WordPress is one of the most popular content management systems in the world, and for good reason. IT‘s incredibly versatile, user-friendly, and offers a wide range of features to help users create and manage their websites. One of these features is hidden pages, which can be an invaluable tool for improving the user experience and search engine optimization (SEO) of your Website. In this tutorial, we’ll take a look at how to make the most of WordPress hidden pages, step by step.
What are hidden pages?
Hidden pages are pages on your website that are not linked to from the main navigation menu or any other visible part of your site. This means that they are not easily accessible to visitors unless they have the direct URL to the page. While this might seem counterintuitive at first, there are several reasons why hidden pages can be beneficial for your website.
Why use hidden pages?
There are several reasons why you might want to use hidden pages on your WordPress site:
- SEO: By creating hidden pages, you can target specific keywords or long-tail phrases without cluttering your main navigation menu or overwhelming visitors with too many options. This can help improve your site’s SEO and attract more relevant traffic.
- Content organization: Hidden pages can be used to organize content that is less important or time-sensitive, such as archived blog posts, special offers, or seasonal content. This can help keep your main navigation menu clean and focused on the most important parts of your site.
- User experience: Hidden pages can also be used to create a more personalized and targeted user experience. For example, you can create landing pages for specific marketing campaigns and direct visitors to them through targeted ads or email marketing.
How to create a hidden page in WordPress
Now that we’ve covered the benefits of hidden pages, let’s take a look at how to create them in WordPress:
- Create a new page: To create a hidden page, start by logging into your WordPress dashboard and navigating to Pages > Add New. Give your page a title and add the content you want to include on the page.
- Change the visibility settings: Once you’ve added your content, look for the “Visibility” option in the right-hand column of the page editor. Click on the “Edit” link next to “Visibility” and select the “Private” option. This will make the page private, meaning that it will not be accessible to anyone who is not logged into your WordPress dashboard.
- Save and publish: Once you’ve set the visibility to private, click the “Publish” button to save your changes and make the page live.
Using hidden pages for SEO
As mentioned earlier, one of the main benefits of hidden pages is their potential to boost your site’s SEO. Here are a few ways you can use hidden pages to improve your site’s search engine rankings:
- Target long-tail keywords: Hidden pages are perfect for targeting long-tail keywords or niche topics that might not fit naturally into your main navigation menu. By creating hidden pages focused on these keywords, you can attract more targeted traffic to your site.
- Optimize for specific locations: If you have a local business or offer services in specific areas, you can create hidden pages targeting location-specific keywords to attract visitors from those areas.
- Test new content: Hidden pages can also be used to test new content or website features without affecting your main site. For example, you can create hidden pages for A/B testing different versions of landing pages or product pages to see which performs better.
Best practices for using hidden pages
While hidden pages can be a valuable tool for improving your website, it’s important to use them wisely to avoid any negative impact on your site’s user experience or SEO. Here are some best practices for using hidden pages in WordPress:
- Don’t overdo it: While hidden pages can be useful, it’s important not to overuse them. Creating too many hidden pages can clutter your WordPress dashboard and make it difficult to manage your site effectively.
- Keep it user-friendly: If you’re creating hidden pages for SEO purposes, make sure that the content on those pages is still valuable and relevant to your visitors. Avoid keyword stuffing or creating low-quality content just for the sake of targeting specific keywords.
- Monitor performance: Keep an eye on the performance of your hidden pages using tools like Google Analytics. This will help you understand how well they are performing and whether they are contributing to your site’s overall SEO and user experience.
Conclusion
Hidden pages can be a powerful tool for improving your website’s SEO and user experience, but they should be used thoughtfully and strategically. By following the steps outlined in this tutorial and adhering to best practices, you can make the most of WordPress hidden pages and take your website to the next level.
FAQs
Q: Can hidden pages negatively impact my site’s SEO?
A: If used improperly, hidden pages can potentially have a negative impact on your site’s SEO. For example, creating low-quality or keyword-stuffed hidden pages can harm your site’s rankings. However, when used strategically and thoughtfully, hidden pages can actually improve your site’s SEO by targeting specific keywords or topics.
Q: How can I track the performance of my hidden pages?
A: You can track the performance of your hidden pages using tools like Google Analytics. By setting up specific goals or events for your hidden pages, you can see how they are contributing to your site’s overall traffic and conversions.
Q: Are there any specific WordPress plugins that can help with creating and managing hidden pages?
A: There are several WordPress plugins that can help you create and manage hidden pages, such as “backlink works.” These plugins offer additional features and customization options for hidden pages, making it easier to use them effectively on your site.
References
1. Smith, J. (2019). The Complete Guide to WordPress SEO. O’Reilly Media.
2. Patel, N. (2020). Advanced SEO Strategies for WordPress. Wiley & Sons.
