What is Custom Post Type in WordPress:
WordPress users can create specialized content types called custom post types to organize and control different kinds of information on their websites. Custom post types, as opposed to regular posts and pages, are made to meet certain content requirements and provide better functionality and organization. They enable users to organize and present a variety of content kinds—such as testimonials, events, products, and portfolios—in a way that best serves the objective of their website. Users can utilize custom post types to build distinct sections on their WordPress sites, each with its own display options, custom fields, and unique properties. Because of their adaptability, custom post types are a vital tool for developing dynamic, flexible websites that are suited to specific content requirements.
Why do we need to create Custom Post Type
Here are a few reasons why you might need to create a custom post type:
- Organizing Content
- Enhanced User Experience:
- Improved Content Management
- Flexible Display Options
- Scalability and Extensibility
In conclusion, custom post types enable WordPress users to effectively structure, arrange, and present a variety of content kinds on their web pages. Your audience will ultimately have a richer and more engaging experience with your website if you create unique post kinds that match your specific content and business objectives.
Here are the steps to create a custom post type using the Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) plugin without any additional code:
- Install the ACF (Advances Custom Field) Plugin: Install and activate the Advanced Custom Fields plugin on your WordPress website if you haven't already. It is available in the repository for WordPress plugins.
- Find the POST TYPES option: https://www.advancedcustomfields.com/resources/registering-a-custom-post-type/To create a custom post type in your WordPress website without any code, go to acf -> post types -> Add New
Common Configurations:
PLURAL LABEL: The plural label is akin to giving your data objects a collective identity. It's like naming a category under which multiple entities fall. Think of it as creating a folder to organize similar items. For instance, if you're building a website for a movie database, your plural labels could be "Movies", "Actors", and "Genres". Each label represents a group of related entities that share common attributes or characteristics.
SINGULAR LABEL: The singular label, on the other hand, is the individual name given to each data object within the category defined by the plural label. It's like assigning a distinct identity to each item within the folder. Continuing with the movie database example, your singular labels could be "Movie", "Actor", and "Genre". These labels represent the specific entities that users can interact with on your website.
POST TYPE KEY: The post type key serves as a unique identifier for each type of data object you're registering. While it's automatically generated from the singular label you provide, you have the flexibility to customize it to suit your needs. It's crucial to choose a key that succinctly describes the data object and adheres to the specified format (lowercase letters, numbers, underscores, and dashes with a 20-character limit). For example, if your singular label is "Movie", the post type key could be "movie".
PUBLIC: It determines if the data type is visible to users on the site frontend and admin dashboard.
HIERARCHICAL: It controls if data objects can have parent-child relationships, like organizing movies into genres
Advanced Customization Options
When it comes to registering a post type, numerous settings can be tailored. To streamline the process, ACF doesn't display them by default, but you have full control over them with the 'Advanced Configuration' toggle activated."
- General: You can adjust several post-related general settings under "General Settings." These settings allow you to fine-tune various aspects of how your post type functions within WordPress. It manages the content editor fields of post type.
- Labels: This covers the different labels used in the admin menu and user interface, as well as the singular and plural names.
- Visibility: Decide if the front end of your website should display your post type to the public. In addition, you have the option to reveal or hide the post type in the admin user interface, query it publicly, and more.
- URLs: Choose whether you want your post type to have a hierarchical structure, like pages, or a flat structure, like posts. For hierarchical post types, parent-child relationships are allowed; for non-hierarchical post types, they are not.
- Permissions: Define which user roles are allowed to interact with your post type. You can designate bespoke capabilities or assign ones that are comparable to those of standard posts or pages.
- Rest API: The settings to regulate the behavior of the post type in the WordPress REST API are located in the 'REST API' page.
Save Changes: A saved success note shows up, After setting up the post type and click on the “Save Changes”. Now, your custom post type will be created with ACF integration. You can now start adding content using the custom fields you defined.