Linkify Design & Customization - Table of Contents Styling (Part 2)

Continuing our exploration of Linkify Pro’s Design & Customization features, this second article in our four-part series focuses on the Table of Contents (TOC) styling options. Learn how to create content navigation elements that improve readability, enhance user experience, and keep readers engaged with your long-form content.

The Importance of a Well-Designed TOC

A Table of Contents serves as a roadmap for your readers, allowing them to quickly understand your content structure and jump to sections of interest. The visual design and functional configuration of your TOC can significantly impact how users interact with your content.

Before diving into specific styling options, ensure you’ve accessed the Design & Customization tab:

Navigate to the Linkify menu in your WordPress admin panel
Click on “Design” to open the customization interface
Select the “Table of Contents” tab to access TOC-specific settings
Note the live preview on the right that updates as you make changes

TOC Theme Options

Linkify Pro offers several pre-designed themes for your Table of Contents, each with a distinct visual style.

Available Themes:

Default: Clean and minimalist with subtle borders
Boxed: Fully contained in a box with defined borders
Flat: Modern, borderless design with clean lines
Hierarchical: Visually represents your content’s heading structure with indentation
Rounded: Soft corners and gentle styling for a friendly appearance
Minimal: Ultra-light styling that blends seamlessly with your content

How to Use:

Select your preferred theme from the dropdown menu
Watch the live preview update to show your selection
Consider how each theme works with your content style and website design
Choose the option that best represents your content structure

For more on content organization design, read this article on information architecture principles.

Color Customization

Fine-tune the visual appearance of your TOC with these color options, ensuring it integrates seamlessly with your site’s design.

Available Color Controls:

Title Color: Sets the color for the TOC heading
Background Color: Determines the TOC container’s background
Link Color: Controls the color of section links
Link Hover Color: Specifies the color when users hover over links
Border Color: Sets the color for borders and dividing lines

How to Use:

Click any color selector to open the color picker
Choose from the spectrum or enter a specific hex code
The live preview updates in real-time
Create a balanced scheme that offers good contrast for readability
Consider using subtle colors that don’t overpower your content

Pro Tip: For optimal readability, maintain a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 between text and background colors.

Learn more about accessibility in design with this guide to color contrast for web accessibility.

TOC Structure Settings

Beyond aesthetics, these settings control how your TOC functions and organizes your content.

Key Structure Options:

Include Heading Levels: Choose which headings (H1, H2, H3, etc.) appear in your TOC
Maximum Depth: Set how many levels of headings to display
Use Numbering: Toggle automatic numbering for TOC items
Collapsible Sections: Make the TOC expandable/collapsible
Collapsible Default: Set whether the TOC starts expanded or collapsed
TOC Position: Choose where the TOC appears in relation to your content
Minimum Headings: Set the threshold of headings required to display a TOC
Smooth Scrolling: Enable animated scrolling when users click TOC links
Title Text: Customize the heading text (default: “Table of Contents”)

How to Use:

Select which heading levels to include based on your content structure
Set depth and numbering based on content complexity
Consider making very lengthy TOCs collapsible
Choose a position that works with your content flow
Set a reasonable minimum headings threshold (typically 3-5)
Enable smooth scrolling for a polished user experience

For content structure best practices, check out this guide to content hierarchy and organization.

Advanced TOC Customization Techniques

Optimizing for Different Content Types

Tailor your TOC settings based on your specific content:

For Tutorial/How-To Content:

Enable numbering for sequential steps
Include all heading levels for detailed navigation
Position the TOC at the top to serve as a reference

For Long-Form Articles:

Focus on major sections (H2s and H3s)
Consider the “After Introduction” position to allow readers to start reading immediately
Use a more minimal style that doesn’t interrupt the content flow

For Reference Materials:

Use the hierarchical theme to clearly show content relationships
Enable all heading levels for comprehensive navigation
Consider a floating position for constant access as users scroll

Learn more about content-specific design in this article on content-first design approaches.

Mobile-Friendly TOC Considerations

Ensure your TOC works well on all devices:

If using a floating TOC position, consider how it affects mobile screens
For lengthy content, collapsible TOCs are particularly useful on mobile
Test your TOC design on multiple screen sizes
Consider using the “top” position for mobile-heavy audiences

For mobile design principles, read this guide to responsive design best practices.

Using the TOC for Content Strategy

Your TOC design can support broader content goals:

Use clear, benefit-focused heading text that appears in your TOC
Design your TOC to highlight your most valuable sections
Consider how the TOC reveals your content structure to readers
Use TOC design to reinforce your brand’s approach to information organization

Practical Implementation Examples

Academic or Technical Content

For research papers, technical documentation, or academic content:

Theme: Hierarchical
Heading Levels: H2, H3, H4
Numbering: Enabled
Position: Top
Colors: Neutral, high-contrast scheme

This configuration creates a scholarly, organized appearance that helps readers navigate complex information.

Marketing or Commercial Content

For sales pages, product descriptions, or marketing articles:

Theme: Rounded or Boxed
Heading Levels: H2, H3
Numbering: Disabled
Position: After Introduction
Colors: Brand-aligned scheme

This setup creates an attractive, unobtrusive TOC that supports commercial content without distracting from conversion goals.

Blog or Editorial Content

For blog posts, opinion pieces, or editorial content:

Theme: Minimal or Flat
Heading Levels: H2, H3
Numbering: Disabled
Position: Top or After Introduction
Colors: Light, integrated with content

This approach creates a TOC that enhances readability without overpowering the editorial voice of the content.

Testing and Refining Your TOC Design

After implementing your TOC styling:

Review it across multiple types of content on your site
Test on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices
Ask for feedback from users or colleagues
Check analytics to see if users are interacting with TOC links
Make incremental improvements based on performance data

Conclusion

Linkify Pro’s Table of Contents styling options give you the flexibility to create content navigation that enhances both user experience and content strategy. By thoughtfully configuring these settings, you’ll help readers navigate your content more effectively, increasing engagement and time on page.

In Part 3 of our series, we’ll explore customizing Contextual Links, covering styling options that help your internal links integrate seamlessly with your content while encouraging deeper site exploration.

Ready to optimize your content navigation? Head to the Linkify Pro Design tab today and create a Table of Contents that transforms how readers interact with your content! For more information, visit the Linkify Pro.

Design & Customization – Breadcrumbs Styling (Part 1)
Design & Customization – Table of Contents Styling (Part 2)
Design & Customization – Contextual Links Styling (Part 3)
Design & Customization – Related Content Styling (Part 4)