Part 42. Utilize ‘custom fields’ to add extra information to your blog posts
Custom fields, also known as post meta, are a powerful feature in WordPress that allows users to add extra information to their blog posts. These fields can be used to store various types of data, such as custom post types, custom taxonomies, and even custom fields. In this article, we will explore how to utilize custom fields to add extra information to your blog posts and how to display that information on your website.
One of the most common uses for custom fields is to store additional information about a post. For example, you might want to add a “Price” field to your blog post so that users can see how much a product or service costs without having to leave the post. To do this, you would first need to create a custom field using the WordPress Custom Fields plugin. Once the field has been created, you can then add the desired information to the field for each post.
Another use for custom fields is to store custom post types. Custom post types are a way to create new types of content in WordPress, such as portfolios, testimonials, or team members. By creating a custom field for each custom post type, you can easily add the desired information to each post. For example, you might want to create a “Portfolio” custom post type and a “Project URL” custom field so that users can easily see a portfolio project’s website.
Custom taxonomies are another way to utilize custom fields. Taxonomies are a way to organize content in WordPress, and custom taxonomies allow you to create your own categories and tags. By creating a custom field for each custom taxonomy, you can easily add the desired information to each post. For example, you might want to create a “Genre” custom taxonomy and a “Director” custom field so that users can easily see the director of a movie.
Finally, custom fields can be used to add extra information to your blog posts that can be used to display on your website. For example, you might want to create a “Featured Image” custom field so that users can see a larger image of the post’s featured image without having to leave the post. To do this, you would first need to create the custom field and then use code to display the information on your website.
In conclusion, custom fields are a powerful feature in WordPress that allows users to add extra information to their blog posts. They can be used to store additional information, custom post types, custom taxonomies, and even custom fields. By utilizing custom fields, you can easily add extra information to your blog posts and display that information on your website, making it more informative and user-friendly for your audience.
