Widgets: What are they, and how to use them


Note: Theme modification involves any change to the default values in the HTML or CSS of any theme or widget. Support can direct you to the correct page to make changes or to reset the widget, page HTML or CSS to its default value. This will undo any customization that may be in place. Before you create or modify a theme using HTML and CSS it is suggested to have a backup handy.

While theme modification is outside what support is allowed to assist with, if you need assistance with making modification to the theme, our implementation department is available to make these modification at an hour rate. If the service is ever needed please let us know and we will get that process started for you. Or check out our new Theme Store to find a theme that suits your needs.

NOTE: The term "widget" is only appicable to V1 themes. Please view our article V2 Themes FAQs for an overview of the new system.

widget and Widget are the same thing. In V1 Themes, we called them widgets, but from V2 and on, it's referred to as a Widget.

What are Widgets?

Widgets are pre-built sections of the page which perform specific functions. Examples are the Search Box, Browse by Category, Browse by Manufacturer, Side Column Shopping Cart, Sale Products, and even Custom HTML.

What is the real benefit of Widgets?

Widgets allow you to drop functionality in a modular way onto a site. This requires no HTML or programming knowledge. It provides a fast and easy way to add advanced features to your site with no help from a web designer or IT guy. If you're familiar with Wordpress, they are similar to Plugins.

This is useful for web developers comfortable with ASP.NET, and to store owners who need specific functionality on their site. It allows custom code that can interact with and run inside of Spark Pays' theme system with zero implementation effort. Just upload the control, add it to Available Controls, and then drop it on the home page or side columns. It is that simple!

Can I change the way these Widgets look?

Absolutely!  Widgets uses CSS Classes for styling. These are defined using the Colors, Fonts and Layout editor in the global CSS

But it doesn't stop there. You can go even further and customize a Widget on a per-instance level!  When adding a Widget to the Theme, you can choose to Override Default settings by going into that Widget's CSS Editor.

 

How do I add Widgets to the Theme?

You can add Widgets to most of the theme pages... if There's a widgets section on it, you can add them.

Navigate to the theme page you're wanting a widget, then select the Widget Menu

Widget Module Positioning

There are places on the widget page that lets you choose the location where you would like to put your widget.

widget.png

If multiple widgets are in the same spot (as in CategoryLeftTop) the widget higher on the list will come before the others.

Widget Width and Header

By clicking on the edit icon, you'll open the Widget settings. Here you can specify a width, header text or header image for this Widget. For example, if you are wanting Links on the left column but you do not want the header to say Links, add your new name in the Header Text field. 

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