What is Widgets in WordPress ?

Welcome to the world of WordPress Widgets! These powerful tools offer a world of possibilities for customizing your website, making it more functional, interactive, and user-friendly. Whether you’re a seasoned WordPress veteran or a beginner just starting, understanding widgets can significantly enhance your site-building experience. 

And did you know, WordPress powers over 40% of the internet? It’s a massive community, and widgets play a crucial role in shaping the online experience for millions of users worldwide!

In this article, we’ll delve into what widgets are, how they differ from plugins, and the various types of what are widgets in WordPress. We’ll also explore some popular widgets you can use to enhance your website’s functionality. So, let’s embark on this exciting journey and unlock the full potential of WordPress widgets!

Are the Plugin and the Widget the Same?

No, Plugins and widgets are not the same. Sometimes people understand widgets as plugins but this is not correct. Plugins function in the background whereas widgets in WordPress are those which the user can see and from which can interact.

So you will see many widgets in the plugin section. So it is true that there are many widgets that we can use is as plugins. But there is no need to confuse them. For example, the Contact form is a widget but we install it as a plugin.  

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Some Popular Widgets of WordPress

Here is a list of popular widgets of WordPress, which can make your WordPress website more functional. 

1. Meta Widget: It helps you or anybody to log in directly to the WordPress control panel from the main website.
2. Email Subscriber List Widget: Many email marketing software can be integrated with WordPress by adding some simple lines of code. So by this, we can get the functionality of an email subscription
3. Search Widget: This will add a search bar to your page. So that the user can type any heading of the article that he wants to search and after that, your website will find that and show it to the user.
4. Author Widget: This will add the “About Author” section on your website. So that users can know about the author of that blog and can connect with the content.
5. Calculator Widget: This will add a calculator to a page. Users can do whatever calculation he/she wants to do on that calculator.
6. Call Button Widget: This widget helps you to add a call button on your WordPress site so that users can directly click that button and call you.
   One example of these types of widgets is WP Call Button. You can add that in a sticky position so that whether users scroll up or down this button remains stuck to one corner of the phone/Desktop.
7. Contact Form Widgets: This will add a contact form to our website. So that whenever a user has any query then he or she can submit their name, email address, and query. After that, the author will solve their query and send him a solution in the submitted email.
8. Social Media count widget: These widgets will show how many counts you have on different social media. This means it will show how many subscribers you have on YouTube, and how many followers you have on Instagram, Twitter Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.

What is the limit of adding widgets in WordPress?

You can add an unlimited amount of widgets but different websites need different amounts of widgets according to their niche. The quantity of widgets depends mostly upon the niche because widgets add functionality to the website and different categories of users need different functionality.

But always remember to not put many widgets in one place or neither overcrowd the page with widgets because that will pull the user’s attention from the main content.

What are the different types of widgets in WordPress?

1. Inbuilt widgets: These are the widgets that are with WordPress and no matter which theme you are using which services you have bought still you can use these widgets.
2. Widget integrated with themes: Some widgets are theme-specific means those widgets come with a theme. Different themes have different types of widgets in their free and paid plan, so you can choose those widgets based on your theme.
3. Install widgets as a plugin: Some widgets are also available in the plugin section. You can go to the plugin section to install those widgets
4. Make your widgets using coding: Many developers are using WordPress but they are not getting good widgets of their choice. So they can code and make special widgets for their requirements.

How to use different types of widgets in WordPress?

So now we will understand how to use the above 4 types of widgets, through a step-by-step guide. Let’s explore!

For Using Inbuilt Widgets

Step 1: Go to appearance and then to the widget section.

Step 2: After clicking on the widget you can see all the “widgets” on the left side and “area where you need to add widget” on the right side. So you can drag your widget from the left side and drop it to the area on the right side to add that widget in that area. 

Using a widget integrated with a theme:

Step 1: Here also you need to go to appearance and then click on widgets.

Step 2: Now you will see inbuilt widgets. So you have to scroll down and then you will see widgets provided by the theme

Step 3: After clicking on any one widget, you will get all the sections where you can add that widget. So choose any one of your favorite sections for that widget.

Install a widget as a plugin:

Step 1: Go to the plugin section and click on “Add New”

Step 2: Type on the search box on the right-top corner and find your required widget and then install that.

Like here we searched for an Author widget because we want to add an “About Author” section on our website. So we got different options and we will install anyone from them to get the required functionality.

Own widget using Coding:

Step 1: Go to appearance and then go to theme section and in that click on theme file editor

Step 2: On the right side you will get many themes files and in those choose “function.php” .Then in the last of their code add your coded widget’s code. After that click on the update file

Conclusion 

Widgets in WordPress are indispensable tools for customizing your website’s appearance and functionality. In this guide, we’ve covered the distinction between plugins and widgets, highlighted some popular widgets, and explored the different types available in WordPress. Understanding how to use inbuilt widgets, theme-integrated widgets, plugins, and even coding your widgets can empower you to create a website tailored to your specific needs. As you continue your WordPress journey, experimenting with widgets will add a dynamic and interactive layer to your site, enhancing the overall user experience.

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Widgets in WordPress – FAQs

What is the difference between plugins and widgets in WordPress?

Plugins operate in the background, providing various functionalities, while widgets are visible elements that users can interact with directly on the website. Widgets often enhance user experience by adding specific features or content to different areas of the site.

Can I use widgets from one theme in another theme?

Widgets integrated with themes are usually designed to work seamlessly within that specific theme. Attempting to use them in another theme may not yield the desired results. It’s recommended to explore and utilize widgets that complement your chosen theme.

Are there limitations to the number of widgets I can add to my WordPress site?

While WordPress allows you to add an unlimited number of widgets, it’s essential to consider your website’s layout and the user experience. Overcrowding your pages with widgets can distract users from the main content, so it’s advisable to find a balance that suits your site’s niche and purpose.

Can I customize the appearance of widgets on my site?

Yes, you can customize the appearance of widgets. When adding a widget through the WordPress dashboard, you often have options to configure its settings, such as title, layout, and content. Additionally, you can use custom CSS or theme customization options to further tweak the widget’s appearance.

Is coding my widget necessary for advanced customization?

Coding your widget becomes necessary when you have specific requirements that aren’t met by existing plugins or inbuilt widgets. If you’re comfortable with coding and have unique functionality in mind, adding a custom widget through the theme’s function.php file can provide the tailored solution you need. However, for most users, the wide array of available plugins and inbuilt widgets should suffice.