How to Use the Custom Widget Area

The Custom Widget Area feature in WordPress or similar content management systems allows users to create designated areas within a website’s layout where widgets can be placed.

The purpose of the Custom Widget Area is to give users flexibility in adding and organizing content in different sections of a website, such as sidebars, footers, or headers, without altering the main theme’s code. It enables easy customization, enhancing the user experience and overall website functionality.

Enabling the Custom Widget Area Feature #

Login to your WordPress Dashboard and navigate to Settings >> Widget Options.

In the Widget Options settings page, scroll down until you find the tab named Custom Widget Area and enable this feature.

Adding a New Custom Widget Area #

After enabling the feature, Click the Configure Settings and a new window will pop up for adding a Customer Widget Area.

Click the Add Custom Widget Area button to proceed.

You can personalize your Custom Widget Area by giving it a unique name and description, making it easier for other users to identify and understand its purpose. Don’t forget to Add and Save Settings.

Your new Custom Widget Area has been added.

You may find the new widget area under Appearance >> Widgets.

Editing an Existing Custom Widget Area #

To edit your created Custom Widget Area, click the Pencil button to start editing your widget area.

Add your revisions, click the Save button, and Save Settings to finalize the changes.

Deleting a Custom Widget Area #

To delete your Custom Widget Area, simply click the trash button, and don’t forget to hit Save Settings to apply the changes after removing your configurations. By deleting your Custom Widget Area, your associated widgets will also be removed.

Adding or Customizing Widgets Within the Custom Widget Area #

You can add widgets to your Custom Widget Area just like in a standard WordPress widget area. Simply go to Appearance >> Widgets in your dashboard and add the desired widget.

After adding your preferred widget, it will be displayed in your Custom Widget Area. You can also customize and edit your Widget when added to your Custom Widget Area.

If Widget Options can modify widgets in any widget area, it can certainly be used to enhance your Custom Widget Area as well!

Using Shortcodes to Display Custom Widget Areas #

The new Custom Widget Area function comes with an integrated shortcode that allows you to display your widget area anywhere from your available default widget areas.

To find your Custom Widget Area shortcode, navigate to WordPress Settings >> Widget Options >> Custom Widget Area and Click the small arrow down button to display your widget area shortcode.

Copy and place the shortcode into a shortcode block on any page or post to display your Custom Widget Area.

Troubleshooting and FAQs #

Q: Not sure which shortcode to use?

A: Widget Area shortcodes are used to display all the widgets that are placed within a particular Widget Area, meaning that any widget assigned to that area will be shown collectively. On the other hand, individual widget shortcodes are designed to display a specific widget only, allowing for more precise control over which widget is shown in a particular location without including others from the Widget Area.