One of the things we get asked a lot is: “How can I show a different sidebar for each page on my website?”
For example, maybe you want to display an email newsletter opt-in form on your home page side bar, but a YouTube Video instead on the photos page sidebar?
The SmallBiz WordPress Theme allows you to specify different widget sidebars depending on the page that is being displayed. This is a pretty powerful way to customize your website without programming.
This video shows you how it’s done:
Let me what you think in the comments below!
-Don
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{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
How can I get rid of the sidebar in the home page? I have the option to omit the sidebar in all the other pages but I don’t see where you can remove it from the home page.
Hi Elizabeth,
The SmallBiz theme has a “No sidebars” page template that you can use for this. Here is a video that shows how to do it: WordPress Custom Page Template with no sidebars.
I’d looked at that but I was thinking there must be a simpler way. So how do I save that snip of code as a php file?
Also, how can I get rid of that “is serving” line of text that shows up on the home page to show areas. If I leave it blank, it still says “is serving”
Love all the features, but trying to get rid of what I don’t need is turning into a bit of a chore. Should be easier just to turn off features.
Elizabeth,
thank you for your comment. We are always trying to balance Theme Features and Options so that customers with various levels of experience have the best possible website.
Please follow the steps below to remove “is serving” from your website:
1) Log into your Wordpress install
2) In the left dashboard sidebar click on “Editor” found under the Appearance tab.
3) Click on “Footer (footer.php)” on the right.
4) Delete the following line: is serving
Optional: You can of course access the footer.php file via an FTP client as well. The FTP is: …/wp-content/themes/smallbiz/footer.php
Ok, so I’m pretty new at this and easily impressed but WOW!! Fab video tutorials.
Thanks Don
Thank you Clare!
Is this tutorial supposed to work for the older versions of SmallBizTheme or only the newest version?
Thanks,
Jay
Hi Jay – this should work with any version of the SmallBiz Theme from v1.62 on up.
Great video, Don. Thanks! By the way, is there an index of all these videos somewhere on the blog?
Thanks George!
The best index of SmallBiz related tutorials is http://userguide.expand2web.com.
And the best index of related videos is: http://www.expand2web.com/blog/category/smallbiz-wordpress-theme/
Hey Don,
Can one put more than one item on the sidebar? I can get my opt in box or the social media widget but not both. What am I not doing or can it be done? Thanks
Hi Roger,
Yes you can. Here is a video response to your question: http://screencast.com/t/ast8WDYZWSA
Well I tried everything EXCEPT putting more than one item in the default sidebar section. Got it now buddy, thanks very much!
Hi Don,
I have an Aweber sign-up form that I installed on my website (they just published a plugin which is really cool). A small thing that is bothering me is that the form is right justified with no space on the right. Is there an easy code snippet that can be inserted into the widget to center the form?
Thanks,
George
Being able to have a different sidebar for each page is HUGE!!!
Is it possible to do a page with a left sidebar? I have a client that is looking to put items in the left hand sidebar of a page. Whilst I don’t like this setup, he is convinced that it should be tried. Thanks!
@ Jürgen
we do not offer this option by default, however if you know a little CSS you can do the following:
1) Log into Wordpress.
2) In the left sidebar click on “Appearance” -> “Editor”
3) A file called style.css should load by default. If not select it from the file list on the right.
4) Type of copy/paste the following:
#content {float: right;}
#sidebar {border-right:float: left;}
5) You may want to adjust your paddings and margins of the sidebar. But that is personal preference.
For theme support email us: support@expand2web.com