The Kadence Advanced Header offers comprehensive control over your WordPress header, making it an excellent choice for both Classic WordPress and Full Site Editing (FSE) websites. With Advanced Headers, you can integrate Advanced Navigation Blocks to customize and display navigation menus within your header. The Visual Builder allows for easy drag-and-drop placement of blocks into various header sections, alongside access to numerous header and block settings for enhanced customization.

In contrast, the Kadence Theme Header is a built-in feature exclusive to the Kadence Theme. It provides a user-friendly interface for adding navigational elements and other header items, such as social icons, through the Visual Header Builder in the Customizer. While the Kadence Theme Header includes a Widget Area Header Item to display certain blocks, it is primarily constructed using predefined Kadence Header Items rather than flexible blocks.

This document will explore the differences between using Advanced Header/Navigation Blocks and the Kadence Theme Header Builder, highlighting their unique features and benefits to assist you in choosing the best option for your website.

Advanced Headers

Advanced Headers are Custom Post Types that can be created from the Dashboard -> Kadence -> Headers page. This will create a new Header Post Type and allow you to edit it using the WordPress Editor.

Advanced Headers can be created or added to Pages, Posts, Elements, and anywhere the Block Editor is available.

Visual Builder

When using Advanced Headers, the Visual Builder can be used to customize the Header directly from within the Block Editor. The Visual Builder offers multiple Rows and Placement options for placing Blocks directly within the Header. There are no limits to the blocks you add or how you decide to use them, be sure to check out our best practices guide to ensure your header is optimal.

Adding Blocks to the Visual Builder.

Moving Blocks inside the Visual Builder.

You have three Header Rows available: Top, Middle, and Bottom. Each Header Row contains a Left Section, Center Section, and Right Section.

The Advanced Header and Header Rows have available Block Settings for customizing them respectively.

Additionally, as you add Blocks to the Advanced Header, you can use the respective Block Settings to customize the Blocks individually.

For a complete overview of the Visual Builder, how it works, and how to use it, click here.

Navigations and the Navigation Builder

Advanced Headers utilize Advanced Navigation Blocks to incorporate menus into your header. You can create Advanced Navigations either from the Dashboard -> Kadence -> Navigations page, directly from the Page Editor, or within an Advanced Header itself.

When creating Advanced Navigations, use the Navigation Builder to build complete Navigations directly from within the WordPress Editor.

For a complete overview of the Navigation Builder, how it works, and how to use it, click here.

Additionally, you can customize Advanced Navigation Blocks by utilizing the Navigation (Adv) Block Settings and the Navigation Link Block Settings to adjust individual navigation menu items.

For a complete understanding of Advanced Headers and Advanced Navigations, please also refer to the resources below.
-Getting Started With Advanced Headers / Navigations
-Header (Adv) Block
-Navigation (Adv) Block
-Navigation Link Block

Advantages of the Advanced Header/Navigation Blocks

The Advanced Header Block is very versatile, as you can add any Block to the Header directly from the Editor. Here are a few Advantages of using an Advanced Header over the Kadence Theme Header.

-To access the Premium Features of the Advanced Header and Navigations Blocks, the Kadence Blocks Pro plugin is required.

Adding Blocks: The Advanced Header Block allows you to insert blocks into any section of the header, providing flexibility for both simple and complex customizations. You can add as many blocks as necessary and customize them to your needs, including adding additional Row Layout Blocks to design intricate and detailed headers.

(The Kadence Theme Header also allows blocks to be added to it, but it’s limited to the Widget Area or by using a Hooked Element within the HTML Widget. Additionally, the Kadence Theme Header offers Header Items/Widgets to add items to the Header. Once you use a widget, it cannot be added again in the same header. For instance, if you use a Button Widget, you won’t be able to add the same Button Widget to the header again.)

Adding Blocks to the Kadence Theme Header — *Adding Header Items to the Kadence Theme Header*

Full Site Editing (FSE) Support: The Advanced Header and Navigation Blocks fully support FSE, making them ideal for creating headers, footers, and navigations in FSE environments.
(In contrast, the Kadence Theme Header Builder does not support FSE, as the Kadence Theme itself is not yet compatible with FSE.)

Customize Navigations: Advanced Headers offer the Advanced Navigation Block. Advanced Navigation blocks can be used inside and outside of Advanced Headers, giving you the ability to add Navigations easily to things like Sidebars and the Footer. This block also offers a comprehensive range of settings that allow you to fully customize your navigation from every angle directly in the editor. Moreover, the Navigation Link Block can be used to modify individual links within the navigation, providing an even greater level of customization for each link in your menu.
(In contrast, the Kadence Theme Header Builder includes Primary and Secondary Navigations that can also be added to the Header and customized. However, these options are more limited and do not offer as many settings as the Advanced Navigation.)

Pre-Built Templates: The Advanced Header Block offers a selection of header templates designed for both desktop and tablet/mobile views. You’ll find basic and multi-row header options, each pre-populated with blocks, enabling quick and efficient setup. Additionally, Mega Menu templates are also available and include pre-made layouts for them.
(The Kadence Theme Header Builder doesn’t offer pre-built templates. However, the Kadence Starter Templates plugin imports customizer settings that include the Header design/layout. Additionally, the Kadence Theme Header Builder also offers pre-built widgets that can be used in the header.)

Basic Desktop Layout Examples:

Multi-Row Desktop Layout Examples:

Tablet/Mobile Layout Examples
Mobile Templates

Mega Menu Examples

The Kadence Theme Header Builder

The Kadence Theme Header Builder can be accessed by navigating to Customizer -> Header settings when using the Kadence Theme. The Header Builder offers a list of Available Items that can be added to the header and customized using their respective settings.

When utilizing Kadence Theme Kit Pro, you gain access to additional valuable header items. These include features like the My Account item, Shopping Cart item, and various other widgets that are ready to use. These items are feature-rich and may not be easily replicable with the Advanced Headers functionality.

Kadence Theme Kit Pro also features Conditional Headers, allowing you to display Headers Conditionally. This makes it easy to create different Headers based on conditions, such as if a user is logged in or logged out.

Each Header Row in the Kadence Theme Header Builder can be customized by clicking the Settings Icon located on the far left of the Row, enabling you to modify each Row according to your requirements.

Moreover, each Header Item or Widget can also be customized by selecting the Settings Icon next to the specific Header Item.

Classic Navigation Menus

The Kadence Theme Header uses Classic Navigations. These can be primarily created and modified from the Dashboard -> Appearance -> Menus page.

The Customizer can also be used to create and modify Classic Navigations. This can be done from the Customizer -> Menus settings.

The Kadence Theme Header enables you to utilize both Primary and Secondary Navigation menus. You can design these menus using the Primary/Secondary Navigation Customizer settings.

Advantages of the Kadence Theme Header Builder

The Kadence Theme comes equipped with the Kadence Theme Header Builder, accessible through the WordPress Customizer under the Header Settings. This tool provides a straightforward way to build and customize your site’s header, automatically applying the header across all pages on your website.

-To access the Pro Features of the Kadence Theme Header Builder, the Kadence Theme Kit Pro plugin is required.

Easy Application: The Kadence Theme Header Builder automatically applies the Theme Header to all pages on your website, making it a convenient option if you need a quick, basic header with minimal setup.
(Advanced Headers, on the other hand, must be manually created and configured for use with the Kadence Theme. While they provide more flexibility due to their block-based design, they may require additional customization. However, you can simplify the process by using templates, which make setting up Advanced Headers easier. Click here to explore the available Advanced Header and Mega Menu templates.)

Prebuilt Widgets: The Kadence Theme Header Builder includes various Header Items in the Header Customizer Settings. These are pre-built widgets that can be easily customized and added to your header. The General and Design settings within the Customizer can be used to customize each Header Item. This offers a quick and efficient way to enhance your header with essential elements ready to be used.
(In contrast, when using Advanced Headers, similar elements must be manually created using blocks, offering more flexibility but requiring additional setup. )

*Adding Widgets to the Kadence Theme Header*

Conditional Headers (Kadence Theme Kit Pro): The Kadence Theme Header Builder allows you to create Conditional Headers directly within the Customizer. These conditionals enable you to display different headers on different pages based on specific conditions, such as user roles, device types, or page templates.
(The Advanced Headers Block doesn’t have a built-in way to conditionally display itself. However, Hooked Elements (Theme Kit Pro) can be used to conditionally display Advanced Header Blocks on websites. Full Site Editing websites can also display Advanced Headers conditionally using the templating system.)

Using Advanced Navigations with the Kadence Theme

Advanced Navigation Blocks are versatile and can enhance the display of navigations in multiple ways using the Kadence Theme. They can be seamlessly integrated into the Header Area Widget (Theme Kit Pro), Footer, Sidebar Widgets, and even within Mega Menu Element Content (Theme Kit Pro). This versatility makes Advanced Navigation Blocks valuable beyond just the Advanced Header, offering significant flexibility and customization options.

Advanced Navigation Blocks can be utilized in Footer and Sidebar Widgets, allowing you to display navigations throughout your website effectively. This feature enhances user experience by providing easy access to important links from various sections of your site.

Advanced Navigation Blocks can also be used in the Header Area Widget, enabling you to create custom elements like manual icon links, display descriptive texts, and craft unique navigations. (This can also be used for adding a Third Navigation to the Kadence Theme Header.) This flexibility allows for a more personalized and engaging header experience.

Use Advanced Navigation Blocks with Hooked Elements and Mega Menus to display Customized Advanced Navigation Blocks inside of Mega Menus. (Both of these features require Kadence Theme Kit Pro)

Hooked Elements allow you to display Elements across your website using Theme Action Hooks, ShortCodes, or selecting an Element where applicable to Kadence Products. Mega Menus offer the ability to display Custom Content. The Custom Content Feature of Kadence Theme Menu Items allows you to select and use a Hooked Element for the Mega Menu. This gives you the ability to use the advanced features of Advanced Navigation Blocks to build Mega Menu Contents. (To learn more about building Mega Menus with the Kadence Theme, click here. To learn more about Hooked Elements, click here.)

Example of a Mega Menu using Advanced Navigation Blocks.

What not to do with Advanced Navigations

When adding an Advanced Navigation outside of an Advanced Header Block, it’s not recommended to use Dropdown Sub Menus or Mega Menus. For instance, these features are not designed for areas like a Sidebar or Footer. Implementing Mega Menus or Sub Menus in these locations can lead to a less optimal user experience.

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