Help choosing: Custom Post Types or Categories

  • tictok

    (@tictok)


    9 years, 5 months ago

    Hi. I’m currently planning a new WP based site – part community based, part magazine, part blog.

    There are approx a dozen different types of content (news, magazine like features, how to guides, top fives, short videos, blog, etc, etc)

    Visually the style for each of these will be different and I figure the entire range of content will be covered probably by a single tag structure (taxonomy).

    I’m struggling to make my mind up wether I should set each content type (or group of content types) up as and individual custom-post-type, or wether I should just use categories instead?

    I could see it working either way, but not sure what the best approach would be? Or which would offer the most flexibility or ease of use? (both from a users point of view or for site admin).

    Thanks for any thoughts!

Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)
  • catacaustic

    (@catacaustic)

    9 years, 5 months ago

    If it was me, I’d use categories. Custom Post Types are good when what yo uneed has a good deal of differentiation from what’s available now, and what you’re describing isn’t really any different functionally, just layout. That’s what post formats should be used for.

    Thread Starter tictok

    (@tictok)

    9 years, 5 months ago

    Thanks – I’m heading in that direction, but was wondering if the CPTs might give me more flexibility.

    I know it’s against the grain bit, but I wish it was possible to easily create my own post formats.

    If I stick with the category route I’m going to have to figure out how to create custom fields for a couple of categories. I’ve used the ACF plugin before, but would like to do it without a plugin if possible.

    Thanks!

    catacaustic

    (@catacaustic)

    9 years, 5 months ago

    Creating new fields is pretty easy. Just look at add_meta_box(), and add those to the standard ‘post’ type, and you’ll be able to add in any fields that you want to. I’ve done this a few times befire for posts, and it’s pretty easy.

    Thread Starter tictok

    (@tictok)

    9 years, 5 months ago

    You sir, are a star. Thanks.

    Reading up now on add_meta_box() now.

    Wondering if it’s possible to make it conditional so meta box only shows up when a specific category is selected. Probably over thinking things a little though!

    catacaustic

    (@catacaustic)

    9 years, 5 months ago

    Yes it is. But you’d do that in the function that displays the meta box itself. Andthat’s not over-thinking things. I’ve done that in a couple of projects before because I was doing a very similar thing to you. It’s a bit of work to get it set up, but it can work well.

Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)
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