How to Create a Custom Blog Sidebar in Showit

Blog sidebars guide readers toward important destinations while they consume your content. Unlike standard WordPress sidebars built from widgets, Showit lets you design custom sidebars using the same drag-and-drop tools you use for the rest of your site. This creative freedom means your sidebar becomes a strategic conversion tool styled perfectly to match your brand, not a generic widget collection that looks like every other blog.

Understanding Showit’s Sidebar Approach

Showit handles sidebars differently than traditional WordPress themes. Instead of widget areas, you build sidebars as site canvases using images, text boxes, rectangles, and other design elements.

This fundamental difference grants complete design control. Your sidebar can include branded graphics, custom call-to-action buttons, personality-driven content, and strategic links exactly where you want them.

The Showit and WordPress combination provides the best of both worlds. You design the sidebar layout in Showit’s visual builder, while WordPress manages your blog content and functionality.

Understanding how Showit and WordPress work together helps you leverage both platforms effectively for blogging success.

Planning Your Sidebar Strategy

Before building the technical implementation, consider what belongs in your sidebar and why. Strategic planning creates sidebars that convert readers into subscribers and clients.

Essential Sidebar Elements

An about section with a photo builds personal connection. Readers want to know who writes the content they’re consuming. A brief bio and friendly headshot establish trust and credibility.

Email opt-in forms capture engaged readers. Someone currently reading your content demonstrates interest. Offering a valuable freebie in exchange for their email address converts passive readers into active subscribers.

Category navigation helps readers find related content. If someone enjoys one article on wedding photography, they’ll likely want to explore more in that category.

Popular posts showcase your best content. Highlighting top-performing articles ensures new visitors discover your most valuable work quickly.

Social media links extend relationships beyond your blog. Readers who connect on Instagram or Pinterest stay engaged between blog posts.

Contact information or booking links create conversion pathways. Don’t make interested potential clients hunt for how to work with you.

What to Avoid in Sidebars

Cluttered sidebars overwhelm rather than guide. Every element should serve a clear purpose. If it doesn’t help readers or support business goals, remove it.

Too many competing calls-to-action confuse visitors. Focus on one primary action (usually email signup) with secondary options below.

Generic stock photos reduce authenticity. Use real photos of yourself, your work, or branded graphics that reflect your actual business.

Outdated information damages credibility. If your sidebar promotes a webinar from six months ago or displays last year’s content, visitors question your professionalism.

Mobile neglect creates terrible user experiences. Over 60% of blog traffic comes from mobile devices. Your sidebar must work perfectly on smartphones.

Creating the Sidebar Canvas in Showit

The technical process of building a Showit blog sidebar follows specific steps that ensure proper functionality with WordPress.

Setting Up a New Site Canvas

Start by creating a new canvas that will serve as your sidebar. You can either add a canvas to your current blog page layout and convert it to a site canvas later, or create a blank site canvas from the beginning.

Name your canvas clearly something like “Blog Sidebar” for easy identification. This organization becomes important when managing multiple site canvases.

Set the canvas width appropriately. Most sidebars range from 250 to 350 pixels wide. This provides enough space for content without dominating the page.

Canvas height should be set to Grow with Content. Your sidebar needs to expand based on the elements you add rather than having a fixed height that cuts content off.

Configuring WordPress Canvas Settings

Critical configuration happens in the WordPress canvas settings. Select your sidebar canvas and navigate to the Canvas Properties panel.

Set the WordPress Canvas Type to Static Content. This tells WordPress that the sidebar doesn’t pull blog post content. It remains consistent across all blog posts.

Adjust canvas visibility for mobile. In most cases, you’ll want to uncheck “Visible on Mobile” since mobile sidebars create awkward scrolling experiences. Create mobile-specific promotional content at the bottom of mobile blog templates instead.

Set stacking order appropriately. Raise the sidebar’s stacking order to ensure it appears above other canvases when positioned on the page.

Our complete Showit setup guide includes sidebar configuration as part of comprehensive site launch preparation.

Designing Your Sidebar Content

Build sidebar content using standard Showit design elements. Add text boxes for headings and descriptions. Insert images for your photo or branded graphics.

Create clickable rectangles as buttons for calls-to-action. Link these to your opt-in landing page, contact form, or services page as needed.

Add category links using text boxes linked to specific WordPress category URLs. Your category URLs follow the pattern: yoursite.com/category/category-name.

Include social media icons linked to your profiles. Use SVG icons for crisp display at any size without file bloat.

Design with visual hierarchy in mind. The most important element (usually your email opt-in) should be visually prominent through size, color, or position.

Maintain brand consistency with fonts, colors, and spacing that match the rest of your site. Your sidebar should feel like a cohesive part of your overall design, not a disconnected add-on.

Learn more about creating cohesive Showit websites that integrate all page elements effectively.

Adding WordPress Widgets to Showit Sidebars

Showit sidebars can incorporate traditional WordPress widgets through placeholder areas. This combines Showit’s design flexibility with WordPress’s functional capabilities.

Understanding Sidebar Placeholders

Showit provides three sidebar placeholder options: Sidebar 1, Sidebar 2, and Sidebar 3. These placeholders connect to widget areas you configure in WordPress.

To use these placeholders, add a text box to your Showit sidebar canvas. In the Text Properties panel, select the WordPress placeholder dropdown and choose Sidebar 1, 2, or 3.

The text box becomes a container where WordPress widgets display. Size and position this container where you want the widget content to appear.

Configuring Widgets in WordPress

Log into your WordPress admin panel at yoursite.com/wp-admin. Navigate to Appearance > Widgets to access widget configuration.

You’ll see available widgets on the left and widget areas (including Sidebar 1, 2, 3) on the right. Drag widgets into the sidebar area corresponding to your Showit placeholder.

Common useful widgets include Recent Posts, Categories, Tag Cloud, and Custom HTML for embedding third-party content like email signup forms.

Configure each widget’s settings by clicking the dropdown arrow. You can adjust titles, number of posts to display, and other widget-specific options.

Save your widget configuration and preview your blog to see how widgets display within your Showit sidebar design.

Placing the Sidebar on Your Blog Template

Once your sidebar canvas is designed and configured, you need to add it to your blog page templates.

Adding to Single Post Templates

Your Single Post template determines how individual blog posts display. This template needs the sidebar added for consistent appearance across all posts.

Open your Single Post template from the Blog Templates section in your Showit site panel. You’ll see the main content canvas where blog post content displays.

Click the “Add Site Canvas” option and select your Blog Sidebar from the available canvases. The sidebar appears on your page, ready for positioning.

Drag the sidebar into position, typically on the right side of the post content. Ensure adequate spacing between the post content canvas and sidebar canvas for comfortable reading.

The sidebar canvas should be placed above any canvas set to “In Post Loop.” This stacking ensures the sidebar displays correctly with your post content.

Adding to Post List Templates

Your Post List template (main blog page) shows multiple blog posts in a feed. Adding the sidebar here creates consistency across your entire blog.

Follow the same process as Single Post templates. Open your Post List template, add the Blog Sidebar site canvas, and position it appropriately.

Consider whether you want the sidebar to appear on blog archive pages, category pages, and search results. Add it to those templates for comprehensive coverage.

Adjusting for Different Templates

Some posts might benefit from different layouts. Showit’s Global Blog Template feature lets you create alternative layouts for specific posts while maintaining your default template.

Create a new template with a different sidebar position or removed entirely. Set it as a Global Template in WordPress template settings.

When editing individual posts in WordPress, select the custom Global Template from the Template dropdown. That specific post displays with the alternative layout.

This flexibility works perfectly for long-form content, sales pages within your blog, or special featured posts requiring different presentations.

Professional Showit website design services include strategic sidebar design and template configuration.

Creating Mobile-Friendly Sidebar Alternatives

Standard sidebars don’t work well on mobile. The narrow screen width makes side-by-side layouts impractical. Instead, create mobile-specific promotional content.

Why Mobile Sidebars Fail

Sidebars pushed below content on mobile create excessive scrolling. Readers finish the post and must scroll past all sidebar content to reach comments or related posts.

Side-by-side layouts on mobile create tiny, illegible content. Forcing a 300-pixel sidebar onto a 375-pixel phone screen leaves insufficient space for the main content.

Loading time increases when mobile users download sidebar content they’ll never see. This wastes bandwidth and slows page loading unnecessarily.

Mobile Promotion Alternatives

Create canvas sections within your mobile blog template that replace sidebar functions. Place email opt-ins, popular posts, or category links strategically within the mobile content flow.

Add promotional canvases between post sections. Insert an opt-in form after the introduction or between major content sections where readers naturally pause.

Include essential links at the bottom of posts. After readers finish the content, present next steps like related posts, contact information, or social links.

Use sticky elements sparingly. A sticky social share bar or minimal opt-in prompt can work on mobile if implemented subtly without blocking content.

Our comprehensive guide on testing Showit websites across devices ensures perfect mobile experiences.

Sidebar Content Best Practices

What you include in your sidebar matters as much as the technical implementation. Strategic content creates conversions.

Crafting Effective Opt-In Copy

Lead with benefits, not features. Instead of “Subscribe to my newsletter,” try “Get weekly photography tips delivered to your inbox.”

Specify what subscribers receive. Vague promises like “valuable content” don’t convert. “Download my free posing guide for couples” sets clear expectations.

Keep copy concise and scannable. Sidebar space is limited. Make every word count and use formatting to aid quick comprehension.

Create urgency when appropriate. Limited-time bonuses or exclusive content for early subscribers can boost conversion rates.

Selecting and Linking Categories

Choose 4-7 main categories that represent your core content pillars. Too many categories fragment your blog and confuse readers.

Use clear, descriptive category names. Visitors should instantly understand what content each category contains.

Link to category archives at yoursite.com/category/category-name. Test these links to ensure they work correctly.

Consider displaying post counts next to categories. This shows readers how much content exists in each area.

Choosing Popular Posts

Feature posts that convert readers into subscribers or clients. Popular doesn’t always mean most viewed; strategic popularity highlights posts that advance business goals.

Update featured posts regularly to reflect current offerings and seasonal relevance. A holiday gift guide featured in March damages credibility.

Link to posts using compelling titles. “Read More” provides no context. “How I Photographed This Stunning Beach Wedding” entices clicks.

Social Proof Elements

Include testimonials or client quotes when appropriate. Brief, authentic testimonials build trust with readers who don’t know you yet.

Display awards, publications, or credentials briefly. A simple “Featured in Martha Stewart Weddings” establishes authority without lengthy explanation.

Show real numbers if impressive. “Join 5,000+ photographers improving their business” leverages social proof through specific subscriber counts.

Explore branding strategies for creative professionals including how to showcase your expertise effectively.

Advanced Sidebar Customization

Take sidebars beyond basic functionality with advanced techniques that enhance engagement and conversions.

Dynamic Content Using Code

Custom HTML widgets allow embedding third-party tools. Email service providers like Flodesk and ConvertKit provide embeddable signup forms with advanced features.

Learn how to add ConvertKit forms to Showit for powerful email marketing integration.

Countdown timers create urgency for limited offers. Embed countdown timer code in Custom HTML widgets to promote sales or launches.

Instagram feeds showcase recent work without manual updates. Third-party Instagram widget services provide code you can embed in sidebar Custom HTML widgets.

Creating Sticky Sidebars

Sticky sidebars remain visible as readers scroll through long posts. Set your sidebar canvas to “Sticky to Top” in canvas settings.

Test sticky behavior across different post lengths. Very long posts may cause sidebars to stop scrolling awkwardly partway through.

Consider performance impact. Sticky sidebars require additional JavaScript processing that can slow page loads slightly.

Mobile sticky elements require extra caution. What works on desktop often becomes intrusive on mobile screens.

A/B Testing Sidebar Elements

Test different opt-in offers to find what converts best. Try various freebies, copy approaches, or visual designs.

Track clicks and conversions using UTM parameters or analytics goals. Data reveals what actually works versus what you think should work.

Change one element at a time for valid testing. Changing the headline and image simultaneously makes it impossible to know which drove results.

Allow sufficient time for meaningful data. Testing for two days doesn’t provide statistical significance. Run tests for weeks to gather reliable insights.

Common Sidebar Mistakes to Avoid

Learning from frequent errors accelerates your sidebar success and prevents wasted effort.

Overcrowding with Too Many Elements

Every additional sidebar element competes for attention. More isn’t better; strategic selection wins.

Prioritize one primary call-to-action. Secondary elements support but shouldn’t overshadow your main conversion goal.

White space improves readability and reduces overwhelm. Dense, packed sidebars feel suffocating rather than helpful.

Forgetting Regular Updates

Outdated promotions damage credibility instantly. Check sidebar content monthly to ensure everything remains current and relevant.

Seasonal content needs rotation. Halloween promotions in February signal neglect and unprofessionalism.

Broken links frustrate visitors and hurt SEO. Test all sidebar links quarterly to catch and fix issues promptly.

Ignoring Analytics

Installing a sidebar without tracking performance wastes opportunities. Monitor which elements drive clicks, conversions, and engagement.

Google Analytics shows how visitors interact with sidebar links. Check regularly to see what works and what gets ignored.

Heatmap tools like Hotjar reveal exactly where people click. This data guides optimization decisions based on actual behavior.

Design Inconsistency

Sidebars that clash with overall site design feel like awkward afterthoughts. Maintain consistent fonts, colors, and spacing throughout.

Images should match your site’s photography style. Mixing professional brand photos with cheap stock images creates jarring disconnects.

Button styles should match those used elsewhere on your site. Visual consistency reinforces professionalism and brand recognition.

Professional Showit optimization services include sidebar design review and conversion rate optimization.

Conclusion

Custom blog sidebars in Showit transform reader engagement by combining strategic content with beautiful design. Unlike rigid WordPress widget sidebars, Showit’s flexible approach lets you create exactly what your business needs without technical limitations.

Start by planning what belongs in your sidebar based on business goals and reader needs. Build the sidebar as a site canvas with proper WordPress settings. Design content that guides readers toward valuable next steps.

Test your sidebar on multiple devices and monitor performance through analytics. Refine based on real data rather than assumptions about what should work.

Your blog sidebar represents prime real estate for building relationships and generating leads. Invest time in creating strategic, well-designed sidebars that enhance rather than distract from your content. The conversion impact justifies the effort.

Frequently Asked Questions