On Themes.Wordpress.net there are literally thousands of free custom wordpress themes to choose from. However, only a small percentage of the themes being developed and published on the site are “Widgets Ready“. For whatever the reason may be, custom Wordpress Theme designers for the most part ignore this wonderful technology and choose to publish their themes without support for Widgets.
What Are Widgets and What is a Widgets Ready Theme?
Custom Wordpress themes have columns (or called sidebars) Typically most themes are designed with one, two, three, and sometimes four columns. The post column (or body) and one sidebar is the most popular design.
The sidebar, by default typical contain these sections: Recent Posts, Recent Comments, Calendar, Categories, Archives, and Meta. When downloading and installing a custom Wordpress theme, what you see is what you get (WYSIWYG). Meaning, unless you know how to modify themes yourself, you are stuck with the using the sidebar the way it is. Unless you know how to modify themes, you can’t change the order in which these section appear, you can add additional sections, or even more un-wanted sections.
Having Widgets installed is totally different. Having Widgets installed allows you to change, remove, and add any content you want on the sidebar. Change the order of how things appear. Add Google Adsense, Technorati, and other banners, buttons, and text with a click of the mouse. Instantly change your entire sidebar and the content inside in a matter seconds with just a few simple clicks on the mouse.
What is required in order to use Widgets?
The only thing really required is the installation of the Widgets Plugin and the use of a Custom Widgets Ready Theme. Widgets can be installed by learning more about it on the official site called, Automattic. If you need help installing this Wordpress Plugin, simply comment below and I will guide you through installing it, or simply install if for you for free (100% volunteer service).
My favorite site for viewing and searching for custom Wordpress themes is at Themes.Wordpress.net or commonly called the The Wordpress Theme Viewer site. On this site, they literally have thousands of different custom Wordpress themes to choose from. Only problem is that more than half (almost 70%) of all the custom Wordpress Themes on the site are not Widgetized or in other words, Widgets Ready.
Free Widgets Ready Custom Wordpress Theme Conversion
I am offering to volunteer my time for the Wordpress community and convert any custom Wordpress theme to be Widgets Ready. If you need help installing the Widgets Plugin on your site, simply comment below letting me know you need help. If you find a custom Wordpress Theme that you like but discover that the theme is not Widgets Ready, comment below and let me know where I can download the custom Wordpress theme and I will convert it (widgetize it) and make it Widgets Ready for you. Remember, this is a totally free service. I volunteer my time with helping the Wordpress Community and Widgetizing (or making a theme Widgets Ready) is something I am good at and I feel that this is one of the best ways for me to contribute to the Wordpress Community.
I look forward to helping you and look forward to converting your Wordpress Theme by widgetizing it and making it Widgets Ready.
- Garry
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Date/Time: 1-16-2007 07:03:32 Comment #182
Ahh, that is very helpful. I was wondering what widget ready meant.
I’m pretty comfortable with adjusting the code myself, but there are a few that I’ve had trouble getting to work, so I can see where widget ready themes would be helpful.
Date/Time: 1-16-2007 11:23:12 Comment #183
Thanks for the definition. Although widgets don’t really come into use in my blogs (they are a bit too simple) it’s always nice to know that people have the ability to modify their themes without any coding knowledge.
Allen.H
Date/Time: 2-27-2007 06:55:43 Comment #184
Is this for real? Guess the only way I’ll know for sure is by adding the URL of the theme I’d like to see widgetized. Although I haven’t asked the author, he’s received several requests for it to be updated but he doesn’t know how to do it. Here it is: http://gaarf.info/2006/12/02/updated-h20-theme-archive/
In case this is difficult to upgrade, I like the setup of this theme as well especially since it has “Now Reading” built-in! I do like the black of the H20 theme though. Love your opinion!
Thanks again and hope to hear from you soon.
Date/Time: 7-10-2007 09:20:59 Comment #3816
I saw your post through a google search and I was wondering if you could help me. I found this wonderful theme for my WordPress blog and I was wondering if you could convert it for me? It’s located here http://alexking.org/projects/wordpress/themes and its titled Illumination thats about half way down the page. Also I know that you offer your service for free but seeing as I don’t really know where to put all the widgets could you tell me where I could put them all so that they would work? If you need to know what I have installed so far I’ll tell you via email so that I don’t clutter your blog.
Thanks for the help.
Jen
Date/Time: 7-21-2007 12:00:15 Comment #3926
hey garry,
thanks for offering such a cool service. i was wondering if you could help me out by getting this theme ready for me.
http://themes.wordpress.net/columns/2-columns/184/falling-dreams-10/
thanks man,
steven bush
Date/Time: 7-24-2007 10:43:20 Comment #3969
Thanks! What an amazing offer! If it is still available, I’d love to widgitize this template:
` Multiflex 3: http://www.1234.info/webtemplates/multiflex3/
` Demo: http://www.1234.info/webtemplates/multiflex3/demo/
I also have a question about using this template on WordPress. The web site says that “portings exist for WordPress”, but as a new WP user, I’m not sure what this means.
` Does this mean the template is ready to upload and use on WordPress, as is?
` Or, will additional customization be required to use this template in conjunction with WordPress?
Thanks in advance for you help!
Date/Time: 9-16-2007 17:18:34 Comment #5054
hey I wanted to know if you could get back to me so I can send you my theme, that is if you’re still up for converting and all…
Date/Time: 9-16-2007 17:19:28 Comment #5055
Is it possible to change a two-column theme into a 3-column theme (content-sidebar-sidebar)?
theme url: http://www.ndesign-studio.com/resources/wp-themes/itheme/
Thank you, if you can help
Date/Time: 9-17-2007 12:48:09 Comment #5081
Great site, great offer, great job!
I wonder if you ever get exhausted to serve all the requests.
Well, I were desperate to install this theme to my wordpress
http://pupungbp.erastica.com/wordpress-theme/dewantis-dandelion-2-columns/
I didn’t know if I can change the template till I read the ToS [It was when I get suspended]
So, I wonder if you can help me. I really like the theme [Hope you do too] Cool and calming.
Thanks a lot!
Date/Time: 9-20-2007 03:56:16 Comment #5138
Hi. This theme is called Pool. Its not widget ready. Can u please make it widget ready ? And, thanks in advance. Get the theme here :
http://themes.wordpress.net/columns/2-columns/257/pool-107/
Date/Time: 9-20-2007 05:13:39 Comment #5139
I don’t know what happened.But i think someone deleted my comment. Anyways, please tell, can u please widgetize it for me ? Please, i spend a whole week seaaarciing on this, and ur blog came as a blessing. Please help me….
Date/Time: 9-20-2007 20:49:37 Comment #5150
Hi, I bought a theme that isn’t widget ready and was hoping you could help me. I have the file on my computer, could you contact me so that I could send it to you by email? Thank You. Laurie
Date/Time: 9-21-2007 02:27:54 Comment #5158
Is it done ? Can it be widgetized ? Please let us know by comments, or through ur post. please.
Date/Time: 9-23-2007 01:36:13 Comment #5196
Hello, any details ? Just curious.
Date/Time: 9-27-2007 05:04:50 Comment #5322
Hello ?
Date/Time: 1-1-2008 15:19:56 Comment #8233
Hi Garry,
Obviously lots of good Karma coming your way from what I’m reading. I have just helped a friend set up a blog however it is not widget ready. I have the file on my pc if you would like me to email it through – let me know and if not I will search for it and provide the link.
Thank you for your generosity!
Date/Time: 1-3-2008 16:54:50 Comment #8331
Hi Garry. Great article… I’m learning my way through themes, codes, wordpress, etc I recently downloaded a theme (New Yorker) and changed some names in the sidebar. Then yesterday, the sidebar and footer disappeared (moved down or soemthing). I’ve since gone back to the default code for the sidevar, but it’s still not showing up. Any advice? I believe this theme is widgets ready… Thanks.
Date/Time: 1-18-2008 00:35:46 Comment #9225
Well after a lot of searches i found this blog of yours to widegetize my new theme.I tried to install the side bar widget plugin,but some how while activating it says Plugin could not be activated because it triggered a fatal error…may i know what shall i do now or could u kindly help me putting that in my blog the link is http://www.livesharemarkets.com .I am stuck with this theme as i found it after a lot searches and i like it also.Waiting for ur response.
Thanxs in advance
cheers
Date/Time: 1-27-2008 05:16:07 Comment #9806
Hey,
Thanks in advance, you will be a great help
I could really use some help getting this theme I would like to use on my blog widget ready. I’d appreciate it if you could edit it for me
http://themes.wordpress.net/columns/2-columns/272/simpla-101/
cheers
Nathan
Date/Time: 2-3-2008 05:09:47 Comment #10215
I couldn’t help but notice a total lack of response on the part of Garry to any of the requests. Has anyone who has asked for help widgetizing themes actually received any response/help from him? If you have, why not comment again on this article saying thank you? If further communications were via email, why hasn’t Garry posted a response himself letting people know which themes he’s widgetized?
I’m beginning to believe this may well have been a marketing exercise on the part of garryconn.com, instead of an actual offer to help people without the skills while giving back to the Wordpress community at the same time. Which is a pity, considering the amount of themes out there that still aren’t widgetized, and are no longer supported or whatever, despite WP now having widgets in by default. Maybe I’m just being cynical?
-zsh
Date/Time: 2-3-2008 14:01:29 Comment #10230
I am sorry… you are right, I haven’t had the available time to provide this level of support. I very well may use this page and re-direct it to a small message board where people can easily post threads with their requests which will then better enable me to provide a larger volume of support.
In the mean time, I can open up my email and invite people to send me a direct email to garryconn@gmail.com for help and support. I’ll try my absolute best to help as many people as possible.
Date/Time: 2-20-2008 08:02:57 Comment #11716
Is your service still available? Is it possible to add widgets to this theme please? All attempts have failed so far
The theme from the Wordpress theme site called firstd-10 – http://themes.wordpress.net/columns/2-columns/1914/firstd-10/
Thx
Date/Time: 3-16-2008 19:24:19 Comment #12497
Garry,
Just stumbled across your site while desperately searching for help. What a great offer. I’ve been trying to adapt this theme unsuccessfully – anything you can do to help would be much appreciated>
http://www.spot.bg/download/cuddly.zip
joshua
Date/Time: 5-15-2008 05:58:22 Comment #14241
Dear Garry,
I am trying to use the zen-minimalist theme (http://themes.wordpress.net/columns/2-columns/329/zen-minimalist/) can you tell me if there is a way to make it widgets ready? I am completely ignorant in terms of coding and would be most grateful for your help in this matter.
thanks,
roo
Date/Time: 8-21-2008 00:54:04 Comment #18916
i love using the winter delight theme (http://scribblescratch.com/themes2/). i’ve made it widget ready but it’ll look horrible on the web because i think the developer didn’t make it flexible enough to handle widgets. how could i make it look better?
Date/Time: 10-4-2008 00:02:25 Comment #23597
Garry first of all I already subscribe to your blog because I like your informative articles. I’m a new blogger and I actually started subscribing to “how to” blogs and blogs where Wordpress is the primary subject matter.
Here’s my situation: I just read your article on widgets and your offer to make a theme widget-ready. The theme I chose for my blog (Pristine) appeared to be widget-ready but I don’t think it is.
Every time I’ve tried to activate a widget in one of my sidebars either one or two things happen; the content already there such as my blogroll completely disappears. Or, say like I activated the video widget, the video appears but cut off and my blogroll disappears.
So I’m guessing that maybe my theme is not widget. Lord knows I’ve tried everything. But every time I activate a widget I get the same results.
But here’s the thing: I just went to retrieve the web page where Pristine can be downloaded and the description of the theme says it’s widget-ready. I just don’t get it. Here’s the download page:
http://bloggerlounge.net/2007/09/10/new-wordpress-theme-pristine-10/
Could you possibly take a look at it and confirm that it’s widget-ready? It if it is then obviously it’s another problem. I’m hoping that’s not the case because I believe I’ve tried everything. I’ve deactivated all my plugins–anything I thought that would cause this to happen but so far no dice.
And if you’re no longer widgetizing themes well, thanks anyway. Even if you could offer me some advice I’d appreciate it much.
Best,
Derrick
Date/Time: 12-7-2008 21:11:06 Comment #27702
OH GOSH!!!! I hope you are still helping people. I have just recently tried to make my current theme widget friendly but they are not showing up. When I download a theme that is widget friendly, they show up. I need someone to look over my WP and let me know if I added the right codes/functions.php file. Thanks so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My email is above. I am so tired of trying to figure this out!
Date/Time: 12-9-2008 21:17:41 Comment #27766
Does this offer still stand? I downloaded a widget ready theme, but I do not know how to activate the plugins. If you are still offering your service, I would greatly appreciate your service.
Thanks
Date/Time: 12-13-2008 10:36:33 Comment #27958
Could you help me, im trying to widgetize my theme but all theese DIY tutorials dont help. Please help if this offer is still alive
Date/Time: 12-22-2008 01:35:35 Comment #28321
Hi Sir,
can you help me convert this theme to widgets ready?
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/08/20/notepad-chaos-a-free-wordpress-theme/
Or is it already widget ready?
I am not very sure….
Thank you very much for your help
From
Hari