In this WordPress tutorial, we will guide step-by-step on how to create a custom post type. It’s easy with using a plugin.

What’s special about custom post type?

Before we look at actual steps, just quick summary about custom post type. When the WordPress was introduced,  people used to just write their contents on the default WordPress page and post.

However over the years, WordPress evolved into more flexible content management system (CMS). We can now create our own post type, such as “books”, “movies”, “archives”, “products”, etc. and for that reason, it’s called “custom”.

Installing Custom Post Type UI plugin

There are many ways to create the custom post type, but easiest way is to used a plugin called Custom Post Type UI.

step 1: installing plugin

First step is searching and installing the plugin. From your WordPress menu, if you check the plugin tab, you will find “add new”. Search “custom post type ui” and install now. Once you activate the plugin, then go to the Custom Post Type UI menu. (For different ways of installation, check WordPress website.)

step 2: Creating new Custom post type

From the menu, select “add post type”. On the form,  you need to fill up first your custom post type name then the rest. after you fill up all the forms now you can click Add Post Type button.

Tips when creating a new post type

When you install the latest plugin, you will see there’s a note. If you are new user of the plugin, be sure to read it.

1. Post Type names should have max 20 characters, and only contain alphanumeric, lowercase characters, underscores in place of spaces and letters that do not have accents. Reserved names: post, page, attachment, revision, nav_menu_item.
2. If you are unfamiliar with the advanced post type settings, just fill in the Post Type Name and Label fields. Remaining settings will use default values. Labels, if left blank, will be automatically created based on the post type name. Hover over the question mark for more details.
3. Deleting custom post types will NOT delete any content into the database or added to those post types. You can easily recreate your post types and the content will still exist.

Well that’s it. Hope this guide helps you getting started with customized WordPress website.