How to Add an Author Profile Box in WordPress
If you want to give credit and showcase the writers on your WordPress blog, adding an author profile box is a great option. In this article, we will explore different methods to easily create an author profile box in WordPress, whether your theme supports it or you prefer to customize it yourself.
Method 1: Check Theme Support
Start by checking if your WordPress theme has built-in support for an author profile box. Access the WordPress admin panel and click on Users » All Users. Edit the user profile of the author you want to modify and scroll down to the Biographical Info section. Here, you can add the author’s biography and even insert social media links using HTML. Don’t forget to click on the Update Profile button to save the changes. Now, whenever you view an article written by that author, the author profile box will be displayed.
Method 2: Use the Author Bio Box Plugin
If your theme doesn’t have the option to display an author profile box or you want more customization options, you can use the Author Bio Box plugin. This plugin allows you to easily add a customizable author profile box to your site. To get started, install and activate the plugin. Then, go to Settings » Author Bio Box to configure the plugin settings. Here, you can customize colors, determine the size of the author photo, and specify where the author profile box should be displayed. After making the desired changes, click on the Save Changes button.
To add the author’s bio and social media links, go to Users » All Users and edit the user profile. In the Contact Info section, add the author’s social media links. To add the bio, scroll down to the Biographical Info section. You can use HTML formatting options to enhance the bio. Once you’re done, click on the Update Profile button to save the changes. Now, whenever you view an article written by that author, the author profile box will be visible.
Method 3: Display Author Profile in a Sidebar Widget
If you prefer to showcase the author profile box in the sidebar or widget area instead of below the article, you can use the Meks Smart Author Widget plugin. First, install and activate the plugin. Then, go to Appearance » Widgets in your WordPress dashboard. Add a new block to the Sidebar widget area by clicking on the Plus icon. Search for ‘Meks Smart Author’ and select the block. Customize the display options and make sure the box next to ‘Automatically detect author’ is checked. Save your widget settings, and you’ll see the author profile widget in action on your website.
Method 4: Customize Your WordPress Theme Files
If you’re an advanced user and comfortable editing your theme files, you can create a custom author profile box by editing the functions.php file or using a code snippets plugin. Before making any changes, make sure to back up your site. Then, you can add the provided code snippet from this article to fetch and display the author information below WordPress posts. To style the author profile box to match your theme, you can use CSS code. Simply add the CSS code to the ‘Additional CSS’ box under Appearance » Customize in your WordPress admin panel.
Method 5: Create a Custom WordPress Theme with SeedProd
If you want complete control over your WordPress theme and the ability to easily display an author profile box anywhere on your site, we recommend using SeedProd. SeedProd is a user-friendly drag-and-drop page builder that allows you to create custom WordPress themes and page layouts without any coding. With over 300+ pre-designed theme and page templates, including an ‘Author Box’ block, you can effortlessly customize your theme to your liking. After customizing the details, enable your new SeedProd theme and enjoy your personalized author profile box.
In conclusion, adding an author profile box to your WordPress blog adds a personal touch and credits your writers. Whether you choose a theme with built-in support, use a plugin, display it in a widget area, customize your theme files, or create a custom theme with SeedProd, the choice is yours based on your needs and skills. Explore different methods to find the one that suits you best and enhances your WordPress blog.
