Why Your Website Needs Dark Mode (And How to Add It)
Dark mode isn’t just trendyâit’s essential. Here’s why and how to implement it properly.

Why Your Website Needs Dark Mode (And How to Add It)
Published: June 25, 2025
It’s 2 AM, and I’m deep in a debugging session trying to figure out why a client’s WordPress site is throwing random 500 errors. My monitor is blazing white, my eyes feel like someone rubbed them with sandpaper, and I’m questioning all my life choices. Then I remember: their site doesn’t have dark mode.
This isn’t just about my late-night coding habits (though they certainly benefit). Dark mode has evolved from a nice-to-have feature to something users actively expect. And if you’re not providing it, you’re missing out on happier users, better accessibility, and honestly, looking a bit behind the times.
The Science of Why Dark Mode Matters
Let’s get the obvious stuff out of the way first. Dark mode reduces eye strain in low-light environments, can save battery life on OLED screens, and looks undeniably cool. But there’s more to it than that.
Studies show that 82% of smartphone users use dark mode, and that number is growing. More importantly, users are developing strong preferencesâsome people won’t use an app or website that doesn’t respect their system-wide dark mode setting.
From an accessibility standpoint, dark mode can be crucial for users with certain visual sensitivities, light sensitivity conditions, or those who work in environments where bright screens are disruptive.
The Business Case
Here’s what convinced my most stubborn clients: dark mode can improve user engagement metrics. Users spend more time on sites that respect their preferences, and bounce rates often decrease when you provide a comfortable viewing experience.
One client saw a 15% increase in session duration after implementing dark mode. Correlation isn’t causation, but when users feel comfortable, they stick around longer. And when they stick around longer, they’re more likely to convert.
Implementing Dark Mode: The WordPress Way
The beauty of modern WordPress is that adding dark mode doesn’t require rebuilding your entire theme. Here’s how I approach it:
Method 1: CSS Custom Properties (My Preferred Approach)
First, define your color scheme using CSS custom properties:
:root {
--bg-color: #ffffff;
--text-color: #333333;
--accent-color: #0073aa;
--border-color: #e1e1e1;
}
[data-theme="dark"] {
--bg-color: #1a1a1a;
--text-color: #e1e1e1;
--accent-color: #4dabf7;
--border-color: #404040;
}
body {
background-color: var(--bg-color);
color: var(--text-color);
transition: background-color 0.3s ease, color 0.3s ease;
}
Then add a simple toggle function:
function toggleDarkMode() {
const currentTheme = document.documentElement.getAttribute('data-theme');
const newTheme = currentTheme === 'dark' ? 'light' : 'dark';
document.documentElement.setAttribute('data-theme', newTheme);
localStorage.setItem('theme', newTheme);
}
// Respect user's system preference
if (window.matchMedia && window.matchMedia('(prefers-color-scheme: dark)').matches) {
document.documentElement.setAttribute('data-theme', 'dark');
}
Method 2: WordPress Plugin (For the Plugin-Happy)
If you prefer the plugin route, I recommend “WP Dark Mode” by WpDeveloper. It’s lightweight, well-coded, and handles the heavy lifting. Just don’t go overboard with the customization optionsâsimple is better.
Design Considerations (Or: How Not to Hurt People’s Eyes)
Dark mode isn’t just inverting colors. I’ve seen too many sites that look like they were designed in a basement by someone who’s never seen sunlight. Here are the rules I follow:
Don’t use pure black. #000000 is harsh and creates too much contrast. Use dark grays like #1a1a1a or #2d2d2d. Your users’ retinas will thank you.
Adjust your accent colors. That bright blue that looks great on white backgrounds might be eye-searing on dark ones. Test everything.
Pay attention to images and logos. Your white logo on a transparent background will disappear in dark mode. Have dark mode versions ready.
Test with real content. Dark mode looks great in mockups, but how does it handle your actual blog posts with embedded videos and images?
WordPress-Specific Gotchas
The Gutenberg editor doesn’t automatically inherit your dark mode styles. You’ll need to add editor-specific CSS or use a plugin that handles this.
WooCommerce has its own styling quirks in dark mode. Those bright checkout buttons might need special attention.
Plugin compatibility is hit-or-miss. Popular plugins like Contact Form 7 and Yoast SEO usually play nice, but always test third-party plugin interfaces in dark mode.
Respecting User Preferences
The best dark mode implementations respect what users have already chosen. If someone has set their OS to dark mode, your site should default to dark mode. If they haven’t, default to light mode.
Here’s the CSS media query that makes this magic happen:
@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
:root {
--bg-color: #1a1a1a;
--text-color: #e1e1e1;
}
}
Always provide a manual toggle too, because preferences can be contextual. Someone might prefer light mode on their laptop but dark mode on their phone.
Testing Your Implementation
I have a simple testing checklist for dark mode implementations:
– Does it respect system preferences?
– Does the toggle work on all pages?
– Are all text elements readable?
– Do images and logos look appropriate?
– Does it remember the user’s choice?
– Is the transition smooth and not jarring?
– Do third-party embeds (YouTube, Twitter) still work well?
The Future is Dark (Mode)
Dark mode isn’t a trendâit’s a fundamental shift in how people interact with digital interfaces. Operating systems default to it, apps prioritize it, and users expect it.
Adding dark mode to your WordPress site is no longer about being trendy. It’s about creating inclusive, comfortable experiences for your users. And in a world where user experience directly impacts your bottom line, that’s not optional anymore.
So dim the lights, fire up your code editor, and give your users the dark mode they deserve. Your late-night visitors (and your conversion rates) will thank you.