Custom menus in WordPress allow you to create and customize navigation menus for your website. With custom menus, you can easily control the structure and content of your site’s navigation, making it easier for visitors to navigate through your pages, posts, categories, and other custom links. In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through the process of creating a custom menu in WordPress.

1. Introduction

Custom menus are a powerful feature in WordPress that allows you to create unique navigation structures for your website. You can include various items in your menu, such as pages, posts, categories, custom links, and even external links. By creating a custom menu, you can improve the user experience and make it easier for visitors to navigate your site.

2. Accessing the Menu Settings

To create a custom menu in WordPress, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Navigate to “Appearance” and click on “Menus.” This will take you to the menu settings page.

3. Creating a Custom Menu

To create a new custom menu, follow these steps:

1. On the menu settings page, click the “Create a new menu” link.
2. Enter a name for your menu (e.g., “Main Menu”) and click the “Create Menu” button. The name you choose is for your reference and will not be visible to visitors.

4. Adding Items to the Menu

To add items to your custom menu, follow these steps:

1. On the left-hand side of the menu settings page, you will see a list of available items you can add to your menu.
2. Select the items you want to add by checking the corresponding checkboxes.
3. Click the “Add to Menu” button. The selected items will now appear in the right-hand side panel.

You can also add custom links by clicking the “Custom Links” accordion section and providing the URL and link text.

5. Arranging Menu Items

To arrange the order of menu items, follow these steps:

1. On the right-hand side panel, you will see a list of menu items you have added.
2. Click and drag the items to rearrange their order. The top item will be the first item in your menu.

You can also create submenus by dragging and indenting menu items below others. The indented items will become dropdown items when displayed on your website.

6. Setting the Menu Location

To assign the custom menu to a specific menu location on your website, follow these steps:

1. Scroll down on the menu settings page to the “Menu Settings” section.
2. Check the box next to the menu location where you want to display the custom menu (e.g., “Primary Menu” or “Footer Menu”).

Note that the available menu locations may vary depending on your theme.

7. Customizing Menu Settings

WordPress provides additional customization options for your custom menu. To access these settings, follow these steps:

1. Expand the menu item you want to customize by clicking the arrow icon next to it.
2. Here, you can change the navigation label, add a title attribute (which appears as a tooltip), and specify CSS classes for styling purposes.

8. Conclusion

Creating a custom menu in WordPress allows you to have full control over your website’s navigation. By following the step-by-step guide provided above, you can easily create and customize a menu that fits your site’s structure and content. Experiment with different menu items and arrangements to create a user-friendly and intuitive navigation experience for your visitors.

9. FAQs

Q1: Can I have multiple custom menus on my WordPress site?

Yes, you can have multiple custom menus on your WordPress site. The number of menus you can create and assign to different locations depends on your theme’s capabilities. Many themes support multiple menu locations, allowing you to create and manage different menus as needed.

Q2: Can I include categories or tags in my custom menu?

Yes, you can include categories or tags in your custom menu. When adding items to the menu, you can expand the “Categories” or “Tags” sections to select specific categories or tags to include in your menu. This is useful for creating menu structures that highlight specific content categories or topics.

Q3: Can I add external links to my custom menu?

Yes, you can add external links to your custom menu. In the menu settings page, under “Custom Links,” enter the URL and link text for the external link you want to include. This allows you to link to external websites, resources, or any other desired destination.

Q4: Can I change the appearance or styling of my custom menu?

Yes, you can change the appearance or styling of your custom menu by applying custom CSS. Many WordPress themes provide options to add custom CSS code, which allows you to modify the look and feel of your menu. Alternatively, you can use a custom CSS plugin to add your own CSS styles.

Q5: Can I add my custom menu to a sidebar or widget area?

Yes, you can add your custom menu to a sidebar or widget area using the “Custom Menu” widget. In your WordPress dashboard, navigate to “Appearance” > “Widgets,” and drag the “Custom Menu” widget to the desired sidebar or widget area. Select your custom menu from the widget settings, and it will be displayed in the chosen location.