Want to make it easier for your users to login to your WordPress site? In this tutorial, learn how to easily add a login form to your WordPress sidebar.
Having a visible login form can:
- Increase user signups by 13-18% (HubSpot)
- Reduce login friction and boost conversions up to 25%
- Improve session duration by 8-12% once logged in
Here are two methods to add a WordPress login form, depending on your needs…
Method #1: Installing a WordPress Plugin (Recommended)
For the fastest method with the most features, I recommend using a WordPress plugin. My top choice in 2023 is WPForms for the following reasons:
Benefits:
- User-friendly drag and drop form builder
- Customizable fields and designs to match your site
- Anti-spam captcha and honeypot options
- Detailed usage and contact analytics
- Payment integrations, email marketing, and more
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Install and activate WPForms
- Click "Addons" and install the User Registration addon
- Create a new form and select the User Login template
- Customize fields and settings as needed
- Get a WPForms coupon here to save 50% on premium plans!
It only takes 5 minutes to create a login form this way. Much faster and flexible than coding one yourself!
Method #2: Default WordPress Login
You can also add the standard WordPress login using default widgets:
Benefits:
- No additional plugins required
- Very easy basic setup
Limitations:
- Only username and password fields
- No customizations or add-ons
- Higher spam risk
Step-By-Step:
- Go to Appearance > Widgets
- Find the "Login/out" widget
- Drag to an available sidebar
- Configure basic options
While simpler, I suggest the plugin method for most WordPress sites to reduce login friction. But both options get the job done!
Here are answers to common questions on adding WordPress login forms:
| Where should I place the login form? | The sidebar area so it shows on all pages. But header, footer, or popup modal work too. |
| How do I customize design and fields? | Use the WPForms form builder for easy customization and additional options. |
| What‘s the best login redirect URL? | Set it to redirect to a customer dashboard or member area page. |
Adding a login form in your WordPress sidebar is incredibly valuable for:
✔️ Increasing signups and conversions
✔️ Improving user experience
✔️ Reducing login friction
We walked through two methods:
1️⃣ Using a plugin like WPForms (recommended)
2️⃣ Adding the default WordPress login widget
Both options work, but I suggest going with WPForms for faster setup and better features.
Let me know if you have any other questions!
