Early versions of WordPress CMS provided its users only with a category option. At first it was rather convenient, but when a user had to make a description of the post with more exact terms, he had to use more diverse categories.
When a category list inside the blog grew too long and inconvenient, WordPress introduced tags. The main purpose of both tags and categories is to make the navigation on your website or blog simpler. In other words, these options help to organize your content. But what are their main differences?
WordPress Categories
If you use categories, this option helps to present what your website or blog is really about. It should show the general topics of your posts. You can create sub-categories, because categories is a hierarchical option.
WordPress Tags
Tagging option proved to be rather convenient. As a matter of fact, tags are really important, because they describe unique details of your content and allow to add peculiarities to each piece of content. They are like your blog’s index words. Unlike categories, tags aren’t hierarchical. Using tags you can make a micro-categorization of your content.
WordPress Categories vs. Tags
You aren’t obliged to add tags, but you definitely have to categorize your posts. Otherwise with time your blog or site might turn out to be a mess, where it’s impossible to find anything needed. Categories structure the posts and you should choose them carefully. It’s better to have about 5-6 top categories that are updated regularly than 40 top categories with 2-3 posts for each of them.
The work with tags looks similar. If you use WordPress, you are able to add a limitless number of tags. You can have more than thousands of them, but don’t forget the main purpose of this option. Tags are indexes of your posts, don’t overuse them, this will help your visitors find what they need.
So should you use tags or categories? It depends on your content and preferences. Look at the main difference between them:
| Categories | Tags |
| You always must add categories | You don’t have to add tags. |
| This option is hierarchical, so you can add sub-categories. | The option is not hierarchical. |
| Categories are more general, for example, Books, Recipes, Art | Tags are more personal, for example, my favorite books, best recipes, things I love in art |
Apparently, the way WordPress structures its content is quite comprehensive and convenient. So, if you are using a different CMS and want to move to WordPress, entrust this complex task to aisite migration service.
Don’t worry about the WordPress category or tags import, they will be preserved on your new website as are along with the related posts. What’s more, your migration will be unbelievably easy and fast. Set up Demo Migration absolutely at no cost with aisite and have your content transferred to WordPress without any additional expenses.
