How To Add Featured Image In WordPress Post

How to Add a Featured Image in WordPress: A Beginner’s Guide

Are you new to WordPress and wondering how to add a featured image to your post? Adding a featured image is a simple but important step that can help enhance the overall appearance of your post and make it more attractive to readers.

In this article, we will guide you through the process of adding a featured image to a WordPress post. We’ll also discuss the importance of having a featured image, best practices for choosing and adding a featured image, and advanced techniques for optimizing and displaying your featured images.

What is a Featured Image in WordPress?

A featured image, also known as a post thumbnail, is an image that represents the contents of a post. It is displayed at the top of the post and can also be used to represent the post in various parts of your website, such as the homepage, archive pages, and search results.

Adding a featured image to your post can help improve its appearance and make it more visually appealing to readers. A good featured image can also help attract more visitors to your site, as it can be used to promote your post on social media and other online platforms.

Understanding Featured Images in WordPress

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of adding a featured image to a WordPress post, let’s take a closer look at what featured images are and why they are important.

The Importance of Featured Images for SEO

One of the most important reasons to use featured images in WordPress is for search engine optimization (SEO). A well-chosen featured image can help improve the visibility of your post in search engine results pages (SERPs).

When you add a featured image to your post, it becomes the image that is displayed when your post is shared on social media or other websites. This is important because search engines use images to help understand the contents of a page.

In addition, adding a featured image can help improve the user experience on your site. It can make your posts more visually appealing and engaging, which can help keep readers on your site longer and reduce your bounce rate.

The Difference Between Featured Images and Other Images in a Post

It’s important to note that a featured image is different from other images that you may add to a post. A featured image is designed to represent the contents of the post as a whole, while other images in the post are used to illustrate specific points or ideas within the post.

In addition, featured images are typically displayed at the top of the post and are often larger than other images in the post. This is why it’s important to choose a high-quality, visually appealing image that can capture the attention of your readers.

Optimal Dimensions for WordPress Featured Images

When adding a featured image to your post, it’s important to choose an image with the optimal dimensions. The recommended dimensions for a featured image in WordPress are 1200 pixels wide by 628 pixels high.

Using an image with these dimensions can help ensure that your featured image is displayed properly on various devices and platforms. It’s also important to choose an image that is high-quality and visually appealing, as this can help attract more readers to your post.

Examples of Good Featured Images

So, what makes a good featured image? Here are some examples of good featured images that you can use as inspiration for your own posts:

1. A high-quality photograph that is relevant to the contents of the post

2. An eye-catching graphic or illustration that highlights the main idea or message of the post

3. A visually appealing image that helps set the tone or mood of the post

When choosing a featured image, it’s important to consider the contents of your post and the message that you want to convey. You should also consider your audience and what type of images are most likely to attract their attention.

How to Add a Featured Image in WordPress

Now that we’ve discussed the importance of featured images and what makes a good featured image, let’s get into the steps for adding a featured image to a WordPress post.

Overview of the Process of Adding a Featured Image

The process for adding a featured image to a WordPress post is simple and straightforward. Here is an overview of the steps that you will need to follow:

1. Open the post that you want to add a featured image to.

2. Click on the “Set Featured Image” button, which is located in the Featured Image section on the right-hand side of the screen.

3. Select the image that you want to use as the featured image from the Media Library or upload a new image.

4. Edit the image if necessary and click “Set Featured Image”.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Add a Featured Image in WordPress

Now let’s go through the process of adding a featured image in WordPress step-by-step.

Step 1: Open the post that you want to add a featured image to.

To add a featured image to a post in WordPress, you will first need to open the post that you want to add the image to. You can do this by going to Posts > All Posts and clicking on the post that you want to edit.

Step 2: Click on the “Set Featured Image” button.

Once you have opened the post that you want to add a featured image to, scroll down to the Featured Image section on the right-hand side of the screen. Click on the “Set Featured Image” button to open the Media Library.

Step 3: Select the image that you want to use as the featured image.

In the Media Library, you can select an image that you have already uploaded to your site or upload a new image. To select an image, simply click on it and then click the “Set Featured Image” button.

Step 4: Edit the image if necessary and click “Set Featured Image”.

After you have selected the image that you want to use as the featured image, you can edit it if necessary. You can crop the image, adjust the brightness and contrast, and make other changes using the WordPress image editor.

Once you are satisfied with the image, click the “Set Featured Image” button to save it as the featured image for your post.

Using the WordPress Media Library to Select a Featured Image

When you click on the “Set Featured Image” button, you will be taken to the WordPress Media Library. This is where you can select an image that you have already uploaded to your site or upload a new image.

To select an image that you have already uploaded to your site, simply click on the image in the Media Library and then click the “Set Featured Image” button.

To upload a new image, click on the “Upload Files” tab in the Media Library and then click the “Select Files” button. Choose the image that you want to upload and then click the “Open” button.

How to Crop and Edit a Featured Image In WordPress

If the image that you want to use as your featured image is not the right size or needs some adjustments, you can crop and edit it using the WordPress image editor.

To do this, click on the “Edit Image” button after you have selected the image that you want to use as the featured image. This will open the WordPress image editor, where you can make adjustments to the image.

Best Practices for Choosing and Adding a WordPress Featured Image

Now that you know how to add a featured image to a WordPress post, let’s discuss some best practices for choosing and adding a featured image.

Choose a High-Quality Image

When choosing a featured image, it’s important to choose an image that is high-quality and visually appealing. This can help attract more readers to your post and improve the overall appearance of your site. Make sure the image is sharp, clear, and visually engaging.

Use Relevant Images

The image you choose as a featured image should be relevant to the contents of your post. It should also reflect the tone and message of your post. This can help attract the right audience to your post and increase engagement.

Optimize Image Size and Format

To ensure that your featured image looks good and loads quickly, it’s important to optimize the image size and format. The recommended size for a featured image in WordPress is 1200 pixels wide by 628 pixels high. The best file format for web images is JPEG, as it provides a good balance between image quality and file size.

Display Images Consistently

When adding featured images to your posts, it’s important to be consistent. Use the same image dimensions and style for all of your featured images to create a cohesive look and feel for your site.

Troubleshooting Common Errors With WordPress Featured Images

Sometimes, you may encounter errors when adding a featured image to your post. Here are some common errors and how to fix them:

Image is not showing up

If your featured image is not showing up, it may be because the image is too large or in the wrong format. Try resizing the image or converting it to JPEG format and then try adding it again.

“HTTP Error” message when uploading image

If you see an “HTTP Error” message when uploading an image, it may be because the image is too large. Try resizing the image or uploading a smaller image.

Featured image is not displaying correctly

If your featured image is not displaying correctly, it may be because of a conflict with your theme or a plugin. Try disabling your plugins one by one to see if this resolves the issue. If the issue persists, contact your theme support team for assistance.

Advanced WordPress Featured Image Techniques

Now that you know the basics of adding a featured image to a WordPress post, let’s discuss some advanced techniques for optimizing and displaying your featured images.

Using Plugins for Featured Images

There are several plugins available that can help you enhance your featured images in WordPress. Some popular featured image plugins include WPForms, Yoast SEO, and Advanced Custom Fields. These plugins can help you add more functionality and customization options to your featured images.

Using Featured Images for Custom Post Types

You can also use featured images for custom post types in WordPress. This can help you create a more customized look and feel for your site and make it easier for readers to find the content they are looking for.

To use featured images for custom post types, you will need to install a plugin that supports this functionality. Some popular plugins for custom post types include Custom Post Type UI and Types.

Optimizing WordPress Featured Images for Social Media

To ensure that your featured images look good when shared on social media, it’s important to optimize them for social media platforms. This can include adding open graph tags and using the right image size and format.

Adding a featured image to a WordPress post is a simple but important step that can help improve the appearance and functionality of your site. By following the tips and techniques outlined in this article, you can create high-quality, visually appealing featured images that will help attract more readers to your site and improve your SEO.

Here are the main points of the article “How to Add a Featured Image in WordPress: A Beginner’s Guide”:

1. Introduction: The article introduces the concept of featured images and their importance in enhancing the overall appearance of a post. It also provides an overview of the process of adding a featured image.

2. Understanding Featured Images in WordPress: This section provides an in-depth explanation of what featured images are, their role in WordPress, and their importance for SEO. It also discusses the difference between featured images and other images in a post, optimal dimensions for featured images, and provides examples of good featured images.

3. How to Add a Featured Image in WordPress: This section provides a step-by-step guide on how to add a featured image to a WordPress post. It includes instructions on using the Media Library to select a featured image, how to crop and edit a featured image, and best practices for choosing and adding a featured image. The section also includes troubleshooting common errors that may occur when adding a featured image.

4. Advanced Featured Image Techniques: This section discusses more advanced techniques for optimizing and displaying featured images. It includes using plugins for featured images, using featured images for custom post types, and optimizing featured images for social media.

5. Conclusion: The conclusion of the article summarizes the importance of adding a featured image to a WordPress post and provides a brief recap of the steps for adding a featured image. It encourages readers to experiment with different featured image techniques.

The article provides a comprehensive guide for beginners on how to add a featured image to a WordPress post. It includes real-life examples and best practices for choosing and optimizing featured images. The article is designed to help readers create high-quality, visually appealing featured images that will improve the overall appearance of their site and attract more readers.

Here is an action plan for adding a featured image in WordPress based on the article above:

1. Understand the importance of a featured image in WordPress: Read and understand the section on “Understanding Featured Images in WordPress” to learn about the role of featured images in WordPress and why they are important for improving the overall appearance of a post and attracting more readers.

2. Learn how to add a featured image in WordPress: Follow the step-by-step guide in the section “How to Add a Featured Image in WordPress” to learn how to add a featured image to a WordPress post. Take note of the recommended dimensions for featured images and the best practices for selecting and adding featured images.

3. Choose a high-quality, relevant image for your post: Use the tips in the section “Best Practices for Choosing and Adding a Featured Image” to choose a high-quality, visually appealing image that is relevant to the contents of your post.

4. Optimize your featured image: Use the tips in the section “Advanced Featured Image Techniques” to optimize your featured image for social media and other platforms. Consider using plugins for featured images and custom post types to enhance the functionality of your featured images.

5. Troubleshoot any issues: If you encounter any issues when adding a featured image, refer to the section “Troubleshooting Common Errors” to learn how to fix common problems.

By following this action plan, you can learn how to add a featured image to a WordPress post and create high-quality, visually appealing images that will help improve the overall appearance of your site and attract more readers.

Here are 10 frequently asked questions about adding featured images in WordPress with answers:

1. What is the recommended size for a featured image in WordPress?

The recommended size for a featured image in WordPress is 1200 pixels wide by 628 pixels high.

2. How do I add a featured image to a WordPress post?

To add a featured image to a WordPress post, open the post that you want to add the image to, click on the “Set Featured Image” button in the Featured Image section on the right-hand side of the screen, select the image that you want to use as the featured image from the Media Library or upload a new image, and edit the image if necessary. Click “Set Featured Image” to save it.

3. Can I use the same featured image for multiple posts?

Yes, you can use the same featured image for multiple posts. This can help create a cohesive look and feel for your site.

4. Can I edit a featured image after it has been added to a post?

Yes, you can edit a featured image after it has been added to a post. To do this, open the post that contains the featured image, click on the image, and then click the “Edit Image” button.

5. Can I add a featured image to an existing post?

Yes, you can add a featured image to an existing post. Simply follow the same steps as you would for adding a featured image to a new post.

6. How do I crop and edit a featured image in WordPress?

To crop and edit a featured image in WordPress, click on the “Edit Image” button after selecting the image that you want to use as the featured image. This will open the WordPress image editor, where you can make adjustments to the image.

7. Can I use featured images for custom post types?

Yes, you can use featured images for custom post types in WordPress. To do this, you will need to install a plugin that supports this functionality, such as Custom Post Type UI or Types.

8. What should I do if my featured image is not displaying correctly?

If your featured image is not displaying correctly, it may be due to a conflict with your theme or a plugin. Try disabling your plugins one by one to see if this resolves the issue. If the issue persists, contact your theme support team for assistance.

9. Can I optimize my featured image for social media?

Yes, you can optimize your featured image for social media by adding open graph tags and using the right image size and format. This can help ensure that your featured image looks good when shared on social media.

10. Why is it important to choose a high-quality, relevant image for my featured image?

Choosing a high-quality, relevant image for your featured image is important because it can help improve the overall appearance of your site, attract more readers to your post, and improve your SEO. It’s important to choose an image that is visually appealing and relevant to the contents of your post.

Conclusion

In conclusion, adding a featured image to a WordPress post is an important step for improving the overall appearance of your site and attracting more readers. By following the step-by-step guide outlined in this article, you can easily add a featured image to your WordPress post and optimize it for social media and other platforms.

It’s important to choose a high-quality, visually appealing image that is relevant to the contents of your post, and to be consistent in the dimensions and style of your featured images. Using plugins for featured images and custom post types can also enhance the functionality and customization options of your featured images. By following the best practices and techniques outlined in this article, you can create high-quality, visually appealing featured images that will help improve the appearance of your site and attract more readers to your content.