How to create page templates in WordPress

WordPress page templates are pre-designed layouts that determine the structure and appearance of specific pages on a website. They maintain consistency across pages while allowing for customization to meet varying content needs. Using page templates can streamline web development and enhance the user experience by ensuring a cohesive design throughout the site.

To create a custom page template in WordPress, start by adding a new file to your theme directory. This file will serve as the template for your page. Include the necessary HTML markup along with WordPress template tags to dynamically display content. For instance, use functions like get_header() to retrieve the site header, the_content() to display the page content, and get_sidebar() to include any sidebar widgets.

Below is a basic example of a custom page template file named custom-template.php:

<?php
/*
Template Name: Custom Template
*/
get_header();
?>

<main id="main" class="site-main">
    <div class="container">
        <div id="primary" class="content-area">
            <article id="post-<?php the_ID(); ?>" <?php post_class(); ?>>
                <header class="entry-header">
                    <h1 class="entry-title"><?php the_title(); ?></h1>
                </header>

                <div class="entry-content">
                    <?php
                    // Display the page content
                    the_content();
                    ?>
                </div>
            </article>
        </div>

        <?php get_sidebar(); ?>
    </div>
</main>

<?php
get_footer();
?>

To place the custom page template file within your WordPress theme directory, you’ll need access to your website’s files via FTP (File Transfer Protocol) or a file manager provided by your web hosting provider. Navigate to the directory where your WordPress theme is installed, typically located in the /wp-content/themes/ directory within your WordPress installation.

Once you’re in the theme directory, create a new file and name it according to your template, for example, custom-template.php. Paste the code for your custom page template into this file and save it.

After creating your custom page template file, apply it to the desired pages in the WordPress admin dashboard. When editing a page, find the ‘Page Attributes‘ meta box on the right-hand side. Within this meta box, select your custom template from the ‘Template’ dropdown menu. Save your changes, and the selected page will now use the designated template.

In conclusion, creating page templates in WordPress is a powerful way to maintain consistency and streamline development efforts across your website. Follow these steps to create and apply custom templates to effectively manage the design and layout of your WordPress pages and deliver a cohesive and professional user experience.

Used WordPress functions:

get_footer() get_header() get_sidebar() post_class()