How to use WordPress do_shortcode

If you’ve ever wished you could drop a piece of magic code into your WordPress site and watch it transform into a fully functioning feature – like embedding a contact form or a fancy gallery – then you’re already primed to appreciate WordPress do_shortcode. This powerful WordPress function lies at the heart of many customizations, pulling shortcodes from your content and transforming them into dynamic elements with ease. 

But while do_shortcode might sound simple at first glance, it opens up a rich universe of possibilities if you know how to use it correctly.

This post takes an in-depth journey into the core functionality, best practices, and potential pitfalls of the do_shortcode function. It’ll explore its historical context, how it processes nested shortcodes, and ways to handle HTML output.

If you’re ready to unlock more from your theme and create consistently optimized WordPress experiences, keep reading!

How do_shortcode works in WordPress themes

WordPress do_shortcode is the engine that powers shortcodes within your WordPress theme files. In simpler terms, when you place a shortcode (like [contact-form-7]) within your template, the do_shortcode function reads the shortcode, interprets what it’s supposed to do, and outputs the proper HTML or dynamic content for your visitors to see. This process involves pattern matching and parsing, where WordPress scans for bracketed code snippets ([shortcode_name]) and converts them into functional site elements.

Under the hood, do_shortcode leverages WordPress’s shortcode API, which was introduced back in WordPress 2.5, to ensure the right content is rendered. One major advantage is that it can handle nested shortcodes, making it possible to layer functionalities and create more engaging web pages. 

By injecting do_shortcode directly into your theme files, you gain full control over where and how shortcodes appear – allowing you to integrate specialized features into your layout without relying solely on the editor.

Implementing do_shortcode: Step-by-step guide

When it comes to incorporating shortcodes beyond standard post or page content, adding do_shortcode to your theme’s header file can open up endless possibilities. Whether you want to display an email capture form site-wide or load a custom slider on every page, knowing how to properly implement this function is vital. 

Here are two common approaches.

Approach #1: Accessing your child theme’s header file via your hosting provider’s file manager

1. Log in to your hosting account. If you’re using Liquid Web’s managed hosting for WordPress, you’ll find a user-friendly control panel that gives you direct file access.
2. Locate your WordPress installation folder – usually named something like public_html or www. Inside, navigate to the wp-content/themes directory, then open the folder of your child theme.
3. Look for the file named header.php. Open it in your hosting provider’s built-in file editor.
4. Find the place in your header where you want your shortcode-based functionality to appear. For example, maybe you want to display a small notification bar or an opt-in form. Insert a line of PHP code such as:

<?php echo do_shortcode('[your_shortcode_here]'); ?>

Make sure you use echo in front of do_shortcode, or else the output won’t be displayed.

5. Save the file once you’re done.

Approach #2: Adding do_shortcode using an SFTP client

If you prefer to manage files through an SFTP client like FileZilla or Cyberduck, the process is similar:

1. Launch your SFTP client and connect to your hosting server. You’ll need credentials typically provided by your hosting provider.
2. Navigate to the wp-content/themes/[your-theme] directory. Locate the header.php file.
3. Download header.php to your local computer, open it with a text editor (VS Code, Sublime Text, etc.), and insert the do_shortcode snippet as shown above.
4. Save your changes and re-upload the modified header.php file back to your server. Overwrite the existing file if prompted.

Once complete, visit your site to ensure your shortcode is loading correctly. If it’s not functioning as expected, double-check your syntax and make sure the shortcode itself is valid.

Optimizing do_shortcode performance

While do_shortcode is undoubtedly convenient, it’s not always the most efficient way to execute shortcode functionality in your WordPress theme. One key reason is that every time you call do_shortcode, WordPress scans all registered shortcodes to find the one you’ve requested – an extra round of processing that can slow down your site if you’re calling multiple shortcodes or handling complex tasks.

To keep your website running at top speed, consider alternatives that skip the overhead. For instance, many plugins provide direct PHP functions you can invoke instead of shortcodes. If you need to display a form, slider, or other custom feature, look in the plugin’s documentation for a function or template tag you can use right in your theme files. This approach bypasses WordPress’s entire shortcode-parsing mechanism and runs only the specific code you need.

Another potential performance boost lies in using caching. By saving the output of a frequently used shortcode in a transient or a caching plugin, you can reduce how often do_shortcode is triggered. This is especially helpful for high-traffic sites where every millisecond counts.

It’s also essential to be mindful of how often and where you call do_shortcode. Sprinkling the function throughout your site – like multiple times in your header or sidebar – can lead to redundant processing. Take advantage of well-structured theme templates to ensure you’re using shortcodes in the most impactful, performance-friendly ways.

Troubleshooting common do_shortcode issues

Despite its simplicity, do_shortcode can trip you up if any part of your shortcode workflow goes off track. One of the most frequent hiccups involves using the incorrect shortcode – perhaps you misspelled the shortcode name or mixed up underscores and dashes. Double-check the plugin or theme documentation to confirm you’re calling the exact shortcode slug.

Another common oversight is failing to echo the shortcode output. Remember that if you simply call do_shortcode(‘[example_shortcode]’); in your template without using echo, the function will execute, but nothing will be displayed. Always use echo do_shortcode(‘[example_shortcode]’); if you want visitors to see the results.

Additionally, improper use of quotation marks can lead to syntax errors or unexpected behavior. Since shortcodes already use square brackets and sometimes parameters, it’s easy to forget that when you place them inside PHP code, you should use single quotes around the shortcode itself to avoid conflicts. For instance:

<?php echo do_shortcode('[gallery id="123"]'); ?>

Lastly, confirm that any plugin or theme dependencies powering your shortcode are active. If the shortcode is registered by a plugin that’s deactivated or not yet installed, do_shortcode will have nothing to interpret.

Take your WordPress performance further with Liquid Web

Shortcodes are deeply woven into the fabric of WordPress, allowing you to transform simple bracketed snippets into dynamic features – from contact forms to image sliders. In this article, we explored the core functionality of do_shortcode, looking at how WordPress processes and renders shortcodes, even when nested.

To truly harness the power of do_shortcode and other WordPress features, you’ll want a stable, high-performance hosting environment. That’s where Liquid Web’s WordPress hosting comes in. It’s designed with optimization, security, and ease of use at its core – allowing you to focus on building a memorable website rather than wrestling with server settings.

With the right foundation in place, your do_shortcode implementation and everything else in your WordPress toolbox will operate at peak performance.

Opt for Liquid Web’s managed hosting plans for WordPress today to speed up page loads, safeguard against vulnerabilities, and gain expert support whenever you need it!