How to Create Custom Fields

This article shows you how to create custom fields in WordPress to store additional information on your pages and posts.

What Are Custom Fields?

Custom fields let you add extra information to your WordPress pages and posts beyond the standard title and content. For example, you might want to add a price field to product pages, or a project completion date to portfolio items.

Method 1: Using WordPress Built-in Custom Fields

1. Log into your WordPress admin dashboard
2. Go to "Posts" or "Pages" and edit an existing item, or create a new one
3. Scroll down below the content editor
4. Look for "Custom Fields" section. If you don't see it, click "Screen Options" at the top of the page and tick "Custom Fields"
5. Click "Enter new" to add a custom field
6. Type a "Name" for your field (like "price" or "location")
7. Add the "Value" (the actual information you want to store)
8. Click "Add Custom Field"
9. Update or publish your page/post

Method 2: Using Advanced Custom Fields Plugin

The built-in custom fields are basic. Most people use the Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) plugin instead:

1. Go to "Plugins" → "Add New" in your WordPress dashboard
2. Search for "Advanced Custom Fields"
3. Install and activate the plugin by WP Engine
4. Go to "Custom Fields" → "Field Groups" in your WordPress menu
5. Click "Add New" to create a field group
6. Give your field group a title (like "Product Information")
7. Click "Add Field" and choose your field type:
   • Text: for short text like names or prices
   • Textarea: for longer text
   • Number: for numerical values
   • Image: for pictures
   • Date Picker: for dates
8. Set the "Field Label" (what users see) and "Field Name" (used by WordPress)
9. Choose where these fields appear using the "Location" rules (specific pages, post types, etc.)
10. Click "Publish" to save your field group

Adding Custom Fields to Your Theme

To display custom fields on your website, you'll need to edit your theme files or use a page builder:

1. For ACF fields, add this code where you want the field to appear: <?php the_field('field_name'); ?>
2. For built-in custom fields, use: <?php echo get_post_meta(get_the_ID(), 'field_name', true); ?>
3. Many modern themes and page builders can display custom fields without code

If you're not comfortable editing code, ask your web developer to help display the fields.

If you're still stuck with custom fields, contact Web60 support for help. We can guide you through the setup or recommend the best approach for your website.

FAQ

Q: What's the difference between custom fields and regular content?

A: Regular content appears in your main text area. Custom fields store specific pieces of information separately, like prices, dates, or contact details that you want to display in consistent formats.

Q: Do I need coding knowledge to use custom fields?

A: You don't need coding to create custom fields, but you might need basic code or a developer to display them on your website. Many modern themes support custom fields without coding.

Q: Can I use custom fields with any WordPress theme?

A: Yes, but how they display depends on your theme. Some themes have built-in support for popular custom field plugins, while others need custom code to show the fields.

Q: Will custom fields slow down my website?

A: No, custom fields have minimal impact on website speed. However, avoid creating hundreds of unused fields as this can affect database performance.

Q: Can I add custom fields to existing pages?

A: Yes, you can add custom fields to any existing page or post. Just edit the page and add your custom fields using either method described above.

Q: What happens to custom fields if I change themes?

A: The custom field data stays in your database, but the new theme might not display them. You'll need to set up the display again in your new theme.

Q: Are custom fields backed up with my website?

A: Yes, custom fields are part of your WordPress database and are included in all Web60 backups automatically.