Designing an appealing and functional header is crucial for a successful website. As the first thing visitors see, the header plays a key role in grabbing attention and directing users throughout the site. Thankfully, Elementor, a leading WordPress website builder, simplifies this process, even for those without coding experience. Here’s how to create a header in WordPress Elementor.
What Is a Header?
A website header is the top section of a webpage that typically remains consistent, though some websites feature different headers for various sections. It provides the first impression of your site, whether users land on the homepage, about page, or any individual post. A well-designed header can capture attention and encourage visitors to explore further.
In addition to making a strong first impression, the header plays a crucial role in establishing your brand identity. It often includes key elements such as the company logo, typography, colors, and overall brand language.
Types of Headers:
01). Navigational Header
The most common type guides users through the site’s pages. It typically features a prominent navigation menu at the top of the page.
02). Mobile-Friendly Header
Optimized for mobile devices, this header features larger fonts, reduced text, and easy accessibility for mobile browsing.
A typical header might consist of the following sections:
▪️Top bar
Display contact information, social media icons, or a language switcher.
▪️Main header
Include the logo, navigation menu, and search bar.
▪️Sticky header
A simplified version of the main header that remains visible as the user scrolls down the page.
Importance of a Header in WordPress
The header in a WordPress site is crucial for several reasons:
1. Brand Identity
It establishes your brand’s presence through elements like the logo, site title, and tagline. Consistent branding helps build recognition and trust with visitors.
2. Navigation
It often includes primary navigation menus, allowing users to easily access different sections of your site, such as pages, posts, or categories.
3. User Experience
A well-designed header improves usability by providing essential functions like search bars, contact information, and call-to-action (CTA) buttons, which facilitate user interaction and engagement.
4. Visual Appeal
The header sets the visual tone for your site, using colors, fonts, and layout to create an appealing first impression and cohesive design.
5. Functionality
In e-commerce sites, headers typically include shopping cart icons and account links, improving the shopping experience and accessibility.
Elementor is a proficient drag-and-drop page builder that provides unmatched creative versatility for your WordPress website. One of its most notable advantages is the ability to design unique headers that precisely complement your brand and website’s appearance.
A step-by-step guide to help you create a custom header with Elementor:
#1. Install and Activate Elementor
Install Elementor
If you haven’t already, go to your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins, and click Add New. Search for Elementor and click Install Now
Activate the plugin.
Install Elementor Pro (Optional)
For advanced header customization, consider installing Elementor Pro, which offers a Theme Builder feature. You can purchase it from the Elementor website.
The Theme Builder in Elementor Pro offers impressive capabilities, but accessing it requires purchasing a Personal Elementor subscription at $49/year for a single site.
However, if you’re using the free version of Elementor, there’s an alternative.
We’re going to use a free plugin called Elementor – Header, Footer & Blocks. This add-on allows you to design custom layouts and set them as headers or footers on your website.
To create a custom header for your WordPress site using the Elementor – Header, Footer & Builder plugin, follow these detailed steps:
#2. Install and Activate the Plugin
a). Access your WordPress dashboard.
b). Go to Plugins > Add New.
c). In the search bar, type Elementor – Header, Footer & Builder.
d). Click on Install Now next to the plugin.
e). Once installed, click Activate to enable the plugin on your site.
#3. Create a New Header Template
a. Go to Appearance> Elementor Header Footer & Builder in the WordPress dashboard.
b. Click on Add New to start creating a new template.
c. Enter a title for your new header template. This title is for your reference and will not be visible on the front end of your site.
d. Choose Header as the template type. This tells the plugin that this template will be used for the site’s header.
e. Save your changes by clicking Publish. This step doesn’t publish the header immediately; it just saves it as a draft for further editing.
#4. Set Display Conditions
a. After saving, you’ll need to set the display conditions to specify where the header should appear.
b. In the display conditions section, you can select from options like Entire Site, Specific Pages, or Categories. For a global header, choose Entire Website.
c. Adjust any additional settings if needed, such as excluding or including specific pages or user roles.
d. Click update to apply these conditions.
#5. Design the Header Using Elementor
a. Click on Edit with Elementor to launch the Elementor editor for your header template.
b. In Elementor, you’ll be presented with a blank canvas. Use Elementor’s drag-and-drop widgets to design your header.
Common widgets for headers include:
🔸️Site Logo
To display your site’s logo.
🔸️Navigation Menu
For your primary menu links.
🔸️Site Title
Include your site’s name.
🔸️Button
To add calls to action.
🔸️Social Icons
To link to your social media profiles.
c. Customize the design by adjusting settings for each widget. You can modify layout, style, typography, colors, spacing, and responsiveness directly in Elementor.
d. Use the responsive settings to ensure your header looks good on different devices (desktop, tablet, and mobile).
You may need to adjust padding, margins, or font sizes for various screen sizes.
e. To ensure a consistent design, use Elementor’s alignment tools and section settings to align elements neatly.
#6. Publish the Header
a. Once you’re happy with the header design, click Publish in Elementor.
b. Ensure that the display conditions are set correctly (this was configured in step 3). If you need to adjust them, you can do so by going back to the Header Footer & Blocks section in the WordPress dashboard and modifying the template settings.
c. Click Save & Close to finalize your changes.
#7. Check Your Site
a. Visit your website to view the new header in action. Check different pages and devices to ensure it display as expected.
b. If you notice any issues or need to make adjustments, return to the Elementor editor by going to Appearance > Header Footer &, then click Edit with Elementor for the specific header template you created.
c. Make any necessary changes and re-publish the header as described in step 5.
Considerations for Header Design
A well-crafted header improves website browsing and user engagement by presenting the site’s identity, captivating users, and representing the organization. Consider the following factors:
1️⃣Logo Placement
Logos serve as prominent identifiers. Place them prominently in the top left corner, ensuring visibility without overshadowing other header elements.
2️⃣Navigation Links:
Navigation links facilitate easy site navigation. Include two links: one for navigating between page sections and another for page-to-page transitions within a post (e.g., using dropdown menus).
3️⃣Social Media Integration
Social media buttons enhance marketing efforts. Display social media icons to enable content sharing and engagement.
4️⃣Login Forms
If user login is required for content access, integrate a login form directly into the header to minimize user interruptions.
5️⃣Search Bars
For websites with extensive content, a search bar allows users to locate information quickly.
6️⃣Call-to-Actions
Use a clear and visually appealing call-to-action (CTA) to guide users to desired actions, such as subscribing to a newsletter or making a purchase.
7️⃣E-commerce Features
E-commerce websites should incorporate related elements in the header, such as shopping cart icons, wish lists, and sign-in options.
Conclusion
Creating a header in WordPress Elementor is easy. Following the steps in this article will help you create a custom header that will match your website’s branding and provide your visitors with a great user experience.
