How to Edit HTML in WordPress – Beginner’s Guide (2025) 

Key highlights 

• Learning how to edit HTML in WordPress allows greater customization, improved performance and better SEO control. 
• You can edit HTML using the WordPress Block Editor, Theme Editor, cPanel, FTP or plugins. 
• Using a child theme ensures safe modifications without affecting core theme files. 
• Always back up your site and test changes in a staging environment before applying them live. 
• Bluehost offers tools like cPanel, FTP access, one-click staging and 24/7 support to help with secure HTML editing. 

Introduction 

WordPress makes it easy to manage and build a website, but sometimes, you need more control than the default settings allow. Maybe you want to add a custom button, fine-tune your page layout or adjust spacing for a polished look. That’s when editing HTML becomes useful.  

Even without coding experience, knowing how to edit HTML in WordPress allows you to tailor your site to your needs. From modifying blog posts and tweaking widgets to adjusting theme files, understanding the basics can save you time and reduce reliance on extra plugins. 

This guide will help you learn different ways to edit HTML in WordPress. It covers quick edits in the block editor and more advanced changes in theme files. Whether you are just starting or want to improve your skills, you will find out how to make changes safely and easily. 

Why editing HTML in WordPress is important in 2025 

WordPress offers no-code tools, but learning how to edit HTML in WordPress gives you greater control. It allows you to customize elements, adjust theme files, enhance performance and improve security. 

1. Customization and control 

The WordPress block editor and Full Site Editing (FSE) make design easier, but they have some limits. When you edit HTML in WordPress, you can change layouts, adjust theme files and improve your WordPress site beyond the usual features. 

2. Performance optimization 

Editing HTML directly removes unnecessary code, making your site faster and more efficient. Using the WordPress code editor instead of the visual editor helps you produce clean, optimized HTML. 

3. SEO benefits 

Customizing HTML lets you add meta tags, structured data and SEO-friendly elements, helping your site rank higher. Manual changes in the classic editor give you better control than plugins. 

4. Security and futureproofing 

Knowing how WordPress theme files work helps you avoid problems. Skilled users can use an FTP client to open PHP files, change template files and keep the website safe and running well. 

Method 1 – How to change HTML in the WordPress block editor (Gutenberg) 

Editing HTML block in WordPress Gutenberg, lets you change your content more easily. You can add your own HTML code, change specific blocks or edit all the post’s HTML code. WordPress offers several ways to do this. 

Using the custom HTML block 

If you want to add custom HTML in WordPress code to your post or page without changing other content, you can use the Custom HTML block. 

1. Open the WordPress block editor and go to the post or page where you want to add HTML. 
2. Click the + Block Inserter and look for “HTML”. 

3. Choose the Custom HTML block and place it in your content area. 

4. Type your HTML code directly into the block. 
5. To check how the code looks, switch between the HTML and Preview tabs in the block. 

This method is good for adding custom code snippets. This includes HTML tags, forms or widgets from other companies. 

Editing the HTML of individual blocks 

If you need to change the HTML in WordPress for a certain block: 

1. Click on the block you want to change. 
2. Click the three-dot menu in the block’s toolbar. 

3. Choose Edit as HTML to see the code. 

4. Change what you need in the HTML editor. 
5. To go back to the normal view, click the three-dot menu again and select Edit visually. 

This method makes sure you only change the needed parts. It helps to keep the whole post layout the same. 

Method 2 – Edit HTML in WordPress theme files 

Edit or change HTML in WordPress theme gives you more control over your site’s design and functionality than the dashboard alone. Whether modifying theme files, adjusting templates or adding custom HTML, follow these steps to ensure safe and effective changes. 

Use a child theme 

Before making changes, set up and activate a child theme to prevent updates from overwriting your edits. It inherits the parent theme’s features while allowing you to modify PHP files or HTML safely. 

Access the WordPress theme editor 

Once your child theme is active, follow these steps: 

1. Go to Appearance > Theme Editor in the WordPress admin area. 

2. Choose your child theme from the dropdown list in the top right corner. 

Locate and edit theme files 

The Theme Editor allows you to view important theme files, including: 

• header.php – Manages the header part of the site. 
• footer.php – Sets up the layout and content for the footer. 
• index.php – The main file for the home page template. 
• style.css – Has custom CSS styles for changing the design. 

Click on the file you want to change. Modify it in the WordPress code editor. Then, click Update File to save your changes. 

Common HTML customizations in theme files 

• Add custom tracking scripts: You can insert tracking scripts (like Google Analytics) into header.php before the closing <head> tag to monitor site traffic. 
• Modify navigation structure: Edit header HTML WordPress in header.php to adjust the layout, add custom menu links or change navigation behavior for a better user experience. 
• Adjust footer credit lines: To personalize the footer text, edit footer.php and modify the copyright or branding message to reflect your website’s identity. 

Also read: How to Migrate HTML to WordPress Theme Effectively 

Method 3 – How to edit HTML files on your Bluehost website 

Editing your website’s HTML files on Bluehost can be done through two primary methods: File Manager in cPanel and FTP (File Transfer Protocol). Both methods provide access to your website’s source code, allowing you to make changes efficiently. 

Using file manager in cPanel 

The File Manager in Bluehost cPanel offers a simple way to edit your HTML files directly on the server without additional software. 

Step 1: Access the file manager 

• Log into your Bluehost cPanel account. 

• Navigate to the Files section and click on File Manager. 

Step 2: Locate your HTML file 

• In the File Manager, open the public_html directory, which contains your website files 

• Browse through the directory and find the HTML file you want to modify. 

Step 3: Edit the HTML file 

• Right-click on the desired HTML file and select Edit or Code Edit from the menu. 

• A new window will open, displaying the HTML code. 

• Make the necessary changes in the HTML editor and click Save Changes to apply updates. 

Using FTP for advanced editing 

If you need to edit multiple files or work with larger files, FTP (File Transfer Protocol) provides a more flexible solution. 

Step 1: Set up an FTP account 

1. Log into your Bluehost cPanel account. 

2. Navigate to the Files section and click on FTP Accounts. 

3. Create a new FTP account by filling in the required details and setting a strong password. 

Step 2: Configure your FTP client 

1. Download and install an FTP client (e.g., FileZilla, cPanel). 
2. Open FileZilla and enter the following credentials: 

• Host: Your Bluehost server name 
• Username: Your FTP account username 
• Password: Your FTP password 
• Port: Typically, 21 for FTP connections 

3. Click Connect to establish a connection to your server. 

Step 3: Transfer and edit HTML files 

1. Navigate to the public_html directory in your FTP client. 
2. Download the HTML file you wish to edit onto your local machine. 
3. Open the file using a code editor like Visual Studio Code or Notepad++. 
4. Make the necessary modifications and save the file. 
5. Upload the edited file back to the server, replacing the old version. 

By understanding these two methods, you can confidently edit HTML files on your Bluehost website, ensuring greater control over your site’s content and design. 

Method 4 – Using an HTML editing plugin in WordPress 

While you can manually edit HTML in WordPress, using an HTML editing plugin makes the process easier, safer and more efficient. These plugins allow you to customize your site without modifying core files, reducing the risk of errors. 

Top recommended HTML editing plugins for 2025 

For an easier way to edit HTML in WordPress, these top plugins enhance readability, simplify code insertion and eliminate the need to modify theme files directly. 

1. HTML editor syntax highlighter 

• Adds syntax highlighting for better readability. 
• Supports multiple programming languages. 
• Integrates with the Gutenberg editor. 

2. Insert headers and footers 

• Easily add custom HTML, CSS and JavaScript to your site’s header and footer. 
• Ideal for tracking codes, metadata and custom scripts. 

3. WP add custom HTML 

• Allows users to insert custom HTML into posts, pages and widgets. 
• Great for embedding forms, interactive elements or custom styles. 

When to use plugins vs. manual editing 

Method	Pros	Cons
Using plugins	Easy to use, reduces coding risks, updates automatically	May slightly affect site performance with extra scripts
Manual editing	Full control, no extra plugins needed	Riskier, requires backups and may break the site if done incorrectly

Plugins are best for beginners, while manual editing suits those comfortable with code. 

When to use plugins 

• If you don’t have coding experience. 
• When making frequent changes that require automation. 
• To ensure compatibility with WordPress updates. 

When to edit manually 

• For minor tweaks that don’t require additional plugins. 
• When working with custom themes or child themes. 
• If you prefer a lightweight website without extra plugins. 

By choosing the right approach, you can safely and efficiently edit your WordPress site’s HTML while maintaining performance and security. 

What are the best practices for editing HTML in WordPress? 

Editing HTML in WordPress gives you greater control over your website’s design and functionality. However, to keep your site secure and running smoothly, it’s essential to follow best practices. 

1. Backup your website before editing 

Before making any changes, always create a full backup. This ensures you can restore your site if something goes wrong. 

Using Bluehost one-click backup tool: 

If you host with Bluehost, you can easily backup your site: 

1. Log into your Bluehost account. 
2. Navigate to the Advanced section in the left-hand menu. 
3. Under Files, click Backup. 
4. Choose to create a full or partial backup. 

Regular backups protect your data and allow for quick recovery in case of errors. 

Also read: Back Up and Restore Your Site Like a Pro 

2. Test changes in a staging environment 

Making edits directly on your live site is risky. Instead, use a staging site to test changes before pushing them live. 

How to create a staging site on Bluehost: 

1. Log into your Bluehost account. 
2. Go to My Sites and select the site you want to clone. 
3. Click Manage Site > Staging tab. 
4. Click Create Staging Site and follow the instructions. 

A staging site lets you test edits safely, ensuring no disruptions to your live website. 

Also read: How to Create Staging Site 

3. Validate your HTML code 

Errors in HTML can break your site’s layout and functionality. Before saving changes, run your code through an HTML validator to check for mistakes. 

Recommended tools: 

• W3C markup validation service: Ensures your HTML follows web standards. 
• HTML tidy: An open-source tool that cleans and corrects HTML errors. 

Regular validation helps keep your website functional and error-free. 

4. Ensure mobile responsiveness & SEO-friendliness 

Your HTML edits should not affect mobile usability or search rankings. 

• Mobile-friendliness: Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test to check how your site looks on different devices. 
• SEO optimization: Follow best HTML practices by structuring content with proper headings, semantic HTML and structured data. 

By following these best practices, you can safely edit HTML in WordPress while maintaining your site’s performance, security and search visibility. 

Also read: How to Make Mobile-Friendly Website on WordPress 

How Bluehost Helps You Edit HTML Safely  

As a WordPress user, you need a hosting platform that allows easy customization while ensuring security and performance. With Bluehost, you get seamless control. Whether you’re editing HTML, modifying theme files or adding custom code, our hosting environment is designed to support developers and creators without compromising reliability. 

Manage everything from one dashboard 

With Bluehost, you can easily access and modify your WordPress files using: 

• cPanel & File manager – Quickly edit theme and plugin files without extra software. 
• Secure FTP & SSH access – Make advanced code modifications with confidence. 
• WordPress-specific tools – Streamline your development process with built-in customization features. 

Test changes on a staging site 

Editing code directly on a live website can be risky. That’s why Bluehost provides a one-click staging environment where you can: 

• Clone your site and test changes safely. 
• Adjust without affecting visitors. 
• Push updates live only when you’re ready. 

Reliable backup & restore options 

Mistakes happen but we’ve got you covered with: 

• Automated backups to protect your work. 
• One-click restore in case something goes wrong. 
• Peace of mind, knowing your site is always secure. 

24/7 WordPress support 

Whether you’re troubleshooting a code issue or modifying a theme, our expert WordPress support team is available 24/7 to: 

• Assist with HTML, CSS and PHP troubleshooting. 
• Guide you through theme and plugin edits. 
• Help restore your site if an update causes issues. 

With Bluehost WordPress Hosting, you get more than just reliable performance; you gain a hosting partner that empowers your creativity. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced developer, we provide the tools, security and support to bring your vision to life. 

Final thoughts 

Sometimes you need more control over your WordPress site beyond the default settings. Editing HTML in WordPress lets you customize layouts, improve performance and enhance security. Whether you’re using the Block Editor, Classic Editor or modifying PHP files, learning how to edit HTML is essential for site customization. 

You can add HTML through the Block Editor, make changes directly in theme files or use cPanel and FTP for advanced editing. If you’re new to coding, our WordPress hosting provides a secure environment with one-click staging, automatic backups and 24/7 expert support to help you make changes safely. 

Take full control of your WordPress website with a hosting solution designed for flexibility. Get started with Bluehost WordPress hosting today and unlock the power of custom HTML editing. 

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