How To Add Social Media Icons in WordPress

How To Add Social Media Icons in WordPress

Adding social media icons to your WordPress site is a great way to connect with your audience and promote your social profiles. In this guide, we will walk you through several beginner-friendly methods to add social media icons to your WordPress site using widgets, plugins, and custom HTML. Let’s get started!

Method 1: Using a Social Media Plugin

Plugins are an easy way to add functionality to your WordPress site without needing to code. Here’s how to add social media icons using a plugin:

Step 1: Install a Social Media Plugin

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
2. In the left-hand menu, click on Plugins > Add New.
3. In the search bar, type a social media plugin name. Popular options include Simple Social Icons or Social Media Share Buttons.
4. Click on Install Now next to the plugin you want to use.
5. After installation, click on Activate.

Step 2: Configure the Plugin

1. In the left-hand menu, go to Appearance > Widgets.
2. You should see the newly activated plugin among the available widgets.
3. Drag the widget to the desired widget area (e.g., Sidebar or Footer).
4. After dragging the widget, click on it to open its settings.
5. Enter the URLs for your social media profiles (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram).
6. Adjust any settings (e.g., icon size, alignment) as necessary.
7. Click Save to apply the changes.

Step 3: Check Your Website

1. Visit your website to ensure the social media icons are displayed as intended.

Method 2: Adding Social Media Icons Using a Widget

If you prefer not to use a plugin, you can add social media icons directly through WordPress widgets. Here’s how:

Step 1: Prepare Icon Images

1. Download or create social media icon images (e.g., PNG or SVG formats). Ensure they are properly sized for your website.
2. Upload the images to your WordPress media library:

   • In your WordPress dashboard, go to Media > Add New.
   • Upload each icon image.

Step 2: Add a Custom HTML Widget

1. In the left-hand menu, go to Appearance > Widgets.
2. Add a Custom HTML widget to the desired widget area (e.g., Sidebar or Footer).
3. Enter the following HTML code, replacing link_to_your_profile with your actual URLs and path_to_image with the image URLs you uploaded:

<a href="link_to_your_profile">

    <img src="path_to_image" alt="Facebook Icon" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;">

</a>

<a href="link_to_your_profile">

    <img src="path_to_image" alt="Twitter Icon" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;">

</a>

<a href="link_to_your_profile">

    <img src="path_to_image" alt="Instagram Icon" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;">

</a>

1. Click Save to apply changes.

Step 3: Preview Your Site

1. Go to your website to check that the icons appear as expected.

Method 3: Using the Block Editor (Gutenberg)

If your WordPress theme supports the Block Editor, you can easily add social media icons through it:

Step 1: Edit the Page or Post

1. Navigate to the page or post where you want to add social media icons.
2. Click Edit.

Step 2: Add a Social Icon Block

1. Click the plus sign (+) to add a new block.
2. Search for "Social Icons" in the block library or find it under the Widgets category.
3. Click on the Social Icons block to add it to your page.

Step 3: Customize Your Icons

1. Click on the icon block to bring up its options.
2. Add or edit social media platforms by selecting the specific icon and entering the corresponding URL.
3. Customize the style, colors, and alignment if necessary.

Step 4: Save Your Changes

1. After setting the icons, click Update or Publish to save your changes.
2. Visit your website to see how the icons look.

Conclusion

Adding social media icons to your WordPress site not only enhances user engagement but also showcases your social profiles effectively. Choose the method that suits you best, whether it’s using plugins, widgets, or the block editor, and follow the detailed steps provided. Happy blogging!