Ever felt stuck trying to create that perfect landing page in WordPress, only to get lost in menus and settings? You’re not alone! A well-designed landing page is crucial for capturing leads, showcasing a product, or growing your audience, but knowing where to start can be overwhelming.
This article will walk you through the entire process step by step, offering simple instructions and helpful tips. You’ll learn how to build a beautiful and effective landing page in WordPress—no experience required.
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How to Create a Landing Page in WordPress: A Step-by-Step Guide
Landing pages are powerful tools that help you capture leads, grow your email list, promote products, or drive specific user actions. Whether you run a small blog or a large e-commerce site, knowing how to make a dedicated landing page in WordPress can increase your conversions and help you achieve your goals. Let’s break down the process into clear, actionable steps.
What Is a Landing Page and Why Do You Need One?
A landing page is a standalone web page designed with a single focus or objective. Unlike your homepage or regular blog posts, landing pages remove distractions like navigation menus. This keeps visitors focused and nudges them toward a desired action—such as signing up for a newsletter, downloading a free resource, or making a purchase.
Key Benefits:
- Higher conversions: By limiting distractions, you boost the chances of visitors following through on your call-to-action (CTA).
- Better tracking: Landing pages make it easier to measure ad or campaign effectiveness.
- Customization: You can tailor each landing page to a specific audience or promotion.
The Three Main Ways to Create Landing Pages in WordPress
Creating a landing page in WordPress is straightforward, but you have multiple options. Here are the most popular methods, each suitable for different experience levels and needs:
1. Use a WordPress Page Builder Plugin
Page builders such as Elementor, SeedProd, and Beaver Builder are user-friendly tools that allow you to design stunning landing pages without any coding.
How to do it:
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Install Your Chosen Page Builder
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From your WordPress dashboard, go to “Plugins” > “Add New”.
- Search for the name of the builder (like Elementor or SeedProd).
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Install and activate the plugin.
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Create a New Page
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Go to “Pages” > “Add New”.
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Name your page (for example, “Spring Promo”).
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Launch the Page Builder Editor
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Click the builder’s “Edit with…” button to open their design interface.
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Choose a landing page template or start from scratch.
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Customize Your Landing Page
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Drag and drop elements like headlines, images, forms, and CTA buttons.
- Adjust colors, fonts, and spacing for a branded look.
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Delete unnecessary elements to keep the page focused.
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Set Page Attributes
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Make the page “Full Width” or “Blank Canvas” to remove sidebars and the main menu—look for this in page or builder settings.
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Publish and Test
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Click “Publish” and view your page.
- Test forms, buttons, and layout on desktop and mobile.
2. Use a Landing Page Theme or Template
Some WordPress themes are designed specifically for landing pages. Premium themes often include ready-made templates, while free themes may have basic options.
Steps:
- Go to “Appearance” > “Themes” to browse or upload a new theme.
- Choose a theme known for its landing page options.
- Once activated, go to “Pages” > “Add New”.
- Look for a template dropdown in the right sidebar—select a ‘Landing’ or ‘Blank’ template.
- Add your content using the default WordPress editor.
- Publish when ready.
3. Build a Landing Page Manually Using the Block Editor
For those who prefer minimal plugins, the built-in Block Editor (Gutenberg) in WordPress can be used to build simple landing pages.
How:
- Add a new page under “Pages”.
- Remove distractions by selecting a “Full Width” or “No Sidebar” template.
- Use blocks (like Image, Heading, Paragraph, Button, and Form) to build your layout.
- Rearrange blocks by dragging and dropping.
- Hide the top navigation if your theme allows, or use custom CSS.
- Publish and preview.
Essential Elements of an Effective Landing Page
To create a landing page that converts, make sure to include these crucial components:
- Compelling Headline: Let readers know immediately what you offer or solve.
- Description/Subheadline: Concisely describe the benefit or offer.
- Eye-Catching Visuals: Use high-quality images, videos, or graphics.
- Strong Call-to-Action (CTA): Make your CTA button stand out—use action words (“Download Now,” “Get Started,” etc.).
- Lead Capture Form: Clearly ask for information (name, email, etc.) if collecting leads.
- Trust Elements: Add testimonials, badges, reviews, or trust seals.
- Minimal Navigation: Limit or hide links and menu items to keep users focused on your goal.
Step-by-Step Example: Creating a Landing Page With Elementor
Let’s walk through a practical example using a popular free page builder:
- Install and Activate Elementor: Find it in “Plugins” > “Add New”.
- Add a New Page: Go to “Pages” > “Add New” and name your landing page.
- Choose ‘Elementor Canvas’ Template: This removes headers, footers, and sidebars for a distraction-free experience.
- Click ‘Edit with Elementor’: Access the drag-and-drop editor.
- Design the Page:
- Drag in a ‘Heading’ widget and write your main message.
- Add an ‘Image’ widget for visuals.
- Insert a ‘Button’ widget with your primary CTA.
- Add a ‘Form’ widget if you’re collecting emails.
- Customize Styles: Change colors, fonts, spacing, and background.
- Preview and Test: View the page on desktop and mobile.
- Publish: Your landing page is now live!
Best Practices for Creating High-Converting Landing Pages
Making a landing page is about more than just design—it’s about persuasion and user experience. Keep these core tips in mind:
- Keep It Focused: Stick to one goal per landing page.
- Use Clear, Concise Copy: Avoid jargon and get straight to the point.
- Create Visual Hierarchy: Use different font sizes and colors to guide attention.
- Optimize for Mobile: Make sure your page looks great and works smoothly on smartphones and tablets.
- Test and Iterate: Regularly A/B test your headlines, images, and CTAs.
- Load Speed Matters: Use compressed images and minimal scripts to help the page load quickly.
- Comply With Data Privacy: If you collect personal information, add a privacy notice and comply with relevant laws (like GDPR).
- Thank You Page: Redirect visitors to a thank you or confirmation page after they submit your form.
Cost Tips: Free vs. Premium Options
You can build a basic landing page for free using WordPress’ built-in tools or popular free plugins. However, more advanced features—such as advanced form integrations, A/B testing, extra templates, or removing branding—often require premium plugins or themes.
Saving Money
- Use free plugins like Elementor or Gutenberg for simple needs.
- Many paid builders offer free versions with limited features. Try these before upgrading.
- Watch for bundled deals on themes or plugins, especially during sales.
- If using email marketing or CRM tools, look for native integrations, as these can save time and money.
- Some paid page builders may include form builders and analytics, reducing the need for multiple plugins.
Remember, paying for premium tools is worth it if it saves you time or boosts conversions significantly.
Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them
Building your first landing page can come with a few roadblocks:
- Theme Restrictions: Some themes make it hard to remove menus or sidebars. Use a “blank” template, or switch to a page builder that overwrites the default theme.
- Form Integration: Want to connect your landing page to email marketing services? Most popular form plugins and builders offer easy integrations.
- Design Skills: Not a designer? Use pre-made templates available in plug-ins like SeedProd, Elementor, or your theme.
- Slow Loading Pages: Optimize your images and use light-weight builder plugins to keep things fast.
- Tracking and Analytics: Install Google Analytics or use plugins to monitor and improve your page’s performance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the quickest way to create a landing page in WordPress if I’m a beginner?
The fastest way is to use a drag-and-drop page builder plugin such as Elementor or SeedProd. These tools offer pre-made templates and an intuitive visual editor, so you can launch your landing page in minutes without touching any code.
Do I need to buy a premium plugin to make an effective landing page?
No, you can create a basic landing page using free plugins or the default WordPress Block Editor. However, premium plugins often provide more templates, integrations, and features that make your pages look and perform better.
How do I remove the navigation menu and footer from my landing page?
Use a page builder like Elementor or SeedProd, which includes “blank canvas” templates that hide the menu and footer. Some themes also offer a “Landing Page” template. Otherwise, you may need custom CSS or a plugin to hide these elements.
Can I connect my landing page to my email marketing service (like Mailchimp)?
Absolutely. Most page builder plugins and contact form plugins offer direct integration with popular email marketing services. Set this up in the form settings of your landing page.
How do I track conversions or user actions on my WordPress landing page?
You can use Google Analytics, MonsterInsights, or built-in analytics from your chosen page builder. Setting up “goals” or event tracking lets you measure sign-ups, clicks, and other conversion actions.
Wrap Up
Creating a landing page in WordPress is straightforward, flexible, and doesn’t require any technical background. Whether you use the built-in Block Editor, a specialized theme, or a drag-and-drop page builder, you can design beautiful, high-converting pages tailored to your goals. Focus on one clear message, remove distractions, test and refine your designs, and leverage the powerful plugins and themes available in the WordPress ecosystem. With a bit of creativity, your landing pages will help you grow your audience, increase conversions, and achieve measurable success.