How do I add a blog post or news item?

How do I write and publish a post?

1. Log in. Most sites use your web address followed by /wp-admin. If that fails, see how to log in or reset your password.
2. Start a post. In the left menu, go to Posts, then Add Post (older versions say Add New Post or Add New). A blank editor opens.
3. Write the headline. “New Saturday hours from March” tells readers more than “News.”
4. Write the body. Click below the title and type. Each time you press Enter, a new paragraph block starts.
5. Add other blocks. Select the + button and choose Heading, List or Image, or type a slash, such as /image, and press Enter.
6. Set the details. Open the settings sidebar (the Settings button next to Publish). Choose a category, set a featured image and, if you like, write a one-line excerpt.
7. Preview it. Open the View menu and choose Mobile, or Preview in new tab to see it as visitors will. WordPress explains this in its View feature guide.
8. Publish. Select Publish. If a final check panel appears, select Publish again.
9. Check it live. Select View Post and read it once more on the real page.

WordPress uses the block editor, where each paragraph, heading and photo is its own block. These steps follow WordPress’s guide to the block editor.

How do I add a photo?

1. Select +, choose Image, then Upload or Media Library.
2. In the sidebar, fill in Alternative text: one short sentence describing the photo. If the photo is only decoration or repeats what the text already says, leave it empty.
3. To use it as the main photo for the post, set it as the Featured image in the post settings.

WordPress lists every option in its Image block guide.

How do I save a draft or schedule it?

• Not finished? Select Save draft. It waits under Posts, marked Draft.
• Want it live on a set day? In the sidebar, select the publish date, pick a future date and time, then select Schedule.

How do I edit or remove an old post?

1. Go to Posts. Search by title, or browse; newest posts come first. The Posts screen guide explains the list.
2. Hover over a title and select Edit. Make the change, then Save (older versions say Update).
3. For just the title, date or category, use Quick Edit.
4. To remove a post, select Trash. You can restore it from the Trash link at the top of the list until the trash is emptied.

The short version

• Go to Posts, then Add Post, and write a headline that says what’s new.
• Pick a category and featured image, preview on a phone, then Publish or schedule it.

Why does this matter?

Regular, useful posts give customers a reason to check back and give search engines fresh, specific pages about what you do. A news item about new hours or a seasonal offer also answers questions before people have to call. If you’re not sure a blog is worth your time, read whether your business needs a blog.

What are the common mistakes and edge cases?

• Photos that are too small. Photos that are too small to fill the space the theme gives them look blurry or stretched. Use photos at least as wide as your content area, then let WordPress size them.
• Photos that are far too big. The opposite problem slows the page. About 1,600 pixels wide is plenty for most posts. See how to change a photo for resizing.
• Changing the address after publishing. WordPress builds the post’s address from the title. Shorten it before you publish, not after, or old links break.
• Too many categories. One or two well-chosen categories are easier to browse than ten.
• Posts vs pages. Posts are dated and listed newest first. Things that don’t date, like Services or About, belong on a page. See how to add a new page.

What if this didn’t work?

• There’s no Posts menu. Your user role may not allow posting, or the site may not use posts. Ask the site’s administrator.
• The post doesn’t appear on the news page. Check it isn’t a draft or scheduled. Some themes only list certain categories on certain pages.
• The editor looks different. Your site may use a page builder or the classic editor. The buttons move, but the idea is the same.

How does E-3 handle this?

You can also send us the words and photos, and a person at E-3 posts it for you. Website care includes daily backups, so a post can be pulled or put back if needed. If you’d like to post yourself, ask us for your own login.

Email support@e3help.me or call 814-399-4655. Replies usually come within one business day.

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