How To Customize WordPress Login Page Without Plugin

How To Articles

As an avid WordPress user, I understand the importance of having a unique and personalized login page. It not only adds a touch of professionalism to your website but also enhances the overall user experience. In this article, I will guide you through the process of customizing your WordPress login page without using any plugins. So, let’s dive in!

Step 1: Creating a Custom Login Page Template

The first step is to create a custom login page template that will replace the default WordPress login page. Start by creating a new file called login-custom.php and add the following code:

<?php
/*
Template Name: Custom Login
*/
get_header();
?>

<div id="login">
    <h1>Welcome Back!</h1>
    <?php wp_login_form(); ?>
</div>

<?php get_footer(); ?>

In the above code, we have created a basic login page structure with a heading and the wp_login_form() function to display the login form. Feel free to customize this template further to match your website’s branding or add any additional features you want.

Step 2: Creating a Custom Page for the Login

Next, we need to create a new page in WordPress that will use our custom login page template. Here’s how:

  1. Go to your WordPress dashboard
  2. Click on “Pages” in the left-hand sidebar
  3. Click on “Add New”
  4. Give your page a title (e.g., “Login”)
  5. In the right-hand sidebar, under “Page Attributes,” select “Custom Login” from the “Template” dropdown menu
  6. Click on “Publish” to save your page

Congratulations! You have now created a custom page for your login. But wait, we’re not done yet!

Step 3: Redirecting the Default Login Page

To ensure that visitors are redirected to your custom login page instead of the default one, we need to add a simple snippet of code to our theme’s functions.php file. Here’s how:

  1. Go to your WordPress dashboard
  2. Click on “Appearance” in the left-hand sidebar
  3. Click on “Theme Editor”
  4. In the right-hand sidebar, click on “Theme Functions” (usually named functions.php)
  5. Add the following code at the end of the file: 
    function custom_login_page() {
    if (strpos($_SERVER['REQUEST_URI'], 'wp-login.php') !== false) {
        wp_redirect(home_url('/login/'));
        exit;
    }
}
add_action('init', 'custom_login_page');
  6. Click on “Update File” to save your changes

With this code, any time someone tries to access the default WordPress login page, they will be automatically redirected to your custom login page instead.

Conclusion

Customizing your WordPress login page is a great way to add a personal touch to your website and provide users with a seamless experience. By creating a custom login page template, creating a new page for the login, and redirecting the default login page, you can easily achieve this without relying on any plugins.

Remember, customization doesn’t stop here. Feel free to explore further and add your own creative elements to make the login page truly unique. Happy customizing!