How to Access and Edit Sidebar Manager in Brilliant Directories

Why you can trust our content

The tech space is full of hype and difficult terms; we take the reliability standards to new heights. Our blog content is backed by:

Learn more

Let’s Work Together

Ever wished you could control exactly what appears on the sides of your web pages? The Sidebar Manager in Brilliant Directories gives you that flexibility. It’s a simple yet powerful tool that helps you organize, customize, and manage sidebar content — from search modules and banners to dynamic filters — all in one place.
Whether you want to tweak an existing layout or create a brand-new sidebar, this guide will walk you through every step of the process so you can make your pages more functional and visually balanced.

“Great website design isn’t just about looks — it’s about control, clarity, and the power to shape every sidebar your way.”

Zain Ali

Co-Founder & CTO

Quick Summary: Sidebar Manager at a Glance

Section	Key Takeaways
What Is the Sidebar Manager in Brilliant Directories?	It’s a built-in tool in the admin panel under Toolbox » Sidebar Manager, allowing you to manage and customize sidebars for your website pages.
How Many Default Sidebars Are Available?	Every site comes with four default sidebars, with additional ones like Global Website Search appearing only when specific add-ons are enabled.
How Can You Edit an Existing Sidebar?	Use the “Customize” option for default sidebars or “Edit” for custom ones to open the sidebar editor and modify widgets easily.
How Do You Add or Remove Widgets?	Drag and drop widgets into the sidebar layout to add them, or click the X beside any widget to remove it instantly.
What’s Important When Using Search Modules?	Only one dropdown search module should be active per sidebar to prevent functionality issues on the front end.
What Are the Actions Available for Custom Sidebars?	Options include Disable, Clone, Copy Shortcode, and Delete—each providing quick control over sidebar management and duplication.
How Do Bulk Actions Work?	You can select multiple sidebars, choose a bulk action such as delete or disable, and apply it to all selected items at once.
How Can You Create a New Sidebar?	Click the “New Sidebar” button to manually add one, then customize it with widgets, banners, and filters as needed.
Which Widgets Are Allowed in Sidebars?	Only widgets labeled “Module,” “Dynamic Category Filter,” or “Banner,” along with custom widgets, can be added to your sidebars.

Optimize Your Brilliant Directories Website Today!

Step-by-Step Process to Manage Sidebars in Brilliant Directories

Managing sidebars effectively keeps your website organized, user-friendly, and visually consistent. Follow these steps to quickly set up, customize, and optimize your sidebars with ease.

ESSENTIAL STEPS TO ADD OR EDIT A SIDEBAR

Step 1: Access the Sidebar Manager

Go to your admin panel and navigate to Toolbox » Sidebar Manager. This is where all default and custom sidebars are listed for easy management.

Step 2: Choose the Sidebar to Edit

Click Customize for default sidebars or Edit for custom ones. This opens the editor where you can view and modify the sidebar layout.

Step 3: Add or Remove Widgets

Browse through the available widgets, then drag and drop your preferred ones into position. To remove any, simply click the X icon beside them.

Step 4: Adjust Additional Settings

Use the Actions dropdown to disable, clone, copy shortcode, or delete a sidebar. These tools give you more flexibility and control over your layout.

Step 5: Choose Your Niche and Market

Click New Sidebar to start fresh. Add widgets like modules, banners, or filters to build a unique layout that fits your page design.

Pro Tip

Keep only one dropdown search module per sidebar to ensure smooth functionality and prevent conflicts.

Where Can I Access This Tool?

You can find this tool inside the admin panel by going to Toolbox » Sidebar Manager. Every website includes 4 Default Sidebars by default. (Note: The Global Website Search and Personal Post Feed sidebars appear only if those specific add-ons are enabled on your site.)

How to Edit These Sidebars

To modify a default sidebar, click Customize from the Actions dropdown.
For custom sidebars, click Edit instead.

After selecting a sidebar, browse through the list of available widgets.
When you find the one you want, simply drag and drop the widget into the desired location within the sidebar.

In this example, the “Bootstrap Theme – Search Module – Local Radius Search” widget was added to the Member Search Results sidebar.

If you wish to remove a widget, click the X icon beside it.

Here’s how the front-end looked before the changes:

And here’s the updated version after applying the new sidebar settings:

Important: Only one dropdown search module can function correctly per sidebar.

Other Options for the Sidebar Manager

Along with the main editing features, the Sidebar Manager also provides several other customization options.

Actions for Custom Sidebars

Next to each Edit button, there’s an Actions dropdown menu.

Here’s what each option does:

Disable – Temporarily disables the sidebar currently in use. When disabled, the system will revert to using the default sidebar version.

Clone – Recommended method to create a new sidebar.
Copy Shortcode – Useful when you need to insert the sidebar or a specific widget elsewhere.

Delete – Permanently removes the sidebar from the website.

Bulk Actions

You can select multiple sidebars using the checkboxes beside them, or choose Select All to apply an action to every sidebar at once.

Next, pick a Bulk Action from the dropdown and click Apply.

The system will perform the selected action on the chosen sidebars.

New Sidebar

To manually create a brand-new sidebar, click the button located on the far right.

Additional Information

How to Create a Sidebar
Popular Sidebar Widgets

Note:
Only widgets labeled with “Module”, “Dynamic Category Filter”, or “Banner”, along with custom widgets, are permitted for sidebar use.

Common Problems When Managing Sidebars in Brilliant Directories and Their Solutions

Sidebar Not Saving
Changes sometimes don’t appear because users forget to save their sidebar updates.
Fix: Always click Save after editing or renaming a sidebar to make sure your changes apply.

Duplicate Sidebar Names
Using identical names for multiple sidebars can lead to overwriting or confusion.
Fix: Assign each sidebar a unique and descriptive name to avoid management issues.

Widgets Not Displaying
Widgets may not show up if they’re inactive or incompatible with your current setup.
Fix: Verify that all widgets and modules are enabled and up to date in Brilliant Directories.

Incorrect Sidebar Placement
Sometimes sidebars appear on the wrong side or disrupt the page layout.
Fix: Review your Sidebar Position setting under Display Options and adjust the layout accordingly.

Shortcode Errors
A missing or incorrect shortcode can cause the sidebar not to load on certain pages.
Fix: Always use the proper [sidebar=your_sidebar_name] shortcode when assigning a sidebar.

Pro Tip:
After applying changes, preview your page to confirm the sidebar’s placement, visibility, and performance before publishing.

Best Practices for Managing Sidebars in Brilliant Directories

Name Your Sidebars Clearly: Use short, descriptive names that make it easy to identify and manage each sidebar later.
Keep Layouts Consistent: Maintain a uniform sidebar style across pages for a clean, professional website appearance.
Add Widgets Strategically: Only include widgets that enhance usability — avoid clutter to keep your design user-friendly.
Preview Before Publishing: Always check your sidebar layout on the front end to ensure proper alignment and display.
Use Shortcodes Correctly: Double-check that your sidebar shortcode is accurate to prevent display or loading issues.
Regularly Update Content: Refresh sidebar widgets and links periodically to keep your website relevant and engaging.
Test After Edits: Each time you modify a sidebar, test its functionality to confirm everything works smoothly.

Optimize Your Brilliant Directories Sidebars for Maximum Impact!

Conclusion: Why Effective Sidebar Management Matters in Brilliant Directories

Managing sidebars efficiently in Brilliant Directories helps you create a structured, engaging, and easy-to-navigate website. With clear organization, consistent layouts, and purposeful widgets, you can enhance both user experience and site performance — making your directory more professional and user-friendly.

Need Help Managing Your Brilliant Directories Sidebars? Contact Us Today!

If you’d like expert guidance setting up, customizing, or optimizing your sidebars in Brilliant Directories, our team is here to help. From widget organization to layout improvements, we ensure your website looks clean, professional, and performs efficiently.

Let’s Build a Smarter, More Engaging Directory Together!

Reach out to our team today to fine-tune your Brilliant Directories setup for better design, navigation, and user experience.

FAQs – Everything You Need to Know About the Sidebar Manager in Brilliant Directories

What is the Sidebar Manager in Brilliant Directories?

The Sidebar Manager is a tool within the admin panel that allows you to edit, customize, and manage sidebars across your Brilliant Directories website using drag-and-drop widgets.

How do I access the Sidebar Manager?

You can access it by going to Toolbox » Sidebar Manager in your admin dashboard. From there, you can view, edit, or create sidebars for your site.

Can I create a new sidebar in Brilliant Directories?

Yes, you can manually create a new sidebar by clicking the New Sidebar button on the far right within the Sidebar Manager.

Why aren’t my widgets showing on the sidebar?

This often happens if the widget isn’t compatible or the sidebar has been disabled. Ensure that the widget is active and properly placed within the sidebar.

What happens if I disable a custom sidebar?

When you disable a sidebar, the system automatically reverts to using the default sidebar for that section of your website.

Can I have multiple search modules in one sidebar?

No, only one dropdown search module will work correctly per sidebar to ensure proper functionality.

What types of widgets can I use in a sidebar?

You can use widgets labeled with “Module”, “Dynamic Category Filter”, or “Banner”, along with any custom widgets you’ve created.

Share this post on social media:

Zain Ali

AI & Data Science Specialist

Zain Ali is a dynamic AI engineer and software development expert known for crafting intelligent, scalable, and future-ready digital solutions. With extensive experience in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and web development, he empowers businesses by building systems that drive performance, automation, and innovation.