How to Create a Static Front Page in WordPress

WordPress allows you to set a static front page, which is a common practice for websites that don't want the default blog-style homepage. In this guide, we'll walk through the steps to create a static front page in WordPress using sample HTML code.

Step 1: Creating the Pages

Start by creating the necessary pages for your static front page and your blog page.

        <!-- Static Front Page -->
        <div id="static-front-page">
            <h1>Welcome to Our Website</h1>
            <p>This is the front page of our website, and it contains static content.</p>
        </div>
        <!-- Blog Page -->
        <div id="blog-page">
            <h2>Latest Blog Posts</h2>
            <ul>
                <li><a href="blog-post-1.html">Blog Post 1</a></li>
                <li><a href="blog-post-2.html">Blog Post 2</a></li>
                <li><a href="blog-post-3.html">Blog Post 3</a></li>
            </ul>
        </div>
    

Step 2: Setting the Static Front Page

Now, let's configure WordPress to use the HTML code you created as the static front page.

        <?php
        // Set the static front page
        update_option('page_on_front', get_page_by_title('Welcome to Our Website')->ID);
        update_option('show_on_front', 'page');
        ?>
    

Step 3: Customizing Your Static Front Page

Edit the HTML code within your "static-front-page" div to customize the content of your static front page. You can add text, images, and other HTML elements as needed.

Step 4: Creating Blog Posts

Create individual HTML files for your blog posts and link to them from your "blog-page."

        <!-- Blog Post 1 -->
        <h3><a href="blog-post-1.html">Blog Post 1</a></h3>
        <p>Content of Blog Post 1 goes here.</p>
        <!-- Blog Post 2 -->
        <h3><a href="blog-post-2.html">Blog Post 2</a></h3>
        <p>Content of Blog Post 2 goes here.</p>
        <!-- Blog Post 3 -->
        <h3><a href="blog-post-3.html">Blog Post 3</a></h3>
        <p>Content of Blog Post 3 goes here.</p>
    

Conclusion

By following these steps and using the provided HTML code, you can create a static front page in WordPress with custom content. While this method involves custom HTML code, it's essential to note that WordPress primarily relies on its built-in features for managing content. However, this approach can be useful for specific customizations.

Remember to back up your site and proceed with caution when implementing custom code to avoid unintended issues.