How to Edit Header in WordPress: Comprehensive Guide for All Methods

When it comes to WordPress web development, the header holds its own significance. It’s not merely a basic element but a vital component that contributes significantly to the overall look, feel, and functionality of the website.

Whether you are a complete WordPress beginner or an experienced WordPress user, having a site’s header according to you and your business requirements is a fundamental requirement to ask for.

In this guide, we’ll help you with the same. First, we’ll go through the basic introduction of the WordPress header, then the different types of WordPress headers so that you can pick and create the exact one using the right method.

What is Header in WordPress?

The topmost section of your website is the header in WordPress. It is usually a common and standard section to get applied on the entire WordPress site and probably the first thing the web visitors interact with.

Fundamentally, the WordPress header section includes brand identity stating elements such as logo, navigation menu, and social ratings. The header serves several important functions:

• Site Identity: The header often contains elements that represent the identity of the business. This may include the site’s title, tagline, and logo. These elements help visitors immediately recognize the website and understand its services/products.
• Navigation: The header includes the primary navigation menu, allowing visitors to easily navigate to different pages or sections of the website. Making every related content easily accessible.
• Contact Information: Some website header also include contact information such as a phone number or email address, providing visitors with a quick way to get in touch with the website owner or the support team.
• Search Bar: To let the users directly hop on specific content within the website. Adding this element can benefit both website owners and users by improving user-friendliness.
• Announcements: The website header can also be used to display important announcements, promotions, or calls to action, depending on the website’s goals.

Overall, the header is a major component of the WordPress website. Its design and content should be well-optimized to ensure the site is on track to achieving the WordPress SEO Checklist and scales well on multiple search engines.

Types of Header in WordPress

The header in WordPress site can come in various types and styles to suit different website designs and user experiences. Even if you are creating WordPress child theme, considering different WordPress header can help in enhancing the overall web interface and user experience.

Type 1: Default Header

The default header is the standard header that appears at the top of your website’s pages. It typically includes standard elements such as a logo and navigation menu. This header remains static as users scroll down the page.

Type 2: Sticky Header

A sticky header, also known as a fixed header, remains visible at the top of the page as users scroll down. It provides easy access to essential navigation links and branding elements, ensuring they are always within reach.

Sticky headers are useful for large websites with lengthy content such as blogs, articles, and even detailed service pages because they maintain user navigation options without requiring users to scroll back to the top.

Type 3: Transparent Header

A transparent header is a header that has a transparent or semi transparent background, allowing the content beneath it – usually images or video to show through.

Using header styles can create a modern and visually appealing effect. However, it may require careful design considerations to ensure that text and other elements in the header remain legible against the background.

You can consider getting help from dedicated WordPress developers to make sure that the required transparent header styling turns out in the exact way you want.

How to Edit Header in WordPress Website?

Got a curated list of the best 5 methods to edit header in WordPress Website! Depending on your customization and header type needs – you can pick any of the mentioned below.

Method 1: Edit Header in WordPress Website Using Theme Customizer

There are several ways you can edit the header on the site, and using the default WordPress Customizer is the most common and user-friendly method of them.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to edit the header using the Theme Customizer:

Step 1: Access the WordPress Website

• Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard using your administrator credentials.
• You can also navigate to the web admin login page by adding ‘wp-admin‘ at the end of your domain URL.
• In case, the login page is set customly, there are several methods to find WordPress login URL.

Step 2: Navigate to the Theme Customizer

• Click on ‘Appearance‘ in the WordPress Dashboard left-sided menu.
• Select ‘Customize‘ from the dropdown menu. This will open the Theme Customizer.

Step 3: Locate the Header Settings

• The specific location of header settings may vary depending on the theme.
• However, header related options are often found in sections named ‘Header,’ ‘Header & Navigation,’ or ‘Header Options‘.
• Click on the header-related section to expand it.

Step 4: Customize Header Elements

Depending on the theme and the customization options it provides, normally you can edit the following header elements:

• Site Title/Logo: You can change the site title or upload a custom logo.
• Site Tagline: Edit or hide the site’s tagline it’s up to you.
• Header Image/Gradient: Some themes allow you to set an image in the header background or you can also consider adding a gradient color.
• Navigation Menu: Implement the primary navigation menu you want to show on the top of the web, its placement, and style.
• Header Layout: Adjust the layout of the header, such as its width, height, and alignment.
• Header Text and Colors: Modify the text color, link colors, and other typography styling options.

Step 5: Preview Your Changes

• As you make changes in the WordPress Customizer, let you see a real-time preview of how your header will look.
• Ensure you’re satisfied with the changes before proceeding to publish it.

Step 6: Save Your Changes

• After customizing the header to your liking, click the ‘Publish‘ or ‘Save & Publish‘ button.
• This will save the changes and make them immediately live on your website.

Step 7: Check on Website

• Visit your website URL in a new browser tab to see the updated header. In the beginning, to get on the final draft you might have several turn by turn. During the process, we suggest you clear cache WordPress site so that you can review the newest changes accurately.

Remember that the options available for header customization may vary from theme to theme. 

If your current theme doesn’t provide the desired level of customization for the header, then you must consider switching to a different theme or choosing custom WordPress theme design and development services.

Also, always ensure you have a backup of WordPress website or create a staging site before making significant changes to avoid accidental data loss or site disruptions.

Method 2: Edit Header in WordPress Website Using Full Site Editor

If you are looking for a bit more advanced and flexible customization header options in WordPress then choosing a full site editor will be better for you rather than the default WordPress Theme Customizer.

The Full Site Editor is also part of the new WordPress features, and modern WordPress block editor – Gutenberg. Here’s how to edit the header using the Full Site Editor:

Step 1: Access the WordPress Website

• Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard.

Step 2: Navigate to the Full Site Editor

• Click on ‘Appearance‘ in the WordPress Dashboard menu.
• Select ‘Site Editor‘ from the dropdown menu. 
• This will open the Full Site Editor.

Step 3: Select the Header Block

• In the Full Site Editor, you’ll see the website live preview with all editing options listed on the left-hand side.
• Look for the header section, which is usually at the top of your site. It must be labeled as ‘Header‘ or ‘Site Header‘.
• Click on the header section.

Step 4: Edit the Header

Once the header section is selected, you’ll see various editing options in the sidebar. Depending on your theme and the block editor features, you can customize the header in several ways:

• Change Logo: Upload a custom logo or change the existing one.
• Add Blocks: Consider the use of this advanced tool for adding and arranging text, images, buttons, or other content within the header.
• Adjust Header Height: With which you can control the site’s visual prominence on the page. You can make the header taller or shorter to suit the web design requirements.
• Header Blocks: Use blocks to add various content elements within the header. Common header block types include text blocks, image blocks, buttons, social media icons, and search bars.
• Header Elements Alignment: You can align each block to the left, center, or right. It also offers control of the alignment and positioning of header elements, such as the logo, site title, and navigation menu.
• Sticky Header: Enable or disable the sticky header feature, which keeps the header visible at the top of the page as users scroll down.

Step 5: Preview Your Changes

• WordPress Full Site Editor, also allows you to see a real-time preview of the website’s header.
• Review the changes to ensure they match design preferences as per your needs.

Step 6: Publish Your Changes

• Click on the ‘Update‘ or ‘Publish‘ button.
• This will save the changes and make them immediately live on your website.

Step 7: Check Your Website

• Visit your website, and relish the all-new revamped header.

Thus, WordPress Full Site Editor offers a more visual and flexible way to customize your unique header compared to the Theme Customizer. However, the features and customization options may still depend on the theme and any plugins you have installed.

Method 3: Edit Header in WordPress Website Using Header Plugin

Editing the header in a WordPress website using a plugin is a best practice you can consider when seeking more advanced customization options and integration with the current web design standards.

Here, we will be considering the use of the Elementor Header & Footer plugin, which already has 1+ million active installations and also gets regularly updated by the proactive developer’s community of Brainstorm Force. 

Indeed, while factoring required measures to choose best WordPress plugin – you can also pick any other header plugin covering your business requirements too.

Here’s how to edit the header using the Elementor Header and Footer plugin:

Step 1: Install and Activate Elementor Header & Footer Builder

• Log in to your WordPress Admin Dashboard.
• Navigate to ‘Plugins‘.
• Click on ‘Add New‘.
• Search for ‘Elementor Header and Footer Builder‘.
• Tap on the ‘Install‘ button
• Once the WordPress plugin installation is completed, tap on ‘Activate‘.
• Conducting this procedure will make the Elementor Header & Footer Builder plugin active, and set it all for considering it in use.

Step 2: Create a Header Template

• After steering to WordPress Dashboard, go to ‘Templates‘.
• Look for and select the ‘Theme Builder‘ option.
• To create a new header template, click on the ‘Add New‘ button.
• Choose the ‘Header‘ template type.

Step 3: Choose a Header Structure

• Elementor provides pre-designed header structures you can select from. If you don’t prefer that, building a custom header from scratch is also available.
• Once you’ve chosen a structure, the Elementor editor will open.

Step 4: Design Your Header

• Use the Elementor editor to design your header. You can add and customize elements like logo, navigation menu, text, buttons, images, shortcodes, and much more by simply dragging and dropping from the options available on the left-hand side panel.
• Elementor also offers broad customization of the styling, colors, typography, and spacing of each element to match your design preferences.
• Take advantage of Elementor’s widgets and features to create a dynamic and interactive header.

Step 5: Preview Your Header

• With Elementor, you can have a pre-preview of the header created by you by clicking on the eye icon present right before the ‘Publish‘ button. 
• So, that you can make any required changes without creating any mess on the live web pages.

Step 6: Save Your Header Template

• Click the ‘Publish” button.
• It will pop up a box asking where you want to show the header created by you.
• If you missed out on selecting from that pop-up, directly hop on the next step.

Step 7: Assign the Header to Your Website

• To make your custom header appear on your website, you need to assign it to specific pages or conditions. 
• Navigate to WordPress admin dashboard → Templates. 
• Under the name you give to the Header section, you’ll get multiple options. Click on ‘Edit‘ present in that panel.
• Scrolling down, click the ‘Display Conditions‘ button in Elementor’s template settings.
• Configure the display rules to determine where and when you want to insert header. 
• You can assign it to the entire site, specific pages, posts, categories, and more.

Step 8: Publish Your Header Template

• Once you’ve configured the display conditions, to make the custom header live on your website – click the ‘Publish‘ button.

Step 9: Check Your Website

• Just for your assurance! visit your website to check that the new header is displaying correctly and functioning as intended.

Elementor’s header footer plugin provides a flexible and visual way to create and customize a header for your WordPress website. You can create static, sticky, and even transparent header using Elementor Header & Footer plugin.

Also, with the Elementor header, you can make any update easily and at any time. This method gives you full control over your website’s header design and layout.

Method 4: Edit Header in WordPress Website Adding Custom Code

Editing the header in a WordPress website by adding custom code is a more advanced method that allows for precise control over your header’s design and functionality. 

This method is only suitable for users who are comfortable with HTML, CSS, and PHP coding. 

If that’s the only way you want to consider editing the WordPress header, we suggest you get assistance from WordPress developers who have experience in each of the programming languages. Here’s how to edit the header using custom code:

Step 1: Backup Your Website

• We simply don’t want you to regret editing the WordPress header! Before doing any experiment in the core files of the web it’s important to backup WordPress site.
• This ensures you can revert to the previous state if something goes wrong. You can use a backup plugin such as UpdraftPlus or make a manual backup of particular WordPress files and databases.

Step 2: Access Your Theme Files

• To edit the header, you’ll typically need to access the current child theme’s files.
• To do so; in the WordPress Dashboard, navigate to ‘Appearance‘ → ‘Theme Editor.’ 
• Select your theme from the list on the right, and you can edit theme files from there.

Step 3: Locate the Header File

• The header is usually located in the theme folder and is named something like ‘header.php‘ or ‘header-template.php‘. 
• Locate this file and click to open it in the code editor.

Step 4: Edit the Header Code

•  Use HTML, CSS, and PHP code to edit and customize the header as needed. 
• For example, to change the logo, you might modify the HTML code that displays the logo image and use CSS to adjust its styling.
• Be cautious when editing PHP code, as improper changes can break your website. If you’re unsure, consult with a WordPress development company or refer to your theme’s documentation for guidance.

Step 5: Save Your Changes

• After making the necessary edits, save the ‘header.php‘ file.

Step 6: Check Your Website

• Visit your website to see the updated header.
• Verify that everything is displaying as expected and that there are no errors or issues.

Step 7: Test Responsiveness

• To check from the display itself, you can right click and click on ‘Inspect’
• Ensure that your custom header design is responsive and looks good on various screen sizes, including desktop, tablet, and mobile devices.

Step 8: Troubleshoot and Debug

• If you encounter any issues, such as White Screen of Death (WSOD), refer to the backup you created earlier to restore your site to its previous state.
• Debug and resolve any issues by reviewing your code and checking for syntax errors or conflicts with other plugins and themes.

Editing the header with custom code gives you complete control over your website’s design, but it also requires a good understanding of coding practices and WordPress themes. 

Make sure to document your changes and maintain regular backups to protect the website’s integrity.

Method 5: Edit Header in WordPress Website Via FTP

By the way, this method is reserved! For advanced WordPress users, having a good understanding of coding and WordPress themes. If you are familiar with HTML, CSS, and PHP coding – this WordPress header editing method is just for you.

Basically, editing the header in a WordPress website via FTP (File Transfer Protocol) involves directly accessing and modifying the theme files on your web server. Here’s how to edit the header using FTP:

Step 1: Connect to Your Web Server

You can use any of the best FTP Client for WordPress such as FileZilla to connect to your web server. You will need the following information:

• Host/Server Address: This is often your domain name (e.g., ftp.yourwebsite.com) or server IP address.
• FTP Username and Password: Provided by your web hosting provider.
• Port: Usually, FTP operates on port 21, but the WordPress hosting provider may specify a different port.

Step 2: Navigate to Theme Files

• Once connected, you’ll see the web server’s directory structure.
• Navigate to the WordPress root directory – ‘public_html‘.
• Then go to ‘/wp-content/themes/‘. 
• This is where your theme files are stored.

Step 3: Locate the Header File

• The header file should be named as ‘header.php‘ or `header-template.php‘. 
• Find and right-click on this file, then choose ‘Download‘
• It will file to your local computer. 
• Make sure to have a copy of this file as a backup.

Step 4: Edit the Header Code

• Use a text editor or IDE (e.g., Notepad or Visual Studio Code) to open the downloaded ‘header.php‘ file.
• You can add, remove, or modify elements like header media, site logo, navigation menu, text, and more as per your requirements.
• When editing PHP code, you must be cautious as improper changes can break your website.

Step 5: Save Your Changes

• After making the necessary edits, save the revamped ‘headerphp file’ on your local computer.

Step 6: Upload the Edited File

• In your FTP client, navigate to the same directory – from where you downloaded the ‘header.php‘ file.
• Right-click on the header.php file on your local computer, and choose to upload it to your web server, ‘overwriting the existing header.php file‘.

Step 7: Check Your Website

• To ensure that the code ran perfectly and didn’t mess up any other site elements – you must go to your website.

Editing the header via FTP is just another similar way to adding custom code. As already cautioned, step in this method only if you have a good understanding of coding practices and WordPress themes while maintaining regular backups.

FAQs About Editing Header in WordPress

What is the difference between using the WordPress Theme Customizer and using a plugin for editing the header?

As the WordPress Theme Customizer is a built-in WordPress tool that allows customization of certain header aspects - it still has some editing limitations. Whereas, header plugins like Elementor Header and Footer Builder offer much more visually appealing interface, and drag-and-drop editing and provide advanced yet flexible customization options.

Can I change the header on specific pages or posts in WordPress?

Yes, many header customization methods, including header plugins and the Theme Customizer do offer this feature. Using such tools enables you to define display conditions for your custom headers. This lets you have different headers on different parts of your site.

Is it possible to make my header responsive for mobile devices?

Yes, you can and must make your header responsive. Most header customization tools and themes include responsive design options ensuring header looks and well functions on various screen sizes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we covered the 5 best methods for answering ‘How to Edit Header in WordPress?’. However, you must note that editing the header in a WordPress website is an essential aspect. So, customizing and branding the header meets your specific web design and functional requirements. 

WordPress provides various methods to achieve this customization, each catering to different user skill levels and needs.

• WordPress Theme Customizer: A beginner-friendly method to customize the header – offering basic customization and a straightforward interface to deal with.
• Full Site Editor: The Full Site Editor, often based on the Gutenberg block editor, provides a more advanced and visual approach to header customization compared to the WordPress Theme Customizer.
• Header Plugins: Header plugins like Elementor Header and Footer Builder offer a drag-and-drop interface for creating and customizing headers. But, still, it’s not mandatory to use the same plugin only – you can check out much more and consider using one well-fitting to your requirements.
• Custom Code and FTP: Editing the header via custom code or FTP is the most advanced method, allowing for precise control over the header’s HTML, CSS, and PHP code.

Ultimately, the header is a vital part of the website’s identity and usability, so take the required time to customize it to your satisfaction. 

Whether you’re looking for a simple, elegant header or a complex, feature-rich design, our listed methods will help you to provide step by step guide including tools and flexibility to achieve unique header goals.

Furthermore, if you need any assistance in editing WordPress header not only through plugins but also with custom coding – feel free to get in touch with us. Our experienced developers cover each tech skill to turn your imagination into reality.