A Step-by-Step Beginner’s Guide

The footer of your website might seem like that quiet coworker who never says much during meetings—but when they do, it’s impactful. Much like that unsung hero, the WordPress footer quietly holds valuable information: contact details, privacy policies, site navigation, and yes, even that notorious “Powered by WordPress” stamp.

So, whether you’re trying to brand your site more professionally or remove that last bit of generic filler text, mastering how to edit footer in WordPress is a skill every website owner should have in their digital toolbox. The good news? It’s easier than you think.

What Is a WordPress Footer and Why It Matters

Located at the bottom of your site, the footer isn’t just the finish line of your content—it’s prime real estate for links, widgets, and legal information. It helps:

• Guide users to important but non-primary pages
• Add branding flair (and remove branding you didn’t ask for)
• Boost SEO through internal linking
• Meet legal requirements like GDPR or copyright notices

Think of it as the credits scene after a good movie—some people skip it, but the savvy ones know there’s usually something valuable hidden there.

4 Primary Ways to Edit the Footer in WordPress

Before you break out the code editor or dive into theme files like a caffeinated developer at 2 a.m., let’s walk through the different ways to edit your footer—starting from the beginner-friendly and moving up to pro level.

1. Use the WordPress Customizer

For most themes, this is the easiest method.

Steps:

• Go to Appearance > Customize in your WordPress dashboard.
• Locate the section labeled Footer, Footer Settings, or something similar.
• Make your edits: you can change layout, text, or even footer widgets.
• Hit Publish when you’re done admiring your work.

Pro tip: If your footer still says “2021” and it’s 2025… well, now’s a good time to freshen things up. Timeless content is great. Outdated copyright years? Not so much.

2. Edit Footer Widgets

If your theme supports widgets in the footer, you’ve got plenty of room to play.

Steps:

• Go to Appearance > Widgets.
• Look for sections labeled Footer 1, Footer Area, or similar.
• Drag and drop elements like text, images, menus, or social icons.
• Save and preview your changes.

Bonus: Want to add a mini navigation menu? Create one under Appearance > Menus, then assign it to the footer via a widget. Voilà—footer magic with zero code.

3. Modify the footer.php File (Advanced Users Only)

Feeling brave? Time to meet footer.php, the file where the footer code lives. But beware: one wrong move and you could crash your site faster than you can say “syntax error.”

Steps:

• Navigate to Appearance > Theme File Editor.
• Open footer.php.
• Carefully edit the text or HTML (e.g., to remove “Powered by WordPress”).
• Save the file.

⚠️ Always use a child theme for this. Otherwise, your changes will vanish the next time the theme updates. That’s not just inconvenient—it’s heartbreak in code form.

4. Use Page Builders like Elementor or SeedProd

Want full control without touching code? Drag-and-drop page builders are your new best friends.

Steps with Elementor:

• Install Elementor or a similar builder.
• Go to Templates > Add New, select Footer, and start building.
• Design your custom layout, add dynamic content, and hit publish.

These builders let you create visually stunning footers—think newsletter forms, CTA buttons, or even a cat photo gallery if that’s your brand vibe (hey, we don’t judge).

How to Remove “Powered by WordPress” (And Should You?)

Sure, it’s there by default. But are you legally required to keep it?

Usually, no. Most free themes under GPL licenses let you remove or customize the text. Still, check the theme’s license just to be sure.

How to Remove It:

• Via the Customizer (some themes support it).
• By editing footer.php.
• Using a plugin like Remove Footer Credit.
• With custom CSS:

style.css
.site-info {
display: none;
}

Fun fact: Leaving “Powered by WordPress” on your site is like showing up to a job interview in a shirt that says, “My mom dressed me.” It’s not wrong, but it’s not very professional either.

Adding Custom Code to Your Footer

Need to add a script (like Google Analytics)? Don’t paste it randomly—use a plugin like WPCode.

Steps:

• Install and activate WPCode.
• Go to Code Snippets > Header & Footer.
• Paste your code in the Footer section and save.

This keeps your site tidy and makes managing scripts way easier.

Common Mistakes When Editing the Footer (And How to Avoid Them)

Let’s save you from learning things the hard way:

• Editing on a live site: Always back up your site first. Or better, use a staging environment.
• Not using a child theme: Don’t let your hard work disappear with the next theme update.
• Overloading with widgets: A footer is a footer, not a second homepage.
• Poor mobile formatting: Preview how it looks on tablets and phones.
• Ignoring accessibility: Make sure links are keyboard-friendly and text is readable.
• Using sketchy plugins: Only install well-reviewed, frequently updated plugins.

Tips for a Clean and Functional Footer

• Keep content relevant and minimal.
• Use clear navigation labels.
• Add social media links, newsletter opt-ins, or contact info.
• Always preview before publishing.
• Ensure the design complements your site’s overall layout.

Conclusion

Now that you’ve learned how to edit footer in WordPress, you’re ready to transform that underutilized space into a powerful branding and navigation tool. Whether you’re a blogger, a business owner, or just someone who believes your website shouldn’t wear the WordPress logo like a bumper sticker, customizing your footer gives you that professional edge.

So go ahead—tidy up that footer. Your future self (and your visitors) will thank you for it.

If you need expert help optimizing your WordPress site, enhancing SEO, or redesigning your footer with impact—SE Rank Pro is here to help.
Visit us at digital marketing company in Chandigarh and let’s take your website to the next level.