A Custom Post Type (CPT) is a new content type used to store specific types of information in a structured way.

Examples of Common CPTs:

• Portfolio
• Services
• Projects
• Team Members
• Testimonials
• Recipes
• Events
• Listings

CPTs make your backend organized and your frontend layouts flexible.

✔ Method 1: Use a Plugin (Beginners)

Perfect if you don’t want to edit code.

✔ Method 2: Add Code Manually (Developers)

More control and performance friendly.

Both methods are explained below.

Step 1 — Install CPT UI Plugin

1. Go to Plugins → Add New
2. Search for Custom Post Type UI
3. Install & activate

Step 2 — Create Your CPT

1. Go to CPT UI → Add/Edit Post Types
2. Enter:
   • Slug (example: services)
   • Plural Name: Services
   • Singular Name: Service
3. Scroll to settings
4. Enable:
   • Editor
   • Featured Image
   • Custom Fields
   • Categories/Tags (optional)
5. Click Add Post Type

Your new post type now appears in the WordPress dashboard.

Add this code to your theme’s functions.php or a custom plugin:

function sc_register_service_cpt() {

    $labels = array(
        'name' => 'Services',
        'singular_name' => 'Service',
        'add_new' => 'Add New Service',
        'add_new_item' => 'Add New Service',
        'edit_item' => 'Edit Service',
        'new_item' => 'New Service',
        'view_item' => 'View Service',
        'search_items' => 'Search Services'
    );

    $args = array(
        'labels' => $labels,
        'public' => true,
        'menu_icon' => 'dashicons-hammer',
        'supports' => array('title', 'editor', 'thumbnail', 'excerpt'),
        'has_archive' => true,
        'rewrite' => array('slug' => 'services')
    );

    register_post_type('services', $args);

}
add_action('init', 'sc_register_service_cpt');

This creates a “Services” CPT with title, content editor, featured image, and archive page.

You can add custom categories like “Service Types” or “Project Categories.”

Example code:

function sc_register_service_taxonomy() {
    register_taxonomy(
        'service_category',
        'services',
        array(
            'label' => 'Service Categories',
            'hierarchical' => true,
            'rewrite' => array('slug' => 'service-category'),
        )
    );
}
add_action('init', 'sc_register_service_taxonomy');

Now your Services can be categorized professionally.

Step 1 — Create a Single Post Template

1. Go to Templates → Theme Builder
2. Select Single Post
3. Choose Services as display condition

Step 2 — Create a Dynamic Loop Archive Page

1. Go to Theme Builder → Archive
2. Design grid layout
3. Use:
   • Featured Image
   • Post Title
   • Post Excerpt
   • Read More Button
4. Set display condition → Services Archive

Now your CPT has fully custom, dynamic design layouts.

Examples of custom fields:

• Service Price
• Project URL
• Client Name
• Ratings
• Gallery Images

Steps:

1. Install ACF
2. Create a Field Group
3. Assign to Services post type
4. Add fields
5. Display in Elementor using Dynamic Tags

This makes CPTs extremely powerful and dynamic.

1. CPT 404 Error?

Go to Settings → Permalinks → Save (no changes needed).

2. CPT Not Showing in Elementor?

Go to Elementor → Settings → Post Types and enable your CPT.

3. Archive Page Not Loading?

Ensure ‘has_archive’ => true is set.

4. Custom Fields Not Showing?

Enable Show In REST in CPT UI.