Custom Sidebars in SmallBiz WordPress Theme

by Don Campbell on June 23, 2010 · 8 comments

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

{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }

Elizabeth Cusulas June 28, 2010 at 5:35 pm

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.

Reply

Don Campbell June 28, 2010 at 5:39 pm

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.

Reply

Elizabeth Cusulas June 28, 2010 at 6:01 pm

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.

Reply

Thomas June 29, 2010 at 3:05 am

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

Reply

Clare July 5, 2010 at 5:19 am

Ok, so I’m pretty new at this and easily impressed but WOW!! Fab video tutorials.
Thanks Don

Reply

Don Campbell July 5, 2010 at 4:39 pm

Thank you Clare!

Reply

Jay July 13, 2010 at 7:22 pm

Is this tutorial supposed to work for the older versions of SmallBizTheme or only the newest version?

Thanks,
Jay

Reply

Don Campbell July 13, 2010 at 7:55 pm

Hi Jay – this should work with any version of the SmallBiz Theme from v1.62 on up.

Reply

Leave a Comment