Ever wondered how to make your homepage the first thing visitors see on your WordPress site? Setting the front page is a simple step that shapes your website’s first impression. Whether you want to highlight a beautiful landing page or guide visitors to important content, knowing how to set your front page is essential.
In this article, you’ll find clear, step-by-step instructions on how to make any page your WordPress homepage, along with practical tips to ensure a smooth setup.
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How to Set a Page as the Front Page in WordPress
Setting a custom front page in WordPress is a popular way to give your site a unique and professional first impression. By choosing which page visitors see first, you can showcase your most important content, guide users toward your goals, or simply make your site look exactly how you want. Let’s break down how you can set any page as your front page—and everything else you need to know to get it just right.
What Does “Front Page” Mean in WordPress?
The front page (also called the homepage) is the very first thing people see when they type in your website’s main address (like www.yourwebsite.com). By default, WordPress displays your latest blog posts here. However, you can easily change this to a static page, which means a page you’ve designed yourself—perhaps your “About” page, a product showcase, or a custom landing page.
Why Set a Static Front Page?
Switching to a static front page is common for many types of sites, including:
- Business websites wanting a professional welcome page
- Online stores highlighting products or sales
- Portfolio sites showing off work samples
- Landing pages designed to get sign-ups or sales
You have total control over how your website greets visitors.
Step-by-Step: Setting a Page as Your Front Page
Let’s walk through the process to turn any WordPress page into your site’s front page. These steps work for most WordPress.com and WordPress.org sites using the classic dashboard.
1. Create the Pages You Need
Before you can select a front page, you need at least two pages:
– One to serve as your homepage (front page)
– One for your blog posts (if you still want to display them elsewhere)
To create a page:
1. Go to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Click on Pages > Add New.
3. Name your new page (e.g., “Home”, “Welcome”, or whatever fits).
4. Add your desired content and publish the page.
5. (Optional) Repeat to create a blog page (name it “Blog”, “News”, etc.)—but leave this page blank; WordPress will fill it automatically.
2. Open the Reading Settings
Now, tell WordPress which page to use as your front page.
- In your dashboard, go to Settings > Reading.
- At the top, you’ll see a section labeled “Your homepage displays”.
3. Choose “A static page”
- Select the option A static page.
- For “Homepage”, pick the new page you created (e.g., “Home”).
- For “Posts page”, select your blog page if you want one (or leave this blank if you don’t want a blog section).
4. Save Your Changes
- Scroll down and click the Save Changes button.
Congrats! Your website now displays your chosen page as the front page.
Alternative Methods to Change the Front Page
Depending on your theme or setup, there are a few other ways to set the homepage:
Using the Customizer
The WordPress Customizer offers a live preview and is often the preferred way for beginners.
- Go to Appearance > Customize in your dashboard.
- Click on Homepage Settings or Front Page Settings (the exact wording might change depending on your theme).
- Select A static page.
- Choose your desired homepage and posts page.
- Click Publish to save.
Using a Page Builder or Theme Options
Some themes and page builders (like Elementor, Divi, or theme-specific panels) may give you direct settings for the front page. Check their documentation or settings panel.
Tips and Best Practices for Choosing a Front Page
Choosing your homepage is only part of the puzzle. Here are some tips to make the most of it:
- Keep your goal in mind: Is your homepage for welcoming visitors, getting sign-ups, showcasing products, or telling your story? Shape your content and layout accordingly.
- Use strong visuals: Images, videos, or graphics can make your homepage memorable and inviting.
- Highlight your call to action: If you want visitors to book, buy, sign up, or contact you, place these actions front and center.
- Keep navigation clear: Make it easy for visitors to find other important pages with a simple menu.
- Make it mobile-friendly: Most visitors will view your site on a phone or tablet, so use a responsive design.
Benefits of a Custom Front Page
- Professional Appearance: Present your brand or personality immediately instead of a generic list of posts.
- Tailored User Experience: Guide visitors to what’s most important—services, shop, portfolio, or resources.
- Improved Conversions: Landing pages focused on a single action (like subscribing or purchasing) work better as custom homepages.
- Better SEO Opportunities: You can create unique headlines, text, and structure for search engines.
Common Challenges (and Solutions)
While changing your homepage is simple, you might run into occasional hiccups. Here are some common issues:
- Homepage doesn’t update after changes: Try clearing your browser cache or refreshing your site. Sometimes changes take a few moments to appear.
- Theme overrides your setting: Some WordPress themes have their own homepage templates or settings. Look for a “Theme Options” panel or check your theme’s documentation.
- Widgets or blocks don’t appear: When using a blank homepage, you might need to manually add widgets, blocks, or elements through the editor or Customizer.
Pro Tip:
If you want to create a truly unique home page, use a visual page builder. Tools like Elementor or the WordPress Block Editor let you design layouts without any coding.
Best Practices for Different Types of WordPress Sites
Here’s how front page settings can make a difference, depending on your website’s focus:
For Business Websites
- Use testimonials, service highlights, and contact information.
- Add a clear value proposition in the first headline.
For Blogs or News Sites
- Use a custom page as the homepage but provide a prominent link or section for your latest posts.
- Display featured articles or categories.
For Online Stores
- Highlight bestsellers, categories, or ongoing promotions.
- Include clear “Shop Now” buttons and trust signals (like reviews or awards).
For Portfolios
- Showcase your best work right at the front.
- Add an easy way for visitors to get in touch or hire you.
Advanced: Creating a Truly Custom Front Page
If you want even more control, you can get a little more advanced:
- Custom Templates: In many themes, you can assign a custom template to your front page for unique layouts.
- Page Builders: Use tools like Elementor, Beaver Builder, or the built-in WordPress Block Editor for drag-and-drop design.
- Custom Fields: Add dynamic content areas for testimonials, portfolios, or services.
You don’t need to know how to code—most modern WordPress themes make home page customization easy and code-free.
Troubleshooting Tips
If your homepage isn’t displaying as you expect:
- Double-check your settings: Ensure you’ve saved your “static page” selection under Settings > Reading.
- Look for plugin conflicts: Sometimes, plugins can override your homepage or add redirects.
- Switch themes: Test with another theme to see if the issue is theme-specific.
- Contact support: If all else fails, reach out to your web host or theme developer for help.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I remove blog posts from my homepage in WordPress?
By default, WordPress puts your latest posts on the homepage. To change this, set a static page as your homepage and choose a separate posts page under Settings > Reading. This separates your blog from your main landing page.
What’s the difference between “home” and “front page” in WordPress?
“Front page” is the first page visitors see at your main site address. “Home” is often the same, but in WordPress terms, “home” can mean your latest posts page—unless you’ve set a static front page. You can name your homepage whatever you like, but the front page is always the page set in your settings.
Can I switch my homepage back to blog posts later?
Absolutely! Just go back to Settings > Reading and choose “Your latest posts.” Your homepage will then display your recent articles or news as before.
Do I need a special theme to have a custom front page?
No special theme is needed—most modern WordPress themes fully support custom front pages. However, some premium or theme builder themes offer extra options for advanced layouts.
Can I set different homepages for mobile and desktop visitors?
WordPress doesn’t natively let you show different pages based on device. However, you can design your static page to look perfect on all devices using responsive blocks or sections. For advanced needs, some plugins or custom development could offer this feature.
Summary
Setting a page as your front page in WordPress is straightforward. You just need to create the page you want, select it in your site settings, and save. Custom homepages provide better branding, guide visitors, and let you highlight the information that matters most. With WordPress’s flexibility, you have all the tools you need to create a welcoming—and effective—first impression on your website.
If you ever want to change your homepage again, just repeat the steps. Whether you’re running a business, blog, store, or portfolio, setting a custom front page helps you put your best foot forward. Happy building!