When you set up a WordPress site, one of the first tools you will use to make it your own is the WordPress Customiser. The Customiser allows you to change how your site looks and behaves, without needing any coding knowledge. You can adjust colours, fonts, logos, menus, and much more — all while seeing a live preview of your changes before making them public.
Here is a simple guide to help you navigate the WordPress Customiser with ease.
How to access the WordPress Customiser
To open the WordPress Customiser:
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
- Go to Appearance and click Customise.
This will open the Customiser panel on the left, with a live preview of your website on the right. Changes you make will be visible immediately in the preview but will not affect your live site until you publish them.
What you can edit in the Customiser
The options available to you will depend slightly on the theme you are using, but most themes include the following sections.
Site identity
In the Site Identity section, you can:
- set or change your site title
- add a tagline (a short phrase describing your site)
- upload a site icon (also called a favicon), which appears in browser tabs
These small details help define your site’s brand and make it easier for visitors to recognise you.
Colours
Most themes allow you to customise basic colour settings, including:
- background colour
- header text colour
- link colours
Choosing a consistent colour palette can help your website feel more polished and professional.
Typography
Depending on your theme, you may be able to change:
- font styles
- font sizes
- line spacing
Typography settings can make a big difference to your site’s readability and overall appearance.
Menus
The Menus section lets you:
- create new menus for your site
- add, remove, and reorder menu items
- choose where each menu appears, such as in the header, footer, or sidebar
Organised menus help visitors navigate your site more easily.
Widgets
Widgets are blocks of content that can be added to specific areas of your site, such as sidebars or footers. Common widgets include:
- recent posts
- search bars
- social media links
- contact information
In the Customiser, you can add, remove, and rearrange widgets while seeing exactly how they will look.
Homepage settings
This section allows you to choose what your homepage displays:
- your latest blog posts
- a static page (such as a welcome or landing page)
Many business and portfolio sites use a static page to create a stronger first impression.
Additional CSS
If you are comfortable making small design tweaks with code, the Additional CSS section lets you add your own custom styles. For beginners, it is best to leave this section alone unless you have specific instructions.
How to save and publish your changes
Once you are happy with your updates:
- click Publish to make the changes live immediately.
- use Save Draft to keep working without making changes visible.
- schedule your changes to go live at a later time, if you prefer.
The Customiser also includes an option to preview your site on different devices, such as tablets and mobiles, so you can check how everything looks before you commit.
Final thoughts
The WordPress Customiser gives you a simple, flexible way to personalise your website without touching any code. It allows you to control the look and feel of your site while seeing exactly what your visitors will experience. Take your time, explore the different sections, and remember — you can always make adjustments later as your site grows and evolves.