Useful Guide: How to Add Widget Areas in WordPress
A large number of tech-savvy people use WordPress to build and manage different types of websites. As a matter of fact, WordPress makes it easier for individuals to add content, improve the site and rearrange its layout without having any knowledge of different programming languages.
Interestingly, WordPress also allows you to add, remove, and rearrange different blocks of content from your site's sidebar menu (sometimes from header and footer sections too, depending on the theme you use) with the help of a feature called a Widget.
What exactly is WordPress Widget?
In fact, A widget is a small block of code which does specific functions, like adding pages on your website, blog categories, archives, menus, links to resources, links to your recent posts, post comments, clickable ad banners, quotations, poll questions & results, content from RSS feeds, customers login section, video galleries, Facebook feeds, administrative forms, etc.
As PHP is used in WordPress, so one needs to know how to write PHP code if he/she wants to add features and functions to WordPress websites. Don't get worried if you are a non-technical person because widgets are made for you. With widgets, you can easily enhance the functionality of your WordPress site.
Based on your specific needs, you can drag and drop widgets into a specific widget area. To find the list of available widgets and widget areas, go to the Appearance » Widget. The availability of widget areas depending on the theme you are using on your website. Generally, most of the WordPress themes have several widget areas and are widget ready. However, there are many WordPress themes that don't support widgets.
So, do you want to add widget areas to your WordPress site? If yes, then follow the below-mentioned guide carefully:
1. Using The PHP Language
Firstly, decide which section of the theme you need to add a new widget area. As soon as you make a decision about this, you can add widget areas to your site using the WordPress PHP conditions. As per your specific requirements, use PHP conditions supplied by WordPress.
2. Use Code To Your Website Theme
Just locate the areas of the theme widgets are to be added. Once you find the widget-ready areas, place the below-mentioned code to add the widget to the theme. Alternatively, you can make use of a code editor WordPress Plugin to do this work and upload the file with the help of an FTP.
<?php if ( !function_exists(‘dynamic_sidebar’) || !dynamic_sidebar(“Name of Widgetized Area”) ) : ?>
<?php endif;?>
3. Use WordPress plugins:
Non-technical persons have problems to play with the PHP coding. So, if you are among them, these two methods may seem very difficult for you. Don't worry about that. You can use WordPress plugins for that purpose. In order to install a widget plugin on your website, just go to Plugins – Add New – WordPress Plugin Directory. As per your liking, you can use WordPress widget plugins provided by third parties. For that, you need to install them on your site with the help of available upload options.
As soon as you install the WordPress plugin on your site, navigate to Appearance – Widgets section and choose different widget areas to edit and implement different widgets easily. Customize them to make your website appealing for the targeted visors and offer them the personalized content. If you can't do that, switch to the WordPress web design services provided by several WordPress development companies.
Some good widget plugins are listed here with brief details:
WordPress Widget Plugins with Main functions
Helps you to display icons that link visitors to your various social profiles
Helps you to add multiple widgets to your site
To display the most recent posts on your website
To add Google Maps widget to websites. Very useful for service-based websites.
To display the most recent posts from certain categories
To add testimonial widgets to your website.
Note: Explore more plugins on the World Wide Web and choose the best ones depending on your specific needs. These are some basic plugins.
How are widgets helpful for WordPress website owners?
By using different WordPress widgets smartly, you can add nearly all types of essential elements to WordPress sites and meet your ultimate goals. Non-coders can even make their own widgets to revamp their sites and dominate the World Wide Web easily.
Final Words:
Different WordPress widgets are boon for Non-coders. It helps them a lot in the error-free operation and management of the WordPress CMS even without having any coding knowledge. You can place widgets all across your site with the help of smart tools. So, identify the widgets you need and use them on your site for meeting your business goals.
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