How to Create a Custom WordPress Sidebar (And Why You Need One)

Most sites play it safe when it comes to navigation. Developers and designers will set up a navigation bar at the top of each page, include a few links to major sections, and call it a day. However, theres no need to limit yourself to a single WordPress navigation structure, especially when you have the option to shake things up by creating your own custom WordPress sidebar.Using a custom sidebar will  enable you to try out a different look for your site. It can also provide you with an interesting way to implement new features, such as adding custom elements or advertisements for individual pages and displaying your most popular posts. Furthermore, you get access to more space than a regular top-bound navigation bar can provide. Why you should consider using a custom WordPress sidebarTrying out a new navigation structure should be about more than just  style – it should also be about functionality. After all, the primary purpose of a navigation tool is  to make your use rs lives easier.The ShopIsle e-commerce theme features a clean and practical sidebar.A plain old navigation bar at the top of your  website will work in many cases, but a custom sidebar can sometimes be the  better choice. There are several reasons for this, including:You can use custom widgets on specific pages. WordPress sidebars enable you to use widgets as elements. With the right plugin (which well cover in a moment), you can create tailored sidebars for each of your pages. For example, you can  use this type of menu  to display links to your most popular posts alongside your latest pieces, or you can display your most recent comments to incite discussion.Youll stand out visually. Top-bound navigation menus are almost ubiquitous these days. A simple sidebar can help you stand out from other sites by making your design more memorable.You can add content personalization. With a custom sidebar, you can display navigation links and other content that fits more closely with the content on each page.Custom sidebars can enhance existing navigation, tooThat said, not every website needs to eschew convention and opt for a sidebar. In some cases, your design may lend itself better to a traditional navigation menu. However, custom sidebars can still come in quite handy if you need to add extra functionality to your site. For an example, take another look at the above image, which shows a  theme that uses a sidebar to add a search widget, a  filter by price  function, and product categories.If you feel theres a particular page on your site that needs extra features, but youre not sure where to include them, adding those features with a custom sidebar can be the smart choice. On the other hand, if you use a single traditional sidebar throughout all your pages, and you cant think of any new features to add that would increase your sites usability, you might want to stick with a traditional menu.As for where to locate your sidebar, its mostly a matter of p ersonal taste. Some designers lean towards placing them on the left side of the page if they include elements that can help with navigation. For more traditional sidebars, youll probably want to stick to placing them on the right, since thats what users tend to expect.With that out of the way, lets focus on learning how to add a custom WordPress sidebar to your site.How to create a custom WordPress sidebar (in 2 steps)For this tutorial, well be using the Custom Sidebars plugin. This simple tool enables you to replace your  core WordPress sidebar with more customizable options. With it, youll be able to create multiple new sidebars and assign them to specific pages, posts types, and categories (among other options). Custom Sidebars Dynamic Widget Area Manager Author(s): WPMU DEVCurrent Version: 3.2.3Last Updated: May 10, 2019custom-sidebars.3.2.3.zip 94%Ratings 3,709,287Downloads WP 4.6+Requires Naturally, there are plenty of other tools for  creating custom sidebars in WordPress, but few are as intuitive as this one. In fact, we can teach you how to to use it in just two steps. Before we jump in, remember to install and activate the plugin  first.Step 1: Create your first custom WordPress sidebarOnce the plugin is up and running, youll find an option that reads Create a new sidebar under Appearance Widgets on your dashboard. Click on it, and youll be able to choose a name and a description for your custom sidebar:If you plan on setting up more than one sidebar, remember to pick a descriptive name so youll be able to remember which sidebar is which. Your new addition will appear under the Custom Sidebars section.Now, all you have to do is drag and drop the  elements you want from the  Available Widgets  column to your new sidebar:For example, we created a custom sidebar named  Archives Sidebar  and dragged both an  Archives  and a  Recent  Posts  widget into it:If youve ever customized a regular WordPress sidebar youll feel r ight at home. The real difference lies in step number two. Its worth noting that Custom Sidebars doesnt add any new widget options to WordPress. If you want to try out new elements, youll need  to  explore other options.Step 2: Specify the location for your new sidebarWhen you create a new custom sidebar, it wont appear on your front end until you tell the plugin where it should go. To do this, return to the Custom Sidebars section under Appearance Widgets. Find the sidebar you want to add to your site and  click on Sidebar Location:On the following screen, youll get the chance to choose from an extensive list of criteria including sidebar and footer options. For example, selecting the As sidebar for selected categories option will enable you to choose the categories you want the sidebar to appear on:After selecting your criteria, remember to save your changes, and youll be all set.On the other hand, if you want to add a custom sidebar to a specific post or page, youll need t o edit that specific page. When the plugin is enabled, a new Sidebars widget will appear in  the WordPress editor for your new and existing posts:All you need to do here is pick the custom sidebar(s) you want for the locations that are available. If you want to use a single option, just leave the rest blank and WordPress will go with your default settings instead.ConclusionTheres no need to recycle the same sidebar structure for all your content, particularly when WordPress offers plenty of alternatives. Creating a custom sidebar can enable you to shake up your sites design and add unique elements depending on which page your users are browsing. Plus, it can make navigating through your site easier, which is always desirable.Best of all, setting up a custom WordPress sidebar doesnt need to be difficult, particularly if youre using the Custom Sidebars plugin. All you need to do is install and activate  the plugin, create your first custom sidebar, specify its location, and repeat the process if you intend to set up more than one. How to add custom #WordPress sidebars to your site Click To Tweet Do you have any questions about how to set up custom WordPress sidebars? 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