Want to make Ultimate Member look and feel exactly like your brand? Customization is key to creating a membership site that feels cohesive and professional. Ultimate Member is highly customizable, and you don’t need to be a developer to make significant improvements.
In this comprehensive tutorial, I’ll walk you through customizing Ultimate Member step by step. We’ll cover everything from basic styling to advanced customization techniques. By the end, you’ll know how to make Ultimate Member match your brand perfectly.
Understanding Customization Options
Ultimate Member can be customized in several ways:
- Form styling and appearance
- Profile page layouts
- Member directory designs
- Color schemes and branding
- Custom CSS
Most customization happens through settings and CSS. You don’t need to modify plugin files.
Customizing Forms
Forms are often the first thing members see. Let’s make them look great:
Form Appearance Settings
Go to Ultimate Member → Settings → Appearance:
- Choose form styles
- Set form widths
- Configure button styles
- Adjust spacing
These settings give you quick control over form appearance.
Using Custom CSS
For advanced styling, add custom CSS:
- Go to Ultimate Member → Settings → Appearance
- Find the Custom CSS section
- Add your CSS code
- Save your changes
Custom CSS lets you style every aspect of your forms.
Customizing Profile Pages
Profile pages are where members showcase themselves:
Profile Layout Options
Choose different profile layouts:
- Default layout
- Centered layout
- Cover photo layout
Switch layouts in Ultimate Member → Settings → Appearance.
Profile Styling
Customize profile appearance:
- Profile card styling
- Field label formatting
- Button styles
- Color schemes
Use custom CSS to match profiles to your brand.
Customizing Member Directories
Make directories match your site’s design:
Directory Layouts
Choose how members are displayed:
- Grid view
- List view
- Profile cards
Each layout works better for different purposes.
Directory Styling
Style directory elements:
- Member cards
- Search boxes
- Filter options
- Pagination
Custom CSS helps directories match your brand.
Color Customization
Match Ultimate Member colors to your brand:
Primary Colors
Set your primary brand color:
- Use in buttons
- Apply to links
- Use in highlights
Consistent colors create a cohesive brand experience.
Color Schemes
Create complete color schemes:
- Primary colors
- Secondary colors
- Background colors
- Text colors
Good color schemes improve readability and brand recognition.
Typography Customization
Match fonts to your brand:
Font Settings
Customize typography:
- Font families
- Font sizes
- Font weights
- Line heights
Consistent typography improves readability and professionalism.
Mobile Customization
Ensure everything looks good on mobile:
- Test forms on mobile devices
- Check profile pages on phones
- Verify directories are mobile-friendly
- Adjust CSS for mobile if needed
Mobile-friendly customization is essential for modern sites.
Advanced Customization
For advanced customization, you can:
Custom Templates
Create custom templates (requires PHP knowledge):
- Override default templates
- Create custom layouts
- Add custom functionality
Hooks and Filters
Use Ultimate Member hooks to customize behavior programmatically.
Testing Customizations
Always test your customizations:
- Test on different browsers
- Check on mobile devices
- Verify with different user roles
- Test all form types
- Check profile pages
Thorough testing ensures customizations work for all users.
Best Practices
Tips for great customization:
- Start simple – Begin with basic styling
- Match your brand – Keep colors and fonts consistent
- Test thoroughly – Verify on all devices
- Keep it readable – Don’t sacrifice usability for style
- Document changes – Note your customizations
Next Steps
Now that you can customize Ultimate Member, consider:
- Creating a complete brand style guide
- Customizing all form types
- Styling member directories
- Matching your theme exactly
Good customization makes your membership site feel professional and cohesive. Take time to get it right, and your members will appreciate the polished experience.