When Would You Require Distinct Sidebars in WordPress?
Many WordPress themes come with a sidebar feature where you can incorporate useful widgets and content. Typically, this sidebar includes elements such as a search bar or a list of recent posts. By default, if your WordPress theme includes a sidebar, it will appear the same on all posts, pages, categories, and archive pages. However, there might be instances where you want to showcase different sidebar widgets on specific posts and pages. For example, you might intend to display unique content in the sidebar of your most popular posts or exhibit ads that are highly relevant to a particular page. Additionally, you might want to employ different contact forms based on the content of a specific page.
Method 1: Displaying Unique Sidebars for Individual Posts and Pages in WordPress (Easy)
If your theme supports sidebar widgets, creating multiple custom sidebars becomes straightforward with the Lightweight Sidebar Manager plugin. This plugin empowers you to construct numerous custom sidebars and assign them to specific posts and pages. Moreover, you can add these custom sidebars to custom post types or assign a sidebar to all pages or posts within a particular category. To begin, install and activate the Lightweight Sidebar Manager plugin. For a detailed guide, refer to our step-by-step tutorial on installing a WordPress plugin. Once activated, navigate to Appearance » Sidebars. To create the first sidebar, click on the ‘Add New’ button.
You can now enter a title for the sidebar. This title is for your reference, and you can choose any title you prefer.Once you’ve done that, open the ‘Sidebar To Replace’ dropdown menu and select the location where you wish to display the sidebar. The options available may vary based on your WordPress theme.
Next, you can exercise control over where the sidebar is displayed by establishing inclusion or exclusion rules. To set up an inclusion rule, simply open the ‘Display On’ dropdown and pick the pages, posts, custom post types, or categories where you want the sidebar to appear. For instance, you could assign the sidebar to a specific page like your 404 error page or the author archive. Another option is to use the sidebar for a particular page, post, or category by choosing ‘Specific Pages/Posts/Taxonomies.’ This option presents a box where you can enter the specific page, post, or category.
To establish additional inclusion rules, simply click on the ‘Add Display Rule’ button. This action creates a section where you can define the new inclusion rule. Alternatively, you can opt to create exclusion rules. For instance, you might intend to display the sidebar on every page except the homepage.
Furthermore, you can blend inclusion and exclusion rules to precisely determine where the sidebar should be displayed on your WordPress website. To devise an exclusion rule, click on the ‘Add Exclusion Rule’ button. In the new ‘Do Not Display On’ section, access the dropdown menu and select the page or post where this sidebar should not be shown.
You can also exclude the sidebar from pages that fall under a specific category by following the same process as described above. Once you have determined where the sidebar will appear on your WordPress blog, you may wish to present varied content to different users. For instance, if you run a membership site, you might want to utilize a distinct sidebar for visitors in comparison to logged-in members. To achieve this, open the ‘User’ dropdown and opt for a role from the menu. Consequently, only individuals with this designated user role will have the sidebar displayed to them.
Lastly, you may choose to input an optional description. This information will only be visible within the WordPress dashboard, making it an effective way to communicate details with other administrators or users on a multi-author WordPress blog. If you intend to create numerous sidebars, this field can also serve as a space for leaving notes and useful reminders for yourself. Once satisfied with the provided information, proceed to click on ‘Publish.’ With this action completed, navigate to ‘Appearance » Widgets.’ Here, you will find all the widget-ready areas supported by your theme by default, along with the recently created sidebar from the previous step.
Now, you can proceed to add widgets to the sidebar, just as you would to any other widget-ready area. For detailed guidance, please refer to our comprehensive guide on how to add and utilize widgets. Once content with the sidebar setup, click on ‘Update.’ Subsequently, when you visit your WordPress blog, you will witness the new sidebar in action. To generate additional customized sidebars, simply replicate these steps.
Method 2: Creating a Unique Sidebar Using a Page Builder Plugin (Compatible With All WordPress Themes)
In case your WordPress theme doesn’t inherently support sidebars, an alternative approach involves utilizing a drag-and-drop page builder plugin to establish distinct sidebars. One prominent plugin for this purpose is SeedProd, recognized as an excellent landing page builder plugin for WordPress.
With SeedProd, you can effortlessly craft customized pages without delving into code. The plugin provides an array of professional site kits and templates that you can readily customize and enhance through the intuitive drag-and-drop builder. SeedProd encompasses a comprehensive set of blocks and features commonly found in robust page builders, including opt-in forms, social profiles, countdown timers, contact forms, buttons, diverse content blocks, and more. This extensive toolkit facilitates the creation of robust and distinctive sidebars for your WordPress blog.