/ Plugin Category

/ Design & Themes

/ Page Builders & Visual Editors

/ Organic Widget Area Block

Organic Widget Area Block

By Organic Themes

Design & Themes / Page Builders & Visual Editors

Reviewed by Omar Dabbas

Trusted WordPress expert with 20+ years of experience evaluating plugins for the WP ecosystem.

Organic Widget Area Block Review - In-Depth Analysis

Create multiple custom Widget Areas on any page or post using the Gutenberg block editor. Easily integrate traditional widgets alongside blocks.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

6.9/10

User Rating

3.7/5 (based on 6+ reviews)

Active Installations

800+

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 Widget Area Block allows for multiple custom Widget Areas to be created on any page or post using the Gutenberg block editor. As a result, traditional widgets can be used alongside blocks within your content.

This plugin can be used to create new sidebars within layout blocks or add widgets directly within your content. Simply add the Widget Area Block anywhere within your content and name your custom Widget Area.

The Customizer View button allows you to add widgets to that section within the WordPress Customizer. This block works perfectly with the Organic Builder Widgets Pro builder plugin, enabling widgets and blocks to be used side-by-side to create dynamic page content.

Comparing to Alternatives

Organic Widget Area Block has no close direct alternatives in its category, making it a unique choice for adding widget areas via Gutenberg blocks.

Top alternatives

Strengths

Integrates widget areas seamlessly into Gutenberg blocks.
Easy to use with clean code.
Allows creation of new widget areas or use of theme widget areas.
Highly rated for doing exactly what it promises.
Lightweight with no known security vulnerabilities.

Weaknesses

Persistent advertising notifications in the backend.
Compatibility issues with PHP 8.0 causing crashes.
Limited customization options beyond basic widget area embedding.
No direct alternative plugins to compare feature sets.

User Sentiment Analysis

User reviews are mixed with a majority positive sentiment but a significant minority expressing frustration, reflected in a 3.7 average rating from 6 reviews.

Positive highlights

"Great plugin that does exactly what it says. Easy to use and add widgets into your posts or pages through a Gutenberg block." — Stanislav Khromov
"This is an awesome plugin; it does one thing and does it super well." — Marcy
"This plugin does EXACTLY what you want it to do, perfectly!" — jmurphree
"Works great but crashes on PHP 8.0." — scopie (4-star review)

Common complaints

Persistent advertising notifications that cannot be dismissed.
Advertising cluttering the backend interface.

Weaknesses

Advertising notifications negatively impact user experience.
Crashes on PHP 8.0 causing site instability.
Limited support for newer PHP versions.
No resolution for persistent ads reported by users.

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Users who want a simple, effective way to add widget areas into Gutenberg blocks without complex setup and who do not mind occasional advertising prompts.

Not ideal for

Users who prefer an ad-free backend experience or who run their sites on PHP 8.0 or higher due to reported stability issues.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version allows adding and managing widget areas within Gutenberg blocks with basic functionality.

Pro version

Offers additional premium blocks and enhanced features beyond the free widget area block, accessible via an upgrade.

Final Verdict

Organic Widget Area Block is a straightforward plugin that fulfills its core promise of integrating widget areas into Gutenberg blocks effectively. It is well-liked for its simplicity and clean code, making it a useful tool for users needing this specific functionality.

However, persistent advertising notifications and compatibility issues with PHP 8.0 detract from the overall experience. While it has no direct alternatives, users should weigh these drawbacks against their needs and consider their PHP environment before choosing this plugin.

Other Notable Features

Here are a few other notable features of this free Organic Widget Area Block plugin.

Widget Area

Gutenberg

Block editor

Screenshots

FAQ

A: There are thousands of useful widgets for a variety of purposes, such as displaying advertising, newsletters opt-in forms, or even building unique pages using Organic Builder Widgets Pro. The Widget Area Block allows you to display these traditional widgets within the content of the block editor. So, you can create more dynamic pages and posts.