Compare The Best Web Design Services

Want to jump straight to the answer? The best web design service for most people is WebiMax.

Your website design makes or breaks your business. It takes just milliseconds for people to form an opinion about a website. Most of that first impression comes from the design.

If you want your brand to succeed, you need to nail the site design. The professional web design services reviewed in this guide have you covered.

The 13 Best Web Design Services of 2023

How to choose the best web design service. Quicksprout.com's methodology for reviewing web design services.

There are thousands of web designers and web design agencies on the market today. How can you know which ones to trust for something so important?

After extensive research, I’ve narrowed down the top web design services for you to consider.

We’ll take a closer look at the benefits and use cases for these web design services with an in-depth review of each one below.

Best Web Design Services Reviews

WebiMax

  • Dedicated design expert
  • Conversion-based approach
  • Modern web designs
  • Free design quotes
Get Started Today

WebiMax is a full-service digital marketing agency that helps startups and established brands alike build beautiful branded designs. 

When you use WebiMax for web design, you get a dedicated design expert to work with you throughout the process. Whether you need a single landing page built or a complete site redesign, this single point of contact will advise and assist you along the way.

In addition to providing modern and stunning web designs, we really like that WebiMax’s approach goes beyond visual aesthetics. All of their designs are based on generating conversions, which is incredibly important for any revenue-generating website. This ultimately helps improve the user experience and delivers a faster ROI for your design initiatives. 

You can rest easy knowing that your web designs will be fully responsive regardless of the browser or device your visitors use. All WebiMax designs are mobile-friendly and coded for optimal viewing on any platform. 

Beyond web design, WebiMax is an excellent choice for any company that wants to get multiple agency services under one roof. 

WebiMax specializes in online reputation management. They also provide services for SEO, PPC, lead generation, local marketing, public relations, review management, social media marketing, and more. 

Get a free web design analysis and quote to get started using WebiMax for all facets of business

Web.com

  • Call 888-421-8700
  • Award-winning company
  • DIY and professional options
  • Flexible plans
Get Started Now

The aptly named Web.com is a two-time winner of Stevie Bronze awards has both a straightforward website builder anyone can use and professional website design services. 

If you want to DIY your website, Web.com offers a drag-and-drop website builder with free domains and hosting, an email to go with the domain, pre-built templates and layout elements, and an intuitive, simple interface. 

For those who want professionals to take over for them, Web.com’s team of specialized copywriters, SEO, and design experts will make your idea a reality. They can build a professional, mobile-responsive, SEO-optimized website for your business that will turn visitors into customers.

Web.com offers flexible plans and convenient add-ons, such as:

  • An ecommerce store
  • SEO services
  • Digital marketing services
  • Hosting plans
  • Domains
  • SSL certificates

Web.com also supports WordPress, Drupal, Joomla, and other open-source options.

Web.com is a great choice for a customized website perfectly suited to your brand and making sure it represents you and your company well. Learn more at Web.com. or call 888-421-8700 for a free quote.

Lounge Lizard

  • Full service agency
  • Custom website designs
  • Custom redesigns
  • UX/UI design & more
Get started today

Lounge Lizard is more than just a web design company. It’s an agency that specializes in branding, digital marketing, web development, app development, and website maintenance. You can trust Lounge Lizard with a wide range of website needs.

This service ranks high on our list because they take a strategic approach to website design.

The team at Lounge Lizard focuses on brand communication, brand differentiation, and big-picture with each design. They craft websites that resonate with your target audience to boost engagement.

Here’s a quick overview of the web design services offered at Lounge Lizard:

  • Custom WordPress designs
  • Custom redesigns
  • Responsive web design
  • UX/UI design
  • Shopify web design
  • Magento web design
  • Designs for corporate blogs

Lounge Lizard runs a user experience analysis on your website. This analysis is intended to identify weaknesses in your design while keeping SEO in mind with any changes.

I’d recommend Lounge Lizard to anyone that needs brand strategy assistance. The team at Lounge Lizard goes above and beyond just designing your website. They take it one step further by making sure your brand message is clearly portrayed to the right audience.

Blue Fountain Media

  • Over 17 years of experience
  • Designs created with a purpose
  • Optimized for search engines
  • Worked with FedEx & Sony
Get started today

Blue Fountain Media is a full-service agency offering web design, digital marketing services, technology solutions, business strategy, and branding solutions.

Global brands like FedEx, Microsoft, and Sony rely on them for their digital design needs.

Blue Fountain Media offers more than 17 years of experience designing websites. All designs are created with a purpose, with users in mind through each step of the process.

Designs are also built for discoverability. Every Blue Fountain Media design is technically optimized for search engines.

Here’s how their process works:

First, the team gets to know you and your business through a consultation. Then they’ll dive deep into the existing data on your website and speak to key members of your organization.

Blue Fountain Media might also communicate with your customers through surveys and perform user testing on your existing website before making any changes.

You’ll get a proposed strategy related to the content, structure, and features of your new website design to ensure that aligns with the goals of your business. They will plan and deliver a sitemap to show the structure and hierarchy of the new design.

After the planning process is complete, the design will be implemented. The design team can follow any strict brand guidelines that you require. Wireframes and mockups are sent to you for feedback, so you’ll have a say each step of the way.

Blue Fountain Media can assist with copywriting for your landing pages, SEO, development, QA, and launch.

CityTech Design

  • Custom sites inspired by technology
  • Turn your site into a lead generating machine
  • Optimized for any device
  • High-quality logo and branding
Get started today

CityTech Design isn’t your average website design company. Their focus on cutting-edge technology combined with the highest UI and UX standards and personal focus on clients makes for a winning combination.

CityTech’s services include custom websites from scratch, logo design, branding, technical support, and SEO and PPC support.

When it comes to assisting with branding, SEO, and PPC, CityTech can:

  • Design a new logo 
  • Build your company a new brand identity
  • Get your site ranked highly on Google
  • Create Google, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Quora ad campaigns
  • Optimize your website for conversions
  • Drive better engagement metrics

CityTech Design focuses on working closely with companies to build websites that combine technology and art to create beautiful, one-of-a-kind websites that help companies grow. 

Case studies published on their website show a detailed and personal approach to design when working with businesses of all sizes.

Reach out to CityTech Design now for a custom quote on a technology-assisted custom website created by experienced professionals who keep you updated and involved throughout the process.

Big Drop

  • Full-service digital agency
  • Five-step approach to web design
  • Cutting-edge online experiences
  • Worked with Samsung & Citibank
Get started today

Big Drop is another full-service digital agency. They specialize in web design, web development, branding, and digital marketing.

Their designs are human-centered, meaning they focus on a seamless user experience above all else. Some of their featured clients include Samsung, Citi Bank, and Activision.

Big Drop believes that your website should be a natural extension of your brand’s story. They strive to create designs that truly represent you, your business, and your organization.

They utilize a five-step approach to their web design services:

  1. Identify your brand needs.
  2. Research your industry, competition, and audience.
  3. Develop a UI/UX sitemap and wireframe.
  4. Collaborate with you and your team to form a content strategy.
  5. Design the graphics and other visual elements of your website.

Big Drop creates cutting-edge online experiences for website visitors. They have the unique ability to translate vague concepts into creative digital web designs.

Mightybytes

  • Operating for more than 20 years
  • Blends design with brand strategy
  • Solves design problems with data
  • Certified B Corp organization
Get started today

Mightybytes is a Chicago-based digital agency that’s been operating for more than 20 years. They work with sustainable brands, nonprofits, and socially-conscious companies.

This agency blends web design with brand strategy and development. They use sustainability best practices to meet the long-term growth of your organization.

In addition to design and UX, Mightybytes offers strategy consulting and helps bring digital products to life. They’ve worked with organizations like PNC Bank, YMCA, Northwestern University, DePaul University, and Feeding America.

Mightybytes solves web design problems with data. But they also know that data isn’t everything. That’s why they’ll reach out to users for good, ethnographic research as well. They conduct tests and analyses that bring digital solutions to life.

Some web design services they provide:

  • User research
  • Testing
  • Customer journey mapping
  • Content strategy
  • Information architecture
  • Wireframing and prototyping
  • UI design

If you’re a nonprofit organization or sustainable brand, Mightybytes will be a top web design service for you to consider.

Maxburst

  • In business since 2007
  • Unique blend of style & tech
  • Solutions for ecommerce websites
  • Local search marketing
Get started today

Maxburst is a fantastic New York City-based web design agency that also handles web development, SEO, company identity, social media marketing, and local search marketing.

Designs created by Maxburst offer a unique blend of both style and technology.

Maxburst specializes in high-end web design, print, and digital media. It’s an ideal solution for growing businesses. These designs will help you stand out from the crowd.

They offer specific solutions for ecommerce websites and CMS driven solutions.

Beyond designing your site, they can help you control and manage your content needs on a regular basis. From your photos and videos to the blog and newsfeed, Maxburst is there when you need them.

Intechnic

  • In business over 20 years
  • Results driven designs
  • Brand strategy experts
  • Clients in 30+ countries
Get started today

Intechnic offers services for brand strategy, digital marketing, user experience, and of course—web design.  They’ve been creating high-performing websites, software, and apps for 20+ years with clients in 30+ countries.

Where they really shine is UX. They’ll work with you to deeply research your users and design a website that’s perfect for their needs.

Here’s an overview of Intechnic’s web design services and capabilities at a glance:

  • Branding
  • Business integration
  • Video production
  • Photography
  • Interactive experience
  • Copywriting
  • Creative direction

Intechnic understands that your business is more than just a website. You need a platform that will generate results.

This agency specializes in solving problems with creativity to deliver results. I’d recommend Intechnic to websites that are underperforming. A redesign from Intechnic can help turn things around for you.

Intechnic commonly works with brands in financial services, insurance, government agencies, and nonprofits.

EIGHT25MEDIA

  • Creative web design services
  • Responsive ecommerce solutions
  • Web apps & mobile solutions
  • Voted best in San Francisco
Get started today

EIGHT25MEDIA provides creative web design services, strategy and consulting, and CMS services.

They create responsive websites and ecommerce solutions to boot. If you’re looking for a highly-touted web designer, this is a solid bet.

They have been voted the best web design agency in San Francisco. As a whole, their clients have raised $500+ million in funding for their startups.

The average EIGHT25MEDIA client sees a 200% increase in conversions on their newly designed website. They typically work with the following types of companies:

  • VC Funded
  • Technology startups
  • Cybersecurity
  • Financial services
  • Ecommerce
  • SaaS
  • B2B
  • Enterprises

In addition to web design services, EIGHT25MEDIA also designs web applications and mobile solutions.

Skuba Design Studio

  • Network of local & regional talent
  • 20+ years in business
  • Optimized for search engines
  • Award-winning portfolio
Get started today

Skuba Design Studio offers a network of local and regional talent that specializes in web development, graphic design, illustration, photography, and multimedia.

They essentially have everything you need for a creative web project.

All designers and developers have a degree in their respective field, years of experience, and provide award-winning work.

With Skuba, your web design can target your existing customers as well as any new demographics that you’re trying to reach.

I’d recommend Skuba to those of you who have design needs beyond your website as well. They offer designs for things like:

  • Brochures
  • Print
  • Packages
  • Tradeshows
  • Posters
  • Signs
  • Infographics
  • Invitations

Skuba Design Studio creates motion graphics, interactive designs, content management, mobile apps, and software development. All digital designs are optimized for search engines.

Taoti Creative

  • Designing websites for 20+ years
  • Creative & unconventional designs
  • Detailed oriented
  • Exceptional customer service
Get started today

Taoti Creative creates unique and modern web designs that empower website visitors.

This creative agency builds brand experience designs that “move needles.”

For those of you who are looking for a bold website design, consider using Taoti Creative’s web design services. They’ve been designing websites for more than 20 years.

Taoti Creative is detailed oriented. This goes beyond just identifying bugs or defects. They strive to deliver the best possible product from architecture to compliance and user experience.

This innovative design team definitely delivers in terms of the “wow” factor. Your website can stand out from the crowd.

Taoti has exceptional customer service. Communication is a crucial component of the entire web design process. Expect to hear from them on a regular basis, as they update with you full transparency. Your input will heavily impact the final design product.

Taoti Creative is not for everyone. I’d only recommend this to websites and business owners who can take some risk with unconventional designs.

Bizzuka

  • In business over 20 years
  • Focus on improving conversions
  • Improve your user experience
  • Designed more than 2,000 sites
Get started today

Bizzuka focuses on web designs that are made to improve the online lead generation process.

As such, they’re ideal for businesses selling high-ticket products or services. It’s a top choice for those of you who have a long and complicated sales process.

The designers at Bizzuka will improve the user experience through each step of the sales funnel on your website through its data-driven design best practices.

In addition to website design, you can also use Bizzuka for digital marketing and custom software solutions.

I’d recommend Bizzuka to B2B sellers who need a design update to boost conversions.

What Are Web Design Services?

A web design service provides you with a customized website design that’s perfect for your business or personal site.

They’ll work with you to create a design that matches your brand, while giving your customers a seamless user experience that will delight them.

Hiring a web designer is also an excellent option for new websites as well as older sites that need a redesign. The best web design agencies and services take everything from the color scheme to navigation into consideration.

But what are the best agencies and services? Luckily, we’ve found the answers to just that.

How to Choose the Web Design Service For Your Website

Everyone has different needs when it comes to web design. The right design service for me and my business might not be the best one for you.

So how can you find the best web design agency for your business? This is the methodology that we use and recommend here at Quick Sprout.

Portfolio

When it comes to web design, nothing speaks to me more than results. Every web design service should have an extensive list of websites that they’ve built in the past.

Browse through this portfolio and visit these websites. How do they look? How do those designs make you feel?

While every website is unique, you can usually get a feel for the approach taken during the design process. If you’re unhappy with the portfolio of previous work, you should look elsewhere for your design needs.

Industry and Business Type

There is no universal web design that should be applied to every website. Some designers specialize in specific industries.

For example, a tech startup would probably have very different website needs than a local accountant. A law firm shouldn’t have the same design as a creative agency.

Pick a web designer that has experience designing similar websites to your business type and industry.

Process

The best web designers don’t use cookie-cutter templates. They take the time to get to know your business, brand, customers, and website needs.

Some will conduct UI and UX testing before they start designing. Others will take previous website data and metrics to focus on specific points to improve.

Regardless of the approach, it’s important for you to understand the design process and make sure that it’s something you’re comfortable with. The design team should also be using your input, to an extent, while they are creating a custom design.

Additional Services

In most cases, web design services do much more than just design websites. Lots of the best options also offer marketing services, branding tools, web development, and more.

Find a design service that has other tools that you can take advantage of. For example, if you need a developer and a designer, it makes sense to get both services from the same agency.

The Top Web Design Services in Summary

WebiMax stands out as the best web design service on the market. Regardless of your website type, business, or industry, these professional designers will take care of you at a reasonable price.

With today’s website builders, it’s easy for just about anyone to whip up a decent site. But once you start adding powerful features or step outside the template, your site can break or slow down. That’s why it’s worth it to go with a web design service.

Creating a Pencil Effect in SVG

Scott Turner, who has an entire blog "Exploring procedural generation and display of fantasy maps", gets into why vector graphics seems on these surface why it would be bad for the look of a pencil stroke:

Something like this pencil stroke would require many tens of thousands of different elements.  Basically each little blob of gray in that image would be separately defined. 

But, SVG filters to the rescue.

It's all about <feTurbulence>.

Squigglevision!

Direct Link to ArticlePermalink

The post Creating a Pencil Effect in SVG appeared first on CSS-Tricks.

How to Create Custom Single Post Templates in WordPress

Do you want to create a custom single post template in WordPress?

Custom single post templates allow you to use different layouts for your individual blog posts. Many WordPress themes come with a few different page templates, and you can also create your own if needed.

In this article, we’ll show you how to easily create custom single post templates in WordPress. We’ll share multiple methods, so you can choose one that works best for your needs.

How to Create Custom Single Post Templates in WordPress

When Do You Need a Custom Single Post Template?

Sometimes you may want a different look and feel for certain posts on your WordPress website. For instance, you may want to use a different layout for featured articles or stories in a particular category.

This is where you need a custom single post template in WordPress.

By default, WordPress uses the single post template based on the WordPress template hierarchy. All themes come with a single.php template, and this is used by default for all of your single posts.

Some themes may also include additional templates or layout choices that you can use.

It is very much like creating a custom page template. Most WordPress themes also come with page templates that you can use while editing a post or page in WordPress.

Choosing a Page Template

Having said that, let’s take a look at how to easily create custom single post templates in WordPress. We’ll show you multiple methods, so you can use the one that works best for you.

Creating Single Post Templates Using the Block Editor

This method does not really create a post template and is limited in flexibility. However, it is the easiest way to save your own single post layouts and then reuse them.

The default WordPress block editor comes with a built-in feature that allows you to save and reuse blocks. One such reusable block is the group block.

The group block allows you to put several blocks and entire post layouts into one group. You can then save this group block and reuse it in your other posts.

Let’s take a look at how to use the group block to save your custom post templates.

First, you need to create a new post in WordPress. After that, simply add a group block to the content area.

Add Group Block

Now you can start adding blocks into the group block to create a single post layout for your WordPress blog.

You can add any blocks you want including columns, media and text, cover images, and more.

Add Blocks to the Group

Once you are satisfied with the layout you have created, you need to take your mouse up and select the group block.

Simply click on the three-dot menu icon and then select the ‘Add to Reusable blocks’ option.

Add Reusable Block

Next, you need to provide a name for the reusable block and then click on the Save button. WordPress will now save your reusable block including all the blocks inside the group block.

You can then edit any existing post on your website or create a new one. On the post edit screen, simply click on the add new block button and look for your saved block under the ‘Reusable’ tab.

Reuse Block

Add the block to your post and WordPress will load your entire group block with all the blocks and settings as you saved them.

This method allows you to save your custom layouts. However, it does not allow you to change how your theme handles single posts.

If you would like greater flexibility, then continue reading the next step.

Creating Custom Single Post Templates Using SeedProd

The easiest way to create a custom single post template is by using SeedProd. It’s the best WordPress website builder plugin and can create beautiful website layouts and custom templates without writing any code.

You can use SeedProd’s drag-and-drop builder to create a fully custom WordPress theme, including custom single post templates.

The first thing you need to do is install and activate the SeedProd plugin. For more details, see our step by step guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.

Upon activation, you need to enter your license key. You can find this information under your account on the SeedProd website.

SeedProd license key

After that, it’s time to create a custom WordPress theme. This is much simpler than it sounds.

Creating a Custom WordPress Theme

First, you need to head over to the SeedProd » Theme Builder page. Here, you’ll use one of SeedProd’s ready-made themes as a starting point. This will replace your existing WordPress theme with a new, custom design.

You can do that by clicking the ‘Themes’ button.

Create your custom theme

You will be shown a list of professionally designed themes that are designed for different types of websites. For example, there are templates called ‘Modern Business’, ‘Marketing Agency’, and ‘Mortgage Broker Theme’.

Take a look through the options and select one that best matches your needs by clicking the checkmark icon.

Select a Theme That Matches Your Needs

Once you have chosen a theme, SeedProd will generate all the theme templates you need, including one for single pages and another for single posts.

Each template comes set up with attractive layouts and placeholder content that’s easy to customize.

SeedProd Creates All the Templates You Need for Your Theme

To learn more about creating a theme with SeedProd, see our guide on how to easily create a custom WordPress theme without any code.

Customizing the Default Single Post Template

SeedProd makes it easy to customize the default ‘Single Post’ template using a drag and drop page builder.

Simply click the ‘Edit Design’ link found under the template. This will open your post template in SeedProd’s visual editor.

Click the 'Edit Design' Link Under the Single Post Template

SeedProd’s visual editor has a 2 column layout. On the left, you’ll find blocks and sections that you can add to your design. And on the right is a preview of the template where you can see your changes in real-time.

SeedProd Visual Editor Blocks and Sections

It’s also easy to customize the layout of your post template. Simply click on any block to see its settings in the left column.

For example, if you click on the post title, then you’ll be able to see its settings. Now you can change the alignment, font size, heading level, and more.

Click on a Block to Change Its Settings

Clicking the Advanced tab lets you change font colors, spacing, and other styles.

You can add additional blocks by dragging them from the left column into the preview column. SeedProd uses template tags to pull in dynamic content like post titles, featured images, comments, and more. This lets you add content to the template without having to edit each post individually.

For example, you can add a Posts block at the end of your post content. This will display recent posts that your visitors may wish to read when they finish the current post. This block will be shown automatically on all posts using this template.

Add a Posts Block to the Bottom of Your Single Posts Template

Next, you can change the settings of the Posts block to customize the content that is shown.

For example, you can display content from specific categories, use a two-column layout, and change the number of posts that are shown.

SeedProd Posts Block Settings

Feel free to spend time experimenting with different blocks and exploring their settings.

After creating something you’d like to use as your post template, it is time to save it by clicking the green ‘Save’ button in the top right corner. After that, you can close the SeedProd visual editor by clicking the ‘X’ close icon.

When You're Finished, Save the Single Post Template

You can customize the rest of your WordPress theme in the same way. But if you need a little help, then refer back to our step-by-step guide on how to create a custom WordPress theme with SeedProd.

When you’re happy with how everything looks, make sure the ‘Enable SeedProd Theme’ switch is toggled to the on position. Your WordPress site will now use your SeedProd theme and custom single post template.

Enable the SeedProd Theme

Using Theme Settings to Create Custom Single Post Layouts

Many popular WordPress themes come with built-in settings to customize the appearance of your single post template.

If your theme supports these settings, then you’ll be able to find them on the post edit screen. The options available may change depending on the theme you are using.

For instance, the Astra theme offers customization options when editing a single post. Using these options, you can change sidebars, hide headers, title, menus, and more.

Astra Theme Single Post Template Customization

On the other hand, many of the top WordPress themes come with ready-to-use templates that you can use.

If your theme includes single post templates, then you will find them under the ‘Template’ or ‘Post Attributes’ panel while editing a post.

Choosing a Template When Writing a Single Post

These templates are complete layouts that you can use with no configuration required.

Manually Creating Custom Single Post Templates With Code

This method is a bit advanced as it requires you to edit theme files, copy and paste code, and optionally add custom CSS. If you haven’t done this before, then check out our tutorial on how to copy and paste code in WordPress.

First, you need to open a plain text editor on your computer like Notepad and paste the following code inside it:

<?php
/*
 * Template Name: Featured Article
 * Template Post Type: post, page, product
 */
  
 get_header();  ?>

This code defines a new template called ‘Featured Article’ and makes it available for post, page, and product post types.

You should save this file as wpb-single-post.php on your desktop. Next, you need to add the template to your WordPress site. To do that, you need to use an FTP client to upload the file to your current theme folder.

Now you can log in to your WordPress admin area and create or edit a post. Scroll down a little on the post edit screen, and you will notice a new ‘Template’ panel or ‘Post Attributes’ meta box with an option to select the template.

Select Your Custom Post Template

You will see your ‘Featured Article’ custom template listed there.

Right now your template is essentially empty so selecting it will simply display a white screen.

Let’s fix this.

The easiest way to do that is by copying the code from your theme’s single.php file and using it as a starting point. You’ll have to open the single.php file and then copy everything after the get_header() line.

Next, you need to paste this code at the end of your wpb-single-post.php file. Now you can save this file and upload it back to your server.

However, this will look exactly the same as your current single post template. You can now start making changes to your custom single post template.

You can add your own custom CSS classes, remove sidebars, create a full width template, or anything you want.

Creating Custom Single Post Templates by Category

Would you like to use a custom single post template based on categories? For example, you can give posts in the travel category a different layout to posts in the photography category.

You can do that using either the SeedProd Theme Builder or code.

Creating Custom Single Post Templates by Category Using SeedProd

Earlier we covered how to customize the SeedProd Theme Builder’s default single post template. But it doesn’t stop there. With SeedProd you can add as many custom post templates as you like, such as a different layout for every post category.

To add a new single post template, just click the ‘Duplicate’ link under the original post template. A new template called ‘Single Post – Copy’ will be created and added to the top of the theme templates page.

Create a New Post Template by Duplicating the Default Post Template

You can customize the new template in the same way you customized the default Single Post template earlier. Simply click the template’s ‘Edit Design’ link and make any changes you like using SeedProd’s visual editor.

When you’ve finished customizing the template, you will need to add some conditions so that SeedProd will know which posts should use this template. In this case, we want it displayed when viewing posts within a single category.

Click the 'Edit Conditions' Link

You can do that by clicking the template’s ‘Edit Conditions’ link and a new window will pop up.

Here you can give the template a name and priority. The default Single Post template has a priority of 0, so make sure you give this template a higher priority so it will be displayed on matching categories.

Add Conditions to Display the Template for a Certain Category

Under ‘Conditions’, select ‘Has Category’ from the second drop down menu, then type the name of the category in the last field. For example, if you only want posts from the photography category to use this layout, then type ‘photography’.

When you’re finished, click the ‘Save’ button and now this template will be used for all posts in the matching category.

This is the easiest way to create multiple custom post templates in WordPress. It doesn’t require any knowledge of code and won’t accidentally mess up any theme files.

Creating Custom Single Post Templates by Category Using Code

This is another method for those who are comfortable adding code to their theme files.

First, you need to add this code to your theme’s functions.php file or a code snippets plugin.

/*
* Define a constant path to our single template folder
*/
define(SINGLE_PATH, TEMPLATEPATH . '/single');
 
/**
* Filter the single_template with our custom function
*/
add_filter('single_template', 'my_single_template');
 
/**
* Single template function which will choose our template
*/
function my_single_template($single) {
global $wp_query, $post;
 
/**
* Checks for single template by category
* Check by category slug and ID
*/
foreach((array)get_the_category() as $cat) :
 
if(file_exists(SINGLE_PATH . '/single-cat-' . $cat->slug . '.php'))
return SINGLE_PATH . '/single-cat-' . $cat->slug . '.php';
 
elseif(file_exists(SINGLE_PATH . '/single-cat-' . $cat->term_id . '.php'))
return SINGLE_PATH . '/single-cat-' . $cat->term_id . '.php';
 
endforeach;
}

This code first checks to see if WordPress is requesting a single post. If it is, then it tells WordPress to look for the template in the /single/ folder of your WordPress theme.

Now you need to add template files defined by this code.

Connect to your WordPress hosting using an FTP client or File Manager in cPanel and go to /wp-content/themes/your-theme-folder/.

Inside your current theme folder, you need to create a new folder called ‘single’. Next, you need to open this folder and create a new file inside it. Go ahead and name this file single-cat-{category-slug}. Replace {category-slug} with your actual category slug.

For example, if you have a category called ‘News’, then you will create single-cat-news.php file. If you have a category called ‘Travel Tips’, then create a template single-cat-travel-tips.php, and so on.

Creating Single Post Template for Categories

Now, these template files will be totally empty. As a starting point, you can copy the contents of your single.php file from your theme folder and paste them inside each of these templates. After that, you’ll need to edit these templates to make your desired changes.

Once you’re done, you can go to your website and view a post. It will use the template that you have created for the category where this post is filed.

Now let’s suppose you have a post filed in two categories News and Travel Tips. WordPress will automatically show the template for ‘News’ because it appears first in alphabetical order.

On the other hand, if you filed a post in a category and didn’t create a template for that category, then WordPress will fall back to the default single.php template of your theme.

Creating Custom Single Post Templates for Specific Authors

Let’s suppose you want posts written by a specific author to look different on your website. You can do that using code by following the same technique we showed for categories.

First, you need to add this code to your theme’s functions.php file or a code snippets plugin.

/**
* Define a constant path to our single template folder
*/
define(SINGLE_PATH, TEMPLATEPATH . '/single');
 
/**
* Filter the single_template with our custom function
*/
add_filter('single_template', 'my_single_author_template');
 
/**
* Single template function which will choose our template
*/
function my_single_author_template($single) {
global $wp_query, $post;
 
/**
* Checks for single template by author
* Check by user nicename and ID
*/
$curauth = get_userdata($wp_query->post->post_author);
 
if(file_exists(SINGLE_PATH . '/single-author-' . $curauth->user_nicename . '.php'))
return SINGLE_PATH . '/single-author-' . $curauth->user_nicename . '.php';
 
elseif(file_exists(SINGLE_PATH . '/single-author-' . $curauth->ID . '.php'))
return SINGLE_PATH . '/single-author-' . $curauth->ID . '.php';
 
}

Next, you should connect to your website using FTP or cPanel file manager in cPanel and then go to /wp-content/themes/your-theme-folder/. If you haven’t already created a folder called /single/ inside it, then go ahead and create it now.

Inside this folder, you need to create a template using the author’s username in the template name. For example, single-author-johnsmith.php.

This template will be empty, so you can copy and paste the contents of your theme’s single.php template and use it as a starting point.

You can now visit your website to view a post created by a specific author. It will use the template you created.

We hope this article helped you learn how to create custom single post templates in WordPress. You may also want to learn how to track website visitors to your WordPress site, or see our list of must have WordPress plugins to grow your site.

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The post How to Create Custom Single Post Templates in WordPress first appeared on WPBeginner.