If you’re new to WordPress, you may be wondering what the difference is between posts vs. pages. WordPress treats them differently in a few ways. In this article, we’ll explain the difference, and when you should use each of these content types on your website.
Understanding WordPress Pages vs. Posts
Pages are typically used for static content on your website. This could include a home page, an “About” page, a contact page, or even a services page. Pages are not usually shown in reverse chronological order like posts, and they often have their own unique navigation links in the menu bar of your site.
Posts, on the other hand, are typically used for timely content or blog posts. They’re usually shown in reverse chronological order on your website, and they can be categorized and tagged so that your visitors can easily find them. WordPress plugins can further help with using categories.
Differences Between WordPress Posts and Pages
Besides the way they’re displayed, there are more differences between posts vs. pages. WordPress treats them differently in the following ways.
Hierarchical Structure
Pages can have a hierarchical structure, whereas posts cannot. This means that you can set up a parent page, and then have child pages under it in the site’s navigation menu. Posts cannot have this hierarchy structure.
Template Options
Pages also have more template options than posts. WordPress themes often come with various page templates for you to use, such as a full-width page template or a sidebar page template. Posts usually stick to one main template option for display.
Publishing Date
Posts will have a publishing date associated with them, while pages do not. This can be important for blog posts or news updates that you want to display as being recent on your website.
Comments and Sharing
By default, posts allow visitors to leave comments and easily share the post on social media platforms. Pages don’t have these options enabled, but you can manually turn on comments and sharing if desired.
SEO
When it comes to search engine optimization (SEO), posts typically have more easily attainable SEO value since they can be linked to, shared on social media, and have a comment section where visitors can engage with the content. Pages, on the other hand, are typically static and don’t have as many opportunities for fresh, new content or engagement.
To summarize, what is the difference between posts vs. pages? WordPress pages have a hierarchical structure and more template options, while posts have a publishing date and more opportunities for engagement and SEO value.
Posts vs. Pages – WordPress Organizes Them Differently
Not only do posts and pages have different uses and features, but WordPress also organizes them differently in the dashboard. When you’re creating content, posts will show up under the “Posts” section and pages will show up under the “Pages” section. It’s important to note that posts will also show up in the “Categories” section, where you can organize them into categories and tags. Pages do not have this option.
Now that you understand the difference between posts vs. pages (WordPress), you can properly use each content type on your website for maximum effectiveness and organization.
Should You Create a Page or Post?
It can be easy to get confused about whether a certain piece of content should be a page or post. As a general rule, ask yourself if the content is one of the main building blocks of your website. If the answer is yes, create a page. If the answer is no, or if it’s timely content that will eventually become outdated, create a post.
Of course, there may be exceptions to this rule – for example, you could have an evergreen blog post that you want to pin to the top of the website. In the end, it’s up to you to decide which content type best suits the purpose of each individual piece. Just remember that posts and pages have different features and uses, so choose wisely.
Conclusion: Posts and Pages in WordPress Work Differently
Understanding the difference between pages and posts can help you better organize and manage your WordPress site. While both types of content have their own unique features and uses, the key factor to consider is whether the content is a foundational aspect of your website or not.
Use posts for timely content or posts that will eventually become outdated, and use pages for crucial information that you want to prominently display in the navigation menu. With this approach, you can properly utilize posts and pages to enhance the organization and effectiveness of your website.
Do you have any other tips for distinguishing between posts vs. pages? WordPress users, let us know in the comments below. Happy publishing!
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