Your website’s design and navigation are essential elements of UX, shaping the way visitors interact with the site. Sticky header navigation is a game changer for both of these aspects.
The navigation menu is the first thing users typically engage with on your website, and if it’s not running as smoothly as they expect, they are bound to leave.
A WordPress sticky header keeps your menu or header fixed at the top of the screen as users scroll, making it easier for them to access different sections of the website without scrolling back up.
If you have a website with extensive content, the sticky header functionality can work wonders in improving site interaction as it simplifies user navigation.
In this guide, we’ll show you step-by-step instructions on how to make a sticky header navigation in WordPress without requiring any coding skills.
What is Sticky Header Navigation?
Sticky header navigation is a floating navigation menu that “sticks” to the top of the screen and is consistently visible, even as the user scrolls down.
The top navigation menu in WordPress is where users can find links to all the important pages of your website, such as About, Services, Products, Resources, and so on.
When you make the navigation header “sticky”, it allows users to access the menu easily at all times, resulting in a better experience while on the website.
Here’s an example of a WordPress sticky header menu-
See how you can still access various sections for Home, Blogs, and Contact even when you scroll down? That’s how sticky header navigation works for your website.
What’s more, adding Gutenberg sticky header navigation on your website is super easy with a plugin such as Nexter Blocks, as it offers you access to tons of features and customizations to make your website and navigation highly engaging.
Want to incorporate a mega menu on your website to make navigation easy for your users? Learn How to Add Mega Menu in WordPress Using Gutenberg.
Why Use Plugins for Sticky Headers?
Using a sticky header plugin in WordPress is a smart choice for both beginners and advanced users. Here’s why:
- No coding required: Not everyone is comfortable diving into code, and that’s where plugins are excellent tools. Sticky header plugins eliminate the need for knowledge of HTML, CSS, or JavaScript. With just a few clicks, you can add a Gutenberg sticky header and customize its appearance.
- Easy implementation: Plugins are designed to make life easier. You can quickly install the plugin, enable sticky functionality, choose which elements to make sticky, and preview changes—all within minutes.
- Flexibility and customization: With a plugin, you can adjust styles like color, size, transparency, or animations for your sticky header or enable sticky behaviour for desktop, mobile, or both. This flexibility ensures your sticky navbar aligns with your website’s design and functionality.
- Perfect for beginners and advanced users: For beginners, plugins offer a hassle-free solution with user-friendly interfaces. For advanced users, plugins often include custom CSS or JavaScript options, giving more control over the sticky navigation bar’s design and behaviour. This makes plugins a versatile tool for users of all skill levels.
How to Create Sticky Header Navigation in WordPress
Now that you know what sticky header navigation is and how to add it with a plugin, let’s dive into the step-by-step process of creating sticky navigation for your WordPress website.
Step 1: Choose the Right Plugin
To create sticky header navigation on your website, you first need to choose the right sticky header plugin in WordPress. By right plugin, we mean a reliable plugin that offers you all the functions and features you desire to create an interactive header menu.
The plugin you choose must be lightweight, easy to use, and compatible with your Gutenberg editor. Plus, it must allow you to customize the behaviour of the sticky header, its visual appearance, and placement, along with being highly responsive across devices and browsers.
Considering these aspects, you can use the Nexter Block plugin for its Sticky Fixed Header for WordPress feature. The Sticky Fixed Header plugin lets you create a visually appealing and interactive sticky menu for your site and customize it completely.
Step 2: Install and Activate the Plugin
Once you’ve chosen the plugin, install and activate it.
To do this, go to Plugins > Add New on your WordPress admin dashboard and search for Nexter Blocks.
Install and activate the plugin to continue.
Step 3: Create a Sticky Header
Add the Sticky Fixed Header Block to your WordPress page to get started.
From there, you can use the menu on the right to customize the header menu layout, sticky navbar behavior, alignment, style, responsiveness, and more.
The plugin offers you complete control over the sticky elements of the header menu with options to choose Normal or Reverse Sticky layouts and create responsive headers that work across different screen sizes and desktop and mobile browsers.
Benefits of Using Nexter Blocks for Sticky Header Navigation
When it comes to creating a WordPress navigation bar that is sticky, Nexter Blocks is the only plugin you need. Designed for ease of use and performance, it’s a perfect tool for users who want to create a professional-looking sticky navbar menu without hassle.
Here are the benefits of using Nexter Blocks for sticky header navigation-
- Beginner-friendly interface: Nexter Blocks is built with simplicity in mind. The interface is intuitive and user-friendly, making it easy for beginners to enable and customize sticky headers. You don’t need any technical expertise—just a few clicks, and you’re good to go.
- Multiple styles and customizations: One of the key advantages of Nexter Blocks is its flexibility. You can create sticky headers that align perfectly with your website’s design by choosing from multiple styles, customizing background colors, spacing, opacity, and animations, and customizing which sections (header, menu, logo, or specific blocks) stay sticky.
This level of control ensures your sticky header looks polished and complements your site’s overall aesthetic.
- Lightweight and optimized for performance: Nexter Blocks is optimized for speed and performance. Unlike bulky plugins that can slow down your website, Nexter Blocks is lightweight and ensures your site remains fast and responsive. This is critical for maintaining a smooth user experience and SEO performance.
- Seamless integration with the Gutenberg editor: If you’re using the WordPress Gutenberg editor, Nexter Blocks is perfect. It works seamlessly within the block editor, allowing you to build and customize sticky headers directly while creating your pages or posts.
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Wrapping Up
Sticky header navigation is a great design element for your website, making it more visually appealing, easy to navigate, and engaging. To improve your site’s UX, add a sticky header menu using a plugin like Nexter Blocks.
With Nexter Blocks Sticky Fixed Header plugin, you get a powerful, efficient, and easy-to-use tool for adding sticky headers to your WordPress website. Plus, it offers access to 90+ Gutenberg blocks to enhance the functionality, design, and responsiveness of your website.
Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced user, it offers all the tools you need to improve the website user experience.
FAQs on Adding the Sticky Header Navigation in WordPress
Will adding sticky headers affect site performance?
Adding sticky headers can impact site performance if not optimized properly. However, using lightweight plugins like Nexter Blocks ensures minimal performance issues by optimizing the sticky header for speed and checking unnecessary page load delays.
Is coding knowledge required to use plugins for Sticky Header?
No, coding knowledge is not required to use sticky header plugins like Nexter Blocks. Most plugins are designed with a user-friendly interface that allows you to activate and customize sticky headers without writing a single line of code.
Are sticky headers mobile-friendly?
Yes, sticky headers can be mobile-friendly when properly configured. Many sticky header plugins, including Nexter Blocks, allow you to customize and optimize sticky headers for both desktop and mobile devices.
Are sticky headers effects SEO-Friendly?
Sticky headers can help improve user experience by providing easy navigation, which can reduce bounce rates and increase time on site—both of which are positive signals for SEO.
