You will encounter code snippets at some point if you have a WordPress website. Code snippet plugins are available because improper integration of code snippets can result in needless work. However, you may incorporate WordPress code snippets into your website in other ways as well.
In this article, we have compared the best methods on how to add code snippets to your WordPress site. But before that, we will learn what is a code snippet?
What are WordPress Code Snippets?
WordPress code snippets are small pieces of code that increase your site’s functionality. Thus, we name them ” snippets of code,” as in translation, to show that they are just a few lines of code.
With code snippets, you can incorporate dynamic videos and support more file formats for the media library. The intriguing aspect is that a whole WordPress plugin may be substituted with these pieces of code. Using code snippets for WordPress can significantly enhance your website’s proneness to error, overall performance, and code count (and file sizes).
Where Can I Add Code Snippets?
You may need to include code snippets on your WordPress website in various situations. You can include a tracking code in the header or footer of your website to monitor who visits it. JavaScript code is typically added to the header/footer of a website if you wish to use a ready-to-use solution for cookie consent.
How to Insert WordPress Code Snippets
You can insert code snippets in WordPress in different ways, as follows:
Create a Plugin in WordPress
You should be cautious and create a backup before making any changes because this method necessitates some effort on both the file and the website itself. At least one PHP file folder is required for a plugin. Make an effort to give your folder and files a distinctive name; you might prefix them with your name or the name of your business.
One last thing is required in this file: a header with the plugin details. A declaration of your plugin name is also required here.
Now, your plugin is created. After the header, add code snippets of your WordPress site (those snippets that you need to insert into functions.php). Also, upload the plugin folder to your /wp-content/plugins/ folder on the server. The plugin should appear under “Plugins” in the admin tab.
Creating a WordPress plugin to add code snippets is preferable as it is easy to set up, and you can easily insert code into the functions.php.
Use a WordPress Plugin
For those who are uncomfortable with custom plugins, using a WordPress plugin is an excellent approach to handling your code snippets or adding custom code to WordPress sites in general. This can be simpler than creating a plugin because you’re most likely acclimatized to activating third-party plugins.
After installing the required plugin, just select the new menu item that appears in the admin section. Multiple plugins may have different structures, but the majority of them are straightforward and understandable.
Which is The Best WordPress Code Snippets Plugin?
Post Snippets!
It is a versatile WordPress plugin that simplifies reusing code and content across your website. With it, you can create customizable shortcodes for commonly used text, HTML, or PHP snippets, saving time and ensuring consistency.
Ideal for bloggers, developers, and content managers, this WordPress plugin for code snippets embeds repeat content like disclaimers, call-to-action buttons, or formatted elements without retyping or reformatting each time.
Post Snippets supports dynamic variables, making it easy to tailor each snippet based on context. Elevate your workflow with streamlined, reusable snippets.
Key Features of Post Snippets for WordPress
- Create custom shortcodes and insert them into posts and pages.
- Easily imports and exports code snippets between different websites within seconds.
- Short code snippets can be processed as PHP code that can be used on a page or post.
- Creates custom variables for each snippet and reuse them for your posts and pages.
- All defined snippets are inserted directly in the WordPress editor from a button.
Final Words
Thanks to this tutorial, you now have a basic understanding of your possibilities for incorporating code snippets into WordPress. Since all three approaches accomplish the same goal, choosing to make your own WordPress plugin or use a ready-made code snippets plugin or both is entirely up to you and what you prefer. Use whatever works best for you.
