To add a new post in WordPress, click Posts in the dashboard, then Add New. Type a title, write your text, and click Publish. You can save a draft first if you are not ready.
What a post is and when to use one
A post is a blog entry on your WordPress website. Posts let you share news, tips and updates with your visitors.
Posts differ from pages. A page holds fixed content, like your About page. A post is dated and sits in a list, with the newest one first.
New posts also tell search engines that your site is alive. A short post every few weeks is better than a long gap.
Steps to add a new post
You need to be logged in to your WordPress dashboard. The dashboard is the black menu on the left side of the screen.
Open the Posts menu
Click Posts in the black menu on the left. A small menu pops out.
Choose Add New
Select Posts > Add New. This opens the post editor, where you write about your project or business.
Type a title
Click the title box at the top of the screen and type a clear title. Use the words a visitor would search for.
Write or paste your text
Click below the title and write your post. You can also paste text from another document.
Preview the post
Click the Preview button in the Publish box on the right. This shows how the post will look on your site.
Save a draft or publish
Click Save draft if you are not ready. You can come back later. When you are ready, click Publish and the post goes live.
Add categories and tags
Categories and tags sort your posts by topic. Visitors use them to find related articles.
Pick one main category for each post. Add a few tags for smaller topics. Do not add a tag you will use only once.
You find both boxes on the right side of the editor, below the Publish box.
Common mistakes and what to do
The most common mistake is clicking Publish before a preview. Always preview first. A missing picture or odd spacing is easy to fix before visitors see it.
Another mistake is pasting text with odd fonts from a word processor. If the text looks strange, select it and use the Clear formatting option, or paste it as plain text.
If you cannot find Posts in the menu, your user role may not allow it. Ask the site owner to raise your role to Author or Editor.
After you publish, open your site in a new window and read the post once. If something is wrong, go back to Posts > All Posts, open it and click Update.
If you want a hand with your WordPress site, call Websnoogie in Omaha at 402-813-4034 or use our contact form.
Common questions
What is the difference between a post and a page in WordPress?
A post is a dated blog entry that shows in a list. A page is fixed content such as your About or Contact page.
Can I save a post without publishing it?
Yes. Click Save draft and the post stays private until you click Publish.
AboutRod and Tami Atwood
Rod and Tami Atwood and other Websnoogie contributors write the Websnoogie blog. Rod has built websites since 2004 and founded Websnoogie, LLC in Omaha in 2012. Tami is co-owner, content editor and billing expert. Call us at 402-813-4034 or write to staff@websnoogie.com.
