How to Change Menu Color in WordPress? (3 Methods Explained)

When a user opens your website, one of the first things they usually interact with is the menu, which leads them to the rest of the content. Having an eye menu makes it more likely for them to visit various sections and pages on your website. That means lower bounce rates. So consider changing menu color in WordPress for the best results.

So through this blog, I’ll cover the best ways to change the menu color, as suggested by expert WordPress developers. Whether you are looking for a simple theme or plugin change or more advanced control with CSS, we’ll take a look.

Without further ado, let’s begin.

How to Change the Menu Color in WordPress?

Well, in typical WordPress fashion, there are a few different ways to change the menu colors: through WordPress Customizer, WordPress plugin, or a custom CSS. Let’s discuss them in detail.

Using the WordPress Customizer

The WordPress Customizer is a powerful tool that allows you to make changes to your website’s appearance in real-time. That includes modifying your menu color. Here’s how it goes.

Step 1: Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard.

Step 2: In the left-hand sidebar, navigate to Appearance > Customize. This will open the Customizer interface with a live preview of your website on the right.

Step 3: The Customizer is organized into sections or panels. Look for a section related to “Menus,” “Header,” or “Navigation.” The exact location and naming might vary depending on your WordPress theme.

Some themes might have a dedicated “Menu” section, while others might include menu settings within a broader “Header” or “Theme Options” section.

Step 4: Once you’ve found the menu settings, you’ll typically see options to change the following:

• Menu Background Color: This controls the background color of your entire menu.
• Menu Item Color: This determines the color of the text within your menu items.
• Hover Color: This sets the color of a menu item when you hover over it with your mouse.
• Active Color: This defines the color of the currently active menu item (the page you’re currently viewing).
• Sub-menu Colors: You might also find options to customize the colors of your sub-menu items, including background, text, and hover colors.

One of the biggest advantages of the Customizer is the live preview. As you make changes to the menu colors, you’ll see those changes reflected instantly on the preview of your website. This allows you to experiment with different colors and see how they look in real-time without affecting your live site.

Step 5: Once you’re satisfied with the new menu colors, click the “Publish” or “Save” button at the top of the Customizer interface. This will apply your changes to your live website.

There are also “Undo” and “Redo” buttons, so you can easily revert any unwanted changes.

Using a WordPress Plugin

WordPress offers a range of plugins in its official directory, which provide the easiest and most versatile way to change your menu colors. To choose the best plugin for your website, look for plugins with a high number of active installations, good ratings, and recent updates. This indicates a well-maintained and reliable plugin.

Step 1: Follow the due process and install the WordPress plugin.

Step 2: After the activation, look for a new menu section under Appearance > Menus, or check for a dedicated section for the plugin in your dashboard sidebar.

Step 3: Plugins typically provide a user-friendly interface with color pickers, sliders, and other controls. You’ll likely find settings for:

• Menu Background: Overall background color of the menu.
• Menu Item Text: The color of the text in your menu items.
• Hover Colors: The color a menu item changes to when you mouse over it.
• Active Item Color: Highlights the page the user is currently on.
• Sub-menu Colors: Control the colors of dropdown menus.
• Borders and Dividers: Add visual separation between menu items.

Step 4: Go for a live preview. Many plugins offer a live preview within their settings, so you can see your changes in real-time. If not, simply check your website as you make adjustments.

Step 5: Once you’re happy with the new look, save your settings within the plugin’s interface.

Some of the most common plugins include Max Mega Menu, QuadMenu, etc.

Using Custom CSS

If you want the most control over the color and appearance of the menu on your WordPress website, the best way to go is custom CSS. But it may require some coding knowhow. But if you understand CSS and are willing to put a little more time, this method can give you pixel perfect color styles.

But bear in mind that you will be making changes to the core theme file. So make sure to create a child theme before going through with this process.

Let’s see how you can go about this process. The most common way to add custom CSS is through the WordPress Customizer.

Step 1: Log into your WordPress dashboard and go to Appearance > Customize (or Editor). That will open the theme editor/customizer.

Step 2: Now, click on “Styles” and select the “Pencil” icon. That will open the page you are trying to customize the menu color on.

Step 3: On the right side, under the “Styles” section, you’ll see the “Additional CSS” option at the end. Click on it. This is where you’ll add your code.

Before you go about adding custom CSS codes to your theme file, it’s important to know the selectors of the menu you are trying to target.

Step 4: On the page, right-click on your menu and select “Inspect” (or a similar option) to open your browser’s developer tools.

Step 5: Look for the HTML elements that make up your menu (e.g., <nav>, <ul>, <li>). Note the class names and IDs associated with these elements. These are your selectors.

Now comes the focus part of the process. Writing the CSS code snippets.

Step 6: Go back to the “Additional CSS” and add the code snippet. We’ll look at a few details on it.

Step 7: Paste the CSS code you’ve written into the “Additional CSS” section of the Customizer or your child theme’s style.css file.

Step 8: Save your changes in the Customizer or update your child theme files.

That will apply the new color changes to your menu.

In the next section, we’ll try to keep this method in focus and try to see how the WordPress experts go about following it.

How to Write CSS Rules in WordPress?

A CSS rule consists of a selector and a declaration block. The declaration block contains one or more property-value pairs that define the styles you want to apply. For example:

.your-menu-class { /* Selector */
  background-color: #f0f0f0; /* Property: value */
  color: #333; 
}

Targeting Specific Elements

You can use different selectors to target specific parts of your menu.

• .main-menu: Targets the main menu container.
• .main-menu ul li a: Targets the links within the menu items.
• .main-menu li:hover: Targets a menu item when you hover over it.

Common CSS Properties for Menus

There are different CSS properties for editing different aspects of a menu.

• background-color: Sets the background color.
• color: Sets the text color.
• font-size: Controls the font size.
• padding: Adds spacing around the menu items.
• margin: Adds spacing outside the menu items.
• border: Adds a border around the menu.

Let’s look at an example.

/* Change the menu background color */
.main-navigation { 
  background-color: #007bff; /* Blue background */
}

/* Change the menu item text color */
.main-navigation ul li a {
  color: white; 
}

/* Change the hover color */
.main-navigation ul li a:hover {
  background-color: #0056b3; /* Darker blue on hover */
}

If you have multiple CSS rules that conflict, the more specific rule will take precedence. And test your CSS changes thoroughly on different browsers and devices to ensure they look as intended.

If they don’t, use your browser’s developer tools to inspect the elements and identify any errors. Or you can simply hire a professional WordPress development company for the custom designs on your website.

Impact of Menu Color on Website Design

The impact of menu color on the overall design of a website is significant and multifaceted. It can affect the user experience, brand perception, and in a broader sense, even the conversion rates. Here’s the influence.

User Experience

A menu is from where the users navigate to the different pages of your website. So if the menu is not captivating enough, it may turn off some users.

You have to ensure sufficient contrast between the menu text and background, so it’s easy to navigate the site. A light-colored menu on a dark background or vice versa is generally recommended.

Distinct menu colors help users quickly identify and locate the navigation menu, improving the overall usability of your website. Color can be used to highlight specific menu items, drawing attention to important pages or calls to action.

Brand Perception

Your menu color should align with your overall brand colors and style guide. This reinforces brand recognition and creates a cohesive experience across your online presence.

Different colors evoke different emotions. Choosing colors that resonate with your brand values and target audience can help you create a deeper connection with your visitors.

For example, having the normal red, green, blue, yellow, etc. on your website usually means yours is a day-to-day usage business. But colors like olive green, navy blue, crimson, gold, etc. signify a luxury brand. So colors have quite an impact on the brand.

That’s why it’s very important you choose the color palette for any part of your website, no matter how big or small, very carefully.

Overall Aesthetics

A well-chosen menu color enhances the overall visual appeal of your website, creating a positive first impression. A cohesive color scheme that includes your menu contributes to a professional and polished website design.

Conversions

Using a contrasting color for call-to-action buttons within your menu can draw attention to them and encourage clicks. Color can be used to highlight important menu items or sections, guiding users towards desired actions.

If needed, you can hire a professional web design company to help you with the design of your website.

FAQs on Changing Menu Color in WordPress

Let’s Summarize

Your website’s menu is more than just a navigational tool; it’s a key element in user experience, branding, and overall design. By changing the menu color, you can make a significant impact on how visitors perceive and interact with your site.

Whether you prefer the simplicity of the WordPress Customizer, the versatility of plugins, or the precision of custom CSS, it’s possible to change the menu colors effectively. But remember to consider factors like color contrast, brand consistency, and mobile responsiveness to ensure user-friendliness and visual appeal.

If you need help with the color and design of your website, hire the services of our WordPress professionals today!