Setting Up WordPress Custom Taxonomies

This article explains how to create custom taxonomies in WordPress to organise your content in ways that categories and tags cannot.

What are WordPress Taxonomies

Taxonomies are ways to group content. WordPress comes with two built-in taxonomies: categories and tags. Custom taxonomies let you create your own grouping systems. For example, a restaurant might create a "Cuisine Type" taxonomy with options like Italian, Thai, and Irish.

When to Use Custom Taxonomies

Use custom taxonomies when categories and tags don't fit your business needs. Examples include:

• Product types (for retailers)
• Service areas (for local businesses)
• Event types (for venues)
• Project categories (for agencies)

Step 1: Access Your WordPress Dashboard

1. Log into your WordPress admin dashboard
2. Go to your Web60 control panel
3. Click "WordPress Admin" for your website

Step 2: Install a Custom Taxonomy Plugin

WordPress needs a plugin to create custom taxonomies easily:

1. Go to Plugins > Add New
2. Search for "Custom Post Type UI"
3. Install and activate the plugin by WebDevStudios
4. You'll see a new "CPT UI" menu item in your dashboard

Step 3: Create Your Custom Taxonomy

1. Click CPT UI > Add/Edit Taxonomies

2. Fill in the basic settings:

   • Taxonomy Slug: Use lowercase letters and hyphens (example: "cuisine-type")
   • Plural Label: What visitors see (example: "Cuisine Types")
   • Singular Label: Singular version (example: "Cuisine Type")

3. In the "Attach to Post Types" section, select where this taxonomy appears:

   • Check "Posts" for blog posts
   • Check "Pages" for static pages
   • Check any custom post types you've created

4. Click Add Taxonomy

Step 4: Add Terms to Your Taxonomy

1. Go to Posts > Cuisine Types (or whatever you named your taxonomy)
2. Add individual terms:
   • Name: What visitors see (example: "Italian")
   • Slug: URL-friendly version (example: "italian")
   • Description: Optional explanation
3. Click Add New Cuisine Type
4. Repeat for each term you need

Step 5: Assign Taxonomies to Content

When editing posts or pages:

1. Look for your new taxonomy box in the sidebar
2. Check the relevant terms for that content
3. Click Update to save

Your custom taxonomy now appears on your website, helping visitors find related content.

If you're still stuck with setting up custom taxonomies, contact Web60 support through your control panel. Include details about what type of content you want to organise and we'll help you get it working.

FAQ

Q: Can I change taxonomy names after creating them?

A: Yes, but this may break existing links. It's better to plan your taxonomy structure before adding content.

Q: How many custom taxonomies can I create?

A: WordPress has no limit, but too many taxonomies can confuse visitors. Start with 2-3 that clearly serve different purposes.

Q: Will custom taxonomies affect my website speed?

A: Custom taxonomies have minimal impact on performance when set up correctly through plugins like Custom Post Type UI.

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

A: Most themes support custom taxonomies automatically. If yours doesn't display them, you may need theme customisation.

Q: Do custom taxonomies help with SEO?

A: Yes, well-organised content with clear taxonomies helps search engines understand your website structure and can improve rankings.

Q: Can I delete a custom taxonomy if I don't need it?

A: Yes, but this removes all terms and associations. Back up your website first using Web60's backup system.

Q: What's the difference between hierarchical and non-hierarchical taxonomies?

A: Hierarchical taxonomies work like categories (with parent/child relationships). Non-hierarchical work like tags (all terms are equal).