Table of Contents
Do you keep adding the same elements to each blog post?
Create a blog template! Most tutorials out there will only show you ways to do this with a plugin, but in this article, with an accompanying video, I will show you how to make a template with Gutenberg. You only need the block editor (also known as Gutenberg) to make this WordPress content template. Have fun!
Create Blog Templates with WordPress only
If you’re like me, you might have noticed that you use the same sections in your blog posts. For me, I start with a short intro, then a table of contents, a header, some paragraphs, another header, and a call to action. It can be annoying to have to remake those elements every time.
When one of my clients asked me how to make a blog template, I couldn’t find any videos that didn’t require a plugin. So, I decided to show you how to make a content template within WordPress without any extra plugins, and it’s really easy.
To start, I simply click “new blog post” or “new post” in WordPress, and I add a group to combine all the elements I want to have in my template. I start with a paragraph, which I call “intro description,” then a shortcode for my table of contents, followed by a header called “header one.”
If you’re adding new blocks, make sure you add them with the plus within the group. Then, I add a little bit of text, an image, another header, and more text. I usually have three headers, so I’ll add those in, and then a call to action. I can even add a button if I want.
I know some of my clients like to add a signature at the end, so I do that too. Once I’ve added all the elements to my group, I select the group, click on the three dots, and say, “add to reusable blocks.” I’ll name it “blog template” and hit save.
Now, every time I open a new post, I can just click on the plus, select “block templates,” and use my template. Before using it, I need to ensure it’s not connected to the reusable block anywhere. To do that, I find my group again, select it, and hit “convert to regular blocks.”
In this video below I show you how to do this:
That’s it! Now, I can create blog posts with the same layout without having to recreate each element every time.
Key Takeaways:
- Bloggers often have the same layout for their blog posts, which can be time-consuming to create every time.
- Creating a blog template in WordPress without plugins is easy and straightforward.
- Group together all the elements you want to include in your post, such as a paragraph, shortcode, header, image, and more.
- Save your template as a reusable block and name it for easy reference.
- Convert your reusable block into regular blocks before using it as a template for your blog posts.
FAQ:
- Do I need any plugins to create a blog template in WordPress?
No, you do not need any plugins. You can do this with Gutenberg (also known as the block editor) and the modules that it offers. - Can I customize my blog template once I have created it?
You can customize your blog template by adding or removing blocks once you have created it. - How do I save my template as a reusable block?
To save your template as a reusable block, select the group containing your blocks, click on the three dots, and select “Add to Reusable Blocks.” Give your template a name and click on “Save.” - Can I make a template for part of a blog post?
Yes, you can make a group only for the elements you use. I mostly use reusable blocks for elements in my blog post, like ‘Pin it’, ‘ intro with a table of content’, or ‘About Natalie’. - Can I use the same template for different types of blog posts?
Yes, you can use the same template for different blog posts, but you can also make specific templates for each to make it even easier for yourself.
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