WordPress: How To Use Custom Fields

Posted on 20. Jul, 2011 by in HowTo


The application of “Blogging” has changed, and it changing, the world of online interaction. Now, almost any entrepreneur can simply and easily create a website that can assist them in selling products or services while expressing their opinion.  Today, with applications like WordPress, which this blog is created with, all anyone has to do is simply press a few buttons and it’s off to the races!

However, there are a few learning curves most new bloggers run into and today, we’ll be discussing a very special element found within the wordpress platform that this author has just learned to capitalize on.

This simple “overlooked” function will save the average blogger (using wordpress) tons of time and also clean up their blog posts and free them up with HTML code that would rather clutter up the landscape. Also, since the updates of the newer versions of wordpress, simple problems like missing and disappearing HTML code when switching your view from Visual to HTML.

This posting is designed to help you get over that hurdle and teach you how to set up and use the “Custom Fields” area in your wordpress platform.

Watch this short video and then follow the steps below.

Steps To Follow:

  1. CLICK ON THIS LINK
  2. Copy the code
  3. Log into your wordpress back office
  4. Locate the functions.php file in your back office (should be found in editor under Appearance)
  5. Paste the code inside

Now your blog knows to enter your custom fileds using the tag [field name=NAME] *NAME is the title you give it.

  1. Create a name
  2. Paste your HTML code
  3. Add custom field
  4. Locate where in the blog posting you want to use the code and write the tag: [field name=NAME]
  5. Save or Publish posting
  6. Review page

Now you will no longer have any problem of disappearing HTML code when altering and editing publications.

Here is a small list of items I use this format to save time.

  1. Facebook fan page
  2. Active banners
  3. Embed codes from Aweber

If you are considering a blog or at least starting one, might I suggest you take a look at How To Build A Blog. There you will learn some of the basics of what you can do and what you’l need to get started.

If you need help in using a blog to generate leads, also consider How To Build A List. Here you will learn that building a list is possibly the smartest thing you can do to start marketing online. There’s also a whole list of other great walk through tutorials on how to improve everything in the “CREATE: How To” tab located above.

Related content:

  1. Email Marketing Tips: How To Install An Aweber Opt In Form On Your Blog
  2. How To Place Your Optin Box On Your Blog
  3. How To Create A Custom Capture Page
  4. How To Set Permalinks Correctly In WordPress
  5. How To Test Your Capture Pages
Better Related Posts Plugin
Buffer

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9 Responses to “WordPress: How To Use Custom Fields”

  1. Tony Tate

    09. Sep, 2011

    Very well explained! I am currently working on wordpress blogs right now, and your post is really helpful to me. I love to use wordpress for my blogs because it’s very easy to use. Your post is definitely a good read especially to the newbies.

    Reply to this comment

  2. Linnea

    30. Aug, 2011

    Hi Dereck,

    This is a terrific tutorial on using the custom fields…very clear and easy to follow. Thanks so much for sharing it. Won’t we also need to remember to redo the custom function php code when we update our theme?
    Linnea recently posted..Shiny Object SyndromeMy Profile

    Reply to this comment

  3. Pastor Sherry

    28. Jul, 2011

    Hi Dereck,

    I think I followed your video, but have some questions — are you using the updated WP? I understand there are 4 or 5 steps I have to go through to even upgrade, and I simply haven’t done them yet because they are too intimidating! Is it worth it to change anything on my existing blog?

    What other things do custom fields do for a blog? Would it put the Google+1 at the top of the home page and every post? Or allow me to put my website at the top?

    Reply to this comment

    • Dereck Arreguin

      28. Jul, 2011

      Hey Sherry,

      It’s very simple to update your blog. It only takes a few seconds and most of it is done automatically for you.

      Log into your blog
      Click on updates
      Have it done automatically… DONE

      As for custom fields, custom fields helps cut down on time. I’ve actually created a whole tutorial on adding Google+ to your blog. Make sure to watch the short video to see how easy it is to have it placed automatically on every post.

      Not sure what you mean by being on the top?

      I’ve sent you an email, please feel free to contact me if there’s anything else I can do for you. :D

      Reply to this comment

      • Pastor Sherry

        29. Jul, 2011

        Hi!

        Yes, I see the “update now” button, but I read Kim Castleberry’s post on upgrading, and she said to check first if I am able to upgrade at all, then do all the back-ups so I don’t lose anything, and after that there were a few other things I needed to do. At that point it felt too complicated for me, so I gave up.

        Reply to this comment

  4. Peter Fuller MBA

    25. Jul, 2011

    Excellent tutorial Dereck.

    I am always telling people to take the time to learn new skills, especially if those skills can save you time in the future.

    And you just saved me some time :)

    Peter

    Reply to this comment

  5. willie@freedom to be your own boss

    25. Jul, 2011

    Hi Dereck,

    Very interesting post, I have been using WP about a year or maybe a little longer and I am still learning new things about the platform.

    I first started over on blogger blogs, I posted a while then lost interest. I moved over to WP and after a while I lost interest.

    How long have you been at this WP stuff, seems like you have got a hand on it.

    Thanks for sharing this information and the other links with others.

    Cheers

    Reply to this comment

  6. Justin Hammonds

    23. Jul, 2011

    Great post Dereck, and this is a wonderful explanation of how to use WordPress. This would help the newbie and season veteran. God bless your work.

    Reply to this comment

  7. Lynn Jones

    22. Jul, 2011

    Dereck, Thank you so much for these explicit instructions! I will have to come back to this and follow your step by step instructions. I appreciate the thorough job that you have done to inform us on how to take advantage of our Custom fields in WP. Wow, I have so much to learn!
    Have a fabulous day!
    Lynn

    Reply to this comment

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