How to add shortcodes in WordPress to increase functionality

Do you want to create and use shortcodes in your website?

Shortcode is a shortcut to embed contents on posts and pages effortlessly. It is used mostly for embedding videos, audios, sliders and forms with only one line of code.

In this tutorial, we’ll cover how to add shortcodes in WordPress.

What is a shortcode and why should it be used?

Shortcodes are a specific code that allows you to add dynamic content to your site with ease. They are placed inside brackets. For example: [shortcodes]

When they are used in posts, the code is replaced with suitable dynamic content. It allows you to add any features to posts, pages and widgets.

Default WordPress Shortcodes

WordPress comes with several built-in shortcodes that you can use to embed content. Here, I have listed a few default WordPress of them for you.

Aside from default shortcodes, many themes and plugins also provide their own shortcodes that you can use right away. They are used to make site customization easy. You can read the documentation to know all the shortcodes provided by that plugin.

Use Shortcodes in WordPress Posts and Pages

It’s extremely easy to add shortcodes in posts and pages without any coding skills required.

• At first, log in to WordPress admin area.
• Navigate to Posts>> All posts.
• Open the targeted post where you want to add shortcodes.
• Click on the plus icon and choose the shortcode block. This will add a shortcode block at the desired location.
• Now, copy-paste the desired shortcode in the field.
• Finally, save the changes.

Add shortcodes in WordPress Widgets

You can also use shortcodes in WordPress widget area. The most beginner-friendly way do so is by embedding shortcodes in text widget field.

• Go to Appearance>>widgets.
• Drag and drop text widget into the required widget area.

• Then, simply copy-paste the shortcode into the text box and enclose it with brackets.
• Save the changes.

Once you have done that, open your website frontend and test how it looks.

Final Words

To wrap up, you can add the shortcodes to WordPress by following the steps mentioned above. I hope you find this article helpful. Please follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Feel free to ask questions regarding the task in the comment section below.