creating new member page template

[HDTV-Entertainment]

I’d like to create a unique page template for members so I can easily manage an alternative top header and right hand side column using existing methodologies. I have a number of subdomains I’d like to do this to.

I think all I have to do is to copy an existing template.php with an alternate name and it would show up in the options for use. But, nothing can be that simple.

I know there is a plugin that allows something like this. But, since I sign in as admin not a group member, it appears not to work for me. And, I assume it is more load for the server than the existing page template methodology. It’s probably better for SEO as well.

Thanks

Rick

[Bill Robbins]

Hi Rick,

There are different ways you could go about this. Make all these changes in a child theme.

One way is to duplicate the page.php file and use it as the base for a new page template. Also duplicate the header.php file. WordPress’ get_header() function can take parameters that will let you load a separate header file. It works this way.

get_header() loads the default header.php file, but get_header( ‘member’ ) loads the header-member.php file.

You could use the new page template to load up a separate header file. The get_sidebar() function works the same way as does get_footer() if you’d like to change those.

WordPress also has lots of conditional tags that you can use to modify a page based on all manner of parameters. You can read about them in the Codex at https://codex.wordpress.org/Conditional_Tags

Have a great week,
Bill

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