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Widgets on Pages

By toddhalfpenny

Site Administration & Utilities / Site Migration & Cloning

Widgets on Pages Review - In-Depth Analysis

Easily add widgets or sidebars to posts and pages using a visual editor, shortcodes, or template tags. Create unlimited dynamic sidebars.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

6.64/10

User Rating

4.7/5 (based on 161+ reviews)

Active Installations

20,000+

Update Frequency

Below Average It is calculated using the weighted average of same category plugins.

Security Score

1 / 10 (Very Low Risk) It is calculated using the weighted average of all versions.

What It Does

The easiest and highest rated way to add widgets to posts and/or pages. Create unlimited dynamic sidebars (widget areas) and insert these into a WordPress post or page.

Create as many widget areas (Turbo Sidebars) from the settings menu, and these can be used multiple times.

Each sidebar can be called independently by a shortcode, and you can call more than one per post/page.

Sidebars can be included in the post/page by using a shortcode like the following, where x is the name of the sidebar.

With the Pro version, the widgets can be inserted simply with clicks-not-code using a wizard in the visual editor. This version also includes layout options to easily set the widgets in columns/grid presentation.

Pro version also supports the configurable option to automatically add widgets to all your posts and/or pages. Choose the layout options and whether to add the sidebar and widgets before or after the content. Ideal for adding lists of related posts to the end of every post. Each post and page can also be individually excluded from the auto-inclusion of the widgets.

Current features include the ability to create unlimited sidebars, place them in posts/pages/custom post types, and add to themes using template tags. Works with all widgets and themes.

Comparing to Alternatives

Widgets on Pages stands out as a straightforward solution for adding widgets to pages via shortcode, a feature not commonly supported by default WordPress or many themes.

Top alternatives

Widgets on Pages

Strengths

Simple and lightweight plugin focused on adding widgets to pages.
Allows easy insertion of widgets using shortcodes.
Free version offers substantial functionality for most users.
Good support responsiveness as noted by users.

Weaknesses

Not fully compatible with PHP 8+ in the free version.
Advanced features require upgrading to the pro version.
Limited to widget insertion functionality, lacks broader customization.
Some users report errors after server PHP updates.

User Sentiment Analysis

User feedback highlights the plugin's ease of use and helpful support, though some concerns exist regarding PHP compatibility and pro version costs.

Positive highlights

'Excelente plugin, me funciono exactamente para lo que necesitaba y lo mejor, gratis!' - j012ge
'Widgets on Pages is a really nice plugin, thanks!' - Jimmy Lee
'Great light-weight plugin to add a Widget with shortcode to a Page.' - pnutb
'Support was very helpful and understanding.' - eatnails
'Just what I needed … easy and stable.' - Karmi

Common complaints

Not ready for PHP 8+ causing errors after server update.
Pro version required for newer updates, which some users dislike.
Limited functionality beyond adding widgets to pages.

Weaknesses

Compatibility issues with latest PHP versions in free version.
Dependence on pro version for ongoing updates and fixes.
Some users find the upgrade pricing off-putting.

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Users who want a simple, reliable way to add widgets to WordPress pages using shortcodes without complex setup.

Not ideal for

Those needing full PHP 8+ compatibility without upgrading or users seeking extensive widget customization beyond basic insertion.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version allows users to easily add widgets to pages via shortcode, covering the core functionality needed by most users.

Pro version

Offers compatibility updates, including PHP 8+ support, and additional premium features not available in the free version.

Final Verdict

Widgets on Pages is an effective and user-friendly plugin for adding widgets to pages, praised for its simplicity and helpful support.

However, users running PHP 8+ may need to consider the pro version for compatibility and updates, which could be a drawback for those seeking a fully free solution.