WordPress: An Overview of Custom Menus

WordPress offers a versatile platform with a wide range of features to its users. The creation of custom menus is one of the most effective ways to enhance the functionality and accessibility of your website. In this pillar article, we will explore the different steps to create a menu tab in WordPress and provide additional tips on how to customize its appearance and structure.

Step 1: Access the WordPress Menu Editor

The first step to creating a menu tab in WordPress is by accessing the menu editor. Go to your WordPress dashboard and click “Appearance” on the left-hand side. From there, select “Menus,” and you will be redirected to the menu editor page.

Step 2: Create a New Menu

Once you are in the WordPress menu editor, click on “Create a New Menu” to start creating your new menu tab. WordPress will prompt you to enter a name for the new menu. Pick a descriptive name, best suited to the intended purpose.

Step 3: Add Menu Items

The next step is to select the menu items you want to add to your menu tab. You can add various items, such as pages, posts, categories, and custom links. Mark the checkboxes next to the items you want to add, and then click “Add to Menu.” Your selected items will appear on the right side of the editor, within the menu structure.

Step 4: Organize Menu Items

Once your menu items are added, you can organize them by clicking and dragging them to create a desired structure. You can also create sub-menus by dragging items towards the right to create a drop-down menu.

Step 5: Customize Menu Appearance

You can customize the appearance of the menu by clicking on the “Screen Options” button in the top right-hand corner of the editor. You can choose the menu settings to include, such as CSS classes, description, and link target. To add a custom class, click on “CSS Classes,” and then enter a name for your class. You can then use this class to style your menu using CSS.

Step 6: Assign Menu to a Location

The final step is to assign your customized menu to a location. Go to the “Menu Settings” section located at the bottom of the editor, and select a suitable location for your menu tab, like the primary menu, secondary menu or footer menu, based on your theme.

Additional Tips for Customizing WordPress Menus

1. Add Custom Links

To add a custom link, click on “Custom Links,” and then enter the URL and link text. This feature is useful for adding links to external websites or specific pages on your site.

2. Create a Mega Menu

A mega menu displays a large amount of content in a compact and organized format. To create a mega menu, add a set of sub-menu items, and then select the “Mega Menu” checkbox next to the parent item.

3. Display Menu in Different Formats

WordPress offers a variety of menu formats, including horizontal, vertical, and accordion. You can choose to use whichever format suits your website best by going to the theme settings.

4. Customize Menu Appearance with CSS

If you want to customize the appearance of your menu further, you can use CSS. In the “Screen Options,” select “CSS Classes.” Then, add a custom class to your menu item, and use CSS to style it.

Adding a menu tab in WordPress can significantly improve the organization and functionality of your website. By following the steps mentioned above and incorporating additional tips and tricks, you can create a professional and user-friendly menu that will enhance the overall user experience of your site.