## The Ultimate Checklist: 10 Things To Add To Your Footer on Your WordPress Site
By Naveed Ahmed, WordPress Expert
**Having a well-designed footer is crucial for a successful WordPress website. It acts as a powerful tool to guide your visitors, improve your SEO, and enhance your brand’s credibility. **
**In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the top 10 elements you should consider adding to your WordPress footer, along with actionable tips and detailed instructions on how to implement them. **
**With 15 years of experience in the WordPress ecosystem, I’ve seen firsthand the impact a well-optimized footer can have. From boosting user engagement to driving conversions, the footer is a valuable asset that should not be overlooked.**
**Ready to unlock the full potential of your WordPress footer? Let’s dive in!**
### **1. Adding Links to The Footer of Your WordPress Site**
Adding links to your footer provides visitors with easy access to crucial information, navigating them to your site’s most important content. This includes pages like:
* **About Us**: Tell your story and connect with your audience on a personal level.
* **Products/Services**: Showcase your offerings and entice visitors to learn more.
* **Checkout/Cart**: Make it simple for customers to complete their purchase.
* **Contact Us**: Provide multiple avenues for visitors to reach out.
* **Blog**: Direct traffic to your latest content and keep visitors engaged.
* **Privacy Policy**: Ensure transparency and compliance with legal regulations.
* **Terms and Conditions**: Outline your website’s rules and policies.
**Implementation:**
1. **Navigate to Appearance » Menus** in your WordPress dashboard.
2. Click **’Create a new menu’**.
3. Give your menu a descriptive name.
4. Check the boxes next to the pages you want to include.
5. Click **’Add to Menu’**.
6. Organize your menu items by dragging and dropping them into the desired order.
7. Click **’Save Menu’**.
8. Go to **Appearance » Widgets** and search for **’Navigation Menu’**.
9. Drag and drop the **’Navigation Menu’** widget to your footer area.
10. Choose the footer menu you created earlier.
11. Add a title (optional) for the menu.
12. Click **’Update’**.
**Pro Tip:** Use a drag-and-drop page builder like SeedProd to create different footers for individual pages, offering a more personalized experience to your visitors.
**For a detailed guide on editing the footer in WordPress, check out our comprehensive article: [https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-tutorials/how-to-edit-the-footer-in-wordpress/](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-tutorials/how-to-edit-the-footer-in-wordpress/)**
**If you’re using a block-based theme like Neve FSE or Twenty Twenty-Three, you can edit the footer through the Full Site Editor:**
1. **Go to Appearance » Editor**.
2. Select **’Template Parts’** and click on **’Footer’**.
3. Click the pencil icon to edit the footer template.
4. Click the **’+’** icon and search for **’Navigation’**.
5. Drag and drop the **’Navigation’** block into the footer template.
6. Select the desired menu from the dropdown.
7. Customize the menu’s appearance using the **’Settings’** and **’Styles’** tabs.
8. Click **’Save’**.
### **2. Embedding Code in the WordPress Footer**
Often, you’ll need to add code snippets to your WordPress footer for analytics tracking, social media integration, or other functionalities. While editing your theme files directly might seem tempting, it’s not recommended. This is because your code will disappear if you change your theme or update it, and editing your theme files can lead to errors.
**The best way to add code to your WordPress footer is using the WPCode plugin:**
1. **Install and activate** the WPCode plugin.
2. Go to **Code Snippets » Header & Footer**.
3. Paste your code snippet into the **’Footer’** box.
4. Click **’Save Changes’**.
**For a detailed walkthrough, visit our guide on adding header and footer code in WordPress: [https://www.wpbeginner.com/plugins/how-to-add-header-and-footer-code-in-wordpress/](https://www.wpbeginner.com/plugins/how-to-add-header-and-footer-code-in-wordpress/)**
### **3. Add a Privacy Policy Link in the WordPress Footer**
Compliance with GDPR and other privacy laws is essential for building trust with your users. Having a clear and accessible Privacy Policy is vital, and your footer is the perfect place to link to it.
**Implementation:**
1. **Go to Settings » Privacy** in your WordPress dashboard.
2. WordPress will create a draft Privacy Policy page for you. Click **’Use This Page’** to use the default draft or select a different page from the dropdown.
3. You can also create a new privacy policy page by clicking **’Create’**.
4. Customize your Privacy Policy page with detailed information relevant to your website.
5. Click **’Publish’** to make the page live.
6. Add the privacy policy link to your footer using a navigation menu (as explained in step 1) or by directly adding a link within the footer template.
**For a detailed guide on adding a link in WordPress, visit our beginner’s guide: [https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-tutorials/how-to-add-a-link-in-wordpress/](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-tutorials/how-to-add-a-link-in-wordpress/)**
### **4. Adding Copyright Date in WordPress Footer**
A copyright notice in your footer lets visitors know that your content is protected and helps establish ownership of your website.
**Implementation:**
1. **Check your theme settings:** Many WordPress themes allow you to add copyright text directly in their settings. Go to **Appearance » Customize** and look for footer settings, often labeled ‘Footer Options’, ‘Footer Settings’, or similar.
2. **Paste the following code into the designated area:**
“`html
© Copyright 2016-2023. All rights reserved.
“`
3. **Customize the appearance:** Some themes allow you to adjust font size and text alignment.
4. Click **’Publish’** to make your changes live.
**Pro Tip:** Use a dynamic copyright date to automatically update the year each year. Refer to our guide on adding a dynamic copyright date for detailed instructions: [https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-tutorials/how-to-add-a-dynamic-copyright-date-in-the-wordpress-footer/](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-tutorials/how-to-add-a-dynamic-copyright-date-in-the-wordpress-footer/)
**For block-enabled themes, you can add a copyright date using the Full Site Editor:**
1. **Go to Themes » Editor**.
2. Open the footer template.
3. Click **’+’** and search for **’Shortcode’**.
4. Paste the following code into the shortcode block:
“`html
© Copyright 2016-2023. All rights reserved.
“`
5. Click **’Save’**.
### **5. Remove Powered by Links From the Footer in WordPress**
Some free themes include ‘Powered by WordPress’ links in the footer, along with links to the theme developer’s website. These links can encourage visitors to leave your site and may hurt your SEO.
**Implementation:**
1. **Check your theme settings:** Go to **Appearance » Customize** and search for footer options. You might be able to remove or customize these links directly.
2. **Edit your theme files (not recommended):** If the links are hard-coded in your theme files, you can remove them manually. However, this is a risky approach.
3. **Use the Full Site Editor:** If you’re using a block-enabled theme, find the ‘Powered by WordPress’ text in the footer template. You can replace it with your own text or remove it completely.
**For step-by-step instructions on removing ‘Powered by WordPress’ links, visit our guide: [https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-tutorials/how-to-remove-the-powered-by-wordpress-footer-links/](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-tutorials/how-to-remove-the-powered-by-wordpress-footer-links/)**
### **6. How to Add Instagram Feed in WordPress Footer**
Showcase your stunning Instagram photos and videos directly on your website to engage visitors and drive traffic to your social media profile.
**Implementation:**
1. **Install and activate** the Smash Balloon Instagram Feed plugin.
2. **Create an Instagram feed** using the plugin’s intuitive interface.
3. **Customize the feed’s appearance** with different layouts, a ‘Follow’ button, mobile optimization, and more.
4. **Go to Appearance » Widgets** and search for **’Instagram Feed’**.
5. Drag and drop the **’Instagram Feed’** widget to your footer.
6. Select the Instagram feed you created.
7. Click **’Update’**.
**For a step-by-step guide on embedding Instagram in WordPress, visit our article: [https://www.wpbeginner.com/plugins/how-to-easily-embed-instagram-in-wordpress/](https://www.wpbeginner.com/plugins/how-to-easily-embed-instagram-in-wordpress/)**
**For block-enabled themes:**
1. **Open the footer template** in the Full Site Editor.
2. Click **’+’** and search for **’Instagram Feed’**.
3. Drag and drop the **’Instagram Feed’** block into the footer.
4. Select the Instagram feed you created.
5. Click **’Save’**.
### **7. Add a Sticky Footer Bar in WordPress**
Sticky footer bars remain fixed to the bottom of the screen as visitors scroll, making them an excellent way to highlight important messages, promotions, or call-to-actions.
**Implementation:**
1. **Sign up for an OptinMonster account**.
2. **Install and activate** the OptinMonster plugin.
3. **Connect your OptinMonster account** to your WordPress website.
4. Go to **OptinMonster » Campaigns** and click **’Create your first campaign’** or **’Add New’**.
5. Select **’Floating Bar’** as your campaign type.
6. Choose a template and preview it.
7. Click **’Use Template’** to start customizing.
8. Give your campaign a descriptive name.
9. Click **’Start Building’** to access the drag-and-drop builder.
10. **Customize the design** of your sticky footer bar.
11. Click **’Publish’** to make the campaign live.
12. **Select the ‘Save’ button** to store your changes and exit the builder.
13. **In the WordPress dashboard, open the ‘Status’ dropdown and select ‘Published’.**
14. **Click ‘Save’.**
**Pro Tip:** OptinMonster offers various campaign types, including slide-in footer popups, countdown timers, and targeted footer notifications, to maximize your website’s conversion potential.
### **8. Add Social Buttons in WordPress Footer**
Increase your social media presence by displaying social icons in your footer. This makes it effortless for visitors to follow you on different platforms.
**Implementation:**
1. **Install and activate** the Social Icons Widget plugin.
2. **Go to Appearance » Widgets** and search for **’Social Icons Block’**.
3. Drag and drop the **’Social Icons Block’** to your footer area.
4. **Click on each default icon** to link it to your social media profiles.
5. **Customize the icon style** or choose a different icon from the **’Edit Details’** menu.
6. **Add new social icons** by clicking **’+’** and following the same linking process.
7. **Remove default icons** by clicking **’Delete icon’**.
8. Click **’Update’**.
**For block-enabled themes:**
1. **Open the footer template** in the Full Site Editor.
2. Click **’+’** and search for **’Social Icons block’**.
3. Drag and drop the **’Social Icons block’** into the footer.
4. Customize the icons and add new ones as needed.
5. Click **’Save’**.
**Pro Tip:** Explore our list of the best social media plugins for WordPress to discover more features and tools to grow your audience: [https://www.wpbeginner.com/plugins/best-social-media-plugins-for-wordpress/](https://www.wpbeginner.com/plugins/best-social-media-plugins-for-wordpress/)
### **9. Add a Phone Number in the WordPress Footer**
For businesses offering customer support over the phone, a prominent phone number in the footer makes it easy for users to reach out.
**Implementation:**
1. **Get a business phone number** (Nextiva is a recommended service).
2. **Install and activate** the WP Call Button plugin.
3. **Go to Settings » WP Call Button** and enable the **’Call Now Button Status’**.
4. Enter your business phone number.
5. Customize the button text (optional).
6. Choose the desired button position on your website.
7. Click **’Save Changes’**.
**For alternative methods to add clickable phone numbers, visit our guide: [https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-tutorials/how-to-add-clickable-phone-numbers-in-wordpress/](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-tutorials/how-to-add-clickable-phone-numbers-in-wordpress/)**
### **10. Add a Contact Form in the WordPress Footer**
Engage with your visitors by adding a contact form to your footer, making it easy for them to get in touch.
**Implementation:**
1. **Install and activate** the WPForms plugin.
2. Go to **WPForms » Add New** and give your form a name.
3. Select the **’Simple Contact Form’** template.
4. Customize the form fields using the drag-and-drop builder.
5. Click **’Save’**.
6. **Go to Appearance » Widgets** and search for **’WPForms’**.
7. Drag and drop the **’WPForms’** widget to your footer.
8. Select your contact form from the dropdown.
9. Add a title (optional).
10. Click **’Update’**.
**For block-enabled themes:**
1. **Open the footer template** in the Full Site Editor.
2. Click **’+’** and search for **’WPForms’**.
3. Drag and drop the **’WPForms’** block into the footer.
4. Select your contact form.
5. Click **’Save’**.
### **Bonus: Footer Design Examples to Give You Ideas**
* **WPBeginner’s Footer:** Clean and simple, showcasing key links to products and free tools.
* **OptinMonster’s Footer:** Features links to important pages like documentation and highlights the software’s best features.
* **Neil Patel’s Footer:** Compact and straightforward with quick navigation links.
**For more inspiration, explore our list of the best footer design examples: [https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-tutorials/footer-design-examples/](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-tutorials/footer-design-examples/)**
## **Conclusion**
By incorporating these essential elements into your WordPress footer, you’ll create a valuable resource for your visitors, enhance your website’s functionality, and improve your overall user experience.
**Remember to keep your footer design clean, concise, and visually appealing. A well-designed footer can be a powerful asset in attracting visitors, building trust, and driving conversions.**
## **FAQs**
**Q1. How can I make my footer stick to the bottom of the screen?**
You can achieve this with the help of CSS. Add the following code to your theme’s stylesheet (style.css) or create a custom CSS file and link it to your theme:
“`css
html, body {
height: 100%;
margin: 0;
}
.footer {
position: relative;
bottom: 0;
width: 100%;
}
“`
Replace `.footer` with the class name of your footer element.
**Q2. How do I add a background image to my footer?**
Use the following CSS code to add a background image to your footer:
“`css
.footer {
background-image: url(‘your-image.jpg’);
background-size: cover;
}
“`
Replace `your-image.jpg` with the URL of your desired background image.
**Q3. How do I create a multi-column footer layout?**
You can use CSS grid or flexbox to create a multi-column footer layout. Here’s an example using CSS grid:
“`css
.footer {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
gap: 20px;
}
“`
This code creates a three-column footer with a 20px gap between columns.
**Q4. How can I add a social media follow button that appears when the user scrolls down?**
You can achieve this with JavaScript. Add the following code to your theme’s footer.php file or use a plugin to manage your JavaScript:
“`javascript
window.addEventListener(‘scroll’, function() {
var scrollPosition = window.pageYOffset;
if (scrollPosition > 100) {
document.getElementById(‘social-follow-button’).style.display = ‘block’;
} else {
document.getElementById(‘social-follow-button’).style.display = ‘none’;
}
});
“`
Replace `social-follow-button` with the ID of your social follow button element.
**Q5. How do I add a newsletter signup form to my footer?**
You can use a plugin like OptinMonster or Mailchimp for WordPress to create a newsletter signup form and embed it in your footer. These plugins offer various customization options and integration with popular email marketing services.
**Q6. Can I create a custom footer for specific pages?**
Yes, you can create custom footers for different pages using page builders like Elementor or Beaver Builder, or by creating custom template parts in your theme.
**Q7. How do I change the text color and font in my footer?**
Use CSS to modify the text color and font. Add the following code to your theme’s stylesheet:
“`css
.footer {
color: white;
font-family: ‘Arial’, sans-serif;
}
“`
Replace `white` with your desired text color and `’Arial’, sans-serif` with the font you want to use.
**Q8. Is it necessary to include my company’s address in the footer?**
While not always mandatory, including your company’s address can enhance transparency and build trust with visitors. However, make sure it’s relevant to your website’s purpose and target audience.
**Q9. How can I make my footer responsive for different screen sizes?**
Use CSS media queries to customize your footer’s appearance for different screen sizes. For example:
“`css
@media only screen and (max-width: 768px) {
.footer {
grid-template-columns: 1fr;
}
}
“`
This code adjusts the footer layout to a single column on screens smaller than 768px wide.
**Q10. How can I improve my footer’s SEO?**
Ensure your footer links are relevant to your website’s content and include appropriate keywords. You can also add schema markup to your footer to help search engines understand the structure and content of your website.
**If you’re interested in learning more about tech news, feel free to visit my website: [www.naveedahmed.me](https://www.naveedahmed.me).**
**I hope this comprehensive checklist equips you with the knowledge and tools to create a powerful and effective footer for your WordPress website. Happy optimizing!**