Menus help visitors navigate your website easily. If you’re new to WordPress, creating and customizing menus may seem tricky. In this guide, we’ll show you step by step how to create a WordPress menu and organize your pages, categories, and links.
Step 1: Access the Menu Settings
- Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard
- Go to Appearance → Menus
- Click Create a new menu
Tip: Give your menu a clear name, like “Main Menu” or “Header Menu.”
Step 2: Add Pages, Categories, and Links
- Add Pages: Select pages you’ve created and click Add to Menu
- Add Categories: Include blog categories for easy navigation
- Add Custom Links: Link to external websites or special pages (e.g., affiliate links)
Example: You can add your hosting review page or an affiliate link to Bluehost or SiteGround as a custom menu item.
Step 3: Organize Menu Items
- Drag and drop menu items to reorder them
- Create submenus by dragging an item slightly to the right under a parent item
- Keep menus simple and easy to navigate
Tip: Avoid cluttering your main menu with too many items. 5–7 top items is ideal for beginners.
Step 4: Assign the Menu Location
- Most themes have menu locations like Primary, Header, or Footer
- Check Menu Settings → Display location
- Select your menu for the desired location and click Save Menu
Step 5: Customize the Menu Appearance
- Go to Appearance → Customize → Menus
- Some themes allow styling like font size, colors, or button-style menus
- Preview changes before publishing
Many modern themes and page builders like Elementor offer additional menu customization options.
Step 6: Mobile Responsiveness
- Test your menu on mobile and tablet devices
- Ensure dropdown menus work properly
- Make sure menu items are clickable and easy to read
Conclusion
Creating a WordPress menu is simple once you understand the dashboard. Menus improve navigation, user experience, and even SEO. Beginners can start with a clear main menu, include essential pages and categories, and optionally add affiliate links.