Categories vs. Pages vs. Menus

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  laurakseibel · Member · May 15, 2015 at 7:27 pm

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  What is the difference between Categories, Pages, and Menus? I’d like to have 4 headers across the top of my blog- aka 4 menus, with a drop down under them. Which option should I choose?

  The blog I need help with is: (visible only to logged in users)

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  timethief · Member · May 15, 2015 at 7:30 pm

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  When we publish a post on WordPress software the software automatically creates the same entry in the Archives, and on the dynamic (automatically updating) Categories and Tags pages in accord with the Categories and Tags we assign to that post.

  So when we create custom menu and add the dynamic category pages to it we create the appearance (not the reality) of posting to more than on page.

  You need to be aware that:

  1. there are differences between posts and pages described here
  https://en.support.wordpress.com/post-vs-page/

  2. there are differences between static pages we bloggers create https://en.support.wordpress.com/pages/ that will not automatically update, and dynamic category pages created by the software when you publish a post which will automatically update https://en.support.wordpress.com/category-pages/.

  3. we organize posts by category assignment prior to publication. http://en.support.wordpress.com/posts/categories/ and when we publish posts the dynamic category pages they automatically display on are determined by the categories we assign to them.

  So the process is:
  Assign Categories to your Posts.
  Create a custom menu https://en.support.wordpress.com/menus/#1-create-a-custom-menu
  Add the dynamic category page links into the menu https://en.support.wordpress.com/menus/view-all/#adding-category-pages

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  timethief · Member · May 15, 2015 at 7:33 pm

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  P.S. You created a menu containing static pages and sub-pages that will never update and you need to remove those.

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  laurakseibel · Member · May 17, 2015 at 10:20 pm

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  This have been very helpful. Thank you!

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  timethief · Member · May 17, 2015 at 10:25 pm

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  Hi again, Laura. That is good to read.

  re: the front page error message found on every new .wordpress.com blog

  Nothing Found
  It seems we can’t find what you’re looking for. Perhaps searching can help.

  There is nothing wrong with your site. By default the front page of the blog is the only page that will display all published posts on it. As soon as you publish a post not a page the front page error message and searchbox that appears on every new WordPress.COM blog will be gone. http://en.support.wordpress.com/post-vs-page/

  I recommend using the step by step tutorial linked to the bottom of your Admin page https://learn.wordpress.com

  See also the “Video Quick Start” tutorial http://en.support.wordpress.com/video-quick-start/

  The support documentation is all found at the Support link http://en.support.wordpress.com which is also linked to on the bottom of your Admin page.

  Best wishes with your blog. :)