Optional Sidebars

This topic has 9 replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 10 years, 10 months ago by poppy.

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January 26, 2014 at 10:52 pm #19666

poppy
Member

Hi, I use the ‘select sidebar’ option when editing a page and there are optional sidebars named:

Optional Sidebar One
Optional Sidebar Two
Optional Sidebar Three

How do I create more of these? Optional Sidebar Four, Five, etc etc…

January 26, 2014 at 11:37 pm #19669

Sakin
Keymaster

@poppy: There is not option to create it by default. You need take help from customizer http://catchthemes.com/hire-customizer/ to build child theme and add it.

January 26, 2014 at 11:43 pm #19671

poppy
Member

I don’t think I can afford that (how much would it cost?) is there an easier way? I could learn if you gave links to things to read? Why would I need to create a child theme?

I only need 4 extra optional sidebars.

Thanks.

January 26, 2014 at 11:48 pm #19672

Sakin
Keymaster

@poppy: For any theme level customization you need child theme. As if you change any core theme file such as functions.php, index.php, style.css and so on. It will work until you update the theme. When you update the theme it will revert back the file to original mode and all your customization will be gone. So, by building child theme your customization will be safe.

For sidebar, either you can search for plugin at wordpress.org/plugins or you need to build child theme.

January 26, 2014 at 11:52 pm #19674

poppy
Member

How much would it cost to hire a customizer to do that?

January 26, 2014 at 11:55 pm #19675

Sakin
Keymaster

@poppy: Sorry I don’t handle that you can ask for quote by filling up the form.

January 26, 2014 at 11:58 pm #19676

poppy
Member

Thanks for your help, I will do that now.

January 28, 2014 at 5:30 am #19725

poppy
Member

I would prefer to try and do it myself rather than hire someone.

So far I have created a child theme and then I found a tutorial online about how to create a custom widget area, I followed the instructions but it didn’t quite work properly.

My partner knows some basic php and html but I don’t. He will help me follow your instructions, please help us out a little 🙂

January 28, 2014 at 11:14 am #19735

Sakin
Keymaster

@poppy: It’s lot complicated. First you need to build child theme. Then create functions.php file in your child theme and then register sidebar through widgets_init action hook and then you need to create metabox and add additional sidebar option.

So, why do you need to many sidebar? The best will be to install “Jetpack” plugin and activate “Widget Visibility” module, which allows you to add widgets in particular page you want. See this http://jetpack.me/support/widget-visibility/ . When you activate the Jetpack plugin, make sure you have “Mobile Theme” module deactivated in jetpack as this will conflict with theme responsive design.

January 28, 2014 at 10:31 pm #19747

poppy
Member

I need more widgets because my website is an animal care website, each page is about a different animal and needs it’s own small menu at the sidebar. We will keep trying to make it work and get back to you. Last resort would be using the plugin.
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