The sidebar is one of the biggest elements of your blog. The sidebar helps readers navigate your blog, and highlights things on your blog. You can have the sidebar going down the right side or left side. Most blogs I have noticed use the right side. Something to keep in mind when putting your sidebar together is to not make it to long, or cluttered. If your sidebar is too cluttered or too long then your reader will miss things cause they either did not scroll down far enough or got lost in the clutter.
The 5 Key Elements for your Sidebar are:
- Search
Would suggest if you did not put a search bar in your main navigation at top to put it in your sidebar. This is really important to have to help your reader find things they might be looking for. Maybe they want to find a blog post you did that they liked or maybe they want to check to see if you had done a post on a certain topic.
- Social Media Accounts
This is the best place to put your social media icons for your readers to find. Would suggest putting them towards the top to make them quick and easy to find. This will help your readers connect with you via social media if they want to
- Profile Picture
Most bloggers put a profile picture in the sidebar. This is a good idea because helps your reader put a face with a name when reading your post. Just helps create a relationship with your reader.
- Button
This helps connect with other bloggers. Every blogger should have a button to use for advertising.
- Archives
Putting archives on your sidebar is a great way to help readers find your older post. Making older post easier to find will give them some love, and help keep readers on your blog longer.
The most important thing when putting together a sidebar is to just keep your reader in mind, and what info you are wanting them to be able to find. As long as you keep that in mind you should should have a good sidebar for your blog.
What do you find helpful when looking at a sidebar?
Something you want to see on a future Tutorial Tuesday just let me know by clicking here
I’ve always wondered about the benefit of having a “grab my button” widget on blogs. I’m hesitant to give up space that could be an affiliate link or advertiser, but it does look like it could be a great advertising opportunity for my blog.
Kimberly Gauthier recently posted…Serendipitous Saturday | Dog Toy or Sex Toy? Phallic Dog Toys are a Hit!
I think it is for sure
The button is a great idea!
Thank you! Thanks for stopping by
Thank you for posting this most helpful set of suggestions. Your site design illustrates the value of using the sidebar às valuable real estate.
You’re welcome! Thanks for stopping by
Thank you for the link 🙂