Creating a menu in WordPress that links to pages, posts, and custom labels (categories, tags, or custom taxonomies) is a straightforward process. Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide to help you create and configure your menu:
Step 1: Log in to Your WordPress Dashboard
- Open your web browser and go to your WordPress login page, usually found at
http://yourwebsite.com/wp-admin
. - Enter your username and password to log in to the WordPress Dashboard.
Step 2: Navigate to the Menus Section
- In the WordPress Dashboard, look at the left-hand sidebar.
- Click on “Appearance” to expand the menu.
- Select “Menus” from the dropdown menu.
Step 3: Create a New Menu (If Needed)
- If you do not have a menu created yet, click the “Create a new menu” link.
- Enter a name for your menu in the “Menu Name” field (e.g., Main Menu).
- Click the “Create Menu” button.
Step 4: Add Pages to the Menu
- In the “Edit Menus” tab, you will see a box labeled “Pages.”
- Check the boxes next to the pages you want to add to the menu.
- Click the “Add to Menu” button.
- The selected pages will appear in the “Menu Structure” section on the right.
Step 5: Add Posts to the Menu
- In the “Edit Menus” tab, you will see a box labeled “Posts.”
- If the “Posts” box is not visible, click the “Screen Options” tab at the top right corner of the screen and check the “Posts” option.
- Check the boxes next to the posts you want to add to the menu.
- Click the “Add to Menu” button.
- The selected posts will appear in the “Menu Structure” section on the right.
Step 6: Add Categories to the Menu
- In the “Edit Menus” tab, you will see a box labeled “Categories.”
- Check the boxes next to the categories you want to add to the menu.
- Click the “Add to Menu” button.
- The selected categories will appear in the “Menu Structure” section on the right.
Step 7: Add Custom Links to the Menu
- In the “Edit Menus” tab, you will see a box labeled “Custom Links.”
- In the “URL” field, enter the URL of the custom link you want to add.
- In the “Link Text” field, enter the text you want to display for this link in the menu.
- Click the “Add to Menu” button.
- The custom link will appear in the “Menu Structure” section on the right.
Step 8: Arrange Menu Items
- Arrange the order of your menu items by dragging and dropping them into the desired positions.
- You can create submenus by dragging a menu item slightly to the right underneath another menu item.
Step 9: Configure Menu Settings
- Under the “Menu Settings” section, you can choose where to display your menu. Depending on your theme, you may have different menu locations available (e.g., Primary Menu, Footer Menu).
- Check the box next to the location where you want your menu to appear.
Step 10: Save the Menu
- Once you have added all desired links and configured the menu settings, click the “Save Menu” button.
Step 11: Verify the Menu
- Visit your website to check the new menu and ensure all links work correctly.
- Refresh the page if needed to see the updated menu.
Additional Tips
- Custom Labels: You can add other labels like tags or custom taxonomies by enabling them in the “Screen Options” tab at the top right corner of the Menus page.
- Custom Menu Classes: Advanced users can add custom CSS classes to menu items for more styling options by enabling the “CSS Classes” option in the “Screen Options” tab.
- Menu Locations: Some themes offer multiple menu locations (e.g., header, footer, sidebar). Make sure you assign your menu to the appropriate location for your theme.
By following these steps, you can create a comprehensive menu in WordPress that links to your pages, posts, and categories, enhancing the navigation and user experience of your website.