In the fast-paced world of web design and e-commerce, standing out is paramount for higher value WordPress projects. Especially if you want to live on a good reputation and grow your income. As a job seeker, professional, or entrepreneur, understanding the nuances of web design can significantly impact your earnings.
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For beginners seeking new ways of making a living and working from anywhere, web design is one of the easiest ways to begin. All without coding. Instead, we build using WordPress and a solid page-builder.
Then, one powerful way to elevate your website is through the use of Custom Post Types (CPT) and Custom Fields in WordPress. And as an example, this article explores how these features can transform an e-bike website, enhancing both user experience and profitability.
Higher value WordPress projects benefit greatly from the use of Custom Post Types (CPT) and Custom Fields. These features allow for enhanced organization and presentation of content.
Why Custom Post Types Matter
Custom Post Types (CPTs) allow you to create content types beyond the standard posts and pages that comes with WordPress.
By applying these methods, you can create higher value WordPress projects that not only look appealing but also function effectively.
I just completed a new project for a local, and kind of special, e-bike store in Norway. So I will be using that as an example in this article.
For an e-bike website, this can mean dedicated sections for different types of bikes, accessories, reviews, and more. By leveraging CPTs, you gain the flexibility to expand WordPress and organize content more effectively. It can make it easier for visitors to navigate your site and have a more rich experience.
Moreover, search engines appreciate well-structured content, which can improve your rankings.
Not only that, having the skills to use custom post types and fields in combination with WordPress, you can almost build app-like website solutions now. And that brings about higher value WordPress projects.
Setting the Stage: The E-Bike Website
For this project, I will say that I feel I have been helping the store owner out by moving him away from a limited and too expensive “ready-to-go” website platform. (Similar to Shopify).
It all started one day while randomly visiting the store. I happen to mention my craft as a Web Designer, and the conversation went on. In the beginning, I was supposed to help him out with his current website. But I got stuck!
No options to design, change, or modify much of anything. No control.
We talked some more. And I convinced him to move over to the following:
- Have full control of content and design
- Build a stronger brand with a custom and unique design
- Owning his platform and not rent an expensive semi-solution
- Invest one time in custom build, and have very low monthly cost thereafter
- Get to stand out with a unique design and premium solution using WordPress
Then host it all on some premium WordPress hosting like WPAlchemy.
The project started. And I had full control of the website style. And while building, I started getting ideas for some custom tweaks.
Not too much! I just wanted a couple of features. And here’s where custom post types and fields come in.
First, a quick clarification for beginners.
What Are Custom Post Types?
Custom Post Types are essentially content types that you can create to manage different kinds of information. In contrast to standard posts or pages, CPTs allow you to categorize content in a way that makes sense for your niche. For the e-bike website, custom types could include “Bikes,” “Accessories,” or forms, or in this case; Videos. And each post-type can have its own taxonomy, making it easier for users to find what they are looking for.
Then, for each new post-type, you can add custom fields to input data. And suddenly you’re making WordPress super-flexible.
Implementing Custom Fields
Post types are now more easy than ever to create using a WordPress plugin. Install one of my recommended CPT plugins below, and you can start experimenting.
And here’s my recommended custom post type and custom fields plugins.
- JetEngine (From Crocoblock)
- ACF Pro
- Pods (Free)
For the bike store, I used ACF Pro. But for the moment, I actually recommend JetEngine after a new project I just started this week. Its a more simple custom post type plugin for beginners.
And as a pro-tip, I recommend trying out things without settings WordPress up on any hosting. But use LocalWP instead, and run WordPress locally on your Mac or Windows. Its free to use, and you can start building and testing new WordPress sites as much as you like.
Enhancing User Experience and functionality
By integrating Custom Fields, you can create a more interactive and informative experience for your users. For instance, when a visitor clicks on an e-bike model, they should not only see images but also detailed specifications, comparison charts, and user reviews. This comprehensive approach allows users to engage more deeply with the content, leading to increased satisfaction and a higher likelihood of conversion.
And what I wanted to achieve for this e-bike store, was to have a sexy way of showing product videos in a modal.
With this change, you will now see a play icon on all products the store owner has added a video URL to.
(Site is in Norwegian, but you’ll see the new icon on top left over the product image that says “Se Video” (Watch video).
Case Study: Before and After
Before Customization
Prior to the implementation of CPTs and custom fields, the e-bike website suffered from a lack of good looking video presentation. There was basically no good way of adding video.
What the store owner did was to simply paste a YouTube video below the product description. It looked wrong, poorly formatted, and in a bad place.
Overall, it reduces the professionalism of the site build. And it matters if you want to bring a high quality UI design. And lift the experience of the brand of the business.
After Customization
After integrating CPTs and custom fields, the presentation of product videos because way more intuitive and well presented.
With just a few tweaks using the ACF Pro plugin to create custom fields, I modified the existing WooCommerce “Products” post type. And yes, you can even modify and change existing post-types in WordPress.
Instead of adding a new post-type, I added custom fields to “Products”. Now, its easy for the store owner to simply paste a YouTube video URL into the product edit screen, and a play button will show above the product images automatically.
This is also showing on the store’s Shop page for all products that has a video added.
This on/off feature is simply controlled with the build in Bricks Builder conditions functionality. No coding needed. (Note to beginners)
Boosting Earnings through Customization
One of the most immediate benefits observed post-customization was user engagement. With better organization and detailed information, visitors spent more time on the site exploring various products and the videos.
Therefore, focusing on higher value WordPress projects not only enhances your portfolio but also increases your marketability.
This increase in engagement is crucial for any e-commerce platform because it often leads to higher conversion rates. When users feel informed and confident about their choices, they are more likely to make a purchase.
Users also feel they interact with a more high-end website, setting the stage for taking the business serious and of high value. And this brings great value to the owner of the business.
Which is your job as a Web Designer. And when you build your skills around customizations like this, you will start to bring in higher value WordPress projects. Especially if you wan expand on and extend the features and functionality of WooCommerce websites.
And in fact, as you refine your craft, you will find that higher value WordPress projects become your specialty.
Tips for Implementing Custom Post Types and Fields
Choosing the right plugins is essential for successfully completing higher value WordPress projects effectively.
A lot of beginners want to start out cheap to save money. But that is not always the best approach. Invest in quality. Choose plugins that are stable and well maintained.
Choosing the Right Plugins
Once planned correctly, higher value WordPress projects can be a breeze to implement. And when you decide to implement Custom Post Types and Fields, choosing the right plugins is essential.
Popular options like Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) and Custom Post Type UI (CPT UI) can simplify the process greatly. ACF allows you to create complex custom fields easily, while CPT UI helps in managing custom post types without needing to code.
These tools have various “user-friendlyness”, so as a beginner, its important to choose the right plugin for the job. You don’t want to get stuck. But you also don’t want to lack on capabilities.
You could easily start cheap and free by going for Pods, build on LocalWP, and start testing things. But for production sites, I have landed on JetEngine as my go-to plugin to build higher value WordPress projects for my clients.
By leveraging these techniques, you’ll be well on your way to delivering higher value WordPress projects that truly resonate with your audience. Taking on higher value WordPress projects challenges you to grow as a Web Designer.
Planning Your Content Structure
By focusing on higher value WordPress projects, you open up new opportunities for growth and expansion in your career.
But, before diving into customization, it’s crucial to plan how you want to structure your content. Consider what categories and fields will best serve your audience and the purpose of the website.
Create a clear outline of what each Custom Post Type will include and how it will be organized. This planning phase is vital to ensure that your website remains user-friendly and effectively showcases your products.
One benefit and important concept to keep in mind when planning custom post-types in WordPress, is that you can have a specific design for it. You can build its own archive page, a specific design on card-listings, and single view design for the post.
Conclusion
Recap of Key Takeaways
In conclusion, the idea of going for and creating higher value WordPress projects should not be underestimated. There is high value in customizing WordPress. Which is pretty plain and simple out of the box.
Custom Post Types and Custom Fields in WordPress can have a profound impact on what is possible with WordPress. By implementing these features, you can enhance user experience, improve SEO, and truly build fancy website solutions. Which ultimately will increase your earnings we a Web Designer.
The case study of the e-bike project I did is just a super-simple example of small but cool adjustments you can make.
Encouragement to Take Action
If you’re looking for new ways to make a living, break out of the “normal” and have a flexible online business, building websites is one easy way to get started.
Whether you’re a job seeker, a professional, or an entrepreneur, the digital landscape is continuously evolving. And by using WordPress, and then embracing tools like CPTs and custom fields can not only set you apart from the competition but also significantly boost your online presence with your creative skills.
Take the leap today and start customizing your website to meet the demands of your audience and market! Many developers are now seeking higher value WordPress projects as a way to enhance their skill set.
FAQs
Here are some typical questions I have received earlier around the topic of this article.
What are Custom Post Types in WordPress?
Custom Post Types are content types that allow you to create and manage various kinds of content beyond the default posts and pages, tailored to specific needs.
How do Custom Fields enhance my website?
Custom Fields allow you to add additional metadata to your posts, providing detailed information that can improve user experience and engagement. You can build post types for something like cars, dogs, collectibles, vacation destinations. Be creative.
Can I create Custom Post Types without coding?
Yes, using plugins like JetEngine and ACF Pro makes it easy to create and manage custom post types and custom fields without any coding knowledge.
What kind of website benefits from Custom Post Types?
Niche websites, e-commerce platforms, and blogs that require structured content can greatly benefit from implementing Custom Post Types and fields.
How do I start implementing Custom Post Types on my website?
Begin by planning your content structure and choosing the right plugins, then create your custom post types and fields according to your website’s needs.
After that, you can use professional page-builders like Bricks Builder to display the new post-types and fields in a custom design you build.
How much does it cost to build out new post types and fields?
The cost is low. Even free. You can build using a free plugin like Pods. Or you can go a safer and easier route by using premium plugins like JetEngine or ACF Pro.
JetEngine for one website is currently just $43 for one year.