How to Create Your Own WordPress Knowledge Base

When you want to learn how to create a landing page in WordPress, one lesson that is stressed is quality content. If you’re going to engage your audience, you shouldn’t only post quality content but also help make it easier for viewers to find them. A knowledge base is a helpful resource that you can use to house various information, both for internal and external purposes. However, you’ll likely struggle to add this feature using only the platform’s built-in functionality.

As with many tasks in WordPress, you can easily set up a knowledge base using the right plugin. You can use this new section to provide your audience with an organized collection of articles, guides, and other sources of key information.

In this post, we’ll explain what a WordPress knowledge base is and explore the benefits of using one. Then we’ll walk you through how to create your own knowledge base in WordPress. Let’s get started!

What Is a Knowledge Base?

A WordPress knowledge base is a resource you can add to your website, which provides visitors with information. Typically, it is a collection of articles, guides, and other educational materials for users to access at will.

The organized structure of a knowledge base means it can serve as a virtual self-help library, which visitors or employees can use to search for information on a particular product, service, or topic. You can use a knowledge base to store relevant information and resources that help to improve everything from customer service to internal operations. 

What Are the Benefits of Adding a Knowledge Base to WordPress?

There are many benefits of adding a knowledge base solution to your WordPress site. Some of the biggest advantages include:

• Improving and streamlining customer support. The self-help nature of a knowledge base can save you time, while simultaneously improving customer support. The more information you have on your website, the less time your customer service and sales teams spend on fielding calls and emails. 
• Building authority and establishing credibility. By providing helpful information and answering frequently asked questions, you’re showcasing your expertise in your industry. This can help to boost your credibility, and position you as an authority in your field.
• Enhancing your Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Knowledge base articles provide a plethora of opportunities for internal linking and adding valuable, relevant information to your website, which ultimately improves search engine visibility. 

Whether for internal or external use (or perhaps both), a comprehensive knowledge base is an effective way to provide your readers with extensive support and information. Plus, you can add one to your site in just a few steps.

How to Add a Knowledge Base to WordPress With a Plugin

One of the easiest ways to add a knowledge base to WordPress is by using a plugin. Let’s look at how to create a knowledge base for your website, quickly and easily.

Step 1: Log in to Your Website

The first step is to log in to your website. This can be done with a brand new WordPress site, or an existing one. You’ll just need to visit www.yourdomainname.com/wp-admin:

Once you log in, you’ll be brought straight to the WordPress admin dashboard. 

Step 2: Install a Knowledge Base Plugin for WordPress 

Next, you’ll need to install a knowledge base plugin on your WordPress site. There are a handful of dedicated plugins you can use, including:

• WP Knowledgebase: A simple, free, and easy-to-use option.
• Ultimate FAQ: A freemium plugin that’s particularly useful for setting up FAQ pages.
• Helpie WP: A premium knowledge base solution with a wide range of useful features and demo content.

To install your knowledge base plugin, navigate to Plugins > Add New in your WordPress dashboard:

Search for the plugin you want to use (we’re using the WP Knowledge base WordPress plugin for this tutorial), and then select the Install Now button:

Next, click on the Activate button. Once the plugin has been activated, you’ll notice that a new Knowledgebase menu item has been added to your dashboard.

Step 3: Add Categories to Your Knowledge Base

Once your plugin is installed and activated, it’s a good idea to create some categories for your knowledgebase. Individual articles will be assigned to one or more categories, so it’s important to consider the best way to organize them.

To create and add a new category, go to Knowledgebase > Categories:

After you enter the category’s name, slug, and description, select Add New Knowledgebase Category at the bottom of the page:

You can revisit this section anytime you want to add or edit a category.

Step 4: Create Knowledge Base Articles

After you’re done setting up your categories, it’s time to start filling up your WordPress knowledge base with articles. To create the first one, navigate to Knowledgebase > New Article:

You’ll notice that this screen looks similar to the default WordPress editing interface. Once you add the article’s title and content, you can assign it to a category under the “Categories” panel to the right:

When you’re done, click on the Publish button. This will make the knowledge base article live to your visitors. Then you can repeat the process for all the remaining content you’d like to add.

Step 5: Configure Additional Settings

If you want to further customize the way your knowledge base looks and works, you can find additional options under Knowledgebase > Settings:

On this page, there will be several settings you can configure, including:

• The number of articles that show up in the database
• Whether visitors can comment on your knowledge base articles
• The design of the knowledge base, including page width and theme color
• Options for enabling live search, and changes to the search field text that displays by default

When you’re done making changes, select the Save Settings button at the bottom of the screen. You can return here at any time to make updates as needed.

How To Create A Knowledge Base In WordPress With A Theme

A knowledge base plugin is perfect for including a knowledge base as part of your website. But what if you prefer to present your entire site as a knowledge base? In that case, you can install a knowledge base WordPress theme. Here’s how.

Step 1: Choose and Download Your Theme

There are several high-quality WordPress knowledge base theme options to choose from. Some of the most popular options include:

• KnowAll – KnowAll powers thousands of sites across the Internet, from Airbnb to Sennheiser. This premium theme is sleek, powerful, and entirely customizable.
• Helper – Helper is an affordable WordPress knowledge base theme that is infinitely customizable. You can easily integrate live chat, Google Analytics, and contact forms into this knowledge base.
• Flatbase – For a minimalist, professional look, there’s Flatbase. This theme comes with eye-catching templates, or you can personalize your look with unlimited colors.

Once you choose your theme, purchase it and download the .zip file.

Step 2: Install Your Theme

Open your WordPress dashboard and navigate to Appearance > Themes. Then, press the Add New button at the top of the page. On the next page, you’ll see free theme options and a button that says Upload Theme. Click there.

Locate the .zip file on your computer, and click Install Now.

After the theme loads, hit Activate, and you’re all set.

Keep in mind that if you already have a theme installed, adding a new one will drastically alter your site’s appearance. Be sure to make a backup before changing anything.

Step 3: Configure Your Site

This step will vary based on the theme you’ve chosen, but in general, you’ll now have a section for your theme in the WordPress dashboard. From this new menu, you’ll be able to customize your site, adding categories and articles to your knowledge base. You can also access settings and analytics.

How to Use Knowledge-Based Widgets

Whether you decide to work with a knowledgebase plugin or a WordPress theme, you’ll likely have a host of new knowledge base widgets available. These custom widgets provide customers with easy access to help articles, as you can place them directly in the sidebar or footer of your site.

To add a knowledge base WordPress plugin widget, go to Appearance > Widgets on your WordPress dashboard. From there, select your desired widget and drag it to the area where you want to display it.

Explore WP Engine’s Developer Resources

A WordPress knowledge base can help to enhance your website in a variety of ways. Enabling users to access an organized collection of resources and educational materials can make it easier to streamline customer service, and establish authority in your industry. 

However, to create the best knowledge base in WordPress, you’ll also need to provide an exceptional digital experience throughout your entire website. That’s why at WP Engine, we offer best-in-class WordPress hosting and plenty of resources for developers! We can also guide you on how to setup WP review plugin, how to use MailChimp for lead generation, and other elements to make your site stand out.