Header Text - How to Set Up a Separate Blog Page in WordPress

If you’re running a WordPress site, setting up a separate page specifically for your blog posts is a smart idea. It keeps your content organized and makes it easier for visitors to find what they’re looking for without having to scroll through your homepage.

A dedicated blog page also improves your site’s structure. When everything’s in the right place, your site feels cleaner, is easier to navigate, and even performs better in search results.

This handy guide teaches you 3 easy ways to create a WordPress blog page: you can use a ready-made blog layout that’s quick and beginner-friendly, add a Query Loop block if you want more control over how your posts appear, or build a custom layout from scratch for full design flexibility.

Whichever method you pick, you’ll end up with a blog page that’s easy to manage and even easier to read.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • Add blog page to WordPress using a ready-made layout for a quick beginner-friendly setup.
  • The Query Loop block gives you more control over post layout and filters.
  • Build a custom layout for complete design flexibility and branding.
  • The Spectra plugin helps create advanced blog designs with extra blocks.
  • Ensure you have at least one published post to preview the layout.
  • Add a blog page to your main menu so visitors can easily find it.
  • Set it as your Posts page in WordPress Settings if you’re using a static homepage.
  • You can also link the blog page in your header, footer, or sidebar for better access.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have a few basics set up. First, you need a WordPress website and you can host it a service provider that accommodates WordPress and has a system built for speed, stability and security of WordPress websites, like Hosted® WordPress Hosting. Either option works fine.

Next, you’ll need admin access to your WordPress Admin Dashboard Tips for Accessing and Using WP Admin. That means you should be able to log in and make changes to your site’s pages, settings, and design.

Some of the steps in this tutorial work best with a WordPress theme that supports full-site editing. If you’re using a newer theme like Twenty Twenty-Three or any block-based theme, you’re good to go.

Finally, ensure you’ve published at least one blog post. WordPress needs something to show on your blog page, so having an already published post will help you see how things look as you build the page.

How to Add a Blog Page to WordPress

In this section, we show you three simple methods to create a WordPress blog page:

  1. Using a Ready-Made Layout
  2. Using Query Loop Block
  3. Using a Custom Layout.

Each option provides a different level of control, so select the one that suits your needs best.

Method 1: Use a Ready-Made Layout

If you’re just getting started with WordPress, this is the easiest way to add a blog page. It’s quick, doesn’t need any coding, and you won’t have to build your page block by block. Everything is already designed for you. Just select a layout and go. That’s why it’s perfect for beginners or anyone who wants to create blog page in WordPress fast.

Keep in mind that this depends on the WordPress theme you’re using. Some 10 Top Free WordPress Themes for your Website include a built-in blog template, while others don’t offer one by default.

For this section example, we use the Twenty Twenty-Three theme to demonstrate the process:

First, log in to your WordPress Admin Dashboard. Go to Pages Add Page. Then, go to the Page attributes panel, navigate to Template, and click Pages next to it. Now, select Change template.

Add A WordPress Blog Page For Posts - Change Page Template

In the Choose a template pop-up, look for WordPress Patterns: How To Create & Use Them or templates named Blog or Blog (Alternative). These pre-designed layouts are specifically designed for displaying blog posts. Click the design you like. It will load right into your page.

Add A WordPress Blog Page For Posts - Choose Blog Template

Now, you can edit the text, headings, and colors to personalize it. This step is optional. However, if you wish to customize it, double-click anywhere on the added posts. A pop-up will appear; click Edit template.

Add A WordPress Blog Page For Posts - Edit Blog Page Template

Select the blog post’s title text and decide whether you want to make the title a link, and if you wish to open it in a new tab. You can also use CSS classes to How to Add WordPress Custom CSS: 5 Easy Methods or switch to Styles to How To Change Font Color In WordPress: 5 Easy Methods, typography, dimensions, margin, and border, etc.

Add A WordPress Blog Page For Posts - Personalize Blog Page

Once you’re happy with how it displays, click Publish.

Add A WordPress Blog Page For Posts - Publish Your WordPress Blog Page

Your WordPress blog page is now live. Any new post you publish will appear there automatically. You don’t have to return and update the page every time. WordPress takes care of it for you, so your blog stays updated without extra work.

Method 2: Use Query Loop Block

This method is great if you want more control over how your blog posts appear. It lets you decide what to show and how it looks, whether you want a list, a grid, or just a simple layout. It’s perfect if you don’t need a full template but still want a clean WordPress blog page that fits your website’s style.

Here are the step-by-step instructions:

Go to WordPress Admin DashboardPages Add New. Give your page a title (for example, Blog). In the editor, click + and then the Query Loop block to add it to the Blog page.

Add A WordPress Blog Page For Posts - Insert Query Loop Block

Once the block is inserted, click Choose. Alternatively, you may also start blank.

Add A WordPress Blog Page For Posts - Choose a Pattern for Query Loop

Now, pick a starting layout. You’ll find various options including:

  • Offset
  • Grid
  • Image at left
  • Fullwidth posts titles with dates.

Click on your required layout to insert it into Blog (in this example, we insert Image at left). Don’t worry, you can change or customize it later.

Add A WordPress Blog Page For Posts - Choose a Blog Page Layout

Once it’s added, you can click on different parts (title, excerpt, WordPress Featured Image Size: How to Change it & Best Practices) to edit or delete them.

Add A WordPress Blog Page For Posts - Edit Inner Blocks of Query Loop Block

If you wish to customize the entire Query Loop block’s settings, click the Query Loop block (not the inner blocks like Post Title or Image). Next, click Select parent block: Post Template from the Query Loop block’s toolbar.

Add A WordPress Blog Page For Posts - Select Parent Block

Now, click the Query Loop block icon to open the corresponding Settings.

Add A WordPress Blog Page For Posts - Open Query Loop Block Settings

In the right sidebar (Block settings panel), you’ll see several settings. For instance, you can:

  • Change POST TYPE.
  • Set the order (latest first, oldest first, etc.).
  • Include or exclude sticky posts (these posts are displayed at the top of the post list, no matter when they were published).
Add A WordPress Blog Page For Posts - Modify Settings of Query Loop Block

You can also adjust the number of posts to show per page and filter posts by:

Add A WordPress Blog Page For Posts - Filter and Limit the Items Per Page

Optionally, you can add a heading above the Query Loop, such as Latest Articles. And, you can also add text, images, or call-to-action buttons before or after the post list. Once you’re satisfied with your customization, click Publish in the top-right corner to make your WordPress blog page live.

Note: The Query Loop block is powerful, but it’s not beginner-friendly. It may require some trial and error, lacks advanced styling without CSS, and doesn’t include WordPress Pagination: How To Add It Manually Or With Plugins by default. If you want to learn how blocks work, refer to our tutorial, WordPress Blocks Features and Site Customization Options and Site Customization Options.

Method 3: Build a Custom Layout

This method is good if you’re aiming for a unique WordPress blog page layout that matches your brand or if you want to highlight certain content. This option gives you the flexibility to arrange everything as you want.

To make your custom blog page useful and easy to read, you’ll want to include a few key parts:

These elements guide your visitors and keep them engaged.

Here are the step-by-step instructions:

  • STEP 1: INSTALL SPECTRA GUTENBERG BLOCKS PLUGIN

Spectra Gutenberg Blocks plugin is a powerful block-based plugin that adds advanced design features and extra blocks to the WordPress editor. It works well with the Gutenberg Block Editor and helps you build custom pages, including a professional-looking blog layout, without any code.

Here’s how to install it:

Navigate to Plugins Add New. This area lets you search and install plugins from the official WordPress directory. In the search box, type Spectra (previously known as Ultimate Addons for Gutenberg).

Locate Spectra Gutenberg Blocks and click Install Now, then click Activate after installation. 

Add A WordPress Blog Page For Posts - Install Spectra Gutenberg Blocks Plugin
  • STEP 2: CREATE A BLOG PAGE

Go to WordPress DashboardPages Add New to create a blank page. Name your page Blog.

Add A WordPress Blog Page For Posts - Create Blog Page
  • STEP 3: ADD FEATURED POST CAROUSEL

At the top, click + and choose the Post Carousel block to insert it. This lets you feature important or recent posts. You can stretch it to full width if you want.

Add A WordPress Blog Page For Posts - Insert Post Carousel Block

Select Post Carousel, then go to Block to adjust its settings. Here, you can fully customize how the carousel looks and behaves.

Add A WordPress Blog Page For Posts - Customize Post Carousel Block
  • STEP 4: BUILD POST LAYOUT

Click Container from the left-hand side menu and select the desired layout. A common choice is a 70/30 split, where one wide column is for posts and a narrow one is for your sidebar.

Add A WordPress Blog Page For Posts - Insert a Container into Blog Page

In the wide column, insert a heading like Recently Updated followed by the Post Grid block.

Add A WordPress Blog Page For Posts - Insert Post Grid Block

When you select the Post Grid block, you can customize the following:

  • Text alignment
  • Posts per page
  • Order and number of columns
  • Post pagination
  • Page limit
  • Read more link
  • And more.
Add A WordPress Blog Page For Posts - Change Post Grid Settings

After that, add the following in the sidebar column (the narrow column):

  1. A Heading called Subscribe, followed by a Spectra’s Form block.
  2. A Heading for Latest Posts, then the Latest Posts block.
  3. A Heading for Categories, followed by the Categories List block.

You can adjust the settings for each block. You can choose how many posts to show, whether to display dates or images, and which How To Create And Manage WordPress Categories to include.

Once your layout looks good, click Publish.

Here’s how it appears based on our settings:

Add A WordPress Blog Page For Posts - Customized WordPress Blog Page

This method takes more time, but it’s worth it if you want a blog page that truly fits your WordPress site’s design. You can mix and match blocks to get the exact look and feel you want.

Bonus: Add WordPress Blog Page to Site Navigation

Once your blog page is ready, the next step is to ensure visitors can find it. You’ll want to add it to your site’s navigation menu, which could be in the header, footer, or sidebar.

Assign Blog Page as Posts Page

If you’re using a static homepage, you can tell WordPress to use your blog page as the official Posts page. Here’s how:

  1. Go to Settings Reading.
  2. Under Your homepage displays, choose A static page.
  3. For the Posts page, select the blog page you created. However, for Homepage, choose Home page.
  4. Finally, click Save Changes at the bottom of the page.

This allows WordPress to automatically send all your posts to that page without requiring manual addition.

Add A WordPress Blog Page For Posts - Set Your Website's Blog Page

Add WordPress Blog Page to Menu

To make the blog page easy to access, add it to your WordPress website’s menu:

  1. Go to Appearance Menus.
  2. Choose your primary menu (often called Main Menu or Primary Menu).
  3. On the left, find your blog page under Pages and mark the checkbox next to it.
  4. Click Add to Menu, then Save Menu.
Add A WordPress Blog Page For Posts - Add Blog Page to Main Menu

You can also do this from the Customizer:

Go to Appearance Customize Menus. Select your menu and click Add Items. Select your WordPress Blog page, then click Publish.

Add A WordPress Blog Page For Posts - Add Blog Page to Menu Using Theme Customizer

Note: You may also add a Blog page to your website’s footer or sidebar using widgets. This gives your visitors more ways to find your blog, no matter where they are on your WordPress site.

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FAQS

Do I need a special theme to create a blog page in WordPress?

No, most modern WordPress themes support blog pages. However, using a block-based or full-site editing theme gives you more control over layout and design, especially if you’re using the Query Loop block or Spectra plugin.

Is it better to use a plugin or stick to the built-in WordPress blocks?

It depends on your needs. The built-in blocks work well for basic layouts. If you want more design features, better styling, or advanced blocks like post carousels and animations, the Spectra plugin provides more flexibility without needing custom code.

Will adding a separate blog page affect my site’s SEO?

No, it can help. A clean blog page improves navigation and content structure, so it’s easier for search engines to crawl and index your posts. Just ensure you link to it from your main menu or other parts of your site.

Can I add featured posts at the top of my blog page?

Yes. You can use a separate Query Loop or Post Carousel block filtered by tag (e.g., featured) and place it above the main post list. This is great for highlighting important or popular content.

What’s the difference between a static home page and a posts page?

A static home page shows a fixed welcome or landing page. A posts page displays your latest blog posts. You can set both under Settings Reading to keep your homepage clean and send blog content to a separate page.

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