Showing content on your WordPress homepage is a common requirement for website owners. However, sometimes you may not want to show the same content on all pages of your site. In this article, we will discuss two different methods to conditionally show content only on your WordPress homepage.
Method 1: Checking If Is_Front_Page
The first method involves using a quick PHP test to check if the current page is the front page of your site. If it is, you can display the content you want. Here’s an example code:
Do stuff here
This method is straightforward and easy to use. It’s also the best method to use in most cases.
Method 2: Checking If Is_Home
Alternatively, you can check if the current page is the “homepage” and display the content accordingly. Here’s an example code:
Do stuff here
It’s important to note that there’s a difference between “front_page” and “home”. The “front page” is the very first page of your site, while “home” is the page where your latest posts are shown.
Use is_front_page whenever you want something to appear on the homepage, regardless of whether it’s a static page or your latest posts. Use is_home when you want to show something on the main blog page, even if it’s not set as the homepage.
Method 3: Creating a Homepage-Specific Sidebar, Header, or Footer
Another option is to create a homepage-specific sidebar, header, or footer that contains the content you want to show only on the homepage. Here are the steps to follow:
1. Create a new homepage-specific file (sidebar-home.php, footer-home.php, or header-home.php).
2. Add whatever you need to your file.
3. Call the new file on the home.php or index.php file (whichever your template is using for the homepage). To do so, use one of the methods below:
This method requires you to create new files, which can be a bit of a hassle. However, it works well and is a good way to keep things organized in your theme’s files if you have a completely different sidebar, footer, or header for the homepage.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are several ways to conditionally show content only on your WordPress homepage. The first two methods involve using PHP tests to check if the current page is the front page or homepage. The third method involves creating a homepage-specific sidebar, header, or footer. Choose the method that works best for your needs and implement it on your site. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them in the comments section below.
