Adding Widgets

WordPress Widgets are useful for adding dynamic content or functionality to your sidebars, footer columns or within your site’s pages. There are two easy ways to add widgets to your site: through the Dashboard or through the Page Builder.

Adding Widgets from the Dashboard

WordPress’ default method for adding Widgets is through your Dashboard. The Dashboard Widgets menu gives you an easy to use drag & drop interface for you to pick Widgets from a selection, drop them into Widget areas and make any configurations you want for the widget. The Widgets menu lets you manage all Widgets used in these areas in a single location.

Adding Widgets here does NOT alow you to add them on other pages or areas of your website. For that, read and follow the directions in the next section.

To add a Widget to your sidebar or footer columns, do the following:

  1. From your Dashboard, navigate to Appearance > Widgets
  2. Choose a Widget Area from the column(s) on the right side of your screen. These areas include: Primary Sidebar, Footer Columns 1–4, and After Post Widget
  3. Click the little down arrow to expand the Widget Area. If you already have Widgets in this area, you will seen them displayed here.
  4. Make a Widget selection from the column(s) on the left side of your screen, under Available Widgets
  5. Hover over the Widget name, the click and drag the Widget into a Widget Area, then release your mouse. If there are other Widgets already listed, you can position your new Widget above or below them. Follow the dotted outlined areas for positioning cues.
  6. If you have multiple Widgets in a single area, you can rearrage them as needed by clicking, dragging and dropping each title bar into a new position within the stack.
  7. Expand a Widget by clicking the little down arrow to the right of its title and configure the Widget as needed.

As soon as you drag & drop a Widget into position, it is engaged and live on your website!

Adding Widgets from the Page Builder

The Page Builder gives you the power to add any WordPress Widget anywhere within your website! This is especailly useful to adding Calendar Widgets, custom menus, galleries, MP3 players, Forms and more, exactly where you need them, and not always in global positions like your sidebar or footer.

To add a Widget from the Page Builder, to the following:

  1. From any Post or Page, make sure you are editing in the Page Builder
  2. In the Page Builder, click on the Modules link from the top menu
  3. From the Group drop down menu, select WordPres Widgets
  4. Select a WordPress Widget from the list
  5. Hover over the Widget Name, the click and drag the Widget into a new row, or an existing row or column, then release your mouse. 
  6. After releasing your mouse, the Page Builder will display the Widget Configuration Settings. Make any desired configurations here.
  7. When you are finished, click the Save button at the bottom of the Page Builder.
  8. Click Done at the top of the Page Builder, then click Publish to make your page live, or Save Draft to continue working.

You can return and edit your page at any time to edit your Widget Configurations or move your Widget to a new location.

Adding Saved Widgets from the Page Builder

If you have a fully configured Widget that you want to use in other areas of your website, you can save it as a Saved Module in the Page Builder. Read how to do this in the Configuring Widgets Section.

To add a Widget from the Page Builder, to the following:

  1. From any Post or Page, make sure you are editing in the Page Builder
  2. In the Page Builder, click on the Saved link from the top menu
  3. Under the Saved Modules section, select a Widget Module that you previously saved and named
  4. Hover over the Widget Name, the click and drag the Widget into a new row, or an existing row or column, then release your mouse. 
  5. After releasing your mouse, the Page Builder will display the Widget Configuration Settings. Make any desired configurations here.
  6. When you are finished, click the Save button at the bottom of the Page Builder.
  7. Click Done at the top of the Page Builder, then click Publish to make your page live, or Safe Draft to continue working.

Deleting Widgets

You can delete in the dashboard Widgets area by clicking the Delete link at the bottom of the Widget itself. Deleting it this way removes the widget (and its configuration settings) from the Widget area.

To save the Widget, but just temporarily remove it from your site, drag it instead into the Inactive Widgets area.

To delete Widgets from a page or post using the Page Builder, simple delete the Widget Module. Deleting it this way removes the Widget (and its configuration settings) from the post or page. To save the widget and its settings to use elsewhere, follow the steps outline above for Adding Saved Widgets from the Page Builder.

Posted in Widgets