May 10
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The Difference Between WordPress Posts and Pages
The choice on whether you use posts or pages largely depends on the nature of your content and what you’re trying to accomplish. Whilst both pages & posts are easy to use and allow content to be added quickly, they will appear quite differently on your website.
WordPress Posts
WordPress was original designed as a blogging tool whereby posts were used to provide up-to-the minute information. The most recent post would be shown at the top of the list using a reverse chronological concept.
WordPress allows you to keep important posts at the top of the front page using a featured category to override the chronology. Additionally, sticky posts can be used to keep the post at the top even when subsequent posts are made.
WordPress Pages
WordPress pages are typically used to publish static content and are used when the content has no logical chronological flow. Pages might be used for site-wide information such as contact, about, support, etc.
When using WordPress to implement a regular website or a content management system most of your content will be generated using pages. It is important in this case that you choose a theme which is appropriate for that purpose, instead of a blog theme
Pages can be organised into hierarchy with parent and child pages. Many themes will now represent this hierarchy in the form of drop-down menus reinforcing the look and feel of a regular website.
It is possible to alter the presentation of pages by selecting different templates when editing the page. This gives page a different look and feel allowing, for example, sidebars to be shown or hidden.
It should be noted that pages will not appear in archives, categories or RSS feeds.
Summary – WordPress Pages vs Posts
If you plan to use WordPress as a traditional blog then use posts rather than pages to add regular content to your site. Use a few pages for static content such as contact information, author bio and FAQ. If you have chosen WordPress as a means of creating a low-cost professional looking website, then using pages will give you the results you desire.
