Creating a separate blog page in WordPress can greatly enhance the structure and user experience of your website. It allows you to display your blog posts on a dedicated page rather than the homepage. It can be useful for businesses, portfolios or any site where the blog is not the central focus. This guide will explain why creating a separate page in WordPress can be beneficial. It will also provide a step-by-step tutorial for setting up both a basic blog page and a fully customized one using a page builder.
WordPress is a versatile platform that displays blog posts on the homepage by default. While this setup works well for traditional blogs, it can feel cluttered if your website’s primary focus is not blogging. A dedicated blog page can help keep your homepage clean and focused on other essential elements, like your services, products or portfolio. Here’s a complete guide on how to create a separate blog page in WordPress.
Why you might want a separate blog page?
Creating a separate blog page in WordPress can give your site a more organized and professional appearance. It also lets you manage your content better, ensuring visitors can easily find your latest posts without navigating through other parts of your site.
Benefits of a dedicated blog page
- Improved organization: Having a separate blog page can declutter your homepage. It allows you to display core information or services on the homepage while keeping your posts in a distinct section.
- Better user experience: A dedicated blog page helps users find content easily and focuses their attention on the primary purpose of each page. With a clear structure, visitors know where to go for different information.
- Enhanced SEO: Search engines appreciate if you know how to well-structured websites. By separating your blog from other pages, you can optimize each section of your site for targeted keywords, which may boost your SEO performance.
Method 1: Creating separate pages for blog posts in WordPress
WordPress provides a built-in method to create a dedicated blog page without any plugins. This method is straightforward and best suited for users who prefer a simple setup.
If you want a clean, professional layout that separates your blog content from your homepage, WordPress makes it easy to create a dedicated blog page. This method uses WordPress’s built-in options to set up a separate blog page to display posts, while keeping your homepage focused on other content. Here’s how to create a separate blog page in WordPress without using additional plugins.
Step 1: Create a new home page and blog page
- Access your WordPress admin panel: Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
- Go to Pages > Add New: From the left sidebar, navigate to Pages and click Add New to create a new page.
- Create a home page: Title the page “Home” or “Homepage.” This will be the main page visitors see when they arrive at your site.
- Create a blog page: Similarly, add another page titled “Blog” (or “News” if that better suits your WordPress site’s style). This page will display posts from your blog.
For now, you don’t need to add any content to these pages. Just create and publish them.
Step 2: Set up a static homepage and separate blog page
Once your home and blog pages are ready, it’s time to set them as your static front page and posts page.
- Go to Settings > Reading: From the WordPress admin panel, navigate to Settings, then Reading.
- Select “A static page”: Under the Your homepage displays section, select A static page instead of the default option.
- Assign pages:
- For Homepage, select the “Home” page you created.
- For Posts page, choose the “Blog” page.
By setting a static page as the front page, WordPress will display only the content you add to the “Home” page and not your latest posts.
- Save changes: Scroll down and click Save Changes to apply your new settings.
Step 3: Verify your new page setup
After saving your changes, verify that everything looks as expected.
- Go to Pages > All Pages: In your WordPress dashboard, visit Pages, then All Pages.
- Check labels: You should see that the Home page is labeled as Front Page and the Blog page as Posts Page. This indicates that your separate pages are correctly assigned.
You can also click the “View” link under the Blog page to preview how it will look.
Step 4: Customize the homepage
Now that your new home page is set up, it’s time to add content. This page can introduce your business, products, services or any other information you want users to see first.
- Edit the home page: Go to Pages > All Pages and select the “Home” page to edit.
- Use blocks: WordPress’s block editor allows you to add various blocks like text, images, buttons and galleries. These elements help create a visually engaging homepage.
- Arrange sections: Use sections or columns to organize information, such as a welcome message, product or service highlights and contact details.
WordPress’s block editor gives you plenty of flexibility for building a homepage that suits your brand.
Step 5: Customize the blog page
Once your home page is set, you can also customize the blog page. WordPress automatically populates this page with your latest posts, but you can personalize it further if your theme allows.
- Go to Appearance > Editor (if you’re using a block-based theme): In the WordPress dashboard, navigate to Appearance, then Editor.
- Select “Pages”: In the editor, choose Pages from the left sidebar and then select the Blog page.
- Customize layout: Use the block editor to adjust the layout, add widgets or modify the style of your blog page. You can change background colors, text styles and more to make your blog page align with the look of your website.
For example, you can add a block to display specific categories or tags, create a category page structure and display posts based on custom post types.
- Save changes: After editing, click Save at the top right corner to store your settings.
Method 2: Creating a customized page for blog posts with a drag & drop builder (recommended)
For WordPress users who want a unique, fully customized blog page, using a drag-and-drop builder like SeedProd can be a great option. With SeedProd, you can easily create a separate blog page in WordPress with personalized layouts, elements and styles. This approach provides more flexibility than the default settings and allows you to create a blog page that aligns with your website’s branding.
Why use a drag & drop builder?
A drag-and-drop page builder gives you greater control over the look and functionality of your blog page. Many themes integrate seamlessly with these builders, making it easier to create a unique, branded layout.
Benefits of using page builders:
- Greater design control: You can choose from various layouts, fonts and colors, allowing you to craft a blog page that matches your brand’s aesthetic.
- No coding required: With drag-and-drop functionality, designing a professional-looking blog page is simple for users with minimal technical knowledge.
- Advanced features: They offer widgets like post grids, carousels and social media feeds, making your blog page more engaging and functional.
Step 1: Install and activate the SeedProd theme builder
To start, you’ll need to install the SeedProd plugin. This plugin is one of the best WordPress page builders, allowing you to build custom themes, blog pages and other components without any coding.
- Install the plugin: Go to your WordPress admin panel, navigate to Plugins > Add New and search for “SeedProd.” Click Install and then Activate.
- Enter your license key: Once activated, go to SeedProd > Settings. Enter your license key, which you’ll find in your SeedProd account.
SeedProd is now ready to help you create a custom blog page and theme for your WordPress site.
Step 2: Create a custom WordPress theme
After activating SeedProd, it’s time to build your custom WordPress theme. SeedProd makes it easy by offering professionally designed themes you can use as starting points.
- Access the theme builder: Go to SeedProd > Theme Builder. Here, click the Themes button to browse SeedProd’s ready-made template.
- Select a theme: Choose a theme that best matches the look and feel of your website. Themes like “Modern Business” or “Marketing Agency” can be good options, depending on your niche.
- Generate templates: Once you select a theme, SeedProd will automatically create templates for all major sections, including a blog index page and a home page.
These templates come pre-configured with attractive layouts and placeholder content This makes it easier to customize and add your specific elements.
Step 3: Customize the home page
With SeedProd’s theme builder, you can personalize every aspect of your home page.
- Edit the design: Under the home page template, click Edit Design to open the SeedProd builder.
- Use drag-and-drop blocks: SeedProd’s intuitive drag-and-drop interface lets you add and rearrange blocks. For example, you can add text, images, buttons or video blocks to highlight your services or introduce your business.
- Adjust styling: Click on any block to access its customization options. You can adjust colors, fonts and alignments to ensure your home page matches your brand’s aesthetic.
SeedProd offers a live preview, so you’ll see all the changes in real-time. This way it is easy to build a home page that’s both functional and visually appealing.
Step 4: Customize your blog page
The next step is to create your separate blog page in WordPress, where all your posts will be displayed. SeedProd’s theme builder makes this easy with its blog index template, which provides a foundation for your blog page layout.
- Edit the blog page design: Under the blog index template, click Edit Design to open the page in SeedProd’s builder.
- Customize the layout: You can edit the blog page similar to the home page, using the drag-and-drop interface. Add blocks for a blog title, featured categories or tag filters, which improve navigation and let users filter posts by category or tag.
- Adjust the post display settings: SeedProd includes a Posts block that displays your latest posts. By default, it shows posts in two columns, but you can change this to a single column by adjusting the Columns setting in the block options.
Customizing post display options on your blog page
SeedProd provides a range of options to help you customize how posts appear on your blog page. Here’s how to tailor the display to suit your style:
- Adjust post metadata: Click on the Posts block and explore the toggle settings. You can enable or disable elements like the post’s featured image, title, date, author and comment count. This helps you show only the information that matters to your readers.
- Set the column structure: If you want a more compact look, keep the multi-column layout. For a cleaner, more traditional blog layout, switch to a single-column design.
- Control post order and number: You can modify the order in which posts appear. Choose the number of posts per page and even filter posts by specific categories or tags.
These customization options allow you to control the structure and organization of your blog content, making it easier for visitors to explore and engage with your blog.
Step 5: Customize advanced blog page settings
For even more control, you can adjust additional settings to make your separate blog page unique and easy to navigate.
- Filter posts: Use SeedProd’s filtering options to display posts from a specific category, tag or custom post type. This is useful if you want to create dedicated sections within your blog for different topics.
- Customize excerpt length: SeedProd allows you to toggle on post excerpts and adjust their length, which helps keep the page tidy and gives readers a preview of each post.
- Adjust post layout: Beyond columns, you can control the spacing between posts, background color and font style to create a cohesive look across all blog pages.
These settings give you full control over the design and layout of your blog page, allowing you to create a highly customized blog that reflects your brand’s personality.
Step 6: Publish and enable the SeedProd theme
Once you’ve finished designing and customizing your home and blog pages, it’s time to publish your custom theme.
- Enable the SeedProd theme: Go to SeedProd > Theme Builder and toggle the Enable SeedProd Theme setting to “Yes.” This activates your new theme on your WordPress site.
- Verify page settings: After enabling, SeedProd will prompt you to confirm your home page and posts page settings. Click OK to apply these changes.
With your theme enabled, your WordPress site will now display the custom home and blog pages you created using SeedProd.
Preview your new blog page
Once everything is set up, visit your WordPress blog page to see how it looks live. You’ll notice the personalized design elements, layout changes and post settings you configured.
By using SeedProd’s drag-and-drop builder, you’ve created a professional, separate blog page in WordPress that showcases your content in a visually appealing way. This customized approach offers more control over blog design than WordPress’s default settings, allowing you to create a blog that aligns perfectly with your website’s branding.
Selecting the best themes and templates for your blog page
Choosing the right theme or template for your blog page in WordPress is essential to creating a visually appealing, functional and user-friendly website. A well-chosen theme not only enhances the overall look and feel of your website but also supports optimal performance. It helps your site load quickly and provides a smooth browsing experience for visitors. Many WordPress themes offer built-in customization options or integrate well with page builders. This gives you additional flexibility to create a cohesive and unique look. Below, we’ll explore some of the best themes for creating a separate blog page in WordPress. You will also learn their benefits, customization features and compatibility with page builders.
Why theme selection is crucial for your blog page?
Your theme is the foundation of your website’s design and usability. It influences everything from the color scheme and typography to the page layout and responsiveness. For a separate blog page in WordPress, the right theme should support a well-organized, reader-friendly design that encourages visitors to explore your blog posts. Additionally, the theme should allow for customization of specific elements, such as headers, footers and widgets, so you can create a blog page that aligns with your brand.
In choosing a theme, it’s essential to look for one that is:
- SEO-friendly: Themes with clean, optimized code can improve your search engine rankings.
- Responsive: A responsive theme automatically adjusts to fit different screen sizes, providing an optimal experience on both desktop and mobile devices.
- Fast-loading: Speed is a crucial factor for user experience and SEO; lightweight themes load quickly, reducing bounce rates.
- Customizable: Built-in customization options or compatibility with drag-and-drop builders enable you to personalize the layout, colors and fonts on your blog page.
Recommended themes for your blog page
Below are some of the best themes that provide flexibility, speed and functionality to create a professional, well-organized separate blog page in WordPress.
Astra: A fast, flexible and customizable option
Astra is a popular theme known for its speed, lightweight design and extensive customization options. Built with performance in mind, Astra is highly optimized and loads in less than half a second. It is an ideal choice for websites that prioritize speed. The theme is also compatible with major page builders like Elementor and Beaver Builder, giving you even more control over your blog page layout.
For users looking to create a fast, SEO-friendly blog page in WordPress, Astra’s flexibility and performance make it an excellent choice.
OceanWP: Adaptable and feature-rich
OceanWP is another popular theme for WordPress that offers a high degree of flexibility and customization. It is highly compatible with page builders and provides a range of options to design a separate blog page that suits your brand’s style. Known for its adaptability, OceanWP can be used for various websites. It can be used in blogs, portfolios and eCommerce stores. This makes an excellent choice for websites that need both functionality and aesthetic appeal.
OceanWP’s adaptability and range of customization options make it a great theme for users who want a dynamic, interactive blog page that stands out.
Divi: A powerful theme with a built-in page builder
Divi by Elegant Themes is a powerful theme with a unique twist: it comes with its own drag-and-drop builder, the Divi Builder, allowing you to design your separate page with complete creative freedom. Divi’s builder interface provides a vast range of modules and templates, making it easy to customize every aspect of your blog page without needing any additional plugins.
Divi is an excellent choice for bloggers who want a high level of control over their blog page design. Its visual builder and extensive customization options make it a top choice for users looking to create a unique, fully branded blog page in WordPress.
Tips for selecting the right theme for your blog page
When choosing a theme for your different pages in WordPress, consider the following tips to ensure it aligns with your goals and brand:
- Identify your customization needs: If you want full control over your blog layout, a theme with drag-and-drop builder compatibility, like Astra or OceanWP, is a good choice. For a more hands-on approach with design, Divi’s built-in builder can be a powerful option.
- Consider loading speed: Themes like Astra are optimized for speed, which can improve user experience and SEO. Lightweight themes load faster, reducing the chances of visitors leaving due to slow page speed.
- Check for responsiveness: Ensure the theme is responsive and adjusts to different devices. A responsive theme, like OceanWP, will keep your page looking professional across desktops, tablets and smartphones.
- Look for SEO-friendly features: Choose a theme with SEO-focused features, such as schema markup and clean code, to help your blog rank higher in search results. Both Astra and OceanWP include SEO-optimized code that helps search engines crawl and index your blog more efficiently.
- Evaluate customization options: A theme with a range of customization options, like Divi, lets you control the look and feel of your page without writing code. These options include customizable headers, footers, sidebars and color schemes.
- Support and updates: Select a theme from a reputable provider that regularly updates its themes to maintain security and compatibility with the latest WordPress version. Themes like Astra, OceanWP and Divi have dedicated support teams and regular updates to keep your site secure.
Conclusion
Learning how to create a separate blog page in WordPress can transform your site’s layout, making it more user-friendly and visually organized. With Bluehost’s reliable hosting and user-friendly tools, setting up a dedicated blog page becomes seamless and efficient. A separate blog page enhances content accessibility, giving your blog posts their own dedicated space while keeping your homepage focused. This setup makes your site feel structured and professional, helping readers easily find the information they’re looking for.
