Create and Manage Blog Posts

Creating a New Post

1. Start a New Post

   • From the left sidebar, click on “Posts”
   • Click the “Add New” button at the top of the page
   • Or use the ”+ New” button in the top admin bar and select “Post”

2. Add Your Content

   • Enter your post title at the top
   • Click in the main content area to start writing
   • Use the toolbar above the content area to format text, add links, etc.

Assigning Categories

1. Find the Categories Panel

   • Look for “Categories” in the right sidebar
   • If you don’t see it, click the gear icon (⚙️) at the top right to open the settings panel

2. Add to Existing Category

   • Check the box next to the appropriate category
   • You can select multiple categories if needed

Editing the URL Slug

1. Locate the Slug

   • Look in the right sidebar under “Post” settings
   • Find the “Permalink” or “URL slug” field
   • By default, it’s created from your post title

2. Modify the Slug

   • Click to edit the slug
   • Use lowercase letters, numbers, and hyphens only
   • Keep it short and relevant to your content
   • Example: “my-blog-post-title”

Setting a Featured Image

1. Add Featured Image

   • Find “Featured Image” in the right sidebar
   • Click “Set featured image”

2. Choose Your Image

   • Upload a new image or select from your Media Library
   • Click “Set featured image” after selecting
   • The image will appear in the sidebar

⚠️ Important: Never use images found through Google searches or similar sources without proper licensing - using copyrighted images without permission can result in legal action and hefty fines. Only use images you own, have purchased, or have explicit permission to use.

3. Image Tips
   • Use high-quality images
   • Recommended size: 1200 x 630 pixels
   • You can edit the image title and alt text after setting it

Image Optimization Guidelines

1. File Size Requirements

   • Keep images under 3MB (ideally under 1MB)
   • Large images significantly slow down your website
   • Slow websites can hurt your Google rankings

2. Image Format Recommendations

   • Convert .jpg, .png images to .webp format for best performance
   • Use tools like CloudConvert for conversion
   • WebP offers better compression while maintaining quality

Publishing Options

1. Immediate Publishing

   • Click the “Publish” button in the top right
   • Review your settings in the pre-publish check
   • Click “Publish” again to make it live

2. Schedule for Later

   • Click the “Publish” button
   • Look for “Publish immediately”
   • Click the calendar icon to set a future date and time
   • The button will change to “Schedule”
   • Click “Schedule” to confirm

3. Save as Draft

   • Click “Save draft” to save without publishing
   • Return to edit anytime from the Posts menu
   • Your draft won’t be visible to the public

Tips for Success

• Preview your post before publishing using the “Preview” button
• Use categories consistently to organize your content
• Choose clear, SEO-friendly slugs
• Always add a featured image for better visual appeal
• Schedule posts strategically for your audience

Need Help?

Contact Alstra Solutions if you need assistance with any of these steps.