how to remove powered by WordPress footer

Removing the “Powered by WordPress” footer from your WordPress site can significantly clean up your website’s appearance and provide a more branded, professional look. This tutorial will guide you through various methods to achieve this, catering to different levels of technical expertise.

Method 1: Customizer Option

Many WordPress themes offer an easier way to remove or alter the footer credit directly from the WordPress Customizer.

1. Access the Customizer:
   Go to your WordPress dashboard, navigate to ‘Appearance’ and then ‘Customize’. This opens the WordPress Customizer.

2. Modify Footer Credit:
   Depending on the theme, you might find a section titled ‘Footer’, ‘Footer Credit’, or similar. Click on it. Some themes allow you to edit text right from here or disable the default footer credit.

3. Publish Changes:
   After making the necessary changes, click the ‘Publish’ button to save your settings.

If this option is available, it is the simplest and safest way to update the footer without touching any code.

Method 2: Editing Footer.php File

For more fine-tuned control or if your theme doesn’t support customizing via the Customizer, you can edit the footer.php file.

1. Access Theme Editor:
   In your WordPress dashboard, go to ‘Appearance’ > ‘Theme Editor’. Here you’ll find access to all your theme’s files.

2. Locate Footer.php:
   Find and click on the ‘footer.php’ file from the list of theme files. Always ensure you are editing the child theme to avoid losing changes on theme updates.

3. Edit and Remove Code:
   Look for the line that includes or similar, generally within a credit link. You can either remove or alter this line. Be careful with modifications to avoid PHP errors.

4. Update File:
   Click ‘Update File’ to save your changes. It’s advisable to back up the site before making such changes.

Method 3: Using a Plugin

If you prefer not to touch code, a plugin can help remove or change the footer credit.

1. Install a Plugin:
   Plugins like ‘Remove Footer Credit’ or ‘WP Remove Footer Credit’ can be installed. Go to ‘Plugins’ > ‘Add New’ and search for these plugins. Install and activate the plugin of your choice.

2. Configure Plugin Settings:
   These plugins typically add their settings under ‘Tools’ or ‘Settings’ in your WordPress dashboard. Configure the settings according to your needs to remove or replace the footer credit.

3. Save Changes:
   After configuring, save your changes and check your site to ensure the footer appears as you want it.

Method 4: Using CSS to Hide the Footer

A quick and non-permanent method to hide the footer is using custom CSS.

1. Access Customizer:
   Navigate to ‘Appearance’ > ‘Customize’ > ‘Additional CSS’.

2. Add CSS Code:
   To hide the footer text, you can use the following CSS code:

   .site-info { display: none; }

   .site-info is a common class used for footer credits but check your theme’s code by inspecting the page (right-click > Inspect) to find the correct class or ID.

3. Publish Changes:
   After adding the CSS, click ‘Publish’ to save your changes.

Considerations

• Check Theme Documentation: Always check if your theme provides a specific method or recommendation for modifying the footer.
• Legal and Ethical Considerations: Some themes require a link back to the developer as a condition of use, so ensure compliance with any theme licenses.
• Updates and Child Themes: Implement changes in a child theme to avoid losing customizations after a theme update.

By following these steps, you can remove the “Powered by WordPress” footer from your site, enhancing your site’s branding and creating a more cohesive look. Remember, the best method depends on your comfort with technology, your specific theme, and how you want to manage updates and customizations.