The more time we spend online, the more we realize that the dark mode can be a savior for our eyes. That is why, if you run a WordPress website, it might be time to think about adding a dark mode to your WordPress website.
Fortunately, adding it to your WordPress website is not difficult. There are numerous ways to do so. Before that, however, let us go into the details of the dark mode.
Today we’ll show you how to add dark mode to WordPress websites
What is Dark Mode?
The dark mode for any website converts the background into a dark black color, and the text is displayed in light white color or grey. The usual color scheme is white background and black text. This default mode is known as the light theme.
Now that you are aware of the same, it is time to look at the benefits of dark mode.
Benefits of Dark mode in WordPress:
Before you add dark mode to your WordPress website, it is time to consider the benefits.
1. Makes site easier to read:
Most websites and apps still use the light mode. However, the bright white light can cause eye fatigue once you read a few pages. On the other hand, the dark mode makes it easier for your website since the bright white light is limited and the light emitted from your device isn’t white. Consequently, it is easier to read numerous pages.
2. Low white light:
White light has its side effects. If you’re exposed to a high amount of white light after sunset, you won’t be able to sleep well. It means that your sleep cycle will be impacted when browsing numerous light-mode websites after sunset.
Dark mode, on the other hand, reduces the exposure to white light; therefore, you can sleep better, and your body is more relaxed.
3. Increases reader retention:
With your mood relaxed, you’re likely to read more. Also, since white light impacts your sleep cycle and makes your eyes tired due to higher light exposure, you are unlikely to continue reading after a few pages.
The dark mode is exactly the opposite of that. It ensures you remain comfortable even if you have to read hundreds of pages. The comfort that dark mode provides certainly increases reader retention. It will lower the bounce rate of your website and therefore benefit your search engine rankings.
4. Helps save battery on devices:
The more amount of light a device emits, the more will be the battery required to do so. The light would undoubtedly mean that your device emits more light because of the white background.
The dark mode, on the other hand, offers lower screen illumination, reducing the light emitted, and the battery needed to do the same. It means that the device battery of your readers will last longer, which in most cases will allow them to browse your website for a longer time.
With so many advantages, dark mode is necessary for your website rather than an optional feature.
How do you Add Dark Mode to Your WordPress Website?
While there are many plugins to add dark mode to your WordPress website but three of the most popular ones include WP dark mode, DarklupLite, and darklooks.
Check the procedure below to add dark mode to your WordPress website using the plugins below.
Method 1: WP Dark Mode
Step 1: Install WP Dark Mode:
Install WP Dark Mode after logging in to your WordPress dashboard as you would install any other plugin. After installation, click on the activate button.
Step 2: Activate Dark Mode from the front end:
After the activation of the plugin, visit the front end of your website just like a normal user would. You can visit any page of your website and view the moon icon in the lower right-hand corner. Click on it and activate the dark mode.
Clicking it once again will activate the light mode.
The moon button is floating in therefore as the user scrolls down, the button will remain in the lower right corner.
There is, however, a caveat. Activating it from the front end will only activate it for the users and not for you. If you want to activate it for the backend, follow the steps below.
Step 3: go to the settings option:
After logging in to your WordPress dashboard, click on settings and WP Dark Mode within the settings menu.
Step 4: Activate Enable Backend Darkmode:
Will be able to view the enable backend dark mode option in the settings tab. Enable it and after that, click on save settings.
That will activate the dark mode for the backend.
Repeating the same procedure and disabling this setting will activate the light mode.
There is also a premium version with much more features with two different pro plans for people who want to take their dark mode to the next level:
Pricing Plans Of Dark Mode:
The pro plan costs 39.20$ for a year (3 websites) and 149.70$ for a lifetime (50 websites)
The ultimate plan with much more features costs 69.30$ for a year (5 websites) and 224.75$ for a lifetime (1000 websites)
Method 2: DarklupLite
Step 1: Install and activate DarklupLite:
DarklupLite can be installed just like any other WordPress plugin. After you install it, simply activate the plugin.
Step 2: Activate the dark mode:
Click on the circle to activate the dark mode. Once you click on the same circle again, it will activate the light mode. After that, you can visit any of the pages of your website, and you will be able to view the widget.
The best thing about this plugin is that it simultaneously activates the option to choose between light and dark modes for the backend as well.
In the backend, you won’t be able to view this icon near the sidebar like in the front end. However, the icon is placed at the top of your website when logged into the back end.
Toggle the button in the upper bar when logged into your dashboard and you can easily switch between dark and light modes.
Darklup Pricing plans:
Darklup’s paid plans provide extra features for maximizing the full potential of the dark mode on your website.
The Starter annual plan features Darklup’s premium plan which costs 29$ for 1 website and the lifetime plan cost 49$ for 3 websites
The Business annual plan features Darklup’s premium plan which costs 49$ for 10 websites and the lifetime plan cost 99$ for 100 websites
The Ultimate annual plan features Darklup’s premium plan which costs 99$ for 1000 websites and the lifetime plan cost 149$ for 1000 websites
Method 3: DarkLooks
Step 1: Install and Activate the plugin:
Darklooks can be installed and activated like any other WordPress plugin.
Step 2: Activate the dark mode:
Activating dark mode is easy when it comes to this plugin. Visit any website page and view the moon icon in the lower corner of your website. Click on it to activate the dark mode. When you click on it once again, you will activate the light mode.
It is relatively easy to activate the dark mode using this plugin.
FAQ:
Is dark mode better for your eyes?
Yes, dark mode is certainly better for your eyes since it minimizes exposure to white light. White light exposure for a long time can cause eye fatigue and make it difficult for you to sleep. Apart from that, white light means that the device battery will be consumed at a faster pace; therefore, switching to dark mode also helps retain the battery for a longer time.
How many people use dark mode?
As the awareness about dark mode increases, more people are switching to it. Overall less than 20% of people use the dark mode. However, those certainly prefer it to the white mode. That is because it is easier to read the text in dark mode. Not only that, the dark mode reduces eye fatigue, which means you can browse for a long time.
What are the disadvantages of a dark mode?
One disadvantage of the dark mode is that people have to expand their pupils more to read the screen. Also, dry eyes are a common problem when using dark mode. However, most of us can quickly adapt to dark mode; therefore, you won’t notice any of these disadvantages easily.
Is dark mode better for your brain?
Dark mode will help you concentrate on the screen for a longer time. Since you can focus on the screen longer, your cognitive power will increase and you can avoid distractions better. Consistently sticking to dark mode will increase your focusing power, which is best for your cognitive ability. So, yes, dark mode indirectly is better for your brain.
Does dark mode keep you awake?
No, the dark mode doesn’t keep you awake. It is the light mode that makes it difficult for you to sleep. Such a high level of illumination tracks your mind into thinking that it is still daytime and, therefore, you won’t be able to sleep properly after spending long hours browsing using the light mode. The low light level in the dark mode helps your body relax, remain calm and sleep better.
Does dark mode work on every device?
Yes, the dark mode works on every device because operating systems like android, iOS, Windows, and Mac are compatible with dark modes. Not only that, but these days, most browsers also support dark mode. That is why if you’re using a popular browser and even if you aren’t using any of these operating systems, you will still be able to browse using the dark mode if the website allows you to activate it.
Does WordPress have dark mode inbuilt?
Currently, WordPress doesn’t have dark mode inbuilt. That is why, if you want to activate dark mode, you can use any of the three plugins we have highlighted above.
With the popularity of dark mode increasing and more users opting for it, chances are in future updates, WordPress might include the dark mode setting within the dashboard. There will be no need to install a separate plugin. For now, however, installing the plugin is the only solution.
Conclusion:
Once you use any of the plugins that we have highlighted above, it is not that difficult to add dark mode to your WordPress website. After installing and activating the plugin, you can allow the reader to activate the dark or light mode.
This freedom certainly makes it easier to read the website, and therefore the user experience will be better, and user retention will also be higher.
We hope this article helped you to know how to add dark mode to WordPress websites,