How To Make a Smooth Scroll WordPress Plugin with jquery library

Learn how to create a smooth scroll WordPress plugin using jQuery. This step-by-step guide walks you through the process, from setting up the plugin to adding custom settings for a seamless user experience.

 

 

**Title: How to Create a Smooth Scroll WordPress Plugin Using jQuery: A Step-by-Step Guide**

**Meta Description:** Learn how to create a smooth scroll WordPress plugin using jQuery. This step-by-step guide walks you through the process, from setting up the plugin to adding custom settings for a seamless user experience.

—

**Introduction**

Smooth scrolling is a popular feature on modern websites that enhances user experience by providing a seamless transition when navigating through page sections. If you’re a WordPress user, you can easily implement this feature by creating your own smooth scroll plugin using jQuery. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of building a custom WordPress plugin that enables smooth scrolling, complete with customizable settings.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced developer, this tutorial will help you understand the basics of WordPress plugin development and jQuery integration. By the end, you’ll have a fully functional smooth scroll plugin that you can use on any WordPress site.

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**Why Use Smooth Scrolling?**

Smooth scrolling is more than just a visual enhancement. It offers several benefits:

1. **Improved User Experience**: Smooth scrolling makes navigation feel more natural and less jarring.
2. **Professional Look**: It adds a polished, modern touch to your website.
3. **Better Engagement**: Users are more likely to stay on your site if the navigation is smooth and intuitive.

By creating your own plugin, you can tailor the smooth scrolling feature to meet your specific needs, ensuring it aligns perfectly with your website’s design and functionality.

—

**Step 1: Setting Up the Plugin**

Before diving into the code, you’ll need to set up the basic structure of your plugin. Here’s how:

1. **Create a Plugin Folder**:
– Navigate to the `wp-content/plugins/` directory in your WordPress installation.
– Create a new folder for your plugin, e.g., `smooth-scroll-plugin`.

2. **Create the Main Plugin File**:
– Inside the folder, create a PHP file named `smooth-scroll-plugin.php`.

3. **Add Plugin Header**:
– Open the `smooth-scroll-plugin.php` file and add the following code to define the plugin:

“`php
/*
Plugin Name: Smooth Scroll Plugin
Description: A simple plugin to enable smooth scrolling on your WordPress site using jQuery.
Version: 1.0
Author: Your Name
*/

// Enqueue jQuery and custom script
function smooth_scroll_enqueue_scripts() {
wp_enqueue_script(‘jquery’);
wp_enqueue_script(
‘smooth-scroll-script’,
plugins_url(‘smooth-scroll.js’, __FILE__),
array(‘jquery’),
‘1.0’,
true
);
}
add_action(‘wp_enqueue_scripts’, ‘smooth_scroll_enqueue_scripts’);
“`

This code ensures that jQuery and your custom script are loaded on the front end of your WordPress site.

—

**Step 2: Writing the jQuery Script**

Next, you’ll create the jQuery script that enables smooth scrolling.

1. **Create a JavaScript File**:
– In the same folder (`smooth-scroll-plugin`), create a file named `smooth-scroll.js`.

2. **Add Smooth Scroll Code**:
– Open `smooth-scroll.js` and add the following jQuery code:

“`javascript
jQuery(document).ready(function($) {
$(‘a[href*=”#”]’).on(‘click’, function(e) {
e.preventDefault();
$(‘html, body’).animate(
{
scrollTop: $($(this).attr(‘href’)).offset().top,
},
800, // Scroll speed in milliseconds
‘linear’ // Easing type
);
});
});
“`

This script listens for clicks on anchor links (``) and smoothly scrolls the page to the target section.

—

**Step 3: Activating the Plugin**

Once the plugin is set up, you’ll need to activate it in WordPress.

1. **Go to the WordPress Admin Dashboard**:
– Navigate to `Plugins > Installed Plugins`.
– Find your plugin, “Smooth Scroll Plugin,” and click “Activate.”

2. **Test the Plugin**:
– Add anchor links (`Link`) to your pages or posts.
– Ensure the target sections have corresponding IDs (`

`).
– When you click the links, the page should smoothly scroll to the target section.

—

**Step 4: Customizing the Plugin**

To make your plugin more versatile, you can add a settings page that allows users to customize the scroll speed.

1. **Add a Settings Page**:
– Update your `smooth-scroll-plugin.php` file with the following code:

“`php
// Add settings page
function smooth_scroll_add_settings_page() {
add_options_page(
‘Smooth Scroll Settings’,
‘Smooth Scroll’,
‘manage_options’,
‘smooth-scroll-settings’,
‘smooth_scroll_render_settings_page’
);
}
add_action(‘admin_menu’, ‘smooth_scroll_add_settings_page’);

// Render settings page
function smooth_scroll_render_settings_page() {
?>

}

// Register settings
function smooth_scroll_register_settings() {
register_setting(‘smooth_scroll_options_group’, ‘smooth_scroll_speed’);
add_settings_section(‘smooth_scroll_main_section’, ‘Main Settings’, null, ‘smooth-scroll-settings’);
add_settings_field(‘smooth_scroll_speed’, ‘Scroll Speed (ms)’, ‘smooth_scroll_speed_callback’, ‘smooth-scroll-settings’, ‘smooth_scroll_main_section’);
}
add_action(‘admin_init’, ‘smooth_scroll_register_settings’);

// Speed field callback
function smooth_scroll_speed_callback() {
$speed = get_option(‘smooth_scroll_speed’, ‘800’);
echo ‘‘;
}

// Pass speed to JavaScript
function smooth_scroll_localize_script() {
wp_localize_script(
‘smooth-scroll-script’,
‘smoothScrollSettings’,
array(
‘speed’ => get_option(‘smooth_scroll_speed’, ‘800’),
)
);
}
add_action(‘wp_enqueue_scripts’, ‘smooth_scroll_localize_script’);
“`

2. **Update the JavaScript File**:
– Modify `smooth-scroll.js` to use the speed from the settings:

“`javascript
jQuery(document).ready(function($) {
$(‘a[href*=”#”]’).on(‘click’, function(e) {
e.preventDefault();
$(‘html, body’).animate(
{
scrollTop: $($(this).attr(‘href’)).offset().top,
},
smoothScrollSettings.speed, // Use speed from settings
‘linear’
);
});
});
“`

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**Conclusion**

Creating a smooth scroll WordPress plugin using jQuery is a straightforward process that can significantly enhance your website’s user experience. By following this guide, you’ve learned how to set up a basic plugin, write jQuery code for smooth scrolling, and add customizable settings.

This plugin is a great starting point for further customization. You can expand its functionality by adding more options, such as easing effects or scroll offsets. With this knowledge, you’re well-equipped to create other custom plugins tailored to your website’s needs.

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**Call to Action**

Ready to enhance your WordPress site with smooth scrolling? Follow this guide to create your own plugin today! If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to leave a comment below. Don’t forget to share this post with others who might find it helpful!