Edit header.php in order to Enable Breadcrumbs

  • I want to enable breadcrumbs but I can’t add the appropriate code to header.php file as it’s not writable. I’ve figured out that I need to go onto the server to temporarily make it writable. After that it seems straight forward enough to add the code.

    However, from what I can make out I need to download FileZilla so I can get onto the server. I’m a bit nervous about this. Is it safe to do this?

    I could just ask my host to add the code for me but if downloading FileZilla is safe then maybe I should do it myself?

    Is there any reason not to download FileZilla?

    Before I read about breadcrumbs I had already added my own navigation to my pages. I simply put links to the parent pages leading back to the home page. So it looks the same as breadcrumbs but manually done on each page. Am I correct in thinking that I should change this and enable breadcrumbs for SEO purposes? What I have done will give the user the same experience but may not work for SEO as the coding is different? Do Google bots prefer breadcrumb coding?

    If the navigation I have entered on each page with links is sufficient for Google Bots then maybe I don’t need to worry about enabling breadcrumbs?

    Thanks for any advice offered.

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  • I have used FileZilla for at least 10 years and it is safe to download and install on your computer. It doesn’t have any spyware or adware if that is what you are worried about. You can read more about FileZilla and its history on Wikipedia and maybe that will make you feel better about using it.

    Don’t be worried about downloading the header.php file via FileZilla, editing it, and then uploading it back to the server with the new changes. I recommend downloading the header.php file via FTP and then renaming it to header-OLD.php by right-clicking on it in FileZilla and choosing “Rename”. Then download it again and edit the header.php file via Notepad (Windows) or TextEdit (Mac)(in Plain Text mode) and upload it. If something goes horribly wrong and you break your website you can always rename header.php to header-BROKEN.php and rename header-OLD.php to header.php and upload it again and you will be back to how your site was before you ever made any changes.

    Making a backup of any files you plan on change via FTP is critical to being able to restore your site back to how it was working if something goes wrong.

    I also recommend backing up your database and all your site’s files on a regular basis in case something goes wrong when making changes, installing a plugin or if your site gets hacked. Using your hosting company’s backup tools via their website administration area are a good start or if you want to install a WordPress plugin for backup then something like XCloner, WP-DB-Backup (Database backup only), VaultPress or BackupBuddy are good places to start. You can also learn more about backing up your WordPress website by reading the “WordPress Backups” section of the Codex.

    Thread Starter LucyWilkinson

    (@lucywilkinson)

    Thanks for responding cnc137. I already have UpdrafPlus Plugin. Just the free version.

    Your advice seems straight forward enough. I will take a closer look when I’m not distracted by anything else.

    Though I am still tempted to just get my host to put the breadcrumb code on the header.php. It’s not like I want to get into these files on a regular basis so maybe I shouldn’t risk stuffing it up.

    On the other hand I am finding that the more I learn about all this the more involved I want to be. It frustrates the hell out of me when I can’t do something and having to pay someone else for something I know is probably quite simple!

    I think I need to enroll on a web development course! Lol!

    If I decide to tackle it I’ll let you know how I get on.

Viewing 2 replies - 1 through 2 (of 2 total)
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