WordPress has an incredible range of features to help you build a standout website, including flexible options for creating and customizing navigation menus. Setting up these menus is pretty straightforward, and once you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to create custom menus that are optimized for user experience. So, how do we manage and optimize WordPress menus?
Think of a website mega menu like a restaurant menu—it should guide visitors to their options quickly and make them want to stay and explore. That’s why your navigation should be clean, clear, and well-organized, creating an experience that leaves visitors craving more in website design.
Not only will a great menu improve your website’s user experience (UX), but it can also boost your search engine optimization (SEO), making this skill a real asset for your site. So, let’s get started and learn how to manage and optimize the WordPress menu.
Why WordPress Menu Is So Essential?
A WordPress navigation menu is simply a list of links guiding visitors to different areas of your website. Typically, you’ll see it at the top of the page as a header, but menus can also appear on the side or at the bottom as a footer.
Your menu serves as a roadmap for visitors, showing the structure of your site and helping users quickly find what they’re looking for. This makes it a key element for user experience (UX). But what makes a menu truly effective?
A good menu should have these three qualities:
- Limited items – Too many choices can overwhelm visitors.
- Clear, concise headings – Titles should be easy to understand at a glance.
- Minimal submenus – Keep drop-downs to a minimum to simplify navigation.
Of course, there are exceptions—some websites, especially larger ones, might need a bit more structure. But if you’re running a blog or a smaller site, simplicity is best. Think of it like a restaurant menu: fewer, well-curated options make decisions easier.
Not only does a clean, organized menu enhance UX, but it also helps search engines better crawl and index your site, giving your SEO a boost as well.
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How to Manage and Optimize WordPress Menus?
There are a few smart ways to manage WordPress menus that can enhance your website’s UX, SEO, and overall quality.
What can you add to your menu?
Pages are the main elements you’ll probably be adding to your menus, but WordPress offers more options than just pages.
Adding custom links to your menu
Sometimes, you may want to direct visitors to an external site, like a partner’s website, or add a non-clickable item that contains sub-menus. Custom links come in handy for this. Just add a custom link and type # in the URL field. Once it’s in your menu, delete the # to prevent any negative SEO effects.
Adding posts to your menu
While WordPress does allow you to add individual posts to your menu, this isn’t usually recommended. If you’re thinking about adding a post, it might be better to create a page instead.
Adding categories or tags
For blogs, adding categories to your menu can be a great way to help visitors find relevant content. Just remember that categories need to be created before they can be added to a menu.
Tags are also an option! Adding them to a sidebar or footer menu can help visitors explore content based on specific topics. Ready to create your own WordPress menu? Let’s dive in!
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How to Create a WordPress Menu With a Block-Based Theme
Now, there are two options for creating a WordPress menu, and in this section, we are going to explore creating many with a Block based theme.
- Access the Site Editor: Head to Appearance > Editor in the WordPress dashboard. Once there, look for the Navigation option in the left-hand menu.
- Edit the Navigation Template: Click on the right side of your screen (where your site preview is). A banner will appear, prompting you to edit your template—just click Edit template to start.
- Open Menu Settings: In the top-right corner, click the Settings icon. You’ll see your current menu listed, giving you the option to either edit it directly or create a brand-new menu.
- Edit Existing Menu: Click on the menu to start editing.
- Create a New Menu: Select the three vertical dots on the right, then choose Create a new menu.
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Structuring Your WordPress Menu
Your menu lives inside a Navigation block, which is just like other WordPress blocks (like “Title,” “Paragraph,” or “Image”) and can be easily customized.
In this Navigation block, you can:
- Rearrange items by dragging them into your desired order.
- Add sub-menus for organizing related links.
- Add or remove items by using the + icon.
You can also add various types of blocks to your menu, such as:
- Page links (add pages easily with a simple click).
- Custom links (link to external sites or create non-clickable menu headers).
- A search bar.
- Social media icons.
- Links to categories or tags for blogs.
- Login/Logout links and more!
If you create new pages and want them in your menu, you can add them directly from here.
Customizing Your Menu
To make your menu fit your style, use the Settings and Styles tabs on the right-hand side panel:
- Settings Tab: Adjust menu alignment, choose orientation, and set mobile display preferences, like adding a “burger menu” icon for mobile screens.
- Advanced Settings: At the bottom of the Settings tab, you can assign a custom name to your menu, helping you keep track of the multiple menus you create.
- Styles Tab: Tweak colors (text, background, sub-menus), typography (font, size, and decoration), and spacing between items.
When you’re happy with the look, hit Save to lock in your changes.
Adding Menus to Different Areas of Your Site
Want to place a menu somewhere other than the header? It’s easy with the Site Editor.
- Go back to Appearance > Editor, then open the specific template or template part where you want your menu to appear.
- Add a Navigation block wherever you’d like the menu.
- In the right-hand settings panel, use the three dots to either create a new menu or select an existing one.
And that’s it! Your WordPress menus are now set up, organized, and customized for the best experience.
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How to Create a WordPress Menu with a Classic Theme
Didn’t like the first method? Don’t worry; there is another way to get you back! Use a Classic theme to create a WordPress menu. How? See below:
Step 1: Go to the Customizer: Head to Appearance > Customize and select Menus. Click on Create New Menu, give it a name, and choose a location for it on your site. Remember, if you don’t assign it a location, it won’t show up!
Each theme offers different menu areas. For example, the Astra theme provides five areas to place your menu.
Step 2: Adding Items to Your Menu: Once your menu is created, it’s time to add items. Click on Add Items, and you’ll see various types to choose from:
- Custom Links: Perfect for linking to external sites.
- Pages: Add any of your existing pages.
- Posts: Include specific blog posts.
- Categories: Group-related content.
- Tags: Helpful for blogs with multiple topics.
Use the search bar at the top to find specific items quickly.
Learn about: How to Seamlessly Edit and Customize Headers in WordPress?
Step 3: Adding Pages to Your Menu: When you click on Add Items, you’ll see your existing pages right there. Want to add a new page on the fly? Use the field below the page list to create one instantly. To add a page, just click the + next to its title. To remove it, click the red X beside the page name.
Step 4: Adding Custom Links: For custom links, fill in the URL field with the link you want, and enter a label in the Link Text field. Hit Add to Menu to include it.
Step 5: Adding Categories to Your Menu: Categories are useful for organizing blog content. However, WordPress automatically includes a default Uncategorized category, which isn’t great for user experience or SEO. We’ll show you how to change that default setting in another article.
- To add or remove categories, follow the same process as for pages.
Step 6: Save Your Menu: Once you’re happy with your menu setup, don’t forget to hit Save so your changes stick!
That’s it—your classic theme menu is now ready to guide visitors around your site!
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Conclusion
Managing and optimizing your WordPress menus doesn’t have to be complicated! With a bit of planning and the right tools, you can create clear, user-friendly navigation that enhances your site’s experience and helps with SEO.
Remember, a well-structured menu is like a map for your visitors—keep it simple, organized, and easy to follow, and you’ll make their journey through your site a breeze. Happy menu building!
