HOW TO EDIT A FOOTER IN WORDPRESS

At Lillian Purge, we specialise in Ecommerce SEO Services and have developed comprehensive guidance on How to Edit Footer in Wordpress.

The footer appears at the bottom of every page on your WordPress site. Depending on your theme and setup, it can include widgets, menus, social icons, or a simple copyright line. There are several ways to edit it, and the best method depends on your theme and how your website is built.

1. Editing the Footer Using the WordPress Customiser

Most modern WordPress themes allow you to change footer content directly through the Customiser.

Go to your WordPress dashboard and select Appearance > Customise.
Look for an option labelled Footer, Layout, or Widgets.
Depending on your theme, you can edit text, add widgets, or change footer colours and layout.
After making changes, click Publish to save them.

This method is the easiest for beginners and does not require any coding knowledge.

2. Editing Footer Widgets

Many WordPress themes use widgets to control footer content. Widgets can include menus, text blocks, contact forms, or social media links.

To edit footer widgets:

Go to Appearance > Widgets in your dashboard.
Locate the Footer or Footer Widget Area.
Click on the widget you want to edit, such as “Text” or “Custom HTML.”
Update the content and click Save.

Some themes divide the footer into multiple columns, so you may have several widget areas (for example, Footer Column 1, Footer Column 2, etc.).

3. Editing Footer Text Through Theme Settings

Premium or advanced themes often have dedicated theme options panels separate from the standard Customiser.

Go to Appearance > Theme Options or your theme’s settings panel (for example, “Theme Settings,” “Divi Options,” or “Avada Options”).
Look for a section called Footer Settings or Copyright Text.
Update the text or links as needed and save your changes.

This is particularly useful if your theme includes pre-built footer templates or design controls.

4. Editing Footer Through the Block Editor (Full Site Editing)

If you’re using a block-based theme with Full Site Editing (available in WordPress 5.9 and later), you can edit the footer like any other part of your website.

From the dashboard, go to Appearance > Editor (Beta).
Click on Template Parts and select Footer.
Use the block editor to modify text, add blocks, or rearrange elements.
When finished, click Save.

This method provides complete flexibility for editing and designing your footer visually.

5. Editing Footer Code in theme files

If your theme does not include built-in footer editing options, you can modify the footer directly in your theme’s code. This should only be done if you are comfortable with HTML and PHP.

In your WordPress dashboard, go to Appearance > Theme File Editor.
Locate and select the footer.php file from your theme.
Edit the text or code you want to change, such as copyright information.
Click Update File to save changes.

Be cautious when editing this file. One small error can break your site layout. Always back up your website before making changes, or use a child theme so your edits aren’t lost during theme updates.

6. Removing “Powered by WordPress”

Many WordPress themes include a “Powered by WordPress” message in the footer. If you want to remove or replace it:

Use the Customiser or Theme Options panel if your theme allows it.
If not, edit the footer.php file and delete or replace the line that contains the text.

Alternatively, some themes let you hide this credit using CSS:

.site-info { display: none; }

You can add this code to Appearance > Customise > Additional CSS.

7. Adding Useful Elements to the Footer

Your footer is more than just a space for copyright text. It’s a great place to include useful links and trust signals. Common elements include:

Privacy policy and terms of service links.
Contact information or business address.
Social media icons.
Newsletter signup forms.
Payment and security badges for eCommerce stores.

By optimising your footer, you improve user experience and reinforce trust with visitors.

8. Using Page Builders to Edit the Footer

If your site uses a page builder like Elementor, Divi, or Beaver Builder, you can edit or design a custom footer using those tools.

For example, in Elementor:

Go to Templates > Theme Builder > Footer.
Create or edit your footer template.
Add widgets, menus, and design elements using drag-and-drop blocks.
Publish your footer and assign it to display across your site.

Page builders give you complete design control without touching code, making them ideal for users who want visually rich layouts.

Tips for a Professional Footer

When editing your footer, aim for simplicity and functionality. Keep the design clean, with easy-to-read text and well-structured links. Avoid overloading the footer with too many elements, as this can distract from your main content.

Check that all links and contact details are correct, and test how your footer looks on mobile devices to ensure readability.

Final Thoughts

Editing the footer in WordPress is straightforward once you know where to look. Whether you use the Customiser, widgets, theme settings, or full site editing, there are multiple ways to update your footer content.

For most users, the easiest method is through the Customiser or widgets, but those seeking full control can use the theme editor or page builders for a completely custom design.

A well-designed footer adds professionalism to your website, improves navigation, and reinforces your brand identity. Taking the time to customise it properly ensures your site looks polished and trustworthy from top to bottom.

We have also written in depth articles on How to Duplicate a Page in Wordpress and Is Wordpress Free? as well as our Wordpress Hub to give you further guidance.