A navigation menu is the group of links you usually see at the top of a website. It helps people move from one part of your site to another, like from the homepage to the blog or contact page.
Menus are very important for WordPress websites because they help visitors find what they need quickly. A good menu makes your website easier to use and can even help your site show up better in search engines like Google.
Here, you’ll learn how to make a navigation menu from scratch. We’ll cover each step, from creating a new menu to adding pages and making it mobile-friendly.
Quick Links
What is a Navigation Menu in WordPress?
A navigation menu is a list of links that lead to different parts of your website. It might include links to your homepage, blog posts, contact page, or other important pages.
The menu keeps your website organized. It gives visitors a clear path to follow, so they don’t get lost. It also shows search engines how your website is built, which can help your content get found online.
So, a menu isn’t just for looks. It’s a key part of how your website works and how people experience it.
Accessing the Menu Settings in WordPress
To start working with menus, you need to log in to your WordPress dashboard. This is the area where you manage your entire site.
Once you’re inside, look at the left-hand side and click on Appearance, then choose Menus. This is where you’ll be able to build and edit your menu.
This screen will be your main spot for setting up and updating all your website menus.
Creating a New Navigation Menu
To create a new menu, look for the “Create a new menu” link and click on it. Then, type in a name for your menu. This name won’t show on your site—it’s just for you to recognize it later.
After giving your menu a name, click the Create Menu button. Now, you have a blank menu that you can start adding links to.
It’s kind of like a folder you’re filling up with the pages you want people to visit.
Adding Pages, Posts, and Custom Links to Your Menu
Once your menu is ready, you’ll see a list of your website pages on the left side. You can check the boxes for the ones you want to include, then press Add to Menu.
You can also add links to blog posts, categories, or even type in a custom web address if you want to link to another site or a special page.
Once the items are added, you can drag them around to change the order. You can also create levels, like putting some pages under others.
Choosing Menu Locations in Your Theme
Most WordPress themes offer different places where your menu can appear. The most common ones are the top of the page (header), bottom (footer), or sometimes in the sidebar.
When you’re in the menu settings, look for the section called “Menu Settings” or “Display Location.” Check the box for where you want the menu to show up.
This tells your theme where to place the menu you just created, so people will see it on your site.
Creating Drop-down (Sub) Menus
Drop-down menus let you group related pages together. For example, under a “Services” tab, you might want to list “Web Design,” “SEO,” and “Content Writing.”
To make a drop-down, drag a menu item slightly to the right under the main item. This makes it a sub-item that appears in a drop-down.
Try not to use too many sub-menus, though, because it can get confusing for people, especially on smaller screens.
Editing and Deleting Menu Items
If you want to change the name of a link or update where it goes, just click the arrow next to that menu item. You’ll see options to edit the text or change the link.
If you don’t want that item in the menu anymore, click Remove to delete it.
You can always add it back later, so don’t worry if you make a mistake. WordPress makes it easy to fix things.
Making Your Navigation Menu Responsive
A responsive menu works well on phones and tablets, not just computers. Most modern WordPress themes already take care of this.
To check, open your website on your phone and see if the menu turns into a simple button or icon that people can tap. If it doesn’t, you might need to tweak your theme settings or use a plugin.
Making sure your menu works on all devices helps everyone use your site without trouble.
Troubleshooting Common Menu Issues
If your menu isn’t showing up at all, check that you assigned it to a location. If it’s assigned and still not working, it could be a theme problem.
Sometimes, the menu might look strange or broken. This usually means the theme or plugin styles aren’t working well together.
If you’ve tried all the basic steps and it’s still not right, switching to a different theme or checking with the theme developer might help.
Bonus: Using Plugins to Enhance Menu Functionality
If you want to do more with your menu, there are plugins that can help. For example, Mega Menu plugins let you show large, detailed drop-downs with images or columns.
Sticky menu plugins make the menu stay at the top of the screen as people scroll down.
You can also find plugins that help make menus easier for people using screen readers, which makes your site more friendly for everyone.
Final Thoughts
You’ve now learned how to add and set up a menu in WordPress. You know how to make one, add links, place it in your theme, and even fix small issues.
Menus are simple but powerful. Try different styles and test how they look on phones and tablets.
If you want more control later, you can look into custom code or more advanced plugins. But for now, you’re ready to give your visitors a better way to explore your site.
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