If you're looking to enhance your WordPress content management beyond the standard posts and pages, custom post types (CPTs) are the solution. They enable you to develop specific content types that cater to your site's requirements, including portfolios, testimonials, events, or products. The best part? You don't have to be a developer or write any code to set them up.
This guide will walk you through how to set up and use custom post types in WordPress using plugins—making your website more organized and professional without any coding.
Why Use Custom Post Types?
WordPress comes with two main content types by default: posts (for blogs) and pages (for static content). But many websites need to display different types of content separately. For example, a photography site may want a dedicated portfolio section, or a restaurant website might want to list menus or events.
Custom post types let you create these unique content types with their own menus and settings in WordPress, keeping everything neat and easy to manage.
Using Plugins to Create Custom Post Types
There are excellent plugins that let you create custom post types with just a few clicks:
Custom Post Type UI (CPT UI): A widely-used free plugin that offers an easy-to-use interface for registering and managing custom post types and taxonomies. It walks you through the process step-by-step, helping you to name your post types, establish labels, and set up fundamental options.
Pods: This plugin goes beyond CPTs and lets you create custom taxonomies and fields, helping you build complex content structures. It’s flexible and user-friendly for non-coders.
Toolset: A premium plugin designed for users who want full control without coding. It offers tools to create CPTs, custom fields, and display content with a visual editor.
WordPress plugin page showing CPTUI
How to Create a Custom Post Type with CPT UI
Install and activate Custom Post Type UI from the WordPress plugin directory.
In your WordPress dashboard, navigate to CPT UI > Add/Edit Post Types.
Enter the Post Type Slug—this is a simple, lowercase identifier (like ‘portfolio’ or ‘events’).
Fill in the Plural Label and Singular Label—these are the names that appear in the admin menus and when creating content.
Adjust settings such as whether the post type is public or has an archive page.
Click Add Post Type to save.
Your new post type will now appear as a menu item in the WordPress dashboard, ready to use.
Adding Custom Fields for More Detail
To make your custom post type truly useful, you might want to add custom fields (extra input areas like dates, images, or ratings). The easiest way is to pair CPT UI with a plugin like Advanced Custom Fields (ACF). ACF lets you create fields visually and assign them to your custom post types, so when adding content, you get structured options tailored to your needs.
Showing Your Custom Content on the Site
Once your custom post type is set up and filled with content, you’ll want to display it on your site. Many modern WordPress themes and page builders, like Elementor or Beaver Builder, support custom post types out of the box. You can create custom templates or use shortcodes to showcase your content exactly where you want it.
Conclusion
Custom post types open up a world of possibilities for organizing and presenting content on your WordPress site. With easy-to-use plugins, anyone can create and manage CPTs without any coding knowledge. This makes your website more flexible, professional, and tailored to your audience’s needs.
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