Getting a featured snippet is not an exact science. However, lists (such as TOCs) are often displayed, because they can communicate answers to searchers\u2019 questions in a clear and concise way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Adding a table of contents using plugins<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Plugins are a perfect way to extend functionality within WordPress. There are several solutions available that provide an easy way to add a WordPress table of contents to your site\u2019s posts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our favorite WordPress table of contents plugin is Fixed TOC<\/a>. You can also use other plugins in conjunction with it, such as Q2W3 Fixed Widget<\/a>, to further optimize the TOCs on your website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Installing a plugin<\/a> is simple. All you have to do is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once it\u2019s installed and activated, you\u2019ll have full access to the range of functionality offered by that particular plugin. From there, the process will vary based on the tool you\u2019ve chosen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, here\u2019s how to create a TOC once you\u2019ve installed Fixed TOC:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The plugin will automatically add a TOC to each of the relevant posts, and use your existing headings to create jump links.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alongside WordPress table of contents plugins, you can use shortcodes to further control how your WordPress TOC is displayed. These are small code snippets that you can paste into the editor, letting you display custom content practically anywhere on the page. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Shortcodes make it easy to add a table of contents to your posts, pages, sidebar, and widgets. Here\u2019s how:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The beauty of shortcodes is how versatile their placement can be. You can add them to the top, middle, or bottom of your pages and posts, or even in a sidebar widget. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While plugins are the simplest way to create a TOC within WordPress, you can also add one manually. Here are two methods for doing this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While HTML can be intimidating, creating a TOC with code is actually a great option for anyone who needs a simple solution for their website. To do this, you\u2019ll insert a table within WordPress<\/a>, and include bookmark links to specific pages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is by far the simplest manual option\u2014with no frills or bulk. Of course, you can go all out if you\u2019d like, by incorporating multiple colors, various font styles and headings, and more. You\u2019re bound only by your own creativity and knowledge of HTML.<\/p>\n\n\n\n TOCs don\u2019t always need to be located on individual posts and pages. Instead, you can create a \u2018master\u2019 TOC using WordPress templates. These are preset page designs, which enable you to create dedicated pages for site elements such as archives and links.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Those pages can then be used on your website as “master” TOCs, directing users to the exact content they\u2019re looking for. For example, take Leaving Work Behind\u2019s<\/a> Archives<\/em> page:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The templates for these pages are usually named archives.php<\/em> and links.php<\/em> (although you can rename them). While some themes include these pages, not all do. However, you can create your own<\/a> with very little coding knowledge required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your table of contents\u2019 style plays a huge role in how well it enhances visitors\u2019 UX. With that in mind, let\u2019s look at the two most popular styles for WordPress TOCs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A floating TOC is a widget that remains fixed on the side of the page. Implementing it takes two steps. First, you\u2019ll need to set up a WordPress TOC and add it to your WordPress site as a widget (using one of the previous methods).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once that\u2019s done, you can use the Q2W3 Fixed Widget<\/a> plugin (or a similar solution) to keep the TOC widget \u2018stuck\u2019 to the side of the page. With this plugin installed, go back to the Widgets<\/em> area of your site and open the TOC widget. Then enable the Fixed widget<\/em> checkbox:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once this option is enabled, the table of contents will no longer disappear from page view as the user scrolls down. Instead, it will scroll along with the page\u2019s contents, so that it\u2019s always present. This is also the default style implemented by the Fixed TOC plugin we mentioned earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Similar to the floating TOC, in this method a sidebar is displayed to the right or left of your web page. However, instead of scrolling along with the user, the TOC sidebar stays in a fixed position (such as the one on WPBeginner<\/a>):<\/p>\n\n\n\n The TOC sidebar is very easy to create. Simply add a TOC widget if possible, or include a shortcode in an existing sidebar widget. Your WordPress TOC will then appear as a fixed aspect of the sidebar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Delivering the highest quality UX to your website\u2019s users will keep them coming back for more content. In addition to teaching you various methods for incorporating a WordPress TOC into your posts and pages, our resources<\/a> have many valuable tips and tricks for enhancing your site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We also offer industry-leading hosting for WordPress sites<\/a>, stellar 24\/7 support, and a variety of plans<\/a> to ensure that you\u2019re able to find one that fits your needs. Check them out today!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The visitor\u2019s User Experience (UX) should be very important to you as a website owner or developer. However, it can be difficult to know whether you\u2019ve covered all of your bases, and what else you should incorporate into your site. One element that\u2019s often overlooked is a Table of Contents (TOC) for your long-form content.…<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":108548,"template":"","resource-topic":[901],"resource-role":[896,899],"resource-type":[916],"class_list":["post-29956","resource","type-resource","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\n\n
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Adding a table of contents using shortcodes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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How to create a table of contents in WordPress without a plugin<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Creating a table of contents with HTML<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Using archives and links page templates for TOC<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Table of contents styles<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Floating table of contents<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"floating](\"https:\/\/wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/4.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nTable of contents sidebar<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"table](\"https:\/\/wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/5.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nCustomize your site with WP Engine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n