GuidesHow To

Things To Add To The Footer On Your WordPress Site In 2024

Are you facing any difficulty in deciding what to add to the footer of your WordPress site?

Don’t worry! Here is all you need.

When developing any website, the first thing that comes to your mind is what to add in the header of your site to make it look professional as it is the first thing that your visitors see when visiting your site.

But don’t forget the bottom of your pages! Footers can improve the user experience on your site in lots of significant ways.

The footer of your site should be worthy enough to attract more audience attention and some action.

In this article, we will explain all the eye-catching footers to be added to your WordPress site. Read the article to the full to know more about footers and choose the one that truly meets your needs.

What Is WordPress Footer?

In WordPress, the footer refers to the section at the bottom of a website that typically contains information about the site, such as copyright notices, contact information, links to privacy policies, and terms of use.

The footer section is usually placed at the bottom of every page of the website and can be customized in WordPress to include different types of content, depending on the theme and plugins used.

Some WordPress themes also allow users to add widgets to the footer section, which can be used to display social media icons, recent posts, or other types of content.

Overall, the footer in WordPress is an important part of a website’s design and functionality, as it can help to provide additional information and navigation options to visitors, as well as improve the overall user experience.

Need Behind Editing Your WordPress Footer?

The footer of a website is often an overlooked area, but it’s a great place to add a personal touch to your site. By editing your footer, you can customize the look and feel of your website and make it stand out from other sites using the same theme.

The footer is also a great place to reinforce your brand and add a call to action. You can include your logo, tagline, and social media links to help visitors connect with your brand and follow you on other platforms.

Adding links to important pages in the footer can help visitors find the information they need quickly and easily. This is especially useful for sites with a lot of pages or complex navigation menus.

Many websites are required by law to include certain information in the footer, such as copyright notices, privacy policies, and terms of use.

Editing your footer allows you to add this information and ensure that your site is compliant with relevant laws and regulations.

Overall, editing your footer in WordPress can help you create a more professional and user-friendly website that meets your specific needs and requirements.

Things To Be Included In The WordPress Footer: 

Let’s take a look at some of the things to add to the footer of your WordPress site, and how to make it more significant.

1. Copyright Notice:

The copyright notice typically included in the footer of a WordPress website indicates that the content, images, and other materials on the website are protected by copyright law and that the website owner has the exclusive right to reproduce, distribute, and display these materials.

A typical copyright notice might look like this:

Copyright © [year] [name of website owner]. All rights reserved.

This notice indicates that the website owner owns the copyright to the content on the website and that no one is authorized to reproduce or distribute this content without the owner’s permission.

The year in the notice should be the year that the website was created or last updated, and the owner’s name should be the name of the individual or organization that owns the website.

To add a copyright date to your WordPress footer, you can follow these steps:

  • Log in to your WordPress dashboard and go to Appearance > Customize.
  • In the Customizer, click on the Footer
  • Look for the Copyright text field, which may be labeled as “Copyright notice” or “Copyright text.”
  • Enter the copyright notice text you want to display, such as “Copyright © [year] [your name or website name]. All rights reserved.”
  • To display the current year dynamically, you can use the WordPress function ‘date(‘Y’)’. For example, you can replace [year] in the copyright notice with ‘<?php echo date(‘Y’); ?>’.
  • Click the Save & Publish button to save your changes and update your footer.

Once you’ve added the copyright notice to your WordPress footer, it should appear on every page of your website. Remember to update the copyright date each year to keep it current.

2. Contact Information:

The contact information included in the footer of a WordPress website can vary depending on the website owner’s preferences and needs. However, some common contact information that can be included in the footer of a WordPress website is:

  • Email Address: Providing an email address in the footer can be a quick and easy way for visitors to contact you. You can use a separate email address for customer service inquiries or general questions.
  • Phone Number: Including a phone number in the footer can provide visitors with another way to get in touch with you. Make sure to include your country and area code if necessary.
  • Address: If you have a physical address for your business or organization, including it in the footer can provide visitors with information on where to find you.
  • Social Media Links: You can include links to your social media profiles in the footer to encourage visitors to connect with you on other platforms.
  • Contact Form: Some WordPress themes include a contact form widget that you can add to your footer. This allows visitors to fill out a form and send you a message directly from your website.

Including contact information in the footer of your WordPress website can make it easier for visitors to reach out to you, and can help to build trust and credibility with your audience.

Add Contact Information To The Footer:

To add contact information to the footer of your WordPress website, you can follow these steps:

  • Log in to your WordPress dashboard and go to Appearance > Customize.
  • In the Customizer, click on the Footer tab.
  • Look for the area where you can add widgets to your footer. This is typically labeled “Footer Widgets” or something similar.
  • Click on the Add a Widget button and select the widget you want to add. For example, you can add a Text widget to include your contact information or a Contact Form widget to allow visitors to send you a message.
  • Customize the widget settings as needed. For a Text widget, you can add your contact information, such as your email address, phone number, and address. For a Contact Form widget, you can customize the fields and options to match your needs.
  • Drag and drop the widget to the desired location in your footer. You can add multiple widgets to your footer and arrange them in the order you prefer.
  • Click the Save & Publish button to save your changes and update your footer.

Once you’ve added contact information to your WordPress footer, it should appear on every page of your website. Make sure to test the contact form and other features to ensure that they are working properly.

3. Navigation Links:

The navigation links added to the footer of a WordPress website can vary depending on the website owner’s preferences and needs. However, some common navigation links that can be included in the footer of a WordPress website are:

  • About Us: This link can provide visitors with more information about your company or organization, including its history, mission, and values.
  • Services: This link can provide visitors with an overview of the products or services you offer, along with detailed information about each one.
  • Blog: If you have a blog on your website, including a link to it in the footer can encourage visitors to read your content.
  • Contact Us: This link can provide visitors with information on how to get in touch with you, including your email address, phone number, and physical address.
  • Terms of Service: This link can provide visitors with information on the terms and conditions of using your website, including any legal disclaimers or restrictions.
  • Privacy Policy: This link can provide visitors with information on how you collect, use, and protect their personal information.
  • FAQs: This link can provide visitors with answers to common questions about your products or services, website policies, or other topics.

Including navigation links in the footer of your WordPress website can make it easier for visitors to find the information they need and can help improve the user experience.

Adding Navigation Links:

To add navigation links to the footer of your WordPress website, you can follow these steps:

  • Log in to your WordPress dashboard and go to Appearance > Menus.
  • Create a new menu or edit an existing menu by clicking on the Select menu to edit drop-down menu and selecting the menu you want to edit.
  • Add the links you want to include in your footer menu by selecting the pages, categories, or custom links you want to add from the left-hand side of the menu editor.
  • Once you’ve added the links you want to include, scroll down to the Menu Settings section and check the box labeled “Footer Menu” or “Secondary Menu,” depending on your theme.
  • Click on the Save Menu button to save your changes.
  • Go to Appearance > Widgets in your WordPress dashboard.
  • Look for the widget area where you can add widgets to your footer. This is typically labeled “Footer Widgets” or something similar.
  • Click on the Add a Widget button and select the Navigation Menu widget.
  • Select the menu you created or edited in Step 2 from the drop-down menu.
  • Customize the widget settings as needed, including the title and display options.
  • Click the Save & Publish button to save your changes and update your footer.

Once you’ve added a navigation menu to your WordPress footer, it should appear on every page of your website. You can customize the menu styling and layout using CSS or by selecting a different theme or footer widget area.

4. Privacy Policy And Terms Of Use:

A privacy policy and terms of use are legal documents that outline how a website collects, uses, and protects user’s personal information, as well as the terms and conditions that govern the use of the website.

In the context of a WordPress website, adding a privacy policy and terms of use to the footer is a common practice to comply with various laws and regulations, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) in the United States.

The privacy policy typically includes information such as what data is collected, how it is collected, how it is used, who it is shared with, how long it is stored, and how users can exercise their rights to access, delete, or modify their data.

The terms of use, on the other hand, cover topics such as intellectual property rights, disclaimers, liability limitations, and dispute resolution mechanisms.

Adding these legal documents to the footer of a WordPress website can help build trust with users and demonstrate that the website is committed to protecting their privacy and complying with applicable laws.

It’s important to note, however, that simply adding a privacy policy and terms of use to the footer is not enough; the website must also implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to ensure the security of users’ personal data.

How To Add Privacy Policy Link  To the Footer:

To add a privacy policy link in the footer of a WordPress website, follow these steps:

  • Go to Pages > Add New and create a new page with the title “Privacy Policy.” Add your privacy policy content to the page.
  • Once you’ve added your content, click the “Publish” button to make the page live on your website.
  • Go to the live privacy policy page and copy the URL from the browser’s address bar.
  • Go to Appearance > Customize > Widgets and select the widget area where you want to add the privacy policy link. Most themes have a footer widget area where you can add links.
  • Click on the “Add a Widget” button and select the “Custom Link”
  • In the “Custom Link” widget settings, add “Privacy Policy” as the link text, paste the URL of the privacy policy page in the “URL” field, and click “Save & Publish.”
  • Go to the live website and check if the privacy policy link appears in the footer. Click on the link to ensure it goes to the correct privacy policy page.

That’s it! By following these steps, you have successfully added a privacy policy link to the footer of your WordPress website.

5. Social Media Icons:

By adding social media icons to the footer, you make it easier for visitors to find and connect with your brand on social media.

This can increase engagement and help build a community of followers around your brand. Social media platforms provide an opportunity to reach a broader audience beyond your website.

By encouraging visitors to follow you on social media, you can expand your reach and potentially attract new customers or clients.

How To Add Social Media Icons To The Footer?

To add social media icons to the footer of a WordPress website, you can follow these steps:

  • Choose the social media platforms: Decide which social media platforms you want to include in the footer. The most common ones are Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Pinterest, but you can choose any platform that is relevant to your website.
  • Find the social media icons: You can find social media icons online for free, or you can create your own custom icons. Some websites that offer free social media icons include Font Awesome, Flaticon, and IconFinder.
  • Upload the icons to your media library: Once you have downloaded the icons, go to Media > Add New in your WordPress dashboard, and upload the icons to your media library.
  • Create a new menu: Go to Appearance > Menus in your WordPress dashboard, and create a new menu called “Social Media.”
  • Add the social media icons to the menu: In the “Custom Links” section of the menu editor, add a custom link for each social media platform. Use the social media icon image as the link image and enter the URL for your social media profile in the URL field. You can also add a link title for each icon, such as “Follow us on Facebook.”
  • Save the menu: Once you have added all the social media icons to the menu, save the menu.
  • Add the menu to the footer: Go to Appearance > Widgets in your WordPress dashboard, and select the widget area where you want to add the social media icons. Drag and drop the “Custom Menu” widget to the widget area, and select the “Social Media” menu that you created in the previous step.
  • Preview the changes: Go to the live website and check if the social media icons appear in the footer. Click on each icon to ensure it goes to the correct social media profile.

That’s it! By following these steps, you have successfully added social media icons to the footer of your WordPress website.

6. Sitemap:

A sitemap is a file that lists all the pages, posts, and other content on a website in a structured format. It is used by search engines to better understand the content and structure of a website.

In WordPress, a sitemap can be automatically generated by a plugin or through the use of a special WordPress feature called “XML sitemaps”.

A sitemap can be added to the footer of a WordPress website in the form of a link that points to the URL of the sitemap file. This link can be added using a custom link widget or by manually editing the website’s footer code.

How To Add A Sitemap Link To The Footer Of A WordPress?

To add a sitemap link to the footer of a WordPress website, you can follow these steps:

  • Generate a sitemap: You can generate a sitemap using a WordPress plugin such as Yoast SEO or Google XML Sitemaps. These plugins will automatically create and update a sitemap for your website.
  • Locate the footer file: LGo to Appearance > Theme Editor in your WordPress dashboard and locate the footer file. This file is usually called “footer.php” and is located in your theme’s folder.
  • Edit the footer file: Open the footer file and add the sitemap link code just before the closing </body> tag. The code for the sitemap link should look something like this:

<a href=”your-sitemap-url”>Sitemap</a>

Make sure to replace “your-sitemap-url” with the actual URL of your sitemap.

  • Save the changes: Once you have added the sitemap link code to the footer file, save the changes.
  • Check the website: Go to the live website and check if the sitemap link appears in the footer. Click on the link to ensure it goes to the correct sitemap page.

That’s it! By following these steps, you have successfully added a sitemap link to the footer of your WordPress website.

7. Newsletter Signup:

Adding a newsletter signup form to the footer of a WordPress website is a great way to encourage visitors to sign up for your email newsletter.

How To Add Newsletter Signup? 

Here are the steps to add a newsletter signup form to the footer of your WordPress website:

  • Choose an email marketing service: First, you need to choose an email marketing service that offers a signup form feature. Some popular options include Mailchimp, Constant Contact, and ConvertKit.
  • Create a signup form: Once you have chosen your email marketing service, create a signup form that you can embed on your website. Most email marketing services provide templates that you can customize to match your branding and style.
  • Embed the form in the footer: Next, you need to embed the signup form in the footer of your WordPress website. You can do this by adding a custom HTML widget to your website’s footer area and pasting the code for the signup form into the widget.
  • Style the form: You may want to style the form to match the design of your website. Most email marketing services provide options to customize the color, font, and layout of the signup form.
  • Test the form: Finally, test the form to make sure it is working correctly. Enter your email address and submit the form to ensure that the confirmation email is sent and that the subscriber is added to your email list.

By following these steps, you can successfully add a newsletter signup form to the footer of your WordPress website. This can help you grow your email list, stay in touch with your audience, and promote your products or services.

8. Footer Menu:

The footer menu is a separate menu that is displayed in the footer section of your WordPress site. It typically includes links to important pages or categories on your website, such as the About page, Contact page, Privacy Policy, Terms of Service, and other relevant links.

The footer menu is a convenient way to help your visitors easily navigate your site, and it can also improve your website’s SEO by providing internal links that can help search engines understand the structure of your site.

How to Add Footer Menu to WordPress Footer?

To add a footer menu to your WordPress site, follow these steps:

  • Create a new menu by going to Appearance > Menus in your WordPress dashboard.
  • Give the menu a name and click the Create Menu button.
  • Add the pages or categories that you want to include in your footer menu by selecting them from the left-hand column and clicking the Add to Menu button.
  • Once you’ve added all the pages or categories you want to include, arrange them in the order you want them to appear in your footer by dragging and dropping them.
  • Under the Menu Settings section, locate the “Display location” or “Theme Location” option and select the Footer Menu option.
  • Click the Save Menu button to save your changes.

Once you’ve completed these steps, the footer menu should appear in your site’s footer. Depending on your theme, you may need to adjust the styling of the footer menu using CSS to ensure that it looks good and matches the rest of your site’s design.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the footer section of your WordPress site is an important area that should not be overlooked. By adding key elements to your footer such as copyright notices, contact information, social media links, navigation links, privacy policy, terms of service, site maps, newsletter signups, recent posts, and footer menus, you can improve the user experience for your visitors and help them navigate your site more easily.

Additionally, adding a footer menu can improve your website’s SEO by providing internal links that search engines can use to understand the structure of your site. With these elements in place, your WordPress site can be more engaging, user-friendly, and professional.

We hope that this checklist has provided you with enough options to be chosen while adding a footer to your WordPress site. Feel free to ask us if you are still facing any issues.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

1. Why Is It Important To Add A Copyright Notice To The Footer Of My WordPress Site?

A copyright notice helps protect your website content and lets visitors know that the content is yours.

2. What Kind Of Contact Information Should I Include In My Footer?

You should include your email address, phone number, and physical address to make it easy for visitors to reach you.

3. What Are Some Important Pages I Should Include In My Footer Menu?

Some important pages you may want to include in your footer menu include the About page, Contact page, Privacy Policy, Terms of Service, and any other pages that are important for visitors to find.

4. How Can A Footer Menu Improve My Website’s SEO?

A footer menu can provide internal links that can help search engines understand the structure of your site, which can improve your site’s SEO.

5. How Do I Add A Footer Menu To My WordPress Site?

To add a footer menu to your WordPress site, you can create a new menu in Appearance > Menus, add the pages or categories you want to include, select the Footer Menu location under Menu Settings, and save your changes.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button