, you're essentially creating a dedicated space where all your blog posts will collectively appear. Understanding this distinction helps you make the most of WordPress's content management capabilities whether you're building a simple brochure site or a complex publication with multiple content types.
How do I choose the right WordPress theme for my book promotion site?
Selecting the appropriate WordPress theme involves considering both aesthetic appeal and functional requirements. For book promotion, prioritize themes with strong typography options, clean layouts that showcase cover art effectively, and built-in support for media elements. Twenty Seventeen offers a solid foundation with its professional appearance, but you might want to explore themes specifically designed for authors and creatives that include features like book showcases, event calendars, and integrated social proof elements to highlight reader testimonials and reviews.
| Theme Feature | Importance for Authors | Twenty Seventeen Support |
|---|---|---|
| Typography Options | High - crucial for readability | Good font customization |
| Media Display | High - book covers need prominence | Limited native book features |
| Blog Layout | Medium - for author updates | Standard blog functionality |
| Mobile Responsiveness | Essential for all modern sites | Fully responsive design |
Can I add video content to my WordPress book site?
Absolutely! Video content can significantly enhance your book promotion efforts by allowing you to share book trailers, author readings, and behind-the-scenes content. WordPress makes video integration straightforward through multiple methods. You can directly upload video files to your media library, though this may affect your site's loading speed and storage limits. Most authors find better results using external video hosting services that provide embedding options.
For optimal video presentation, consider learning about video embedding techniques in WordPress that maintain quality while preserving site performance. YouTube and Vimeo offer reliable embedding solutions that work seamlessly with most WordPress themes, including Twenty Seventeen. Remember to include captions or transcripts for accessibility, and ensure your video content complements your written material rather than replacing essential information about your books and author brand.
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At WPutopia, we specialize in helping authors and creatives establish powerful online presences through WordPress. Our comprehensive services include theme customization specifically tailored for book promotion, regular maintenance to keep your site secure and updated, plugin installation for enhanced functionality, and ongoing support for all your WordPress needs. Whether you're struggling with theme configuration, need help optimizing your site for readers, or want to implement advanced features for your growing author platform, our team has the expertise to transform your vision into a professional, functional website that effectively promotes your literary work.
