Post Types and Taxonomies – The information structure in WordPress
WordPress can be used in a variety of ways, from personal blogs to large corporate websites for projects of all sizes. The basis for complex CMS requirements is the information structure, which is implemented in WordPress with the help of post types and taxonomies, among other things.
WordPress offers a wide range of options for structuring and categorizing content. It provides different types of content types (post types) and taxonomies for this purpose. Content types group content with similar structure, while taxonomies organize content within these types.
By default, some content types and taxonomies are present in the system. If this standard scope is not sufficient, user-defined content types, so-called custom post types, can be created via programming or with the help of plugins. You can also set up your own taxonomies (custom taxonomies). As a result, there are hardly any limits to the structuring of content, which enables the realization of very complex websites.
Information architecture, navigation and sitemap play an important role in the design of a website. Since these are three different aspects of website design, we will briefly classify the terms.
Information Architecture (IA)
The information architecture forms the structural foundation on which all content and functions are built. The main focus is on the organization and categorization of information, including the planning of page structures, hierarchies, categories, and relationships between content. From a technical point of view, the information architecture represents the basic structure of the CMS, for example in the database.
Navigation
The navigation of a website provides menus that allow navigation between subpages or within individual pages. Good navigation guides users by the hand and provides orientation to quickly find the desired content in the information architecture. Clear and intuitive navigation is crucial for a positive user experience, and a search function can also be part of the navigation concept.
Sitemap
A sitemap visualizes the structure of the website and shows the connections between different pages. Often, the sitemap is a simplified representation of the information architecture in the form of a tree structure. It serves as a guide and supports the planning of the website.
Post Types and Taxonomies in WordPress
Post types are used to summarize content with a similar content structure, such as dates, products or references. In the WordPress backend, post types are displayed as separate menu items and contribute to clear management. Content of the same post type can also be read more easily in programming.
Taxonomies allow the detailed organization of the individual content within a post type. For example, products can be sorted by different colors, and appointments can be sorted by location or type (online/on-site).
In a finished website, post types are usually accessed via the main navigation, while taxonomies are often used as jump marks or filter functions within a subpage.
Standard Post Types
WordPress offers various post types by default, the most important of which are “pages” and “posts”.
Pages are hierarchically structured and are used for information pages, service descriptions or contact information. Posts are arranged in a non-hierarchical structure and are used in news sections or blogs.
Standard Taxonomies
There are also two standard taxonomies in WordPress that are assigned to the post type “Posts”. These taxonomies are “categories” and “tags”. Here, too, a distinction is made between hierarchical and non-hierarchical information architecture.
- Categories are organized hierarchically.
- Keywords (tags) are arranged non-hierarchically.
Custom Post Types (CPTs)
“Custom content types” are types of content that can be created alongside the standard content types. They have the ability to display almost any type of content, so they are extremely adaptable. This content can be designed specifically for specific structures.
Custom Taxonomies (CTs)
In more extensive projects, WordPress’ pre-installed taxonomies (such as categories and tags) may not be sufficient for granular organization of content within post types. For this reason, so-called “user-defined taxonomies” are created. It is possible to create as many taxonomies as you like for each post type.
Assign taxonomies to multiple post types
The categories already created for posts can also be used for other assignments. If desired, a taxonomy can be assigned to several post types via programming.
Custom Post Types in Detail
Now let’s take a closer look at the detailed capabilities of custom content types.
Hierarchical structure
As mentioned earlier, there are different options for organizing and presenting content. The hierarchical structure of user-defined content types allows content to be ordered in a tree structure: parent and child content can be created.
For simpler websites, such a hierarchical information structure is often used. Since many navigation concepts are also hierarchically structured (main menu with sub-items, etc.) and a sitemap visualizes content in a tree structure, it can be difficult to make clear distinctions. It can also happen that the sitemap, information architecture and navigation are identical.
Manual sorting
There is often a need to manually determine the order of the content – for example, if certain topics are to be advertised more intensively. In order to enable a manually arranged presentation of content, a hierarchical content type is used, the order of which corresponds to the order defined in the administration area. In WordPress, an input field is available for hierarchical content types to determine the order.
Chronological order
A chronological presentation of content is often used in website areas where content is presented on a timeline. Typical examples are blogs, diaries or news sections.
A non-hierarchical post type is usually used for this purpose. By default, the content appears in reverse chronological order, with the most recent content displayed first. There is also the option to reverse the order.
Alphabetical structure
Certain content, such as a glossary, is presented in alphabetical order. A non-hierarchical post type is also used for this, which enables an alphabetical instead of chronological arrangement via programming. A sorting from A-Z or from Z-A is possible.
Custom Fields (ACF)
Custom content types are often set up to capture specific information for this type of content.
So-called “custom fields” provide the ability to add different types of input fields beyond the normal text input area of the block editor. Such individual input fields allow content to be precisely recorded in the database. This content is read out in a targeted manner via programming and embedded in the appropriate semantic markup. This offers a significant quality advantage compared to content written in the standard content area.
WordPress offers an in-house solution for such input fields with the so-called “user-defined fields”. Equally widespread is the “Advanced Custom Fields (ACF)” plugin, which is based on this technology and significantly improves the organization and display of custom fields.
Specific layouts for each post type
A fundamental design principle states that things that look the same are also perceived as belonging together. Therefore, different post types should be visually different from each other. If this succeeds, visitors to the site can orientate themselves more quickly. Ideally, each post type has its own teaser and an individual layout for the detail page (page template).
Custom taxonomies in detail
The conceptual possibilities of user-defined taxonomies offer just as much creative freedom. Let’s go into more detail here.
Archive pages
A taxonomy, such as “Guides,” consists of the name of the taxonomy and the editorially created specifics, such as “For Beginners.” These entries are called “taxonomy terms”. Once a taxonomy term is created, WordPress automatically generates a new subpage that lists all the content associated with that term. A single piece of content can therefore appear on different overview pages, depending on the assigned taxonomy terms.
WordPress calls these automated page types “archives”. For technical details, information can be found in the so-called template hierarchy.
Individual input fields for taxonomy terms
Similar to custom content types, taxonomy terms can also receive individual input fields. These make it possible to provide additional information about a term. For example, an image could be inserted to be displayed on the automatically generated overview page (archive).
URL structure
The structure of a website’s URL plays a significant role in search engine optimization and user experience. This is of particular importance in the design of information architecture and post types.
Hierarchical post types lead to hierarchical URL structures. For example, if the page “WordPress” is created and other pages such as “Search Engine Optimization” and “Guides” are subordinate to this page, the following structures result in WordPress by default:
joewp.com/
joewp.com/wordpress
joewp.com/wordpress/suchmaschinenoptimierung
joewp.com/wordpress/anleitungenIn the case of non-hierarchical content, this nesting does not occur. For example, if the guides are presented as posts or via a non-hierarchical custom content type, the structure is as follows:
joewp.com/
joewp.com/anleitungen
joewp.com/anleitungen-fuer-woocommerce
joewp.com/tipps-fuer-shoperstellungThis flatter structure can be beneficial for SEO, as keywords (e.g., “guide to WooCommerce” or “tips for store creation”) are higher up in the URL. However, the content connection between pages may be less clear, both for users and search engines.
To optimize the URL structure, a taxonomy can be created with the term “instructions”. All relevant tips are then assigned to that term to display on an overview page.
The structure after this adjustment looks like this:
joewp.com/
joewp.com/anleitungen-fuer-woocommerce → Beitrag
joewp.com/tipps-fuer-shoperstellung → Beitrag
joewp.com/anleitungen → Archivseite für den Taxonomie-Begriff "Anleitungen" mit allen BeiträgenThis structure may be more complex than the one with hierarchical pages, but in many cases it offers the most advantages: everything is accessible, while at the same time flat URL structures. The URL structure of taxonomies can be precisely controlled and named via programming.
Conclusion
In summary, post types and taxonomies in WordPress offer almost limitless possibilities for professional content management – from small projects to large enterprise websites.
It is recommended to give high priority to the information architecture in WordPress at an early stage (technical conception), as long-term scalability, search engine optimization and good user-friendliness depend significantly on it.
Subsequent changes to the information architecture are often complex and costly because they affect the basic structure of the website.
In any case, you should avoid changing the existing structure of categories with existing pages and/or posts, as this can lead to significant disadvantages in SEO and thus in search results.
