5 Essential Sidebar Sections for Your Squarespace Blog
A sidebar (the strip of extra content on either the left or right side of a page on a blog) is extremely valuable to your website - and, if you don’t already have one, now is the time to create one!
You can see mine on the right of this screen ;)
As a Squarespace and Showit website designer, I’ve designed many sidebars for my clients.
Whether you’re just now creating your sidebar or already have one that you want to revamp, this post is perfect for you.
I’m covering all the essential sidebar sections for your Squarespace blog that will help readers get the most out of your content without ever leaving the page!
Here are a couple of examples of some client sidebars:
1. Mini Bio + Headshot
If you’ve written amazing content (and I KNOW you have,) at some point, your reader is going to say, “Wow...who IS she?”
On the contrary, your reader may want to know what gives you the credibility to write about whatever topic you’re covering in order to ensure they’re getting accurate information.
Either way, both situations can be covered by including a mini bio (with some details about what you do and who you help) and a headshot in your sidebar to help your reader put a face to your name and learn more about who you are and what you do.
If you want to go deeper into your story, you can include the 5 Ws - who, what, when, why, and where!
Concisely, detail:
who you are (your name)
what you do (your job)
when you started (how many months/years ago)
why you do it (your inspiration)
where you’re located (a city or state is fine)
This will help make your content more personal and allow readers to connect with YOU - not just a mystery person behind the words on a screen.
2. Services or Courses
If your content is excellent and your reader feels a connection, there’s a good chance your reader is going to want to know where they can get more from you - whether through working with you directly via the services you provide or learning from you in a course you offer.
Either way, don’t make them go looking for this information - present it to them right away in your sidebar to encourage this exploration.
In your sidebar, you can include the names of your services or courses, a quick blurb about them, and a link to a more detailed information page to help your readers learn more.
3. Categories
If your reader decides they want to explore more of your blog posts, having them readily grouped by category is a great way to make it easy for your reader to find the types of posts they’re looking for (and let them know all the topics you cover!)
This is especially important if you cover a variety of topics that relate to your line of work.
You don’t want a reader leaving your website to go find info they don’t know you already supply!
A quick list of popular categories with links to the corresponding posts’ page will do wonders for keeping your readers engaged and helping them find more posts that are relevant to their needs.
4. Freebies
If you offer a freebie (also known as a lead magnet or opt-in) like a download or printable that you’re using to grow your email list, make this clear to your reader in your blog sidebar!
If your reader feels that your written content has helped them in some way, they are much more likely to:
want more from you via a freebie, or
look to stay connected with you via an opt-in for something like an email list
For this reason, including the information for either or both of these right next to your helpful posts is a great way to encourage readers to sign up.
In addition, any reader who wants MORE from you will be interested in freebies or opt-ins alike - so keeping these call-to-actions next to engaging, helpful content will make them all the more likely to click.
You can use tools like Mockuphone and smartmockups to make your guide more engaging.
(Psst...if you aren’t currently offering a freebie or opt-in, adding or creating one is a great idea to help you turn readers into clients!)
Read more: 8 Places To Promote Your Freebie on Your Squarespace Website
5. Social Media Links
Give your readers another way to keep up with you that isn’t your website or blog!
Readily supplying your social media links (like Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook) is a great way to allow your readers to connect with you via a different platform and keep them engaged in you and your business.
The LAST thing you want is for ready-to-follow readers to have to search hard for your profile on social media. Make it easy for them by providing a link right in your sidebar and watch the followers roll in!
This also allows readers to digest your content in different mediums and ways - if they aren’t really a big reader, they can follow your Instagram account or join your private Facebook Group and get more media-based content from you.
Catering to different learning styles and different entertainment preferences is always a plus when it comes to growing your audience.
6. [BONUS] Search Bar
Adding a search bar gives visitors and readers a chance to look for something specific on your blog so that they’re not digging around.
Many times, a search bar is placed on the blog homepage or in the footer of a website, so it’s not always necessary to have it here as well.
But it can be a nice touch and enhance the user experience.
If a sidebar sounds exactly like what you need for your Squarespace website but you aren’t sure where to start, I’ve got you! I have an entire post detailing exactly how to add a sidebar to your Squarespace website, from template needs to plugins! You can find it here. (Psst...it’s not as hard as you might think!)
If this info sounds great but you’re honestly just ready for a done-for-you, amazing website that helps you build your business, this website designer is ready to help!
I have designed countless websites for business owners on Squarespace and Showit that bring their dreamy vision to life, are backed by strategy, and are correctly optimized for SEO so they get the most out of their websites - in a way that helps to book clients.
To learn more about me and my services, you can check out my services page here. I can’t wait to work with you and build you an amazing website that catalyzes your business’s growth.
Looking for more Squarespace SEO tips? Check out these blog posts: