What is a WordPress widget?

A WordPress widget helps visitors to find information on a website.  Widgets act as a shortcut to some of the most important content on a website

 

WordPress widgets vs plugins

The main difference between a plugin and a widget is that a plugin can be downloaded onto a theme to add a functionality that does not come with  WordPress;  whereas widgets are already installed in WordPress themes.  There are also defined locations for the widgets where they can just be dragged and dropped and saved, for it to function.  A widget can be found under Appearance in the WordPress dashboard.

 

On the other hand, a plugin can be used to create a location for a widget.  That is if you need a feature that is not included in the widgets on your blog, you can download a plugin to do that.

 

Even though there are numerous plugins for the very purpose required, sometimes an additional code is added to the theme to create a widget.

 

Plugins have a section in the dashboard.  [add image]

 

What’s the purpose of using widgets

Without website widgets, the appearance of most websites will be very dull.  Widgets also help visitors to easily find information because of where they are placed on a website, namely the sidebar and footer.   For it to be useful, a widget must serve the purpose for which it is installed.

A list of free widgets comes with every WordPress theme. Some of the default popular widgets are

• text widget,
• recent post,
• image,
• comments, and
• archives widgets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WordPress widget locations 

They help to add additional content through text and images to either the left or right sidebar and also the footer of a website.  There are also paid widgets with additional features.  The features can be set up as and when desired.

 

How to place widgets in WordPress widget locations

These are a few of the widgets in my theme, found under the widgets sub-menu under the appearance section.  To assign a location to a widget, you click on it and drag it on to the chosen, for example, header right, primary or secondary sidebar, or the footer areas.  After that, click on the down arrow, to display other information on the use of that widget and also options.  When you’ve made the necessary selections, and to prevent it from not showing, click save and done.  The widget should appear in the chosen sidebar of your website.

Sometimes after installing a widget you find out that you don’t have an immediate need for it.  A provision has been made in all WordPress themes for an Inactive widget where such unused widgets can be kept till needed.

 

Some particular features of paid widgets are as follows:

• Sticky and floating widget
• Chatbot
• Pop up
• Animation
• Social icons
• Social media feed
• Google maps
• Video gallery
• Image gallery
• Widget thumbnails

 

A signup form and some plugins, when installed will end up in the widgets submenu.  This placement shows that some plugins are also widgets in form.

Widgets with particular features can be obtained from the WordPress Plugins Directory.

 

How to extend  a WordPress widget 

• Through the use of a plugin
• Through adding code snippets

Most widgets come with instructions or a simple guide and also an illustration on how to use them.

 

Now you know what a WordPress widget is and how to assign locations to them.  If you enjoyed this post, please leave a comment and share it.  Thanks