Table of contents
What is a parent page in WordPress?What is a child page in WordPress?BenefitsHow to create a parent page in WordPressHow to add an index to parent pagesHow to remove a parent page subdirectory from a URLBest practicesParent page alternativesNext stepsAdditional resources
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WordPress Guide → Pages → Parent Page

What is a parent page in WordPress (+ how to use them )

As your WordPress site grows, organizing content becomes more important—especially if you’re working with multiple related pages. That’s where the concept of a “parent page” comes in. If you’ve seen the option while editing a page and wondered what it actually does, you’re not alone. 

Understanding how parent pages work can help you structure your site more clearly for both visitors and search engines.

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What is a parent page in WordPress?

A parent page in WordPress is a primary page that provides a structural basis for other pages, referred to as child pages. This arrangement helps website administrators organize their content effectively, improving user navigation. When a page is marked as a parent, any associated child pages will display beneath it, both within the WordPress admin area and on the public-facing site.

For example, if you have a travel blog, you might create a parent page titled ‘Destinations’ that outlines various travel locations. Under this parent page, you could have child pages for specific destinations such as ‘Paris,’ ‘Tokyo,’ and ‘New York City.’ 

What is a child page in WordPress?

A child page in WordPress is a subpage associated with a parent page, creating a hierarchical structure within your website. This relationship allows you to organize content more effectively, making it easier for users to navigate and for search engines to understand the structure of your site. Child pages inherit certain attributes from their parent pages, including settings like templates and menus, but they can also have their own unique content.

For example, under that ‘Destinations’ parent page, you might have child pages for specific destinations such as ‘Paris,’ ‘Tokyo,’ and ‘New York City. This setup not only helps in logically categorizing your content but also enhances user experience by providing a clear pathway for visitors to find related information.

Benefits: When to use a parent page

Using parent pages in WordPress offers several advantages that can enhance your website’s structure and user experience. 

  • Improved organization. By grouping related content under a parent page, you create a logical hierarchy that makes it easier for visitors to navigate your site. This is especially useful for websites with multiple categories or topics, as it helps users find the information they need quickly.
  • SEO optimization. Search engines appreciate well-structured websites, and using parent pages can contribute to better indexing. By creating a clear path of content relationships, you help search engines understand the context of your pages, which can improve your rankings and visibility.
  • Consistency. Parent pages are also beneficial for establishing a consistent theme or branding across related subpages. This cohesive design aids in reinforcing your brand identity, as users can easily identify content that belongs to a specific category or topic.
  • Enhanced user engagement. When visitors find related content grouped together, they are more likely to explore further, increasing the time spent on your site and reducing bounce rates. This can lead to higher conversion rates, as users are more inclined to trust a well-organized and informative website.

How to create a parent page in WordPress

Creating a parent page in WordPress is a straightforward process that helps you structure your website’s content effectively. 

  1. Log into your WordPress dashboard. Begin by accessing your WordPress admin panel. Enter your credentials and navigate to the dashboard, where you’ll manage your pages.
  2. Create a new page: In the left-hand menu, click on ‘Pages’ and then select ‘Add New.’ This will take you to the page editor where you can input the content for your new page.
  3. Title your page: Give your new page a title that reflects its purpose. This title will be visible to your visitors and will also be used in the URL.
  4. Set the parent page: In the ‘Page Attributes’ section, which is typically found on the right side of the editor, you’ll see a dropdown menu labeled ‘Parent.’ Select the page you want to designate as the parent. If you’re creating a top-level page without a parent, leave this option set to ‘No Parent.’
  5. Add content: Utilize the block editor to add content to your page. You can include text, images, and other media to enrich your page and make it informative for your audience.
  6. Publish your page: Once you’re satisfied with the content and have set the parent page, click the ‘Publish’ button to make your new page live. You can always edit it later if needed.

How to add an index to parent pages

Adding an index to parent pages in WordPress can enhance navigation and user experience on your site. An index helps users find related content quickly, making it easier for them to explore your website. 

  1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard: Begin by logging into your WordPress admin panel. From here, you’ll have access to all your pages and posts.
  2. Create or edit a parent page: Navigate to ‘Pages’ in the menu and select the parent page you want to add an index to. If you don’t have a parent page yet, click ‘Add New’ to create one.
  3. Use the block editor: Utilize the Gutenberg block editor to add content. You can add a ‘List’ block that will serve as your index. This block allows you to create a bulleted or numbered list of child pages linked to the parent page.
  4. Link child pages: For each child page you want to include in the index, link the titles directly within the list. You can do this by highlighting the text and using the link icon to insert the respective URLs.
  5. Publish or update: Once you’ve added all the necessary links, click ‘Publish’ or ‘Update’ to save your changes. Your parent page will now feature an index that allows visitors to navigate to related content seamlessly.

How to remove a parent page subdirectory from a URL

Removing a parent page subdirectory from a URL in WordPress can enhance the readability and SEO-friendliness of your website. 

  1. Access your WordPress dashboard: Log in to your WordPress admin panel to begin the process. This is where you’ll manage your pages and settings.
  2. Navigate to pages: In the left sidebar, click on ‘Pages’ to view all the pages of your site. Identify the child page that currently has the parent page subdirectory in its URL.
  3. Edit the child page: Find the child page you wish to modify and click ‘Edit.’ This will take you to the page editor where you can make changes to the page settings.
  4. Change the parent page settings: In the ‘Page Attributes’ section on the right side of the editor, you’ll see a dropdown menu for ‘Parent.’ Select ‘no parent’ to remove the association with the parent page. This will eliminate the parent page subdirectory from the child page’s URL.
  5. Update the page: Once you have made the necessary changes, click the ‘Update’ button to save your edits. This will refresh the page and apply the new URL structure without the parent subdirectory.
  6. Verify the changes: To ensure everything is set correctly, visit the updated child page URL. It should now reflect the new structure, free from the parent page subdirectory. Additionally, consider setting up redirects if the old URL was indexed to maintain your SEO standings.

SEO best practices for setting up parent pages

When creating parent pages in WordPress, following SEO best practices can significantly enhance your site’s visibility and user experience. 

  • Use descriptive titles: Ensure that your parent page titles are clear and descriptive. This not only helps users understand the content but also aids search engines in indexing your pages effectively. Aim for a title that incorporates relevant keywords while remaining engaging.
  • Optimize URLs: Craft clean and concise URLs for your parent pages. A well-structured URL should reflect the hierarchy of your website. For instance, using a URL like yourwebsite.com/category/subcategory is more effective than a long string of numbers or symbols.
  • Implement internal linking: Leverage internal linking to connect your parent pages with child pages. This strategy enhances navigation and allows search engines to crawl your site more efficiently. Ensure that anchor texts are relevant and descriptive to improve the context for users and search engines alike.
  • Use Schema markup: Implementing schema markup can enhance your parent pages’ visibility in search results. By providing search engines with additional context about your content, you increase the likelihood of rich snippets, which can improve click-through rates.

Parent page alternatives: Other ways to organize your WordPress Site

While parent pages are a useful method for organizing content in WordPress, there are several alternatives that can enhance your site’s structure and improve user navigation.

  • Taxonomies: Taxonomies are a way to group content types in WordPress. They help organize content by categorizing posts and pages, making it easier for users to find related information. To use taxonomies effectively, you can create custom categories or tags that suit your site’s theme, allowing visitors to filter content based on their interests.
  • Anchor Links: Anchor links are hyperlinks that direct users to a specific section within a page. They are particularly useful for long-form content, helping to break up information and allowing readers to jump to the sections that interest them most. To implement anchor links, you simply create a link that points to an ID attribute assigned to a particular section of your content.
  • Subnavigation: Subnavigation refers to additional menus that provide links to related pages or sections of your site. Options include sidebar menus and secondary main navigation bars. This method helps organize content by offering users direct access to relevant areas without overwhelming them with too much information at once. You can set up subnavigation in WordPress by creating custom menus and assigning them to specific locations in your theme.

Additional resources

How to build a WordPress site →

A complete beginner’s guide that covers 9 key steps to a successful launch

Add custom fields to WordPress [a simple guide] →

Learn how to add custom fields in WordPress to enhance post and page functionality.

How to use WordPress Gutenberg blocks →

A complete beginner’s guide to Gutenberg blocks