{"id":30053,"date":"2022-05-03T09:45:00","date_gmt":"2022-05-03T14:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wpengine.com\/?post_type=resource&p=30053"},"modified":"2024-10-02T14:22:48","modified_gmt":"2024-10-02T19:22:48","slug":"what-are-wordpress-widgets-how-to-use-them","status":"publish","type":"resource","link":"https:\/\/wpengine.com\/case-studies\/resources\/what-are-wordpress-widgets-how-to-use-them\/","title":{"rendered":"WordPress Widgets: What They Are & How To Use Them"},"content":{"rendered":"

WordPress widgets<\/a> are an integral tool for enhancing the functionality and aesthetics of your website, offering a simple yet powerful way to personalize and improve your online presence.<\/p>\n

Whether you’re a seasoned website owner or a budding freelance developer, understanding and utilizing WordPress widgets can significantly elevate your site’s user experience. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the world of WordPress widgets, exploring their nature, utility, and the diverse ways in which they can be implemented to add value to your website.<\/p>\n

From social media integration to custom contact forms, learn how widgets can transform your site into a more engaging and interactive platform. Ready to unlock the full potential of WordPress widgets and discover how they can be a game-changer for your website? Let’s get started!<\/p>\n

What Are WordPress Widgets?<\/h2>\n

A WordPress widget<\/a> is a modular element that enables you to add a specific feature to your website. Widgets can be added to different areas of a website, such as a website\u2019s sidebars or footer areas, and they\u2019re an inherent part of WordPress\u2019 design and layout customizations.<\/p>\n

In this post, we\u2019ll look at what widgets are, how they compare to plugins, the types of widgets you can get, and how to create them. Let\u2019s get started!<\/p>\n

When to Use WordPress Widgets<\/b><\/h2>\n

Anytime you want to elevate your website with a new visible function or feature, you\u2019ll probably reach for a WordPress widget. Use an Instagram widget to connect visitors with your social media posts, or code a custom widget to suit your needs\u2014the sky\u2019s the limit! You can access your widgets under the \u201cAppearance\u201d tab when building or editing your site.<\/span><\/p>\n

But what is the use of widgets in WordPress? And which types should you work with? <\/span><\/p>\n

WordPress Widgets vs. Plugins<\/h3>\n

On the surface, widgets and plugins appear to carry out similar functions. However, they have different roles to fulfill.<\/p>\n

For example, a WordPress plugin<\/a> usually introduces additional \u2018global\u2019 functionality to your website that\u2019s not available by default.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, a widget lets you display additional content within various elements of your website (such as the header, WordPress sidebar, and footers). While they can add features, they often provide smaller, more focused additions, and are dragged and dropped into place.<\/p>\n

Types of WordPress Widgets<\/h3>\n

Given their usefulness, there are a wide-range of widgets to choose from. While WordPress comes bundled with a variety of default widgets, many themes include their own specific solutions. Let\u2019s take a look at a few different examples and the purposes they serve.<\/p>\n

Meta<\/em> Widget<\/h4>\n

WordPress includes a number of different widgets out of the box, one of which is the Meta widget. This lets you and other users log into your WordPress administration panel from your main website.<\/p>\n

Email Subscription Widgets<\/h4>\n

WordPress can be integrated with a wide range of autoresponder systems<\/a>, such as MailChimp, Constant Contact, AWeber, and InfusionSoft<\/a>. By adding a snippet of code to a dedicated widget, you can display an opt-in box that makes it possible to build an email subscriber list<\/a> through your WordPress website.<\/p>\n

Social Media Widgets<\/h4>\n

Social media integration is also possible, and this is a popular use for widgets given that they can be displayed prominently, without taking up space.<\/p>\n

While many themes include a dedicated social media widget, you can also code your own if you have the relevant skills by using a Text widget (more on this shortly).<\/p>\n

Recent Posts<\/em>, Pages<\/em>, and Categories<\/em> Widgets<\/h4>\n

Every website owner should make it as easy as possible for website users to navigate through a website, and a number of default widgets enable you to do this.<\/p>\n

These widgets are self explanatory, but there are other related widgets (such as Archives<\/em> and Calendar<\/em>) that give you more options to get your posts in front of visitors.<\/p>\n

Search Widget<\/h4>\n

For a large WordPress blog, giving website visitors the ability to search for content is another effective way to improve navigation. The Search<\/em> widget lets you do exactly that. Although not as featured-packed as dedicated solutions, it\u2019s still a great way to bolster the navigation at the reader\u2019s disposal.<\/p>\n

Text Widget<\/h4>\n

As we\u2019ve alluded to, adding text or HTML code<\/a> to a widget enables you to offer further functionality to your WordPress site.<\/p>\n

However, this widget serves a much simpler primary purpose: it lets you display plain text within a widget area, which could come in handy for taglines or other important information you want to display prominently.<\/p>\n

Shopping Cart Widget<\/b><\/h4>\n

Whether you run a booming eCommerce site or sell a few products on the side, a shopping cart widget is a must-have. Choose a plugin like WooCommerce or Ecwid, and you\u2019ll have access to widget options that can turn your website into a money-maker. Most choices also come with a dashboard to help you track sales.<\/span><\/p>\n

Map Widget<\/b><\/h4>\n

If you have one or more brick-and-mortar locations, a map widget will help your customers find you.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although you don\u2019t <\/span>need <\/span><\/i>to use a widget to include a Google map on your site (Google Maps API gives you an embed code), map widgets come with added functionality. The benefits of a map widget include animations, street view, and the ability to search.<\/span><\/p>\n

Form Widget<\/b><\/h4>\n

The most common use for a form widget is a Contact Form, which is especially handy if you don\u2019t have (or want) a publicly available email address.<\/span><\/p>\n

But there are other reasons why you might need a visitor to fill out a form on your site\u2014waivers and consent forms, content submissions, contests, and so on. Form widgets make that possible.<\/span><\/p>\n

Call to Action Widget<\/b><\/h4>\n

If it\u2019s your first time building a website with WordPress, what is a widget that you can\u2019t go without? A call to action (CTA) widget may be in the top 5. You don\u2019t just want visitors to come to your website and leave; you want them to do something, like buy a product or sign up for a mailing list.<\/span><\/p>\n

Call to action widgets come in many forms, including pop-ups, banners, slide-ins, and more. The goal of a CTA is to grab your customer\u2019s attention and ask them to perform a specified action.<\/span><\/p>\n

Widget Options<\/h4>\n

As WordPress has evolved, so have its widgets. While the default installation includes a number of different widget areas, a lot of themes offer other placement options (and for many it\u2019s a primary selling point). As such, you\u2019re not necessarily restricted to the sidebar only \u2013 you can add widgets to numerous places in the footer, header, or even the page itself.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s more, there are usually customizable options for each individual widget. The default widgets usually enable you to only add a custom widget title, but more complex widgets can provide more dedicated options relating to the functionality. For example, social media widgets often let you tweak how many posts are displayed, along with a few basic design options.<\/p>\n

How To Create a WordPress Widget<\/h2>\n

Creating your own WordPress widget is likely only going to appeal to those with development knowledge. However, it\u2019s a great way to add missing functionality to your site, without relying on third-party solutions.<\/p>\n

Here are the brief steps<\/a> you\u2019ll need to take:<\/p>\n