Perplexing Guide to Setting a Default Homepage in WordPress

When it comes to creating a website using WordPress, there is one basic step that can be quite tricky for beginners: setting the homepage. The homepage is the first page that visitors see when they land on your site, and it can determine if they will continue browsing the website or leave immediately. In this perplexing article, we’ll give you a detailed guide on how to set a default homepage in WordPress, focusing on the self-hosted content management system, WordPress.org.

The Basics: Static and Dynamic Homepages

First, we need to understand the difference between the two types of homepages that you can create on WordPress.org: static and dynamic.

Static Homepage

A static homepage is a fixed, unchanging page that displays the same content to all visitors. It’s ideal for websites with a specific message, to direct visitors to a specific action, or with specific information to highlight. It’s also useful for sites that do not update frequently, such as businesses, agencies, and portfolios.

Dynamic Homepage

A dynamic homepage, on the other hand, is a page that changes based on new content. For instance, it may display the latest posts, a collection of most commented posts, most viewed, or recent images. A dynamic website is ideal for blogs or online magazines that post content regularly.

Method 1: Setting a Static Homepage

To set a static homepage:

Step 1: Create a new page

Create a new page with a name related to your website, such as Home, Welcome, Start Here, or Site Overview.

Step 2: Set the page as the homepage

Navigate to the Settings tab, click on the Reading option, select the “A static page” option and choose the page you just created from the drop-down menu.

Step 3: Explore other settings

You can customize your homepage even further by enabling or disabling features that match your needs.

Method 2: Setting a Dynamic Homepage

To set a dynamic homepage:

Step 1: Create a Homepage

Add a new page with a name related to your site’s purpose, such as “Blog” or “Articles”.

Step 2: Set the page as your Homepage

Navigate to the Settings tab, click on the Reading option, and select the “Your latest posts” option.

Step 3: Setup Other Settings

You can customize your homepage even further by choosing to show excerpts for blog posts, the number of blog posts, and the format of your homepage.

Method 3: Using a Plugin

For more customization options, you can use plugins such as “Elementor Page Builder” or “Customizer Homepage Control” to set your default homepage with ease.

Setting the default homepage in WordPress can be perplexing, but it’s important to choose the right homepage depending on what your website aims to achieve. WordPress provides its users with customization options, flexibility, and control over what they want their website to look and feel. Remember to seek help from fellow WordPress users, various forums, or the many tutorials online if you’re in doubt.