Using A Static Front Page For WordPress

Tuesday, June 26th, 2007 | WordPress Blog with 8 Comments

Using the Static page option for a WordPress blog has advantages in some situations. Learn how to setup your blog to take advantage of this option.

Click Options then the Reading subpanel. Wordpress offers a unique option to show a static page as the main site instead of the normal latest posts shown in chronological order. Now would be a good time to discuss the difference between a post and a page.

A typical WordPress blog is setup to show the latest post on the top of the main or front page, with the specified amount of previous posts shown below that, known as the ‘Loop’. Writing a post will place it within the Loop, a page will not be placed in the Loop.

Now to really confuse you; every post or page you create is actually another content page added to your website. You may hear or read the term Post page online and throughout this ebook. A Post page is the URL of the individual post within the Loop. Clicking on the title of a post from the main or front blog site will open that post in its own single Post page. So every post has its own Post page, and every page has its own Page page. Clear as mud right?

When to use a page instead of a post? Well that is up to you the blogger but a good example of a page is the default About page that is included with all WordPress installs. Perhaps you have one main specific product or service you are promoting. You could create a page for that specific product, and use it for front page.

If you choose to use a static page for the front page you should create a new page for the regular blog Loop. Before choosing the static page option, create a new blank page titled Blog. Don’t bother putting anything in the content post box as shown below, click Publish.

Back at Options, Reading subpanel, tick the A static page option; choose the front page and the page that will show the regular blog loop containing your latest posts. Shown below.

There is one word of caution about some WordPress blog themes and choosing the static front-page option. Not all WordPress themes will show the sidebar on pages or the single post page. So the link to the Blog page we created above to get your visitors from a static front page to your regular blog Loop will not be visible. You will either need to place a link to it on the static front page, choose a theme that shows the sidebar on pages or add the sidebar to the themes page template.

Adding the sidebar to the page template is not that hard. If I setup your blog for you and you need this done please contact me and I can do it for you. You can also find plenty of instructions online how to do it including here:

http://www.esmartjob.com/blog/wordpress-blog/add-sidebar-to-static-page

Comments

1
Carl Hendricks // June 26th, 2007 at 4:32 pm

If you want a static page for your blog. all the advice to accomplish the task is provided in this article.
2
Dean Hutchinson // June 26th, 2007 at 5:59 pm

Great topic I was actually going to you ask you about this, now I don” have to bother you. Complete details and easy to follow, what more could you ask for

Hutches Affiliate Marketing
4
Daniel Breneis // March 4th, 2008 at 8:10 am

Hi, I’ve tried to make a static homepage, but my menu does not look line in “http://www.esmartjob.com/blog/pics/static1.gif”: Instead of showing the Item “Front Page” it starts with “Blog Pages”. I’m using Version 2.3.3. Do you have any hint for me?
5
Jeff Houdyschell // March 4th, 2008 at 3:50 pm

I have 2.3.3 and it has the same as shown in the picture. So if I can’t see the problem I can’t recommend a fix.

You first need 2 pages published to do this, do you have a page made for the front page and another blank page for the blog posts?
6
work from home business // March 31st, 2008 at 9:22 pm

thanks a ton.
7
Fanny Dixie Cash Flow Business // December 9th, 2008 at 6:39 am

Hey , I finally decided to write a comment on your blog . I just wanted to say good job . I really enjoy reading your posts.
8
Faim How to make money // December 9th, 2008 at 7:24 am

Hey, thanks a lot for the information post .You have very good blog . I have wondering if you make money from pay per post too? I heard that is not bad for a good page rank blog.