Sometimes you need a sidebar as default for your blog and your cart. I wanted to create a side bar that sets by default without applying to pages and post manually.
To do this I used Woosidebar plugin.
Add to the plugin area as usual, activate it and navigate to Appearance > Widget Areas.
Here you create a new side bar that you can apply to any pages but in this case specifically to Woo Commerce pages.
We used the Woo Commerce sidebar plugin on the following sites:
Total Health
I have also used other plugins for sidebars on sites such as Full Focus.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why doesn’t my WooCommerce sidebar show by default?
Many WordPress themes don’t automatically display a sidebar on WooCommerce pages, especially if they use a full-width layout. You may need to enable it manually or via a child theme.
2. Can I add a sidebar without editing code?
Yes, you can use a page builder like Divi or Elementor, or a sidebar plugin to control widget areas without touching code. However, for full control, theme edits may still be needed.
3. What widgets should I include in a WooCommerce sidebar?
Common widgets include Product Categories, Filters, Price Slider, Recent Products, and Top-Rated Products to help guide customers through your store.
4. Can I have different sidebars for shop and product pages?
Yes, with the right theme or a dynamic sidebar plugin, you can assign different widget areas to different WooCommerce pages.
5. Will adding a sidebar affect mobile layout?
It can, depending on your theme. Some themes stack sidebars below content on mobile. Always check responsiveness after making changes.
6. How do I style my WooCommerce sidebar?
You can customise sidebar styles using CSS, your theme’s options, or with a child theme. This helps keep it on-brand and user-friendly.
7. What if my theme doesn’t support sidebars on WooCommerce pages?
You may need to register a new sidebar and add code to the theme’s template files (e.g., archive-product.php). A child theme is recommended to keep changes update-safe.
8. Can I hide the sidebar on some WooCommerce pages?
Yes, conditional logic or display rules can let you show or hide sidebars on specific pages or categories.
9. Is it better to use left or right sidebars?
There’s no strict rule, but left sidebars are common for filtering/navigation, while right sidebars are used more for promotions or secondary info. Test what works best for your users.
10. Do I need to use a child theme for sidebar edits?
Yes, if you’re editing theme files directly. A child theme ensures your changes won’t be overwritten during theme updates.