WordPress: How to Edit the Footer

Dominic Anderson March 5, 2024

The footer, just like a WordPress header, is very important. You can use this space to display useful information, reinforce your brand identity, and enhance the ease of navigability. Whatever the reason, you’ll need to know how to edit the footer to ensure a smooth user experience.

How to Edit WordPress Footer

From the Theme File Editor

By default, you get a Theme File Editor on WordPress, where you may change certain website features. However, you should note that this method would require some coding knowledge as you will generally be writing or editing the default code.

Log into your WordPress dashboard.
Click Appearance, then click Theme File Editor.
Select Theme Footer on the right pane, edit the code as it pleases you, then click Update.

From the Customize Menu

If you do not know how to write code for WordPress, you can still edit some footer elements using the theme Customize feature. However, this feature may not be available for every theme, and the process may vary slightly depending on your theme. But generally, you should follow the steps below.

Log into your WordPress dashboard.
Click Appearance, then click Customize.
Select Footer or Footer Options from the left pane.
Customize preferences as you please, then click Publish.

With ThemeBuilder Templates

You may want to adopt this method if you use page builder plugins like Elementor, Beaver Builder, or Divi. They all come with the ThemeBuilder function; you do not need coding knowledge to edit the footer. However, you may not get this option in the free editions of these page builders.

Access the ThemeBuilder Templates

This interface enables you to develop custom headers, footers, and single post layouts, among many other things. With total control over how your pages and posts are designed, ThemeBuilder offers you possibilities beyond the default settings. To access it:

Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
Click Template on the left pane, then click ThemeBuilder.

Choose a Footer Block

With ThemeBuilder, you can select a pre-designed library block or create one independently. The library includes many other pre-defined footer blocks with the chance of customizing it to suit your needs. This is the fastest way if you want a beautiful-looking footer without much effort.

Alternatively, you may start with an empty footer block and build it up from scratch. This gives you total creative freedom when designing the footer. Ideal footers need sections, columns, buttons, texts, images, and other personalized elements. Initially, it will take longer, but the result will be a uniquely customized footer. Below is how to choose or create a footer.

Click Footer on the left pane, or click the Footer + sign on the right to select a footer block for your website.
You will navigate into a footer library, where you may choose a template block.
Click on any element within your footer, and use the options on the left to edit or adjust it.
When done, click Publish.

Note: You should always preview your footer before publishing, whether you choose this method or a different one. You might need to change spacing and sizes, among other styling details.

Troubleshooting Issues

If you’re experiencing difficulties when modifying your WordPress footer, try out these troubleshooting techniques:

Check whether both the WordPress installation and the plugins are up-to-date. The reason is that older versions could hinder footer editing. WordPress can be updated from the Dashboard.
Confirm that you have permission to edit the theme with your user account. Only admin users have full access to all theme files and options for editing.
Try using a default WordPress theme like Twenty Nineteen to see if the footer is editable. This will help you eliminate any conflicts with your current theme.
Disable one plugin at a time to identify which one is conflicting with footer editing. Enable them back after the test.
If you’ve made countless edits to your current theme, consider using a WordPress child theme. This way, any changes won’t be lost during parent theme updates.
You may also manually alter your themes or footer.php file if it becomes necessary to change the contents of the footer. However, don’t forget to back up the files.
In case of persistent issues, contact your theme developer’s support channels or seek assistance from WordPress support forums to solve them.

Edit Your Site’s Footer to Show Information You Want

Navigating the complexities of WordPress customization doesn’t have to be an uphill battle. Even seemingly complex tasks like footer editing can be simplified with the proper guidance. Once you know how, you can experiment with your footer’s look and feel, ensuring it aligns perfectly with your website’s overall design and purpose.

Not all shared solutions will come with your default WordPress theme; however, you should find something that works within our solutions.

FAQs

How can I make sure my footer is responsive and shows right on mobile devices?

To make your footer responsive, you can use a combination of CSS media queries, flexible grid layouts, and relative sizing units like percentages or viewport units. Also, consider WordPress themes and plugins with responsive design capabilities. Depending on the device’s screen size, this will adjust how the footer looks.

Can I use custom CSS to customize my footer further?

Including some custom CSS in your footer for more customization is possible. You can either add the CSS code directly in style.css of your theme or in the Additional CSS section available in the WordPress Customizer.

How do I go about editing the copyright information at the footer?

To edit the footer copyright information, go to the WordPress theme or theme builder settings at the footer settings. Next, type or directly change the text, and you can also use custom HTML and CSS code to make it look good to your choice.