The Best Way to Add Footnotes in WordPress: Make Your WordPress Documentation Stand Out

Creating helpful documentation for your WordPress website can sometimes feel challenging, especially when you need to add extra information without making your main content too long. This is where footnotes come in handy.

Footnotes can be a great addition to your WordPress website, providing additional information and references for your readers without cluttering up the main text. In this guide, we’ll walk you through creating footnotes in WordPress using the EazyDocs Plugin, ensuring your content remains well-organized and user-friendly.

What are Footnotes? 

Footnotes provide additional information or citations at the bottom of a page in a document or as a hover-over text.

For example, you can use a footnote if you have written a sentence and want to include an interesting but unrelated comment. The footnote symbol/number indicates that the additional information can be found at the bottom of the page or as hover-over text. They are essential for:

• Credibility: Citing sources adds credibility to your content.
• Clarity: They help explain complex terms or concepts without interrupting the flow of the main text.
• SEO Benefits: Proper citations can improve your search engine rankings by linking to authoritative sources.

Introducing the EazyDocs Plugin

EazyDocs is a versatile WordPress plugin designed to help you create and manage documentation, FAQs, and knowledge bases. While its primary function is to assist in creating comprehensive documentation, it also offers features that make adding footnotes a breeze. EazyDocs is user-friendly and packed with features that enhance the overall user experience.

Why Use Footnotes on Your WordPress Site?

You might be wondering, “Why bother with footnotes?” Well, they’re more than just fancy decorations. Here’s why they’re a big deal:

• Keep It Simple: Footnotes let you add details without making your paragraphs too long or too confusing.
• Look Smart: They give your site a professional vibe like you’ve done your homework.
• Help Readers: People love learning extra stuff without leaving the page—footnotes make that happen.
• Boost Traffic: Search engines like well-organized content, and footnotes can help your site rank higher, attracting more visitors.

Why Choose EazyDocs for Your Footnotes?

EazyDocs isn’t just any documentation plugin. It’s designed to make your life easier in many ways:

1. It’s super easy to use, even if you’re new to WordPress
2. It looks great on any device (phones, tablets, or computers)
3. It loads quickly, which keeps your visitors happy
4. It comes with many helpful features, including footnotes.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Footnotes

Step 1: Install and Activate the EazyDocs Plugin

Before you can add footnotes, you need to install the EazyDocs Plugin on your WordPress site. Here’s how:

1. Log in to Your WordPress Dashboard
2. Go to Plugins > Add New
3. Search for “EazyDocs.”
4. Click Install Now and then Activate

Since footnotes are a pro max feature of EazyDocs, you need to purchase the pro max version to access them. Once activated, you’re ready to create structured documentation with footnotes.

Step 2: Add a Footnote with EazyDocs 

You can now insert footnotes directly from the Gutenberg editor toolbar. This means no more switching between the editor and the code view to add those important citations or no need to insert the shortcode manually. Here’s how to do it:

1. Put your cursor where you want the footnote in your text.
2. Look at the toolbar above your text. You’ll see an EazyDocs icon.
3. Click the icon, then choose “Footnotes” from the dropdown.
4. Hit “OK” or “Save,” and the footnote magically appears at the bottom of the page or as a hover-over text.

No need to mess with complicated stuff—EazyDocs handles everything for you.

Step 3: Write Your Post in the Gutenberg Editor

WordPress uses something called the Gutenberg editor to help you write posts. It’s like building with blocks—super easy! Open a new post or page:

1. Click “Posts” or “Pages” on the left, then “Add New.”
2. Start typing your story or article in the editor.
3. After writing the article, select where you want to add your footnote. Wrap your footnote text in a special code called a shortcode. It looks like this: [reference number=”1″] Content [/reference]

Once you’ve inserted your footnotes, take a moment to review and refine your content. When satisfied, click “Publish” to make your article live.

Step 4: Customize How Footnotes

Want your footnotes to match your site’s style? EazyDocs lets you tweak them:

• Go to your WordPress dashboard.
• Navigate to “EazyDocs Pro” on the left, then “Settings.”
• Find the “Footnotes” section.
• You can change the heading (like “Notes” or “Extra Info”) and pick how many columns the footnotes show up in—like one column for a clean look or two for a fancier vibe.
• Save your changes, and check out your Documentation/Post to see the new style.

It’s like giving your footnotes a makeover—simple but cool!

Step 5: Publish and Watch the Magic

Once you’re satisfied with your post and footnotes, click “Publish” to share it with the world. When readers click the tiny number, they’ll be taken directly to the footnote at the bottom—like a mini adventure on your page.

Tips to Make Footnotes Even Better

Now that you’ve got the basics, here are some tricks to make your footnotes shine:

• Keep It Short: Footnotes should be quick little nuggets of info—not whole stories. Think one or two sentences, max.
• Add Fun Facts: Use footnotes for cool trivia or surprises that make readers smile.
• Stay Organized: If you’ve got lots of footnotes, number them clearly so no one gets lost.
• Test It Out: After publishing, click around to ensure everything works smoothly.

These little touches can turn a good post into a great one.

Final Thoughts: Start Footnoting Today

Footnotes are a powerful tool for adding depth and credibility to your WordPress content. With the EazyDocs plugin, adding footnotes is simple. By using footnotes effectively, you can improve user experience, boost your website’s credibility, and drive more traffic to your site. 

So go ahead, give it a try, and see how footnotes can enhance your content.