It’s tough to know all of the things that WordPress can do. Tbh, that feels like my job, not yours. Which is why I wanted to explain Custom Post Types to you, because they are worth knowing for 90% of the businesses that use WP. Why? Because they expand your site from managing blog posts + pages to housing a slew of content. While also making that content easier to share.
wtf is a Custom Post Type?
CPTs, or Custom Post Types, are a way to add specialized content to your WordPress site. By default, WordPress comes with a few built-in content types, like posts + pages. With CPTs, the possibilities are nearly endless. Think of them as flexible content templates that let you organize, present, + control different types of information across your site.
Examples of Custom Post Types on Client Sites
You may already have Custom Post Types in place on your site! Because they’re popular for structuring specific types of content, some themes + plugins bake in a few CPTs. Here are some common ones that I’ve set up for clients:
- Podcast Episodes: A CPT with categories can help organize episodes by series, seasons, or guests for easy access.
- Portfolios: Perfect for showcasing projects with a dedicated layout, tags, + details.
- Testimonials: Display client feedback or reviews in a structured, visually appealing way, like I did for my client last month.
- Events: If you’re running an event-heavy site, a CPT can manage dates, locations, + RSVPs.
How to Generate Custom Post Types
Ready to create your own CPTs? You’ve got a couple of options outside of finding a theme that already has exactly what you need:
- Using a Plugin: This is the most user-friendly approach and works well if you prefer a no-code setup. Plugins like Custom Post Type UI make it pretty easy to create new CPTs. Within minutes, you can be up and running with a shiny new content type, no coding required.
- Coding Within Your Theme: If you’re comfortable with a little code — or know someone that is 😉 — this approach offers more customization options + keeps your site lightweight. By adding custom code snippets to your theme’s
functions.phpfile, you can create CPTs that are tightly integrated with your site’s design + functionality.
How I Do CPTs Differently
Outside of saving my clients from yet another plugin syndrome, when I build CPTs, I pay attention to details that other developers don’t.
From being smart with my icon selection so that the dashboard menu is still helpful, to placing the CPT where clients need it (i.e. is this content more important than blog posts?), to hiding features not required because I know what they mean, I focus on building CPTs the right way.
That testimonial CPT project I keep talking about? I turned off the featured image element (my client doesn’t have images for her testimonials), archive page + hid those from the site search results. But if I had made a portfolio CPT, all 3 of those settings would be on.
Take Your WordPress Site to the Next Level
Imagine being able to showcase your work, events, + client testimonials in a way that’s both user-friendly but also visually on-brand. Custom Post Types make your content easier to manage + more accessible to visitors.
Whether you’re ready to dive into CPTs or want a professional touch to bring them to life, tiny blue orange is here to help! Working with me on a 5 or 10 hour retainer means custom solutions designed to elevate your site, boost your engagement, + help you stand out online. Reach out + we can schedule your project for 2025!