5. Posts vs. Pages
What is the difference between Pages and Posts? Learn when to use each for displaying static or time-dependent content.
It’s all about content!
When you visit a website built with WordPress, you’ll find two main types of content: Posts and Pages.
Both are important for providing information, but they are used in different ways. Your content determines whether you make a page or post for your website.
Pages
Think of Pages as the “permanent” content of your website. Pages are the “structure” of the website, and are usually in the main menu. Pages need to be reviewed and updated from time to time, but the content is typically more “evergreen.”
Pages…
- Contain essential information. Pages contain information that is important for a longer period. They offer key details about your school, its programs and resources.
- Do not display dates or authors. Pages usually don’t show publication dates or authors, focusing instead on providing the most relevant and up-to-date information.
- Are static and foundational. Pages provide the backbone of the website’s structure. They’re updated less often than posts and often serve as main navigation items.
Examples of Pages:
- About Us: Explains your school’s history, mission, and values.
- Academic Programs: Provides detailed information about majors, minors, and degree requirements.
- Admissions: Outlines the application process, deadlines, and requirements for prospective students.
- Research: Showcases research initiatives, labs, and faculty expertise.
Posts
Think of posts as little packets of information that can travel away from your website. They are for sharing, and contain content that changes occasionally, or even frequently.
Posts…
- Contain timely updates. Posts share news, announcements, and other content that is relevant right now. They’re designed to keep you informed about what’s happening on campus or in your school.
- Usually display a publication date and author.
- Are displayed in reverse chronological order. Posts are displayed with the newest ones first, like a news feed. This makes it easy to find the latest information.
- Can be assigned categories and tags. Posts are organized into categories (like “Research News,” “Student Life,” or “Faculty Awards”) and tags (like “sustainability,” “engineering,” or “scholarships”) to help you find specific topics of interest.
- Have sharing options. You’ll often find options to share posts on social media. On other websites, you can sometimes leave comments on posts. We do not enable comments on posts.
Examples of Posts:
- News Article: “ASU Engineering Students Win National Robotics Competition”
- Announcement: “Call for Papers: 2025 Sustainability Conference”
- Event Recap: “Highlights from the Fall Engineering Career Fair”
Summary
Pages provide core information about your unit, while Posts are for the latest news and happenings. Typically website editors will be updating Pages, but may sometimes need to create Posts. The web team will guide you on which content type is needed for any new content.