How to create a landing page in WordPress?

To create a landing page in WordPress, add a new page under Pages > Add New Page, choose a distraction-free template (such as a blank or "no header" template), and build the page with blocks or patterns: a clear headline, a short benefit-focused description, social proof, and a single call-to-action button or form. Block themes make this especially easy, because you can create a custom template in the Site Editor that removes the usual header and footer.

A landing page is different from a regular page on your site. It's built for one goal, such as collecting email sign-ups, selling a product, or booking a call, and everything on it supports that goal. This guide explains what makes a landing page effective, then walks through three ways to build one in WordPress: with the block editor and Site Editor, with a classic theme page template, and with a page builder or landing page plugin.

What Is a Landing Page?

A landing page is a standalone web page designed around a single action you want visitors to take. People usually arrive on it from a specific source, such as an ad, an email campaign, a social media post, or a link in a video description.

Unlike your home page, which introduces your whole site and offers many paths, a landing page focuses attention. It often removes the main navigation menu, sidebars, and unrelated links so visitors aren't distracted.

Common landing page goals include:

• Collecting email addresses in exchange for a free guide or checklist.
• Promoting a product, course, or service.
• Registering people for a webinar or event.
• Booking consultations or demos.
• Launching a new offer with a limited-time discount.

Key Elements of an Effective Landing Page

Before opening the editor, plan the content. The best landing pages share a common structure:

1. A clear headline: State the main benefit in a few words. Visitors should understand what you're offering within seconds.

2. A supporting subheadline: Add one or two sentences that expand on the headline and explain who it's for.

3. A strong call to action (CTA): A button or form with specific, action-oriented text such as "Get the free checklist" instead of "Submit."

4. A relevant visual: A product image, screenshot, or short video that helps visitors picture the result.

5. Benefits, not just features: Explain how your offer solves a problem or improves the visitor's situation.

6. Social proof: Testimonials, reviews, client logos, or case study results build trust.

7. Answers to objections: A short FAQ section handles common concerns like pricing, time commitment, or refunds.

8. A repeated CTA: Place the call to action near the top and again after the main content, so visitors don't have to scroll back up.

Keep the page focused. Every section should either explain the offer, build trust, or move visitors toward the CTA.

Method 1: Build a Landing Page With the Block Editor (Block Themes)

If you're using a block theme like Twenty Twenty-Four or Twenty Twenty-Five, you can build a polished landing page without any extra plugins.

Step 1: Create a Distraction-Free Template

First, create a template that removes the regular site navigation.

1. Go to Appearance > Editor > Templates.
2. Click Add New Template and choose Custom template.
3. Name it something like "Landing Page" and click Create.
4. Build a minimal layout. For most landing pages, you only need a Post Content block. You might add a simple header with just the Site Logo and no menu, and a minimal footer with a copyright line.
5. Click Save.

Some themes already include a blank or "Page No Title" template. Check your template list before creating a new one.

Step 2: Create the Page and Assign the Template

1. Go to Pages > Add New Page.
2. Enter a title, such as "Free SEO Checklist."
3. In the page settings sidebar, find Template and choose your new "Landing Page" template.
4. Set a short, clean URL under the page's Link setting, for example /seo-checklist/.

Step 3: Build the Page With Patterns

Patterns are the fastest way to build landing page sections.

1. Open the block inserter (the plus icon at the top left) and select the Patterns tab.
2. Browse categories like Banners, Call to Action, Testimonials, Featured, and Text.
3. Click a pattern to insert it, then replace the placeholder text and images.

A typical layout might look like this:

• Hero section: A Cover or Group block with your headline, subheadline, and CTA button.
• Benefits: A Columns block with three short benefit statements and icons.
• Visual proof: An Image block or embedded video.
• Testimonials: Quote blocks or a testimonial pattern.
• FAQ: Details blocks, which create expandable questions and answers.
• Final CTA: Another Group block with a short reminder and a button or form.

Step 4: Add a Form or Button

Your CTA can link to a checkout page, a booking tool, or a signup form. If you're collecting email addresses, use a form plugin such as WPForms, Gravity Forms, or Fluent Forms, or the signup block provided by your email marketing service, such as the Mailchimp for WordPress plugin. Place the form in the hero section or link your CTA button to an anchor further down the page.

To link a button to a section on the same page:

1. Select the block you want to jump to, such as a Group block containing your form.
2. In Advanced, enter an HTML anchor like signup.
3. Set the button's link to #signup.

Step 5: Save Sections as Patterns

If you plan to build more landing pages, select a finished section, click the three-dot menu, and choose Create pattern. You can reuse it on future pages, which keeps your design consistent.

Method 2: Create a Landing Page Template in a Classic Theme

Classic themes typically include a "Full Width" or "Blank" template. Check the Template dropdown in the page settings first. If yours doesn't offer one, you can create a simple custom page template in your child theme.

Create a file called template-landing.php in your child theme folder:

<?php
/**
 * Template Name: Landing Page
 * Template Post Type: page
 */
?>
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html <?php language_attributes(); ?>>
<head>
<meta charset="<?php bloginfo( 'charset' ); ?>">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
<?php wp_head(); ?>
</head>
<body <?php body_class( 'landing-page' ); ?>>
<?php wp_body_open(); ?>

<main class="landing-content">
<?php
while ( have_posts() ) :
the_post();
the_content();
endwhile;
?>
</main>

<?php wp_footer(); ?>
</body>
</html>

This template skips the theme's header and footer entirely while keeping wp_head() and wp_footer(), which plugins rely on to load scripts, styles, and tracking codes.

Then add some basic styling to your child theme's stylesheet:

.landing-page .landing-content {
  max-width: 1100px;
  margin: 0 auto;
  padding: 2rem 1.25rem;
}

.landing-page .wp-block-button__link {
  font-size: 1.125rem;
  padding: 0.9em 2em;
}

Now, when you edit a page, you'll see "Landing Page" in the Template dropdown.

Method 3: Use a Page Builder or Landing Page Plugin

If you want drag-and-drop design controls beyond what the block editor offers, a page builder or dedicated landing page plugin can help. Popular options include:

• Elementor: A widely used page builder with a large template library and a canvas mode that removes the theme's header and footer.
• Beaver Builder: A stable, developer-friendly builder with clean output.
• SeedProd: Focused on landing pages, coming soon pages, and maintenance pages, with many conversion-focused templates.
• Thrive Architect: Aimed at marketers, with elements designed for conversions.
• Spectra or Kadence Blocks: Block libraries that add extra design blocks to the native editor, a lighter alternative to full page builders.

The general process is similar with any of these:

1. Install and activate the plugin from Plugins > Add New Plugin.
2. Create a new page and open it with the builder.
3. Choose a landing page template or start from a blank canvas.
4. Customize the text, images, colors, and forms.
5. Publish the page.

Keep in mind that page builders can add extra CSS and JavaScript. If page speed is a priority, which it should be for ads and campaigns, test your page with a tool like PageSpeed Insights before launching.

Landing Page Settings to Check Before Launch

Once your page is built, take care of a few settings:

Remove it from menus: Landing pages are usually reached through campaigns, so you might not want them in your main navigation.

Decide on search visibility: If the page is only for paid ads or email subscribers, you may want to set it to "noindex" using your SEO plugin, such as Yoast SEO or Rank Math. If it's meant to attract search traffic, keep it indexable and optimize the title and meta description.

Set a social sharing image: Add a featured image and check the Open Graph settings in your SEO plugin so the page looks good when shared.

Check the thank-you page: After someone submits your form, redirect them to a dedicated thank-you page. It confirms the action and makes conversions easy to track.

Set up tracking: Make sure your analytics and any ad platform tracking are recording visits and conversions. Many form plugins can trigger events or redirects that analytics tools can measure.

Tips for a High-Converting Landing Page

Match the message to the source: If your ad promises a free checklist, the landing page headline should mention the free checklist. Consistency builds trust.

Keep forms short: Only ask for what you really need. For a newsletter, a name and email, or just an email, is usually enough.

Use one primary action: Avoid offering multiple competing CTAs. If you need a secondary action, make it visually less prominent.

Make it fast: Compress images, avoid unnecessary animations, and limit heavy plugins on the page. Slow pages lose visitors, especially on mobile.

Design for mobile first: Many visitors will arrive on their phones. Preview the page in the editor's mobile view and on a real device, and make sure buttons are easy to tap.

Use real testimonials: Genuine quotes with names and photos (with permission) are far more persuasive than generic praise.

Write clear button text: "Start my free trial" or "Download the guide" tells visitors exactly what happens next.

Test and improve: Try different headlines, images, or CTA text over time. Tools like Nelio A/B Testing let you run split tests directly in WordPress.

Common Landing Page Mistakes

• Too much text: Visitors skim. Use short paragraphs, headings, and bullet points.
• Vague headlines: "Welcome to our website" doesn't tell anyone why they should stay.
• Hidden CTA: If visitors have to hunt for the button, they'll leave.
• Distracting navigation: Links to your blog or other pages pull visitors away from the goal.
• No trust signals: Without testimonials, guarantees, or clear contact details, visitors may hesitate.
• Broken forms: Always test your form submission, confirmation message, and email notifications before launching.

---

FAQ: Creating a Landing Page in WordPress

---

Conclusion

Creating a landing page in WordPress comes down to two things: a distraction-free layout and focused content that leads visitors toward one action. With a block theme, you can build both using a custom template and patterns in the Site Editor. With a classic theme, a simple page template does the job, and page builders or landing page plugins offer extra design options when you need them.

Plan your headline, benefits, social proof, and call to action before you start building, keep the page fast and mobile-friendly, and test your forms and tracking before launch. Once your first landing page is live, keep refining it based on real results, and save your best sections as patterns so future pages come together even faster.