How to Create a New Blog Post in WordPress (Beginner Guide)

You have set up your WordPress blog. Now it is time to write your first post. WordPress uses the block editor, where every paragraph, heading, image, and list is a block you can move and style. It is easier than it looks. Here is a complete beginner walkthrough.

Step 1: Log In and Create a New Post

1. Go to yourdomain.com/wp-admin and log in.
2. In the left menu, go to Posts > Add New Post.

Step 2: Add a Title

Click Add title at the top and type your headline, for example “How I Started My First Blog.” A clear, specific title tells readers (and Google) what the post is about. Tips: how to write blog post titles.

Step 3: Write Your Content With Blocks

Click below the title and start typing. Each time you press Enter, WordPress starts a new paragraph block. To add other content:

• Click the + button (or type / on an empty line) to insert a block, such as Heading, Image, List, Quote, Table, Buttons, or Embed.
• Type ## and a space to create a heading, or - and a space for a bulleted list.
• Select text to see the toolbar for bold, italic, and links (Ctrl + K adds a link).
• Drag blocks, or use the up and down arrows in the block toolbar, to reorder them.

Use headings (H2 and H3) to break your post into sections so it is easy to scan. Learn more shortcuts in our WordPress keyboard shortcuts guide.

Step 4: Add Images

Insert an Image block and upload a file, choose one from your Media Library, or paste an image URL. Always fill in the Alternative text field in the block settings to describe the image for accessibility and SEO. Compress images first; see these image SEO tips.

Step 5: Set the Post Settings

Open the settings sidebar (the panel icon in the top right) and check the Post tab:

• Link (URL slug): click the URL to shorten it, for example /start-a-blog/.
• Categories: choose the main topic. Every post needs at least one.
• Tags: optional, a few specific labels. See how to use tags.
• Featured image: the main image shown in your blog list and on social media.
• Excerpt: an optional short summary for your blog page.
• SEO: if you use Rank Math or Yoast, set your focus keyword, SEO title, and meta description.

Step 6: Preview, Save, and Publish

1. Click Save draft often (WordPress also autosaves).
2. Click Preview to see the post as readers will.
3. When ready, click Publish, then Publish again to confirm. To publish later, click the date next to Publish in the sidebar and choose a future time to schedule it.

After You Publish

• Visit the post and check it on your phone.
• Share it on social media and with your email list.
• Link to it from related older posts.

Need ideas for what to write? Read how to decide what to blog about, and if you are still setting up, follow our guide to starting a blog.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a post and a page?

Posts are dated blog articles shown in your blog feed and categories. Pages are timeless content like About or Contact.

Can I go back to the old WordPress editor?

Yes, with the Classic Editor plugin, but the block editor is now the standard and gets all new features.

How do I edit a post after publishing?

Go to Posts > All Posts, hover over the post, click Edit, make changes, and click Update (or Save).