how to add pages in wordpress

My WordPress dashboard was full of custom page templates, like a digital workshop. And that was what I intended. The screen was filled with layouts for my clients: simple contact forms, detailed service listings, complex landing pages. A dedicated panel held the page editor; it was ready for content. On display too, and just as important, were the custom fields, the SEO settings from the sidebar, and the featured image for the homepage. The site itself, built for a specific purpose, was taking shape right there. It was a powerful WordPress installation, and learning how to add pages in WordPress is the first step to building something great.

A Simple Guide to Creating New Pages in WordPress

Adding a new page is one of the most common tasks you'll perform, and WordPress makes it wonderfully straightforward. Whether you're setting up an 'About Us' section, a 'Services' page, or a 'Contact' form, the process is designed to be intuitive. Before you start, it's a good practice to have a clear idea of what you want the page to accomplish. This planning helps you choose the right blocks and structure your content effectively from the beginning. Think of your page as a blank canvas waiting for your unique content.

• Step 1: Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard. This is your website's control center.
• Step 2: From the left-hand menu, hover over Pages and then click Add New. You can also click the "+ New" link at the top of the admin bar and select "Page."
• Step 3: You will now be in the WordPress block editor. Enter a title for your page in the field at the top, for example, "Our Services."
• Step 4: Start building your content by adding blocks. Click the black plus (+) icon to see all available blocks, like Paragraph, Image, Heading, or Columns.
• Step 5: Customize each block using the settings that appear on the right-hand side. You can change fonts, colors, alignment, and more.
• Step 6: Look at the Document settings in the right sidebar. Here you can set a featured image, change the page template, and adjust the SEO settings if you have a plugin like Yoast SEO installed.
• Step 7: Once you are happy with your page, you can either Publish it immediately to make it live, or click Save Draft to come back to it later. You can also Preview the page to see how it will look to visitors.

Remember, you can always edit or update any page later, so don't worry about making it perfect on the first try. The block editor is designed for easy, drag-and-drop customization.

What is the difference between a post and a page in WordPress?

While they seem similar, posts and pages serve different purposes. Posts are for timely, blog-style content that is part of a chronological feed. They are organized using categories and tags and are meant for content you update regularly, like news articles or blog entries. Posts encourage interaction through comments and social sharing, and they are included in your website's RSS feed.

Pages, on the other hand, are for static, timeless content. Think of your "About," "Contact," or "Privacy Policy" pages. They exist outside of the blog chronology and are typically linked from your site's main navigation menu. Pages are hierarchical, meaning you can have parent and child pages (e.g., a "Services" parent page with "Web Design" and "Consulting" as child pages). Understanding this distinction is crucial for organizing your website's database structure effectively.

How do I change the order of my pages in the menu?

To change the order of pages in your navigation menu, you need to use the WordPress Menus system. This is separate from the page creation process. Go to Appearance > Menus in your dashboard. Here, you can create a new menu or edit an existing one. You can then add pages to the menu and simply drag and drop them into your desired order.

This menu system gives you complete control over your site's navigation. You are not limited to the default order of pages. You can create multiple menus for different locations (like a header menu and a footer menu) and include custom links, categories, and more. For those who have worked with other systems, this level of menu control is often more intuitive than managing menus in a different content management platform.

Can I duplicate an existing page in WordPress?

Yes, duplicating a page is a huge time-saver, especially if you have a complex layout you want to reuse. While WordPress doesn't have a built-in "duplicate" button, you can easily achieve this by using a plugin. Popular options like "Duplicate Post" or "Yoast Duplicate Post" add this functionality with a single click. After installation, you'll see a "Duplicate This" option when you hover over a page in your Pages list.

Alternatively, you can manually copy and paste the content. Simply edit the page you want to copy, select all the blocks in the editor, and paste them into a new page. However, this method can sometimes miss certain custom fields or settings. Before making significant changes to any page, it's always wise to create a full backup of your WordPress site to protect your work.

What are some common page attributes and settings?

Page attributes provide additional control over how a page is organized and displayed. In the editor's right sidebar under "Page Attributes," you'll find key settings. The Parent dropdown lets you make the current page a child of another, creating a hierarchy. The Template dropdown allows you to select a different page layout if your theme provides alternatives, like a full-width template.

The Order field lets you manually number pages to control their default sequence, which can be useful if you're not using a custom menu. For more advanced control, you might need to adjust your site's underlying configuration. It's also good practice to safely export your theme and customizations before making major changes to ensure you can restore your preferred setup if needed.

Comparison of Popular Page Builder Plugins

While the default block editor is powerful, many users prefer dedicated page builders for more design freedom. These plugins offer drag-and-drop interfaces and pre-built sections to speed up the creation of complex layouts. They are excellent for building custom landing pages and detailed service listings without needing to write any code.

What should I do if I need to remove a page permanently?

To permanently remove a page, go to your Pages list in the dashboard. Hover over the page title you wish to delete and click Trash. The page will be moved to the trash, where it will stay for 30 days before being automatically deleted. If you need to delete it immediately, you can go to the Trash section and click "Delete Permanently."

It is very important to be certain before permanently deleting a page. Check that the page is not linked from your main menu or other important parts of your site, as this will create broken links for your visitors. If you are managing a multi-author site, you might want to understand the process for managing site content to avoid accidental removal of important pages. For complex sites, working with a dedicated WordPress expert can help you manage your content strategy effectively.

Let WPutopia Handle Your WordPress Needs

If all of this seems like a lot to handle, you're not alone. Managing a WordPress site involves ongoing tasks like maintenance, theme upgrades, and plugin installation.