Abhishek • Posted on January 12, 2023July 12, 2023

A Beginner’s Guide to Create an Custom Post Type in WordPress !

WordPress is a popular content management system that allows users to create and manage websites with ease. One of the key features of WordPress is the ability to create custom post types, which enable you to organize and display different types of content on your website. In this beginner’s guide, we will walk you through the process of creating a custom post type in WordPress, step by step.

What is custom post type ?

Custom Post type is a post type where we can create our own post type according to requirement. Once a custom post type is registered, it gets a new top-level administrative screen that can be used to make changes in posts of that type.

Why we need Custom Post Type ?

To add additional functionality to our website. Once created , we can modify functionality of our website easily. Lets Understand with simple example.
Ex :- Suppose , We have resturant website and wants to add two different menu like menu-1 , menu-2. How can we add ?
Using wordpress default post we can create menu-1 easily but for menu-2 we have create another wordpress post type that is called as custom post type in which we can add more fields for more data.

Planning Your Custom Post Type

Before jumping into creating a custom post type, it’s essential to plan its structure and functionality. Consider the purpose of your post type, the specific data you want to collect, and how you want to display it on your website. This planning phase will help you define the parameters and settings required for your custom post type.

Registering the Custom Post Type

To create a custom post type, you need to register it with WordPress. This can be done by adding code to your theme’s functions.php file or by using a custom plugin. The registration process involves defining the labels, settings, and capabilities of your post type. Once registered, your custom post type will appear in the WordPress admin dashboard.

Customizing the Custom Post Type

After registering your custom post type, you can further customize its behavior and appearance. This includes modifying labels, adding support for specific features like thumbnails or comments, and setting up the post type’s capabilities and permissions. Customizing your custom post type ensures that it functions exactly as intended.

Displaying the Custom Post Type

Once you’ve created and customized your custom post type, you’ll want to display it on your website. This can be achieved by creating custom templates or modifying existing ones to accommodate the new post type. You can also utilize plugins and theme builders that provide easy-to-use interfaces for displaying custom post types.

Adding Custom Fields to the Custom Post Type

Custom fields allow you to collect additional data for your custom post type. They can be used to gather information such as author details, event dates, or product specifications. WordPress provides built-in support for custom fields, and you can also use plugins to enhance the functionality and appearance of your custom fields.

Implementing Taxonomies

Taxonomies are used to classify and organize content within your custom post type. They enable you to create hierarchical or non-hierarchical structures such as categories and tags. By implementing taxonomies, you can enhance the usability and discoverability of your content, making it easier for users to navigate your website.

Enabling Custom Post Type Archives

Archives allow you to display a list of all posts belonging to a specific custom post type. Enabling archives for your custom post type ensures that visitors can access and browse through your content efficiently. You can customize the archive template and use plugins to enhance the archive functionality with filtering and sorting options.

Customizing the Single Post View

The single post view is the page that displays an individual post of your custom post type. You can customize this view to match the design and layout of your website. By modifying the single post template, you can showcase the unique attributes of your custom post type and provide an engaging reading experience for your visitors.

Adding Custom Post Type Templates

In addition to customizing the single post view, you can create custom templates for other views related to your custom post type. These include the archive template, search results template, and category template. By designing these templates, you can ensure a consistent and cohesive presentation of your custom post type throughout your website.

Applying Styling to the Custom Post Type

To create a visually appealing custom post type, you can apply custom styles using CSS. By targeting the elements specific to your post type, you can modify their appearance, layout, and typography. This allows you to integrate your custom post type seamlessly with the overall design of your website and maintain a consistent visual identity.

Managing Custom Post Type Permalinks

Permalinks are the URLs that point to individual posts of your custom post type. It’s important to set up proper permalink structure for your custom post type to ensure search engine friendliness and user-friendly URLs. WordPress provides options to customize the permalinks and ensure they are easy to read and remember.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

While creating a custom post type, you may encounter certain issues or errors. These could range from incorrect template rendering to conflicts with other plugins or themes. Troubleshooting common issues involves identifying the problem, debugging the code, and seeking help from the WordPress community or support forums.

Steps to create a Custom Post type in WordPress !

Navigate to theme folder open functions.php file and add below code into that. If you are using child theme you can follow same procedures.

function wpdocs_kantbtrue_init() {
    $labels = array(
        'name'                  => _x( 'Recipes', 'Post type general name', 'recipe' ),
        'singular_name'         => _x( 'Recipe', 'Post type singular name', 'recipe' ),
        'menu_name'             => _x( 'Recipes', 'Admin Menu text', 'recipe' ),
        'name_admin_bar'        => _x( 'Recipe', 'Add New on Toolbar', 'recipe' ),
        'add_new'               => __( 'Add New', 'recipe' ),
        'add_new_item'          => __( 'Add New recipe', 'recipe' ),
        'new_item'              => __( 'New recipe', 'recipe' ),
        'edit_item'             => __( 'Edit recipe', 'recipe' ),
        'view_item'             => __( 'View recipe', 'recipe' ),
        'all_items'             => __( 'All recipes', 'recipe' ),
        'search_items'          => __( 'Search recipes', 'recipe' ),
        'parent_item_colon'     => __( 'Parent recipes:', 'recipe' ),
        'not_found'             => __( 'No recipes found.', 'recipe' ),
        'not_found_in_trash'    => __( 'No recipes found in Trash.', 'recipe' ),
        'featured_image'        => _x( 'Recipe Cover Image', 'Overrides the “Featured Image” phrase for this post type. Added in 4.3', 'recipe' ),
        'set_featured_image'    => _x( 'Set cover image', 'Overrides the “Set featured image” phrase for this post type. Added in 4.3', 'recipe' ),
        'remove_featured_image' => _x( 'Remove cover image', 'Overrides the “Remove featured image” phrase for this post type. Added in 4.3', 'recipe' ),
        'use_featured_image'    => _x( 'Use as cover image', 'Overrides the “Use as featured image” phrase for this post type. Added in 4.3', 'recipe' ),
        'archives'              => _x( 'Recipe archives', 'The post type archive label used in nav menus. Default “Post Archives”. Added in 4.4', 'recipe' ),
        'insert_into_item'      => _x( 'Insert into recipe', 'Overrides the “Insert into post”/”Insert into page” phrase (used when inserting media into a post). Added in 4.4', 'recipe' ),
        'uploaded_to_this_item' => _x( 'Uploaded to this recipe', 'Overrides the “Uploaded to this post”/”Uploaded to this page” phrase (used when viewing media attached to a post). Added in 4.4', 'recipe' ),
        'filter_items_list'     => _x( 'Filter recipes list', 'Screen reader text for the filter links heading on the post type listing screen. Default “Filter posts list”/”Filter pages list”. Added in 4.4', 'recipe' ),
        'items_list_navigation' => _x( 'Recipes list navigation', 'Screen reader text for the pagination heading on the post type listing screen. Default “Posts list navigation”/”Pages list navigation”. Added in 4.4', 'recipe' ),
        'items_list'            => _x( 'Recipes list', 'Screen reader text for the items list heading on the post type listing screen. Default “Posts list”/”Pages list”. Added in 4.4', 'recipe' ),
    );     
    $args = array(
        'labels'             => $labels,
        'description'        => 'Recipe custom post type.',
        'public'             => true,
        'publicly_queryable' => true,
        'show_ui'            => true,
        'show_in_menu'       => true,
        'query_var'          => true,
        'rewrite'            => array( 'slug' => 'recipe' ),
        'capability_type'    => 'post',
        'has_archive'        => true,
        'hierarchical'       => false,
        'menu_position'      => 20,
        'supports'           => array( 'title', 'editor', 'author', 'thumbnail' ),
        'taxonomies'         => array( 'category', 'post_tag' ),
        'show_in_rest'       => true
    );
     
    register_post_type( 'Recipe', $args );
}
add_action( 'init', 'wpdocs_kantbtrue_init' );

Conclusion

Creating a custom post type in WordPress opens up endless possibilities for organizing and presenting your content. By following the steps outlined in this beginner’s guide, you can confidently create your own custom post type, tailor-made to suit your website’s unique requirements. Embrace the flexibility and power of WordPress, and enjoy the enhanced functionality and user experience that custom post types bring.