Hey there, WordPress user! So you‘re ready to start publishing content on your shiny new website. Excellent! Creating posts is one of the most important skills to master as a WordPress user. But with all the features and options packed into the post editor, it can feel a bit overwhelming at first.
Don‘t worry though – by the end of this guide, you‘ll be confidently crafting effective, engaging posts that both your readers and search engines will love. We‘ll walk through the entire process step-by-step and share some insider tips along the way. Sound good? Let‘s get started!
WordPress Post Editor 101
When you click on Posts > Add New in your WordPress dashboard, you‘ll find yourself face-to-face with the post editor. If you‘re using WordPress 5.0 or later (which you really should be), the default editor is the Gutenberg block editor.
The block editor has become the standard for post and page creation in WordPress, and for good reason. It‘s a powerful, intuitive tool that allows you to create media-rich, visually appealing layouts without knowing a lick of code.
If you‘ve ever used a page builder plugin like Elementor or Beaver Builder, Gutenberg will feel pretty familiar. The main difference is that instead of designing your whole post layout on one big canvas, you‘ll build your post by stacking individual blocks of content.
Why Use the Block Editor?
I know change can be hard, especially if you‘re used to the old classic editor. But trust me, taking the time to learn the block editor is 100% worth it. Here‘s why:
Flexibility: With blocks, you can add all kinds of content – text, images, videos, buttons, etc. – and easily rearrange them to create the perfect layout. No more messing with shortcodes or custom HTML.
Consistency: Since blocks are self-contained units of content, they maintain their styling and formatting even if you change WordPress themes. This saves you the headache of having to fix broken layouts every time you switch themes.
User-friendliness: Once you get the hang of blocks, creating great-looking posts becomes a breeze. You can even save blocks or block patterns you use often to reuse them with a few clicks.
Future-proofing: The block editor is the future of content creation in WordPress. Adopting it now ensures your posts will be compatible with new WordPress features and third-party tools as they evolve.
Alright, now that you‘re on board with the block editor, let‘s dive into actually using it!
Crafting a Post with Gutenberg
When you open the post editor, you‘ll see a field at the top to enter your post title. Below that is the main content area where your post will take shape.
To add content, you‘ll insert blocks by clicking the + icon in the top left corner of the editor or the one that appears between existing blocks. This opens the block inserter popup, which displays all the block types available to you.
WordPress core comes with a few dozen blocks built in, and many plugins add their own as well. Some of the most essential core blocks include:
Paragraph: The bread and butter of your post content. This is where your body text goes. You can customize text color, size, and background color, as well as add inline images and links.
Heading: Used to break your post content into sections with titles. You can choose from Heading 1 (H1) to Heading 6 (H6).
Image: Allows you to insert a single image into your post. You can upload a new image or choose one from your media library.
Gallery: Displays a collection of images in columns and rows. Useful for showcasing multiple photos.
Video: Embeds a video from a URL or uploads a video file. Supports YouTube, Vimeo, and self-hosted videos.
List: Creates a bulleted or numbered list. You can nest lists inside each other for hierarchical organization.
Quote: Highlights a quotation or testimonial. Includes fields for the quote text and citation.
File: Lets you add a downloadable file like a PDF to your post.
To insert a block, simply click on its icon or search for it by name and press enter. The block will appear in your post content, and you can begin configuring it right away.
Each block comes with its own settings, which appear in the right sidebar when the block is selected. For example, the Image block lets you set the image size, add alt text, and link the image to a URL. Make sure to explore the settings for each block to take full advantage of its capabilities.
As you add blocks to your post, you‘ll appreciate how easy it is to rearrange them. Simply click the drag handle next to a block and move it up or down. This flexibility allows you to quickly experiment with different layouts and content flow.
Using Patterns and Reusable Blocks
If you find yourself frequently adding the same set of blocks to your posts, you can save time by using block patterns and reusable blocks.
Block patterns are predefined arrangements of blocks that you can insert into your post with a couple clicks. WordPress includes a handful of patterns by default (like a two-column row with an image and text), and your theme may add its own as well. To browse available patterns, click the + icon to open the block inserter and go to the Patterns tab.
Once you insert a pattern, you can customize the individual blocks to your liking. Block patterns are a huge timesaver when you need to create more complex layouts on the fly.
Along similar lines, reusable blocks let you save a custom block configuration for later use. For example, let‘s say you have a newsletter signup block with a specific color scheme and call to action. Instead of rebuilding that from scratch each time, you can save it as a reusable block.
To create a reusable block, select the block (or multiple blocks) you want to reuse and click the three-dot menu icon. Choose "Add to Reusable Blocks", give your block a name, and click Save. Now that reusable block will appear in the block inserter for easy access.
The only caveat with reusable blocks is that any changes you make to the block will apply everywhere it‘s used. So if you just need to make a one-off change, be sure to convert the reusable block to a regular block first.
Configuring Your Post Settings
While blocks make up the main content of your post, there are several other key settings to configure before publishing. You‘ll find these settings in the Document sidebar, accessible by clicking the cog icon in the top right corner.
Here‘s a rundown of each setting:
Status & visibility: Set your post to public (viewable by everyone), private (only visible to logged-in editors and admins), or password protected. You can also manually change the publish date here.
Permalink: This is the URL slug that will identify your post. By default, it‘s generated from your post title, but you can customize it here.
Categories: Every post needs to be filed under at least one category. Choose from your existing categories or add a new one. Avoid putting posts in too many categories, as this can look spammy and dilute your site structure.
Tags: In contrast to hierarchical categories, tags are optional keywords you can add to help users find related posts. Limit yourself to 3-5 highly relevant tags per post.
Featured image: Also known as your post thumbnail, this image represents your post across your site. It typically appears at the top of your post as well as blog archive pages, search results, and social media links. Choose a high-quality, eye-catching image that communicates your post‘s topic.
Excerpt: If your theme supports excerpts, this is where you can write a brief summary (around 55 words) to hook readers. Keep it punchy and use strong keyword—many themes use the excerpt for SEO meta descriptions as well.
Below the core post settings, you may see additional meta boxes added by your plugins. SEO plugins like Yoast and AIOSEO, for instance, provide fields for optimizing your post title, meta description, and social media snippets. Take the time to fill these fields out with unique, engaging, keyword-rich copy.
Now that your settings are dialed in, I recommend previewing your post one last time before publishing. Click the Preview button to open a draft version in a new tab. Give it a thorough read-through:
- Is your formatting easy to scan and read?
- Do all your links and media embeds work?
- Are there any typos or grammatical errors?
If everything looks shipshape, smash that Publish button and bask in the glory of your newly minted post! But don‘t close that editor tab just yet—there‘s one more important setting to know about.
Revisions: Your Content Safety Net
Have you ever made an edit to a post, only to wish you could go back to an earlier version? With WordPress post revisions, you can!
Each time you save a draft of your post, WordPress automatically saves a backup copy. You can browse through past revisions of your post by clicking the "Browse" link next to Revisions in the Status & visibility panel.
In the Compare Revisions view, you‘ll see a list of saved revisions on the left. Click any two to compare the differences between them. Additions will be highlighted in green, while deletions will be marked in red. If you find a version you want to restore, simply click the "Restore This Revision" button.
Post revisions are a lifesaver when you need to revert accidental changes or recover content. I recommend getting in the habit of saving a draft every few minutes while writing. You‘ll thank yourself later!
Putting It All Together
Phew, that was a lot to cover! Let‘s recap the key steps for creating a post in WordPress:
- Open the block editor by going to Posts > Add New
- Give your post an enticing, keyword-rich title
- Build your post content by adding blocks and customizing them with settings
- Use block patterns and reusable blocks to save time on common layouts
- Configure your post settings in the Document sidebar, including categories, tags, featured image, and excerpt
- Preview your post and double-check formatting and links
- Click Publish to take your post live
- Save revisions often while writing to create restore points
By following this process each time you create a post, you‘ll be able to take advantage of the full range of content and layout options WordPress offers.
Now, I know we covered a ton of technical how-to stuff here. But crafting an effective blog post takes more than just knowing which buttons to click. It requires an understanding of your audience, a knack for engaging storytelling, and a strategic approach to content structure and SEO.
Tips for Next-Level WordPress Posts
Ready to take your posts from meh to magnificent? Here are some pro tips:
Know thy reader: Before you write a single word, get crystal clear on who you‘re creating this post for. What are their pain points? Their secret desires? Their attention spans? Shape your post‘s tone, length, and messaging to resonate with your target reader.
Get organized with an outline: Ever stared at a blank page for hours, willing the words to come? Yeah, writer‘s block sucks. Avoid that misery by outlining your key points and structure before you write. I like to jot down my H2 and H3 subheadings first—this becomes the "skeleton" that I flesh out with meaty content.
Keep paragraphs short and scannable: On the web, walls of text are reader repellant. Aim for paragraphs of 2-3 sentences max, and break up long sections with headings, lists, and strategic formatting. Make your post a delightful, breezy read, not a dense academic paper.
Harness the power of storytelling: Humans are hardwired to love stories. When you open with an intriguing anecdote or weave a personal narrative throughout your post, you create an emotional connection with the reader. Sprinkle in sensory details and vivid examples to make your story come alive.
Give each post a single job: What‘s the one thing you want readers to take away from your post? A clear understanding of a complex topic? A burning desire to implement your advice? Each post should have a single overarching goal or message. Streamline your post by cutting any tangents or fluff that don‘t support that core theme.
Nail down your intro and conclusion: Your introduction is your one chance to hook the reader and prove your post is worth their time. Your conclusion should recap your key points and end with a strong call-to-action. Spend extra time polishing these vital pieces.
Make SEO a priority from day one: SEO isn‘t something you sprinkle on after the fact—it should guide your post creation from the start. Do keyword research to pinpoint the exact phrases your target audience is searching for, then build your post title, subheadings, and content around those terms. Use an SEO plugin like AIOSEO to optimize your post with on-page SEO best practices.
Inject your unique personality: In a sea of generic listicles and half-hearted how-tos, your distinct voice can be your greatest asset. Don‘t be afraid to let your personality shine through! Crack a joke, coin a quirky turn of phrase, share a polarizing opinion. A strong writing voice breeds trust and likability.
Creating a kickass blog post in WordPress isn‘t just about process and settings—it‘s an art. One that you‘ll get better and better at with practice. Don‘t put too much pressure on yourself to nail every SEO signal or turn a brilliant phrase each time. Just start writing, keep experimenting, and always, always put your reader first.
Over time, by combining your natural writing flair with the technical tips we covered here, you‘ll develop your own signature style of standout posts. And who knows? Someday another struggling blogger may look to your posts as a shining example of WordPress content done right. 😉
Helpful Resources and Tools
We covered a lot of ground in this guide, but there‘s always more to learn when it comes to WordPress! To continue your journey toward content mastery, check out these resources:
WordPress Support Handbook: The official documentation for WordPress, with detailed guides on every aspect of site-building. Bookmark this one for sure.
Yoast SEO Plugin: A powerful tool for optimizing your posts for search engines. The free version includes keyword optimization, readability analysis, meta description templating, and more.
Grammarly: Every writer needs a trusty proofreader. Grammarly catches spelling and grammar mistakes as you write and offers smart suggestions for improving clarity and readability.
CoSchedule Headline Analyzer: Your post title is the first (and sometimes only) thing readers will see. This free tool scores your headline‘s ability to drive traffic, shares, and search results.
Canva: Every post needs a striking featured image, but not everyone has mad graphic design skills. With Canva‘s drag-and-drop editor and designer-made templates, you can easily create professional graphics to level up your posts.
AIOSEO (All in One SEO) plugin: An SEO toolkit that covers everything from XML sitemaps to schema markup to social media optimization. A solid investment for any WordPress blogger.
Unsplash: My go-to source for free, high-resolution stock photos. Featuring the work of talented photographers around the world, Unsplash has topical images to complement almost any post.
I hope this guide has left you feeling inspired and empowered to go forth and create some truly epic WordPress posts. If you have any lingering questions or your own tips to share, let me know in the comments below!
Now go write something awesome. 💪
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