Floating Sidebar: How to Create a Divi WooCommerce Sidebar Widget that Sticks!
Are you looking to enhance the user experience on your WooCommerce store built with Divi? A floating sidebar, also known as a sticky sidebar, is a fantastic way to keep your important widgets visible as users scroll down the page. This ensures they always have access to your product categories, filters, promotions, or any other crucial information. In this article, we’ll walk you through how to create a Divi WooCommerce sidebar widget that stays in place, improving navigation and potentially boosting your sales.
Why Use a Floating Sidebar in WooCommerce with Divi?
Before we dive into the how-to, let’s quickly explore the benefits of using a floating sidebar:
- Improved Visibility: Keep essential widgets in sight, increasing the chances of user interaction.
- Enhanced Navigation: Make it easier for customers to browse product categories and find what they’re looking for.
- Increased Engagement: Promote special offers, discounts, or newsletter sign-ups directly in the user’s line of sight.
- Better User Experience: Provide a more intuitive and user-friendly browsing experience, leading to higher customer satisfaction.
- Go to Appearance > Widgets in your WordPress dashboard.
- Locate the WooCommerce Sidebar (or your custom sidebar if you’ve created one).
- Add the widgets you want to display in your floating sidebar. This could include:
- WooCommerce Product Categories
- WooCommerce Product Filters
- WooCommerce Products (Featured, On Sale, etc.)
- Custom HTML with Promotions
- Newsletter Signup Forms
- Look for the `id` or `class` attribute of the `aside` or `div` element that contains your sidebar widgets.
- Common examples include:
- `#sidebar`
- `.widget-area`
- `.et_pb_widget_area` (if using Divi’s built-in sidebar module)
- Divi Theme Options: Go to Divi > Theme Options > Custom CSS and paste the code there.
- Divi Child Theme’s `style.css`: This is the recommended approach for long-term stability and to avoid losing your customizations during theme updates.
- Divi Builder Module (for specific pages): You can add a “Code” module to the page where you want the floating sidebar and place the CSS code within `
` tags. - 40px); /* Adjust 40px to consider top and bottom margins/padding*/
overflow-y: auto; /* Add scroll if content exceeds screen height */
}
Explanation of the CSS Code:
- `position: sticky;`: This is the key property that makes the sidebar stick to the viewport while scrolling.
- `top: 20px;`: This sets the distance between the top of the sidebar and the top of the viewport. Adjust this value to your liking.
- `height: calc(100vh
- 40px);`: This ensures the sidebar doesn’t extend beyond the viewport. Adjust the ’40px’ to account for any top/bottom margin or padding you might have.
- `overflow-y: auto;`: If the sidebar content is taller than the viewport, this adds a scrollbar within the sidebar itself.
4. Adjust for Responsiveness
The floating sidebar might not look ideal on smaller screens. You’ll need to add media queries to disable the floating effect on mobile devices:
@media (max-width: 767px) { /* Adjust the breakpoint as needed */
#sidebar { /* Replace with your sidebar’s ID or Class */
position: static; /* Revert to normal positioning */
height: auto;
overflow-y: visible;
}
}
This code will disable the `position: sticky` property on screens smaller than 768 pixels (you can adjust this breakpoint as needed), effectively removing the floating effect on mobile devices.
5. Test and Refine
After adding the CSS, thoroughly test your WooCommerce store on different devices and browsers to ensure the floating sidebar is working correctly and looks visually appealing. Adjust the `top` value, breakpoints, and other CSS properties as needed to achieve the desired effect.
Potential Downsides of Using a Floating Sidebar
While a floating sidebar can significantly improve user experience, it’s essential to consider potential drawbacks:
- Screen Space Reduction: A fixed sidebar can take up valuable screen space, especially on smaller devices.
- Potential for Distraction: If not designed well, a floating sidebar can be distracting to users.
- Content Overlap (Responsiveness Issues): Poorly implemented sticky sidebars can overlap other content on smaller screens.
- Accessibility Concerns: Ensure the floating sidebar is accessible to users with disabilities. Consider keyboard navigation and screen reader compatibility.
Creating a Floating Divi WooCommerce Sidebar Widget: A Step-by-Step Guide
There are a few ways to achieve a floating sidebar in Divi with WooCommerce. We’ll focus on using custom CSS, which is a reliable and flexible method.
1. Prepare Your WooCommerce Sidebar
First, ensure you have a sidebar configured in your WooCommerce shop or product pages. This is typically done through the WordPress widgets area:
2. Identify the Sidebar’s CSS Class or ID
You’ll need to determine the CSS class or ID of your WooCommerce sidebar to target it with our custom CSS. You can use your browser’s developer tools (right-click on the sidebar and select “Inspect” or “Inspect Element”) to find this information.
3. Add Custom CSS for the Floating Effect
Now, we’ll add the CSS code to make the sidebar float. You can add this code in a few places:
Here’s the CSS code you’ll need, remember to replace `#sidebar` with the actual ID or class of your sidebar:
#sidebar { /* Replace with your sidebar’s ID or Class */
position: sticky;
top: 20px; /* Adjust this value to control the spacing from the top */
height: calc(100vh
Conclusion
Creating a floating Divi WooCommerce sidebar widget is a relatively simple process that can significantly enhance the user experience on your online store. By following these steps and carefully considering the potential downsides, you can implement a sticky sidebar that improves navigation, increases engagement, and ultimately boosts your sales. Remember to test thoroughly and optimize for responsiveness to ensure a seamless experience for all your customers. Good luck!
