Your website’s sidebar is more than just a decorative element—it’s a powerful tool that can improve navigation, boost engagement, and drive conversions.
When designed well, a sidebar enhances the user experience by providing quick access to key content, social media feeds, call-to-action buttons, and more.
But if cluttered or poorly structured, it can overwhelm visitors and hurt your site's performance.
So, how do you create a sidebar that is both visually appealing and functional?
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about sidebar design, from best practices to essential features and a step-by-step creation guide. Whether you're optimizing an existing sidebar or building one from scratch, you'll find actionable insights to make it a valuable asset for your website.
Let’s dive in!
What is a website sidebar?
A website sidebar is a vertical section, typically placed on the left or right side of a webpage, that contains supplementary content and navigation elements. It serves as a secondary space for displaying information that enhances the user experience without disrupting the main content.
Common sidebar features include:
- Navigation menus
- Social media feeds
- Call-to-action (CTA) buttons
- Recent or popular posts
- Advertisements
Their primary purpose is to improve usability, guide visitors to important pages, and increase engagement by offering additional resources and interactions.
While traditional website layouts commonly feature sidebars, modern web design trends emphasize minimalism and mobile responsiveness, leading some websites to opt for hidden or collapsible sidebars. Regardless of the style, an effectively designed sidebar can greatly enhance user experience and website functionality.
Why sidebar design is important
A well-designed sidebar can significantly enhance a website’s functionality and user experience. While it may seem like a secondary element, an effective sidebar plays a crucial role in guiding visitors, improving engagement, and achieving business goals.
Key benefits of good sidebar design:
- Improves navigation – Helps users quickly find important pages, categories, or resources.
- Increases user engagement – Showcasing related content, recent posts, or social media feeds encourages visitors to stay longer.
- Boosts conversions – Strategically placed call-to-action (CTA) buttons, newsletter signups, and promotions can drive leads and sales.
- Enhances user experience – A well-organized sidebar provides useful information without disrupting the main content.
- Supports website monetization – Sidebars are prime locations for displaying ads, sponsored content, or affiliate links.
- Encourages brand interaction – Featuring social media links, feeds, or testimonials builds trust and fosters community engagement.
However, poor sidebar design—such as cluttered layouts, excessive ads, or irrelevant content—can overwhelm users and negatively impact the browsing experience. That’s why thoughtful sidebar design is essential for creating a visually appealing and user-friendly website.
Step by step guide to create your own sidebar
Now let’s jump into the process of creating your own sidebar. And if it seems like it’s too much, remember that there are plenty of sidebar widgets and plugins to help you create exactly what you want.
Step 1: Define the purpose of your sidebar
Before adding elements, determine what role your sidebar will play on your website. Do you want it to help with navigation, promote content, generate leads, or display social media updates? Defining its purpose will help you decide what to add to sidebar and what to leave out.
TechCrunch utilizes their sidebar blog design to display popular content which strongly aligns with the brands focus of tech news. The purpose of this sidebar is simple and clear.
Step 2: Choose the right sidebar layout
Sidebars come in different styles, and choosing the right sidebar placement depends on your website’s design and user experience goals:
- Left sidebar – Commonly used for navigation menus, categories, or filters.
- Right sidebar – Typically used for blog-related elements like recent posts, social media feeds, or ads.
- Fixed or sticky sidebar – Stays visible as users scroll, ideal for CTAs or important links.
- Collapsible sidebar – Hidden by default and expands when needed, great for mobile responsiveness.
Step 3: Select essential sidebar elements
Only include items that add value to your users. Some key elements to consider are:
- Navigation menus
- Search bars
- Recent or popular posts
- Social media feeds
- Newsletter signup forms
- Call-to-action (CTA) buttons
- Hashtag campaigns
- Advertisements (if applicable)
Depending on your website builder, adding elements can be as simple as selecting the sidebar option and selecting the appropriate elements as seen in the image below.
And if you wanted to include custom HTML generated from a content aggregator for displaying social posts, you can easily copy and past the code into the Custom HTML option.
Step 4: Focus on a clean and user-friendly design
A cluttered or poorly structured sidebar can make navigation difficult. To improve usability and aesthetics:
- Keep it clutter-free – Prioritize the most important elements to avoid overwhelming users.
- Use a visual hierarchy – Place key elements at the top and use headings or dividers to separate content.
- Ensure readability – Use legible fonts, appropriate text sizes, and sufficient contrast.
- Make it consistent – Align colors, fonts, and button styles with your website’s overall design.
Step 5: Add interactive and engaging features
Static sidebars are functional, but interactive elements can make them more engaging. Consider adding:
- Live chat widgets
- Social media integrations
- Sticky CTAs
- Polls or surveys
The example below shows a very simple application by Designers Oasis blog of share buttons on a floating sidebar. This enhances engagement while maintaining a polished look.
Step 6: Test and optimize performance
A sidebar that looks good but slows down your site or confuses users isn’t effective. Regularly test and optimize:
- Check loading speed – Make sure sidebar elements don’t slow down your page.
- Use A/B testing – Experiment with different sidebar layouts and placements to see what works best.
- Analyze engagement metrics – Track clicks, conversions, and interactions with sidebar elements.
- Collect user feedback – Ask visitors if they find the sidebar useful or if improvements are needed.
Step 7: Keep your sidebar up to date
Remember that a sidebar isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it feature. To keep it relevant, update its content regularly by refreshing featured posts, promotions, or announcements. Remove outdated elements like inactive social feeds, expired offers, or irrelevant ads to prevent clutter.
Consider rotating sidebar features periodically—such as testing different widgets or call-to-action placements—to maintain user interest and improve engagement. A well-maintained sidebar ensures your website remains fresh, functional, and aligned with user needs.
Sidebar best practices for design
A well-designed sidebar enhances user experience, improves navigation, and increases engagement. Follow these best practices to keep your sidebar functional, visually appealing, and optimized for your audience.
1. Keep the sidebar layout simple and uncluttered
Avoid overcrowding your sidebar with too many elements. A clean, minimalistic design makes it easier for users to find what they need without feeling overwhelmed. Prioritize the most important features and remove any unnecessary distractions.
2. Prioritize important content at the top
You must consider sidebars and scrolling. Users tend to scan from top to bottom, so place the most valuable content—such as navigation links, CTAs, or featured posts—at the top of the sidebar. This placement makes key elements more visible and encourages engagement.
ProBlogger has a good example of prioritization—they start with a CTA, move to social buttons for following the social media profiles and then a help menu. It is clean, organized, and easy to navigate.
3. Maintain visual consistency with your website’s design
Your sidebar should blend seamlessly with the rest of your website. Use the same fonts, colors, and spacing to create a cohesive look. A sidebar that stands out too much (or looks like an afterthought) can disrupt the user experience.
4. Make navigation intuitive and accessible
If your sidebar includes navigation elements, keep them well-organized and easy to use. Group related links together, use clear labels, and avoid excessive dropdowns or complex menus. The goal is to guide users smoothly through your website.
5. Optimize for mobile responsiveness
Many users browse on mobile devices, where traditional sidebars may not display well. Consider using a collapsible or hidden sidebar for smaller screens, and relocate essential elements to the main content area when needed. Always test your sidebar on different screen sizes to provide a seamless experience.
6. Use eye-catching but non-intrusive call-to-actions (CTAs)
CTAs in the sidebar should stand out, but not overwhelm the user. Use contrasting colors and compelling copy to draw attention, but keep them concise and well-placed. A sidebar filled with too many CTAs can feel pushy and reduce their effectiveness.
7. Avoid excessive ads or distracting elements
While ads can be a source of revenue, too many in the sidebar can harm user experience. Intrusive or irrelevant ads may drive visitors away. If using advertisements, keep them relevant to your audience and well-integrated so they don’t disrupt the flow of content.
8. Test and refine based on user behavior and feedback
Analyze how users interact with your sidebar. Use tools like heatmaps, click tracking, and A/B testing to determine which elements drive engagement and which ones may be ignored. Gather feedback from visitors and adjust the design, content, and layout to maximize effectiveness.
What to include in your sidebar design
A well-structured sidebar adds value to your website by improving navigation, boosting engagement, and enhancing functionality. While what you include will depend heavily on the type of site you are creating, here are key features to consider, along with resources to help you integrate them seamlessly.
1. Social media feed
Embedding a social media feed keeps your website dynamic and encourages visitors to engage with your latest content. Live updates from platforms like Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook make your site feel active and interactive.
- Resources to help you include this feature: Curator.io, Taggbox, and Juicer
2. Navigation menu
A sidebar navigation menu makes it easier for visitors to explore your website. It provides quick access to important pages, categories, or sections without disrupting the main content.
Resources to help you include this feature: WordPress Menu Guide, CSS Tricks Navigation, and W3Schools Navigation Bar
3. Search bar
A search function helps users find relevant content quickly, especially on blogs, e-commerce sites, or content-heavy websites.
Resources to help you include this feature: Google Programmable Search Engine, SearchWP, and Jetpack Search
4. Newsletter signup form
A well-placed email signup form helps grow your subscriber list and keeps your audience engaged with updates, promotions, or exclusive content.
Resources to help you include this feature: Mailchimp, ConvertKit, and WPForms
5. Recent or popular posts
Displaying recent or trending posts in the sidebar keeps visitors engaged with your content, encouraging them to explore more pages.
Resources to help you include this feature: Jetpack WordPress Plugin, WordPress Popular Posts, and Display Posts Shortcode
6. CTA buttons
CTA buttons guide users toward key actions, such as signing up, making a purchase, or contacting your team.
Resources to help you include this feature: Canva, Elementor, and Thrive Architect
7. Social media follow buttons
Encouraging users to follow your social profiles directly from your sidebar increases your online presence and engagement.
Resources to help you include this feature: ShareThis, AddToAny, and Simple Social Icons
8. Ads or sponsored content
Displaying ads in your sidebar can help monetize your site, but they should be relevant and non-intrusive to maintain a positive user experience.
Resources to help you include this feature: Google AdSense, Ezoic, and Mediavine
9. Contact information
Providing quick access to your contact details builds trust and makes it easy for visitors to reach you.
Resources to help you include this feature: WPForms, HubSpot Form Builder, and Formidable Forms
10. Live chat widget
A live chat feature allows real-time interaction, improving customer support and user engagement.
Resources to help you include this feature: Tidio, LiveChat, and Zendesk Chat
11. Categories or tags
Organizing content by categories or tags helps users find related topics quickly and improves content discoverability.
Resources to help you include this feature: WordPress Categories & Tags Guide, Yoast SEO, and TaxoPress
12. Testimonials or reviews
Showcasing positive customer feedback builds trust and credibility, especially for businesses, products, and services.
Resources to help you include this feature: Trustpilot, WP Review Pro, and Strong Testimonials
13. Event calendar
An event calendar helps promote upcoming events, webinars, or sales directly from your sidebar.
Resources to help you include this feature: The Events Calendar, Eventbrite, and Modern Events Calendar
14. E-commerce product showcase
Highlighting featured or best-selling products in the sidebar can drive more sales and engagement.
Resources to help you include this feature: Shopify Buy Button, WooCommerce Sidebar Widgets, and Ecwid
15. Weather widget
A weather widget is useful for local businesses, travel websites, and event organizers, providing real-time weather updates relevant to your audience.
Resources to help you include this feature: WeatherWidget.io, AccuWeather API, and WP Forecast
16. Quote of the day or fun fact
Adding a daily quote or fun fact to your sidebar keeps your content fresh and engaging, giving visitors a reason to return.
Resources to help you include this feature: BrainyQuote, They Said So API, and Random Facts API
17. Donation button
If your website supports a cause, a donation button in the sidebar makes it easy for visitors to contribute.
Resources to help you include this feature: PayPal Donate,GoFundMe, and GiveWP
Want to add a social media feed to your sidebar. Try our free forever plugin.