Adding a sidebar to a WordPress website can provide many benefits, but it may also pose some challenges for inexperienced users. In this article, Vietnix explains why you should consider adding a sidebar to WordPress and provides a guide on setting it up using the free Sidebar plugin. The sidebar in WordPress allows administrators to add custom content to posts, including links to new posts, calendars, popular posts, categories, etc. Vietnix also offers a list of free themes and plugins to enhance your WordPress website. Consider incorporating a sidebar to improve user experience and website navigation.
Adding a sidebar to your WordPress website can bring numerous benefits, but it can also pose challenges for beginners. In this article, we’ll explain why you should consider adding a sidebar to your WordPress site and guide you on setting it up using a free Sidebar plugin!
A sidebar in WordPress is a place where you can add custom content to your posts, including new posts, calendars, popular posts, categories, and more. It’s not always a vertical column on the side; it can be a horizontal rectangular box below or above the content area, in the footer, header, or any position in your WordPress theme.
When adding a sidebar to WordPress, the design idea varies based on the website designer’s preference. Sidebars can have 2 or 3 columns, and designers need to consider the appropriate placement. Sidebars help complete the layout of a WordPress website. By now, you should understand what a sidebar is and where it should be placed on your site. Let’s explore a few reasons why you should create a sidebar in WordPress.
Why Create a Sidebar in WordPress?
- Enhanced User Experience: Sidebars optimize user experience by providing quick access to important content.
- Navigation Menu: Ease of navigation with links to social media or sharing buttons.
- Recent Posts: A list of recent posts for easy access to new content.
- Ads or Sponsorship: Promote special deals or ad space on the sidebar.
- Events: Highlight special events or promotions happening on your site.
- Media Embeds: Additional multimedia like videos or podcasts.
The functions and content displayed in the sidebar improve the overall user experience on the website, meeting the core purpose of creating a sidebar in WordPress.
To further optimize your website, consider using additional themes and plugins in WordPress to enhance its functionality. For beginners looking to build a website, investing in these tools may seem challenging.
To aid customers in building their brand and expanding their online presence, Vietnix is offering a complimentary gift package worth 26,000,000 VND/Year for users signing up for Hosting or VPS. The list of free themes and plugins until now includes:
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Act swiftly to sign up and experience optimal hosting services while receiving this valuable gift package. You can add a sidebar to any type of website, but sidebars are particularly useful in the following scenarios:
Use Cases for Sidebars
Heavy Content Websites
Blogs, news sites, online magazines, and other content-heavy websites require effective navigation due to the volume of content. Utilizing a sidebar in this scenario can help in the following ways:
- Including links to social networks or share buttons.
- Displaying email subscription forms for the latest updates.
- Showing links to related posts and pages.
- Highlighting popular content.
- Adding a search bar to facilitate content search.
By integrating sidebars, users can discover interactive opportunities they might have missed, leading to increased engagement and repeat visits, ultimately improving website navigation to retain readers longer.
Interested in eCommerce? Explore how sidebars can benefit your online store!
Online Stores
With more products, online stores need additional subpages. Sidebars become essential to showcase features like:
- Related products or past purchases.
- Customer reviews and ratings.
- Advertisements for ongoing deals or promotions.
- Cart view mode for shoppers to track their chosen items.
For this guide, we will use the Custom Sidebars plugin. This simple tool lets you replace the core WordPress sidebar with more customizable options. With Custom Sidebars, you can create multiple new sidebars and assign them to specific pages, post types, and categories among other options.
Currently, there are numerous tools available for creating custom sidebars in WordPress, but few are as user-friendly as Custom Sidebars. Vietnix will guide you through using this plugin in just two steps. Before starting, remember to install and activate the plugin first.
How to Add a Sidebar in WordPress:
- Access your WordPress admin page, then find the Widget (the sidebar location). Drag and drop the desired content and save to finalize changes.
Once the plugin is up and running, you’ll find an option labelled Create a new sidebar within Appearance >> Widgets on your dashboard. Click on it and select a name and description for your custom sidebar.
If you intend to set up multiple sidebars, remember to choose unique titles and descriptions for easy identification. Your new addition will appear in Custom Sidebars. Now all you have to do is drag and drop the elements you want from the Available Widgets column to your new sidebar.
Editing Widgets in Your Sidebar:
Example: Vietnix has created a custom sidebar named Archives Sidebar and added Archives and Recent Posts to it.
If you’ve customized a regular WordPress sidebar before, setting up a custom one should feel quite straightforward. The real difference lies in Step 2 – and note that Custom Sidebars does not add any new child widget options to WordPress. If you want to try out new elements, you’ll need to explore other options.
Once you’ve created a new sidebar, it won’t show up on your user interface until you designate its position. To do this, head back to Custom Sidebars in Appearance >> Widgets. Find the sidebar you want to add to your site and click on Sidebar Location.
You’ll then select from an expanded list of criteria including sidebar and footer options. For instance, selecting the sidebar option for Categories allows you to choose which categories you want the sidebar to appear for. After selecting your desired sidebar type, remember to save your changes.
Moreover, if you intend to add a custom sidebar to a specific post or page, you’ll need to edit that page. When the plugin is active, a new Sidebars widget will appear in your WordPress editor for new and existing posts.
All you need to do here is choose the custom sidebars you want for the available positions. If you want to use a single option, simply leave the rest blank, and WordPress will use your default settings.
Benefits of Customized Sidebars:
- Versatile layout options tailored to specific content or pages.
- User-friendly navigation with unique elements for each page.
- Improved internal link structure for enhanced user experience.
- Optimized website design for different user preferences.
In conclusion, setting up a customized sidebar in WordPress is straightforward, especially when using the Custom Sidebars plugin. Install, activate, create your first custom sidebar, assign its position, and repeat if you plan to add more sidebars.
Additional Steps to Enhance Your Sidebar:
- Adding Widgets: Visit Dashboard >> Appearance >> Widgets.
- Theme-based Widgets: Access Sidebar tab and explore available widgets based on your theme.
Explore Continental layout options like Categories, Navigation Menu, Latest Comments, Search, Gallery and begin customizing your sidebar to engage users effectively.
Reorganize Widget Order:
The order of widgets corresponds to their appearance on the sidebar outside the homepage. To rearrange widget positions, click the search box, revealing a small toolbar above it.
Next, press the two square box icon and repeat the process for other widgets.
Removing Widgets:
Remove widgets by clicking on them, then use the three-dots icon to locate the Remove tab. Successfully delete widgets to streamline your sidebar.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
How can I hide the sidebar on certain pages in WordPress?
To hide the sidebar on specific pages, consider using plugins like Widget Logic or Conditional Display. Another method is to modify the code (editing the theme’s function.php file or using hooks).
How can I create different sidebars for posts with different tags in WordPress?
To create unique sidebars for posts with different tags in WordPress, consider using plugins like Widget Logic, Conditional Display, or Sidebar Generator. You can also achieve this by editing the code.
How can I customize my website to show the sidebar only on desktops and hide it on mobile devices in WordPress?
To customize your website by displaying the sidebar on desktops and hiding it on mobile devices, utilize plugins like Responsive Design or WPtouch. Code modifications can also achieve this effect.
No need to maintain a uniform sidebar structure across all your content – WordPress offers numerous alternatives for customization. Adding a sidebar allows you to alter your site’s layout and incorporate unique elements based on the page your users are viewing. Additionally, sidebars can facilitate easier navigation through your site. We hope this article has helped you understand what a sidebar is, and how to customize it in WordPress. Thank you for following along!
