You’ll likely need the help of several WordPress plugins to build a successful food blog, but none are as important as the mighty recipe plugin. To put it in perspective, if I were thinking of a recipe blog as a pie, the recipe plugin would be the biggest piece of that pie and the ice cream à la mode. It’s that big of a deal. 

A recipe plugin is basically a tiny little translator that meticulously parses and organizes the details of a recipe into robot-ready pieces of data that search engines need to display your content accurately and beautifully in search results. But that’s not all it does.

Recipe plugins serve three main purposes:

• They supply search engines with the structured data needed to display your recipes accurately in search results with rich snippets. If this sounds like gobbledygook, don’t worry—we’ll explain it more below.
• They provide an easy-to-use recipe template for you, making it simple to add a recipe to your WordPress post without hassle.
• They give readers a visually consistent, well-organized recipe format, often including useful features like ingredient checkboxes, unit converters, and serving size adjustments.

Search Engine Optimization

Recipe plugins work behind the scenes (as the tiny translators) to add structured data to every recipe you publish. This structured data (specifically JSON-LD) makes it easy for search engines to understand and showcase your recipes in search results with extra details like images, videos, ingredients, cook times, ratings, and more.

When these enhanced details appear in search, they’re known as rich snippets, and they’re what makes your recipe stand out. This can increase your click-through rate (CTR) and boost your search rankings because of the extra information shown for your content within the search itself. 

Luckily, you don’t need to worry too much about structured data. Just know that a good recipe plugin adds this data to display rich results, like Google’s rich snippets or Pinterest’s Rich Pins.

Here’s a fun fact: Pinterest, essentially a visual search engine, is a major traffic driver for food bloggers. With constant algorithm changes in search, diversifying your traffic sources is always a smart strategy.

Here are a few examples of how rich snippets are displayed in Google and Pinterest search results:

Templates for adding a recipe to a post

Let’s not forget that recipes are really just instructions. Using a clear, organized template helps you include all of the important details that your recipe plugin needs to create the structured data.

Here’s an example of a recipe card template from the WP Recipe Maker plugin. You’ll find a similar template with each of the plugins we recommend.

Improved reader experience

Recipe cards come jam-packed with reader-friendly features designed to make cooking easier—like the popular “jump to recipe” button at the top of recipe posts.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the options. Try to focus on a handful of features that truly add value for your readers. For instance, if your site is focused on baking, a unit converter is a must-have. 

Some of the most useful reader-facing features include:

• Accurate unit conversions – Test these out, as not all converters are created equally! 
• Recipe scaling options – Adjust servings by 1/2x, 2x, or 3x.
• User ratings display – Helps readers feel confident in the recipe they’re about to make.
• ‘Jump to recipe’ button – A shortcut to “jump” the reader from the top of the post to the recipe.
• Hands-free cook mode – Keeps the screen awake for readers while cooking.
• Customizable templates – Allows you to easily style the recipe card to match your brand without the help of a developer.

Here’s an example of hands-free cook mode in Mediavine Create:

How to choose a recipe plugin

Starting a food blog often comes with a bit of a learning curve, but being a great recipe writer doesn’t mean you also need to be a tech expert. When deciding on a recipe plugin, choose one that aligns with your current comfort level and can support your needs as you grow. 

When evaluating plugins these are a few of the most important things we recommend looking for:

Actively maintained plugins

“Actively maintained” means the plugin receives regular updates, ideally every few months. Recipe publishing evolves quickly, and it’s essential that the team behind this vital part of your site stays on top of the latest changes in search, ad placements, and performance optimization.

Community feedback

The next thing you want to consider is reviews. If it’s free in the WordPress.com plugin repository and the WordPress.org plugin repository, then you can find reviews there. If it’s a premium plugin that’s not in the repository, you can look on the website for testimonials or reviews. 

It’s also helpful to ask for recommendations from other food bloggers; Facebook groups and Reddit forums for food bloggers are excellent resources.

Evaluate support

Free plugins on WordPress offer a support forum—take a peek to see if questions are promptly answered. Premium plugins may handle support through a dedicated support channel or email. Try reaching out with pre-sales questions, and if you get a helpful response, that’s a great sign. If support seems lacking, you might want to keep looking.

The technical parts

JSON-LD is the preferred schema markup for search engines like Google and Pinterest, so verify that your recipe plugin includes it. 

For search engines to interpret your recipe accurately, your plugin needs to support all required and recommended structured data fields. Google provides a list of these fields, so double-check that your plugin covers them all. 

Once installed, test the plugin by completing the fields in the template and running the recipe post through Google’s Rich Results Test to catch any errors or warnings.

Popular recipe plugins

Investing in a paid recipe plugin may seem intimidating at first, but it’s one of the best (bite-sized) investments you can make as a food blogger because it offers you so many benefits that are important to get right from the start. Many plugins offer a lighter free version or a trial period, so I strongly encourage you to test out a few options before making a decision.

WP Recipe Maker

WP Recipe Maker (WPRM) is a powerful recipe plugin, with over 50,000 active installations. They offer a free version, along with premium upgrades that are definitely worth considering. This plugin is the most feature-rich of all of the options. 

The main drawback is that WPRM can be somewhat complex to set up with so many features to enable, disable, and customize. It will require some effort, and if you have an eye for design, you may need to customize the templates to achieve a polished look.

Tasty Recipes

Tasty Recipes is part of the WP Tasty plugin suite of plugins, all built for bloggers. While they don’t offer a free version, they do have a 14-day free trial. It’s the easiest of the bunch to set up, and the cards are beautiful right out of the box. It has everything you need and nothing you don’t!

Create

Create is a popular free option developed by Mediavine, a full-service ad management company. With a selection of well-designed card templates and a responsive support team, it’s a solid choice for food bloggers. Create also offers built-in functionality for list and how-to cards if you publish more than recipes. 

The only downside of Create is that it doesn’t receive updates as frequently as some other plugins. 

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Imagine you’re sitting in your favorite coffee shop. Your latte is hot, your laptop is open, and you’re ready to write your next brilliant blog post. Where others see a blank page, you see a limitless sea of possibility, waiting to be filled with your persuasive prose and captivating copy.

You start tapping away at the keys, sipping your coffee, thrilled with your progress.

Then you try reading what you’ve written and realize it’s hard to follow. In fact, you’re not exactly sure what you’re even trying to say. If you’re confused, your readers will be confused too. The awesome article you hoped to write is turning into a mess.

Where did you go wrong? You started writing without creating an outline first.

It’s an easy mistake to make. Fortunately, it’s also a mistake you never need to make again. We’re going to show you how to create effective blog post outlines that will help you write better articles more quickly. Plus, we’ll give you a copy-and-paste template to make the task even easier.

Table of Contents:

1. The essential elements of an effective outline
2. Step 1: Figure out your topic
3. Step 2: Figure out your angle
4. Step 3: Determine the format for your post
5. Step 4: Figure out the main points of your post
6. Step 5: Nail down the specific subpoints you’ll make in each section
7. Step 6: Think about your conclusion
8. Step 7: Review the structure of your outline
9. An example blog post outline you can follow
10. Use this copy and paste template
11. When should you write an outline?
    1. Does it ever make sense to skip an outline?
12. Now you’re ready to make your writing life easier

The essential elements of an effective outline

Blog post outlines are simple documents that describe the angle and structure of your article. They make it easier to write clearly and efficiently while staying focused on your topic. At a minimum, a good outline should include the following items:

• Your topic: What are you writing about?
• Your angle: What’s your perspective on that topic?
• Your structure: What specific points will you make to support your angle?

You can also include working titles, though some writers prefer to write headlines after their post is finished. This helps make sure your selected headline actually fits the finished article.

Different writers have different approaches to creating outlines. Steal this process to get started, then feel free to adapt it to fit your own needs.

Step 1: Figure out your topic

Get specific with what you want to write about.

Let’s say you want to write about your most recent vacation. You had an awesome time and you’re sure your readers want to hear about it. But rather than summarizing the entire trip, you want to share a story about something specific. You could start narrowing down your topic by asking:

• Where did you go?
• Why did you go there?
• When did you visit?
• How did you travel there?
• What did you do at your destination?

These are simple questions but there is a purpose to this exercise. I’ll share some example answers from an actual vacation my wife and I went on:

1. Where: Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, Maine.
2. Why: To see the fall colors, to see a state we’ve never been to before, and to see where the sun first rises in the United States.
3. When: In the fall (to see those leaves along the mountainside turning colors).
4. How: Plane and two rental cars (the first car got hit by a semi-truck).
5. What we did: All kinds of stuff! Hiking, climbing, catching lobsters in a net, and more.

From this simple list, you can see there are a ton of topics I could write about. What happens when you get into a vehicular accident with a rental car on vacation (and how did we survive)? What’s it like taking a tour on a lobster boat? What does it look like when the leaves hit peak fall colors in New England?

Suddenly, our blog post about a vacation just got a lot more interesting, and it might actually turn into multiple different blog posts on specific topics that people might enjoy. By asking yourself the five W’s (what, when, where, why, and the honorary 5th W, how), you can break down any broad topic into more specific points too.

If you need a spark of inspiration, here’s over 100 ideas for blog posts you can borrow.

Step 2: Figure out your angle

Anyone can copy content they’ve found through Google but not everyone can bring a unique perspective to their topic. That’s where developing an angle for your blog post comes in.

An angle is the intersection of your topic and your perspective. It’s part of what blog post introductions are intended to establish, helping the reader to understand not only what they’re about to read, but why they should care about it in the first place.

For example, to continue with the vacation example from the previous section, let’s say our blog post is about Acadia National Park. Some good angles might include:

• Why is Acadia National Park the best place to see the fall colors in New England?
• What do you wish you knew before tackling the toughest trails in the park?
• Where is the best destination to find a lobster roll near the park?

These angles not only address the topic but also the perspective. Instead of dry facts and information, they give the reader an incentive to care, and they’ll be more likely to click, read, and stick around the blog. That’s the power of having an angle.

Step 3: Determine the format for your post

Different topics will lend themselves more easily to different formats. Here are some types of posts you could consider and when each one might make the most sense for your article:

There are more types of blog posts that could consider writing, but these are some ideas for common formats that you might choose. What matters most is that you understand which one you are writing before you begin, rather than getting too deep into your post, and realizing that you need to change direction after you have already spent time working on a draft.

If you do decide to pivot or start over, that’s okay too. This process is only meant to avoid that from happening, but there’s no shame in changing your mind.

Step 4: Figure out the main points of your post

One blog post isn’t enough to cover everything about our vacation, so we’ve narrowed down one specific topic. We’ve also narrowed down an angle that combines our topic with our perspective. Next, we need to identify the main points that our blog post needs to make, in order to follow through on our angle.

In order to construct our outline, we’ll identify three to five points we want to make (you can include as many as you need, but if you have fewer than three main sections in your blog post, you might not need to write an outline).

Going back to our vacation example, let’s say I’m writing about what I wish I knew before hiking in Acadia National Park. Here are some things I might want to cover:

1. Know your skill level and choose trails accordingly. 
2. Make sure you have the right footwear for the terrain.
3. If you’re afraid of scaling rock faces, how can you overcome that fear?
4. If you only have enough time for a few trails, which ones should you prioritize?
5. What times are the trails usually the most crowded?

That looks like a solid list. Next, we’ll need to figure out what we’ll say for each of these items.

Step 5: Nail down the specific subpoints you’ll make in each section

Once you have the main points of your blog post mapped out, think about what you’ll say for each one. This can be as simple as two or three bullet points per section.

Let’s take the first item from the list of trail tips in the previous section:

1. Know your skill level and choose trails accordingly
   1. Some trails will stretch your abilities but some are for experts only
   2. You can get a trail map that will help you find ones you’re comfortable with
   3. Difficult trails sometimes have alternate routes you can take if you get tired

Straightforward stuff, right? Continue with each subsection until you have two or three subpoints for all of them.

Step 6: Think about your conclusion

Generally speaking, a conclusion should wrap up the main points of your blog post, and bring your topic to a resolution. But there may be other details here to consider. Take a moment to think through the following:

• Is there a specific action I’d like the reader to take after reading the post, such as signing up for emails, making a donation, purchasing a product, or registering for an event?
• Is there a specific point you really want to drive home before the reader moves on?
• Are there other similar articles on your blog that you could direct the reader toward (and continue to hold onto their attention)?

It’s okay if the answer to one or all of these questions is “no,” but it’s worth taking the time to be intentional about how you’ll end your post. 

Step 7: Review the structure of your outline

Follow steps one through four, and before you know it, you’ll have a completed outline. Take a moment to read it over and make sure your angle fits your topic and everything flows in a logical order. If it doesn’t, try moving some sections around, and see if it clicks. The time you spend on this now can save you much more time later.

An example blog post outline you can follow

Now, let’s take a look at an example outline you can follow. Here’s what the finished product might look like when it’s all said and done:

• Headline: Five Things I Wish I Knew Before Hiking in Acadia National Park
• Format: List
• Introduction (angle): Acadia National Park is a great place to hike, but it’s even better when you know what to be prepared for. Here’s my personal experience.
• Tip 1: Know your skill level and choose trails accordingly
  • Some trails will stretch your abilities but some are for experts only
  • You can get a trail map that will help you find ones you’re comfortable with
  • Difficult trails sometimes have alternate routes you can take if you get tired
• Tip 2: Bring the Right Footwear
  • Good hiking boots are a must on most trails
  • However, decent sandals may be sufficient for some trails
  • Bring multiple pairs of boots and shoes for different situations
• Tip 3: Overcome Your Fear of Treacherous Trails
  • Some trails will take you up rocky portions of mountainside on very narrow walkways
  • They are safe as long as you’re careful (just don’t look down)
  • The rewards are worthwhile when you see the views from the top
• Tip 4: Prioritize Trails to Make the Most of Your Time
  • If you know there are certain types of scenery you want to see the most (mountains, forest, ocean, etc.) choose trails that provide those types of terrain and views
• Tip 5: Hike at Off-Peak Hours (If Possible)
  • The park is very busy
  • Consider hiking in the early morning or evening to beat the crowds
  • Timing your trip outside of peak vacation season can also help alleviate crowding
• Conclusion
  • End with a link to the park’s website to find more information

This is a very quick and simple outline but it’s sufficient for demonstration purposes.

Use this copy and paste template

Now that we’ve walked through the entire process of crafting an outline, here is an easy-to-use template that you can copy and paste into a document. You can edit and update this template however you’d like (some suggestions might be to add sample headlines or a brief two or three-sentence section describing your angle):

• Introduction (what’s the angle of this post?)
• Type of Post:
• Main point 1
  • Subpoint 1
  • Subpoint 2
  • Subpoint 3
• Main point 2
  • Subpoint 1
  • Subpoint 2
  • Subpoint 3
• Main point 3
  • Subpoint 1
  • Subpoint 2
  • Subpoint 3
• Conclusion
• Optional CTA 

When should you write an outline?

If you landed on this article, then odds are you already knew you wanted to write a blog post outline. But you might still have some questions about why we actually take the time to write them in the first place. 

Personally, I know some writers who are meticulous about outlining, and some who skip them entirely. Sometimes you just want to let your consciousness flow onto the page and sometimes that can produce great writing that can’t be planned. I’ve even bounced between being in both camps, sometimes choosing to write outlines, and sometimes choosing to skip them.

So, when does it make sense to put one together, and when can they safely be skipped? Here are some thoughts based on personal experience:

1. You’re writing a long-form post (approximately 1,000 words or more).
2. You’re writing about a complex topic that requires a lot of research to accurately cover.
3. You’re assigning a post to another writer for your blog and need to make sure they understand what you want the post to touch on.

Does it ever make sense to skip an outline?

The point is to clarify your thinking so you can clarify your writing and produce better content more quickly. However, the point is not to follow rules for no reason, and there are times when it may not be necessary to write an outline.

For example, if you’re writing a personal essay for your blog, you might prefer to let your thoughts flow in a more stream of consciousness sort of way. Or if you’re crafting a short news blurb, you could probably write your entire post in the time it’d take to outline it. Use your own judgment, because when it comes to learning what works for you, experience will be your best teacher.

Now you’re ready to make your writing life easier

Writing outlines doesn’t have to take too much time in order to be an effective exercise. Once you get into the habit of writing them before starting on blog posts, and start to see the benefits of doing so, you won’t want to break the habit. Now, go forth and write better blog posts, faster!

Ready to start your own blog? Find out why more bloggers and creators choose WordPress.com. Start your journey here.

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Welcome to the latest in WordPress innovation with the release of WordPress 6.7! This update brings a wave of new features, design flexibility, and performance enhancements to elevate your WordPress experience, whether you’re building your first site or fine-tuning a complex project.

From the introduction of the Twenty Twenty-Five theme to powerful new editing tools and developer capabilities, WordPress 6.7 empowers you to create a site that’s dynamic, engaging, and uniquely yours.

As always, WordPress.com sites are updated automatically, so you may already see these new features live. Read on to discover what’s new and how these updates make it easier than ever to build, design, and manage a standout site on WordPress.com.

Table of contents

1. The basics
2. Twenty Twenty-Five theme release
3. Expanded block customization options
4. Streamlined creation with Zoom Out
5. Simplified Query Loop block
6. Improved font management tools
7. Customizable Data Views
8. Developer features
   1. Template Registration API
   2. Data Views API
   3. Block Bindings improvements
9. And more

The basics

WordPress 6.7 brings a host of new features, design tools, and bug fixes to enhance your website creation experience. WordPress.com updates sites automatically, so there’s nothing you need to do before you can enjoy these benefits.

As a WordPress.com user, you may have already enjoyed early access to some of these improvements, reflecting our commitment to keeping you equipped with the most up-to-date features. If you experience any issues, our Happiness Engineers are here to help at wordpress.com/help.

Let’s look at some new enhancements that can help take your site to the next level.

Twenty Twenty-Five theme release

As part of the annual tradition, WordPress 6.7 introduces a new default, block theme: Twenty Twenty-Five. 

Twenty Twenty-Five is designed for bloggers of all scales—from hobbyist writers to major news sites—capturing a balance between simplicity and versatility. It allows you to intuitively create a site that feels truly personal while offering the flexibility for complex designs. With a diverse array of patterns and templates for everything from landing pages to photo blogs, the theme is tailored to enable seamless storytelling for any purpose. Natural, universal imagery and thoughtfully chosen typography bring warmth and a timeless aesthetic that resonates on a global scale.

Built to support multiple languages and visual styles, Twenty Twenty-Five includes a curated selection of color palettes and font pairings, ensuring both accessibility and elegance in design. Whether you lean toward a minimalist personal blog, a striking photo gallery, or a content-rich magazine layout, the theme’s templates and design tools empower you to build a site that is uniquely yours

Expanded block customization options

WordPress 6.7 also introduces even more styling flexibility, adding additional options for borders, backgrounds, shadows, and spacing across numerous blocks. These updates allow you to create custom designs without extra code. Notably, the Group block now supports shadow effects and the Content block allows for a background image, while blocks like Paragraph, Heading, and Buttons offer additional options for borders, color, and padding.

Streamlined creation with Zoom Out

The new Zoom Out feature offers a fresh way to view and design your content at a high level. By toggling to this zoomed-out perspective, you can easily style entire sections or adjust the arrangement of blocks across a page, all without getting caught up in the details of individual blocks.

With Zoom Out, you can make broader edits using patterns, giving you control over top-level containers and block groups. Click or drag-and-drop to add patterns and use the arrows to the left to rearrange them. When you’re ready to dive back in, simply double-click the content area or click the Zoom Out icon to return to the standard editor view. This feature is a game-changer for efficient layout creation, whether you’re building pages or fine-tuning templates.

Simplified Query Loop block

The Query Loop block, known for its power and complexity, has been refined to make it more user-friendly. A new toggle allows you to choose between “Default” and “Custom” modes, simplifying the creation of content-rich sections on your site. In Default mode, the block automatically inherits settings from your template, so posts display instantly without extra configuration. This means you can drop in the Query Loop block and see your content right away, saving setup time. For more specific use cases, switch to Custom mode for precise control over what content is displayed.

Additional refinements include a cleaner layout of the Settings Sidebar on the right, making it simple to adjust display options in one place.

Key features and updates to take note of:

• Quick preview when adding the block from the inserter
• Display controls moved from the toolbar to the sidebar
• New post format filter for customized content display (on select themes)

Improved font management tools

The latest updates bring powerful new options to font management for block themes, making it easier to customize typography across your site. In the Global Styles section, you can now create, edit, and delete custom font size presets. These presets let you define reusable font sizes site-wide, with options to customize names, base sizes, and fluid scaling, which automatically adjusts font size based on screen dimensions.

Additionally, fonts are now grouped by source (theme or Google Fonts), giving you a clear view of where each font originates. A convenient “Select All” option lets you quickly activate or deactivate fonts as needed, with active fonts visibly highlighted for easy management.

Customizable Data Views

Data Views, a powerful tool for managing pages, patterns, and templates in the Site Editor, now features several enhancements to simplify navigation:

• Grid Layout Preview Size: Choose the view that works best for you.
• Customizable Columns: Reorder columns based on your preference.
• Bulk Actions on Grid Layout: Select multiple items and take action quickly.

These refinements make it easier than ever to organize your site, whether you’re handling a few pages or hundreds.

Developer features

WordPress 6.7 introduces several enhancements for developers, making it easier to create unique site experiences.

Template Registration API

This release allows developers to register custom block templates directly within plugins, simplifying the process of creating and managing front-end template outputs. The Template Registration API enables developers to define default content for custom post types, taxonomies, and virtual pages—all built on the block system, so both themes and users can customize templates to their needs.

Data Views API

Developers can now use a new API to register and unregister Data Views actions, offering more flexibility in managing project-specific actions. Learn how to use Data Views in your own plugins and for adding images to the Media Library. This update is part of ongoing work in Gutenberg’s Phase 3 and the Admin Redesign project, providing expanded tools for custom workflows.

Block Bindings improvements

Building on Block Bindings introduced in previous releases, this update adds a user interface for admins and editors to connect block attributes with custom field data directly in a block.

And more

There are too many great updates to cover them all here, but here are a few smaller yet valuable enhancements worth noting:

• Block inserter: The block inserter now stays open while you interact with the editor canvas, making it easier to navigate your content as you add blocks.
• Editor topbar: The action icons in the top right corner have been reordered for improved accessibility.
• Pre-publish check buttons: The second Publish (or Save) button has been repositioned within the pre-publish panel, so you won’t need to move your mouse after clicking the initial Publish (or Save).

WordPress 6.7 brings hundreds of improvements, developer features, and bug fixes. The above highlights are only a taste of what’s available. If you’d like to dive deeper, the official WordPress 6.7 Field Guide has all the technical details.

Click below if you’re a developer and want to leverage the benefits of hosting your sites with WordPress.com:

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Everyone who uses the Internet looks at website layout examples every day. Yet, unless you are a designer or in the process of building your own site, few of us ever stop to think about what actually makes a good web-page structure.

You may instinctively feel it when you encounter one that is less than satisfactory. But do you know how to design a website layout that both pleases your visitors and allows you to achieve what you want with your site?

If the answer to that question is no, don’t fret. We’ll show you examples of different types of website layouts you can choose from and help you understand which are most appropriate in different situations. Then, we’ll explain how to choose a layout for your own website, as well as share some tips and tools you can use to create layout mockups.

Table of Contents

1. 11 Common Types of Website Layouts
   1. 1. Z-pattern
   2. 2. F-pattern
   3. 3. Magazine
   4. 4. Grid
   5. 5. Modular
   6. 6. Single-Column
   7. 7. Content-Focused
   8. 8. Full-Screen
   9. 9. Hero
   10. 10. Split-Screen
   11. 11. Asymmetrical
2. How to Choose a Website Layout
   1. Understanding website layout vs. website structure
   2. What Is the Goal of Your Website Layout?
   3. Consider the Type of Website You Are Building
   4. Do Your Research
   5. Consider What You Like
   6. Base Your Design on Common Layouts
3. Creating a website layout mockup
   1. Wireframing your layout
   2. Additional Tips
   3. Tools for Wireframing
4. Find the Right Website Layout for Your WordPress Site

11 Common Types of Website Layouts

In order to give you ideas about what a website layout can look like, let’s go over some common types, the kinds of websites they are most suitable for, and examples. Be aware that for some of these, the distinction is a bit fluid. You can often apply more than one layout principle to a single site.

1. Z-pattern

This Z-pattern layout is based on the way many people naturally look at website content. They start at the top left, scan to the top right, then go down to the left and to the right again.

You can take advantage of that, for example, by placing the logo in the upper left corner and the navigation menu across from it. Your most important information, such as your heading and visuals, appears diagonally down left from that, while the call to action is to the right of it again.

This website layout is very skim friendly and most appropriate for sites that have relatively little content that you want to give much attention to, like CTAs, forms, and buttons.

You can also line up several Z-patterns with alternating elements to lead visitors down in zigzag form and keep them engaged.

2. F-pattern

This layout is also based on common page-scanning behavior, first discovered and defined by the Nielsen Norman Group.

It is observable on both desktop and mobile and especially for more text-heavy sites. That makes it well suited for websites with lots of options or written content that needs to be scanned quickly, e.g. news sites or search result pages. You can take advantage of it by using the left side as an anchor.

However, it is important to note that NNG has come out in recent years saying that, while the F-pattern is a natural reading sequence, it is not good for users and websites. They state you should encourage readers to consume the rest of your content through text formatting like bullet points or visuals like icons and images.

3. Magazine

Magazine layouts are inspired by printed newspapers and magazines and there are many examples of this kind of website out there. They usually consist of multiple columns made up of individual containers that create a complex visual hierarchy.

In this website layout, different elements often have different weights assigned to them to show their relative importance. You can do this, for example, with bigger headlines or the use of images. This creates a multi-level hierarchy.

The goal is to allow visitors to scan a great amount of information quickly. As a consequence, it’s a great choice for content-heavy websites, especially those covering a multitude of topics. Dashboards, such as for web applications, are also good candidates. The Gazette theme is another great example for how to use a magazine layout.

4. Grid

Also called box-based website layouts, grid layouts distribute elements across the page according to a clear underlying order.

The result is a well-structured and geometrically-arranged design. It’s ideal for sites that have a lot of content of equal importance, e.g. portfolios. Linked pages often appear in the form of an image plus title and a short abstract.

If your content does not all have the same priority, there are lots of options to determine relative importance of different elements as well.

5. Modular

Next in our list of website layout examples, we have a special kind of grid structure, which is also known as block layout. In it, each unit of content has their own space, is evenly spaced, and thus easy to locate. You might be very familiar with it from Pinterest and other sites that use a card layout.

This website layout is also great for mobile design, as it rearranges well for smaller screens. If you want to use it, it is most suitable for business websites, content collections like product pages, or the display of custom post types.

6. Single-Column

Our next website layout example arranges all content in one vertical column and orders it sequentially.

Single-column layouts are popular and easy to use, especially on mobile, where users prefer to scroll over clicking from page to page. To that end, it benefits from a back-to-top button and sticky menu.

If your content is very text-heavy, remember to break it up with images to ensure readability. As you can imagine, this website layout is frequently used for blogs and anything that has a feed-like content pipeline. Landing pages are also a good candidate.

7. Content-Focused

As the name already suggests, this layout is most appropriate for websites whose primary appeal is (written) content. It’s similar to the single-column variety, often with one main column and one or more side columns for additional information.

While the focus is on the primary content, you can surround it by other elements that you want visitors to notice after landing on the page for the main attraction. This could be a newsletter signup form in the sidebar, advertisement for your product or service, or a sales banner.

Naturally, this page structure lends itself best to blogs or other websites that mainly deal in writing. At the same time, singular pages on websites with a different layout can also benefit from a content-focused approach.

8. Full-Screen

This is a website layout that covers the entire page. There are no sidebars, the screen comes across as a singular unit.

Sometimes this design is coupled with a modular build that scrolls screen by screen, so that each section is like a separate page. It often has an image or even video in the background.

Full-screen layouts are best suited for one-page designs, storytelling, and product pages. They work best if you couple them with captivating colors and/or visuals. If you like this look, the Afterlight theme might be a good option for you.

9. Hero

A special type of full-screen website layout with a large image at the top (also called “hero image”) that contains the main elements like your site title, CTA, etc.

Hero layouts are a good way to quickly capture attention and clarify the topic of the page, especially for products. It’s a big, bold visual statement with additional information in the form of text elements.

The layout works best for product pages and ecommerce websites in general. However, some blogs also use it.

10. Split-Screen

In this website layout, the screen is divided in the middle.

Split-screen layouts provide a balanced symmetry allowing you to represent two different ideas and give them the same consideration. Alternatively, you can also show off the same idea from different angles or use it to divide ecommerce customers at the start of their journey.

Split screen is a great option for websites that use two different types of content (e.g. images and text) or provide two distinct customer journeys. It’s also suitable simply for websites that want a modern look. However, it’s not so great for text-heavy designs because it doesn’t scale well, especially on mobile.

11. Asymmetrical

A design similar to split screen or grid but with uneven distribution, offering an added dynamic.

You can use scale, color, width, and more to provide different focal points and highlights on the page. However, asymmetry does not mean chaos. There’s an underlying order that provides elegance and congruity.

What are good candidates for asymmetrical website layouts?

Websites that want to go for something modern, innovative and guide the user’s attention in dynamic ways. Business websites, online portfolios, or landing pages are prime beneficiaries.

How to Choose a Website Layout

With a better idea about what types of website layouts exist, how do you pick the right one for your website? Here are a few practical tips to do so.

Understanding website layout vs. website structure

First, make sure that a website layout is what you’re looking to implement. In a sentence, this means the way that the elements on your web pages (content, navigation, header, footer, and everything else visible) are arranged to present the information included within them.

In contrast to website structure, layout focuses on the individual page experience and how users consume the content on your pages. It is less concerned about leading them around your site as a whole (though, of course, that’s part of it as well).

While different web pages on your site can (and should) have different layouts, the basic structure usually stays the same. For example, the information needed on a shop page is very different from that of a product page or something like an About section. At the same time, the basic layout elements, especially header and footer, usually stay constant across most pages.

This makes for a consistent user experience, while allowing for flexibility to deliver different types of content to users.

What Is the Goal of Your Website Layout?

Good layout has the power to keep users on your page longer and engage them. Bad layout can do the opposite. In times where most visitors leave your site within ten seconds, you need all the edge you can get. Here are some things that good website layout accomplishes:

• Makes a good first impression – Users decide within less than half a second whether they like your site or not, so you better make sure your layout is on point.
• Naturally leads the eye to important content – The focus of every website is content, whether that is products or information. Your page structure can either direct users towards it or away from it.
• Provides strong user experience (UX) – A good layout helps visitors find what they are looking for, both on page as well as sitewide. It also sets elements in relation to each other, determines their sequence, and gives weight to the right elements.
• Gives guidance – Layout provides guide rails for your users. It places the most important content at the top and leads them down the page toward your goal. 

The best website layout is one that you barely notice because you can easily find every element you are looking for. It is also one aimed at your target group, their preferences, behaviors, and needs.

Consider the Type of Website You Are Building

As you have seen above, different website layouts are more or less suitable for different types of websites. Therefore, in order to choose the right one for you, you first need to be crystal clear about what kind of site you are building.

Business sites, shops, blogs – they all have very different focal points and demand different layouts. Clarity in this area is the first step towards making the right choice.

Do Your Research

Your website does not exist in a vacuum. Look at websites that are the same type as yours (e.g. blog, ecommerce, B2B, B2C, etc.) but sell different types of products/services or serve different industries/niches than your own.

When you do, identify common website layouts, best practices, what looks good, and see what you can do better with your layout.

Consider What You Like

Yes, a website is primarily there to serve other people. However, at the same time, it also needs to be something you like. If you are turned off by your own website, it’s unlikely that you will put in the energy and enthusiasm needed to run it and make it successful.

For that reason, while considering which website layout to choose, also do some introspection. Think about what you personally like and would like to see on your site.

Base Your Design on Common Layouts

The website layouts we discussed above are commonly known because they work. They have proven to be usable over time, are familiar to users, and ready to go. Therefore, it’s a good idea to go with one of the established layouts and then add your individual flavor to it.

Creating a website layout mockup

WordPress themes are flexible enough to support different types of page layouts out of the box. But what if you are designing your own theme or are working with a website developer? In this case, you might want to create a wireframe. This helps to map out your page layout and is also good to clarify your ideas and get them onto paper.

Wireframing your layout

A wireframe is like a map of your page. It’s not the finished design but something that shows its structure.

Here’s how to create a simple wireframe:

1. Think about the user journey – Be aware what your goals are with your layout, where you want to steer visitors and what you want them to do.
2. Get sketching (and start with mobile) – Wireframes are not meant to be superfancy or detailed. Therefore, you can get started right away (see the tools below). A good idea is to start with the mobile design, then move on to larger screen sizes.
3. Create the basic framework – Take a bird’s-eye view, tackle the basic design problems first. Think about where to place the navigation and other basic UI elements.
4. Identify content areas – Mark where your content goes. For that, it’s important to know the content you will use ahead of time (both word count and images) so that you can accurately include it in the map.
5. Iterate – Even if you are satisfied with your first idea, do a few more passes to give yourself options. It often takes a while for the best ideas to bubble to the surface.
6. Test – Once you have some website layout ideas collected, it’s time to put them in front of potential users and collect feedback. The tools listed below are suitable for that as well. Getting some real-life feedback is great to improve and get closer to the final version.
7. Rinse and repeat – Do this over and over until you are satisfied with the results and ready to move to the design phase.

Pro Tip: Did you know that sites hosted with WordPress.com includes wireframe block patterns that you can use? These are patterns that are closer to a blank slate for your page without much design, but they include a basic structural layout. Just choose a wireframe pattern you like from the patterns library and customize it to suit your needs. 

Additional Tips

In order to create the best possible website layout, here are some tips and concepts to keep in mind:

• Create a visual hierarchy – Decide which elements are the most important and build your website layout so that it focuses on them. Make sure that they are placed where they are easily noticeable and identifiable.
• Use a grid – Almost all web design is based on some sort of grid. It provides order and a basic structure and scaffolding that you can order your page elements along.
• Employ the rule of odds – Use odd numbers of elements rather than even. That way, the focus is always on one element instead of in between two of them.
• Ensure scanability – We have already talked about reading patterns. When designing your website layout, be sure to accommodate the way visitors consume content to make it easy to catch the gist of your site.
• Focus on the fold – The fold is where the screen cuts off when someone first gets to your site. Above it, in the part that visitors see first, you should have your most important content and call to action.
• Use enough white space – Negative space, the part without content, is as important as the content itself. It provides space to breathe and allows the emphasis to be where you want users to focus.

Tools for Wireframing

You can use different kinds of tools to build wireframes:

• Pen and paper – Classic but powerful, easy to use, and great to quickly whip up some website layout ideas without having to learn a new tool.
• Whimsical – A collaboration tool that works for wireframes and also allows you to get feedback. It’s also easy to use and has a free plan.
• Invision – Similar to Whimsical. Also works for collaborative designing. Comes with wireframe templates and has a free plan for up to three online whiteboards.
• Figma – A popular tool for design and prototyping that has free wireframe kits to hit the ground running. Use the free plan to get started without paying.
• WordPress.com’s wireframe patterns – If you want to start with an pre-designed wireframe template, and adjust from there, WordPress.com has some patterns to make this simple.

Find the Right Website Layout for Your WordPress Site

The layout is one of the most decisive factors for the usability of your website. For that reason, it deserves ample consideration so that you can serve your visitors in the best way possible.

Established page structures are a great way to get started. They have proven themselves over time and are able to fulfill established user expectations. While you can (and should) add your own flavor, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. It’s also often feasible and sensible to use more than one layout in a website, especially on different pages.

When making decisions, consider your type of website, goals, industry, and personal likes. Then, use wireframing to capture your ideas for your website layout. And remember, it’s all about your users. The best layouts are those that they hardly notice.

Build fast, ship faster with Studio, a fast, free way to develop locally with WordPress. Get started now.

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The end of the year is here, and with it comes a season of excitement and celebration! Whether you’re bundling up in cozy sweaters and snow boots or soaking up the sun in swimsuits, this time of year has something special for everyone. No matter where you are in the world, the final quarter brings festive holidays and celebrations to look forward to.

If you’re looking to capture the magic of the season on your website, try a pop of festive, holiday-inspired color or a cozy new theme. It’s the perfect way to welcome the season for you and your site visitors—whether they’re browsing for a holiday recipe, shopping for gifts, or exploring a guide to the best cross-country ski destinations.

Today we will show you how you can bring those festive feelings to your site with a few of our favorite color palettes and themes, along with where to find free illustrations and images to bring a refreshing seasonal touch to your site.

Festive color palettes

Here are four festive color palettes––ranging from bright and bold to chill and subtle––that will give your site some holiday spirit:

Joyful winter

This winter-inspired color palette features warm, inviting hues of soft coral and deep red, balanced by a neutral blush and grounded by cool teal and navy. Incorporating these colors into your WordPress site creates a cozy and joyful vibe.

Winter frost

This winter color palette offers a harmonious blend of soft neutrals and cool blues, creating a warm and calm earthiness on your website. Perfect for a more sophisticated Hanukkah palette or a serene winter feel. 

Classic gingerbread

This palette captures the essence of a cozy, rustic holiday with its warm earthy tones and timeless charm—perfect for creating a welcoming, homey Christmas atmosphere. It’s so inviting, that you can almost smell the gingerbread baking!

Jewel box winter

This palette is the jewel box of winter—perfect for those who prefer bold, vibrant colors in their branding and design. Its rich, saturated tones add a pop of color that stand out beautifully against classic autumn and winter hues. Best of all, it’s incredibly versatile, making it easy to expand and adapt throughout the year.

Updating your site colors

Use any of these palettes as a starting point for your site’s color refresh. To begin, take a look at your existing site and see if one of these palettes align well with your existing site branding. You can do this by swapping in just a color or two—you likely won’t use every color in the palette. 

After choosing a palette, consider updating product or lifestyle images to echo these colors. If you need help sourcing stock photos, we’ll dive into that below.

If you’re new to customizing your site’s look, don’t worry—the WordPress.com Editor makes it easy. You can set a custom palette, add custom colors, and apply updates across your site, covering all the consistent elements like text, headings, links, backgrounds, buttons, and more.

When you’re ready to start implementing your new color palette, this tutorial is the perfect guide to get you going: Custom Colors on WordPress.com.

Winter-inspired themes

If you’re looking for a bigger site refresh, changing not just your colors but your theme can instantly elevate the look and feel of your website in a more impactful way. Here are a few of our favorite themes that instantly bring the cozy-cottage charm to life: 

Cottage

Cottage is a beautifully-crafted theme that brings the charm of the countryside to your online space. Featuring a warm palette of earthy tones, subtle textured backgrounds, and timeless serif fonts, Cottage is all about rustic simplicity and warm natural elements. 

Nook

Nook is a classic two-column blog theme with a sidebar. Its versatile, timeless design creates a warm, familiar feel, providing the perfect space for sharing your DIY projects, tasty recipes, and creative inspirations.

Dorna

Dorna is a clean, product-focused theme, and its warm, inviting design and simple layout make it ideal for online shops featuring cozy, modern homewares and furniture.

Resources for seasonal photography and illustrations

Photography and illustrations are fantastic ways to bring your new color palette and/or theme to life. If you’re not capturing photos yourself or just want a fresh look, Pexels, Unsplash, and Pixabay all offer a wide selection of free, high-quality photos and illustrations. Even better, Pexels is fully integrated into your WordPress.com media library, allowing you to easily add copyright-free images directly to your site.

When searching for images to add to your site, here are a few seasonal keywords to get you started: warm ambiance, hygge, fall leaves, snug nook, warm lighting, autumnal vibes, natural tones, fireside, rustic charm, homey feel, earthy tones, woolen textures, and cozy fall.

You can also incorporate seasonal pops of color by adding custom graphics to your site. Canva is an excellent tool for creating custom visuals, with easy-to-use templates for everything from banners to sidebar graphics. It’s a simple, freemium way to add that extra festive touch to your WordPress site.

As we start looking at the new year ahead, it’s the perfect time to refresh your website with a look and feel that captures the spirit of the season—whether it’s fall and winter in the northern hemisphere or spring and summer in the southern hemisphere.

So go ahead—dive into the season with a new look! Try out one of our free or premium themes, and let your creativity run wild.

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