A blog sidebar is a dedicated space on the side of a blog. Typically, this space is separate from the main part of the blog and can be filled with something of the blog owner’s choice. A sidebar of the blog in general will remain static, which means that the content of the sidebar will not change, regardless of the selection of content to be displayed in the main part of the blog.
To understand what a blog sidebar is, readers of a blog must first realize that blogs usually consist of two or three columns. The main part of the blog is generally the larger column. This is where the main content, usually blog posts, typically appears. The other column or columns are narrower and give peripheral position – usually on the side, hence their designation as a sidebar.
Many blog owners tend to put information on the blog or themselves in the sidebar. The sidebar is privileged space to include the name of a blog owner, short biography, photos and contact information. If blog owners don’t want to display personal information, you can take this opportunity to use the sidebar as a space to provide a mission statement for the blog.
Lists of categories of topics within the blog, dated archives, lists of recent posts and comments, a search box and links to popular blog posts can also be contained in the sidebar of a blog. These things can make browsing the blog easier for readers. Links to similar websites or blogs can occupy a blog sidebar. Some blog owners may also implement a small form so readers can enter their email addresses for updates or news regarding the blog.
Other blog owners can choose to monetize their blogs by placing ads in their blog’s sidebar. These blog owners can become affiliated with advertisers, such as Google or Amazon, and place ads on their blogs, which can then be clicked on by readers. Blog owners can get paid every time readers click on advertisements and buy something on advertisers’ websites. Likewise, blog owners can request donations on a blog sidebar.
What blog owner decides to put on a sidebar depends on his or her goals. If blog owners want to try out different content for the sidebar, they can easily test it by putting specific content in the sidebar and analyze how it works on the blog. For example, if readers entering their home blog updates multiple clicks on links to other sites, a blog owner might choose to keep that shape in the sidebar to ensure that a loyal audience is established.
