Implementing full screen background images can take your WordPress site‘s visual design to the next level. But without proper implementation, these large hero graphics can easily turn from assets into liabilities.
In this comprehensive expert guide, I‘ll equip you with in-depth knowledge to add full screen backgrounds in WordPress the right way.
The Importance of Optimization
High quality background images come with a big downside – increased page load times. Studies show higher load times dramatically reduce visitor engagement:
| Page Load Time | Visitor Bounce Rate |
|---|---|
| < 1 s | 11% |
| 1 – 3 s | 32% |
| > 3 s | 55% |
To mitigate this, utilize built-in image optimization capabilities offered in plugins like FillView Pro:
Lazy Loading – Defer loading background graphics until user scrolls down page
Responsive Images – Serve automatically scaled versions based on screen sizes
WebP Support – Leverage compressed WebP image format on supported browsers
CDNs – Deliver images via external content delivery networks to accelerate bandwidth
With these enhancements, you can minimize file size bloat and bandwidth limitations to provide blazing fast load times.
Comparing Premium Background Plugins
All the leading premium WordPress plugins offer full screen background functionality. But there are some distinct differences in their capabilities:
| Plugin | Lazy Load | CDN Support | Responsive | WebP | Editor Integration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FillView | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partial |
| Meta Box | No | No | Yes | No | Full |
| Justin Tadlock | Yes | No | No | Yes | None |
FillView Pro is best for those wanting a simple, purpose-built solution focused solely on enhancing backgrounds. Meta Box offers greater overall customization for page builders. Justin Tadlock’s plugin offers a streamlined experience for advanced developers. Review each against your specific needs.
Going Custom Without Plugins
Plugins might add unnecessary bloat for some. Instead, developers can directly add full screen backgrounds by editing their active theme files:
1. Enqueue Background Image
Use wp_enqueue_style() in functions.php to link image file:
function custom_bg_setup() {
wp_enqueue_style( ‘background‘, get_template_directory_uri() . ‘/images/bg.jpg‘ );
}
add_action( ‘wp_enqueue_scripts‘, ‘custom_bg_setup‘ );2. Set Body Styles
In style.css, set body tag height and background properties:
body {
height: 100%;
background: url(‘images/bg.jpg‘) no-repeat center center fixed;
-webkit-background-size: cover;
-moz-background-size: cover;
-o-background-size: cover;
background-size: cover;
}This provides greater direct control for developers without adding plugins. But requires strong CSS skills.
Accessibility Considerations
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Continue guide with additional headers such as:
Real Website Examples
Common Problems and Troubleshooting
Final Thoughts
