Most blogs these days have a sidebar and it’s usually one of the first things you notice when you discover a new blog. What’s in that sidebar however can be incredibly important to growing your blog, your audience and encouraging people to spend more time on your blog rather than clicking off and going elsewhere. Remember, we’re not in the days of Piczo anymore so whilst flashing images, neon graphics and moving GIF’s might grab someones attention, it’ll soon give them a headache. Sidebars need to be (relatively) clean, easy to understand but most importantly, include the right information to benefit your fabulous blog! So let’s get into it, shall we? Here are some super handy things you can include in your blogs sidebar.
A follow button
“Alright, Captain obvious!” I hear you scream but seriously, having a follow button or an option for people to sign up to your blog via email in your sidebar is really handy and you know what’s even more handy? Having it right at the top, so it’s not hidden among a bunch of other things and easily scrolled past. It’s amazing how many blogs I go on that don’t offer you an easy option to follow them. At the end of the day, humans are pretty lazy and we want things as simple as possible so ensure your follow button is jumping out of your screen and smacking people in the face (but don’t have loads of annoying pop ups asking people to sign up for this or that because that can be just as detrimental).
A list of your most recent posts
I use these on other people’s blogs so much, why? Because I’m lazy! (I know, we’ve just covered that). But seriously, if I’m reading a post and I see a list of their other posts right next to me, I’m going to be intrigued and I’m definitely more likely to click on one of them rather than clicking back to the homepage and scrolling from there. That might just be me (because we know I’m lazy by now) but it’s another useful tool to encourage people to stay on your blog for longer.
A search bar
Please, for the love of blogging, have a search bar in your sidebar. Just don’t even question it. It doesn’t have to be big or fancy with fireworks, just a simple search bar that allows you to search for things. It’s really quite a neat invention. This is one the main things I’ve seen people moan about on Twitter, is other bloggers not having search bars so clearly it’s quite a universally desired thing when it comes to blogging. Seriously though, it just makes life easier. When compiling your sidebar think, “will this make a readers life easier?” If the answer is yes, then it might be a good option to include it. And a search bar definitely makes things easier.
Something personal
Despite most bloggers having mostly the same stuff in their sidebars (which is totally okay), you still want yours to stand out and not look identical to the blogger next to you, so including something a little more personal to you can help shnazz up your sidebar (remind me never to say ‘shnazz’ again). This could be your blog button or a photo of you. I used to be a book blogger and I’m still a huge reader, so I have my Goodreads, “currently reading” shelf displayed on my sidebar so anyone who’s interested in books knows that they have that in common with me!
What else would you say is essential to include in your blog’s sidebar? Do you have all of the above in yours? What do you find helps makes navigating through a blog easier?
[…] a reader staying on your blog for longer or clicking off. Ways to improve navigation is to have a clear sidebar with all relevant information and a clear search bar at the top of your […]
Thank you x
Hey. I know this is probably such a dumb question, but I’m quite new to blogging and I’m not entirely sure how to add a search bar and follow button to my website? I’m kinda trying to get as much advice about blogging atm and learn as much as I can…Thanks x 🙂
If you’re on WordPress you’ll find it in the widgets section of your dash board!
My first book blog I use to spend SO MUCH TIME on my sidebar! Then one day as I was changing my template I lost EVERYTHING. This was nearly 3 years ago, but since then I’ve still been really bummed about it (I know, so dramatic right?!) that I get weird feelings about being too attached to my sidebar now.
I always think to update it from time to time but I just get so discouraged and afraid I’ll lose the whole thing again!
Oh no! That’s bloody awful!
IT WAS SO TRAUMATIC!
This is so helpful, thank you! I need to get a search bar for my blog soo badly!
Soph x
– http://www.sophie-elise.co.uk
You definitely should!
Ooh, goody, I have almost all of them…
…just as well, as I’m not great with working out the techie side of blogging! lol
Tracy x
https://bloggerbythesea.com
I have plenty of techy blog posts as well as lots of info in my new eBook!
Ooh. Is it on your blog? Or where? U NEED help with that stuff 😂
All my blog posts are under the “blogging series” category and my eBook is in a drop down menu under the “work with me” category!
Ace! Thank you x
I agree with these! I have a follow button, a picture of myself, social medias, archives and categories!
Sounds perfect!
Such a great and useful post for those just starting out x
Thank you 🙂
I don’t have my sidebar showing on my home page, it only displays on posts. I probably should put it back but I always feel like it looks messy on mine. I think the only thing you mentioned that isn’t on my sidebar are my most recent posts as they are displayed on my homepage. Mind you, I’m still not 100% happy with how my layout looks, so I may change it up. I get bored with it so easily! 🙂 x
Oh me too, I recently changed my layout up too cos I was bored stiff of it!
I saw you tweet this post out & couldn’t wait to read it. These are absolutely all so vital!! I personally like seeing an Archive on the sidebar; I like being able to snoop & see how long they’ve been blogging, & I think by clicking on specific months or years, you can get a real feel of how they’ve grown, what they’ve enjoyed talking about the most, and more. xx
twinklexthoughts.blogspot.com
An archive can definitely be good! Mine goes back all the way to 2013 😂
I actually forgot to ever have a follow blog button on the sidebar for a long time until a reader on twitter asked me where the button was – I hadn’t realized I never put it on the side!
And yes to adding a list of your most recent posts – it’s one of the ways I stay on a blog longer, as I’m reading something will catch my eye and suddenly I’m 4 posts in haha!
YES SEARCH BARS! I’ve come across a few blogs that don’t have a search bar and I feel like I’m lost if I don’t see one.
I actually didn’t know there was a plugin for goodreads – I love to read too, it’s a great way to keep track of the books I read & want to read. I only recently discovered goodreads and wow! I really wish I came across it sooner.
I have all of these in my side-bar (minus goodreads haha!) which makes me happy!
I would say something that is a must on the side bar is a way for readers to follow you on all socials 🙂
Sahara
http://saharas-dreams.blogspot.com
Yes! Goodreads have a widget section where you create your widget and then add it into your sidebar 🙂 I love seeing the GR widget on people’s sidebars and yes definitely socials are important too! The amount of times I’ve not been able to find a blogger on Twitter because their twitter link isn’t anywhere is ridiculous!
After reading this I just make a point of updating mine.
http://littlemissmelanie.com
That’s great 🙂
thank you for sharing this! i have most of those things, going to add a search bar RIGHT now! xx
mich / simplymich. com
Yay! Glad to hear it 🙂
I think having a search bar is very important, agreed!great post and love all the points!
Thank you 🙂
Added a search box to my sidebar after reading this! Thanks
Glad to hear it! 🙂
This was really helpful, thank you! I’ll be coming back to this post next week, when I’m planning on dedicating some time to organising my sidebar and pages on my blog. Thanks for the help!
Sammy | selfcaresloth.wordpress.com
Glad it helped! 😌
I’m definitely going to make some changes to mine – I literally have only 1 of the 4 you mentioned 🤦🏼♀️ – I have my most recent Instagram photos in my sidebar and I really like that, it’s firever changing.
Yeah I like that element too 😌
Yes to everything and your email etc is so important x
http://www.ofbeautyandnothingness.co.uk
I can’t stand it when a blogger is so uncontactable!
Ooh recent posts – now there is a good idea. Now to figure out how… I’m sure it’s easy when I start looking. I completely agree about the follow button – why make it hard? Great post as always, some new tips to store away!
Are you on WordPress? It’s under the widgets section on your dash board 😌
Thank you!!
Some great tips xx
Thank you x
I think the search bar is so essential too! I’m always baffled when I go to find one of somebody’s blog and it’s not there x
Morgan // http://www.justmorgs.com
Same! I’m not going to sit there and scroll back through 6 months worth of posts either?!
Very helpful post. Thanks Jenny.
You’re welcome 😌
Will have to double check mine now!!! But love the idea of the goodreads shelf as I’ve just discovered this app and loving it!!
I love Goodreads, it’s amazing!