How to Add a Sidebar to Your Squarespace 7.1 Blog
If you switched to Squarespace 7.1 (or recently started there), you might notice something missing: a built-in sidebar feature. In older 7.0 templates like Five or Bedford, sidebars were a breeze; you flipped a setting, and voilà—an author bio, newsletter signup, or recent posts block would appear. In 7.1, it’s not so simple. Below, we’ll cover the manual ways people try to add a sidebar—and why using a plugin can save you a ton of time and headaches.
1. Why Squarespace 7.1 Doesn’t Have a Sidebar Option
Squarespace 7.1 was built to be more flexible and responsive, using the “Fluid Engine” to arrange elements anywhere on a grid. That’s great for unique layouts—but it removed the dedicated “sidebar” area. Instead, you either:
Create a multi-column layout inside each blog post, or
Use advanced code injection to float a sidebar next to your blog posts site-wide.
Neither of these is as straightforward as toggling a sidebar on or off. So, let’s break down your options:
2. Manual Methods (and Why They Can Be Tedious)
A. Two-Column Layout in Each Post
How it works:
When editing a blog post, click into the content area.
Use the Fluid Engine grid to split the post into two columns.
Put your main content in the left column, and add blocks for your “sidebar” (author bio, ads, etc.) on the right side.
Resize columns and style as you wish.
Drawbacks:
You have to do this for every single blog post. That might be okay if you have only a handful of articles, but with dozens (or hundreds), you’ll end up copy-pasting or rebuilding your sidebar repeatedly.
Consistency can be tricky—if you adjust the sidebar layout, you must re-update every post or risk an inconsistent design across your blog.
B. Create a Custom Page with a Summary Block
How it works:
Instead of using Squarespace’s built-in Blog Page, create a new page.
Add a two-column section in the Fluid Engine: left column for a Summary Block that pulls in your blog posts, right column for your “sidebar” (e.g., recent posts, newsletter block, or categories).
This effectively creates a “blog feed” with a sidebar on the same page.
Drawbacks:
When visitors click on a post in the Summary Block, they go to the default 7.1 blog post template—which won’t have your sidebar.
To maintain the same sidebar look on each individual post, you’d have to either replicate the layout in each post (as in the previous method) or inject custom code.
C. Custom Code Injection (Advanced)
How it works:
You add CSS/HTML via Settings → Advanced → Code Injection that targets the blog post template.
For example, you might float the
.sqs-block-contentleft and create a.sidebarcontainer on the right, then keep them responsive with media queries.You’d embed the HTML for your sidebar in a site-wide code injection area or with the help of partials in the blog post template.
Drawbacks:
Requires a moderate to advanced understanding of HTML/CSS/JS.
If Squarespace makes changes or you switch templates, your code can break.
Maintaining responsiveness across different devices can get complicated, especially as you add or remove sidebar items.
3. The Easy Solution: Use a Dedicated Sidebar Plugin
Here’s where a plugin (like the SQSP Themes Sidebar Plugin) comes in. Rather than juggling code, multi-column layouts, or manual duplication, a good sidebar plugin will:
Integrate with Your Existing 7.1 Blog
You don’t need to create a separate page or manually replicate layouts in each post.
The plugin injects the sidebar automatically for all posts (and optionally for the main blog index).
Handle Responsiveness Out of the Box
A well-developed plugin is built to adapt on mobile, tablet, and desktop without you writing custom media queries.
Let You Configure Your Sidebar in One Place
Add an author bio, search bar, recent posts, or ads from a plugin interface.
Make updates once, and they apply across your entire blog. No more copy/pasting blocks or rewriting CSS.
Save You Time (and Headaches!)
Manual methods can be extremely time-consuming—especially if you have lots of content or plan to publish regularly.
Plugins give you a unified and low-maintenance approach to displaying sidebars site-wide.
How the SQSP Themes Sidebar Plugin Works
Step 1: Purchase and install the plugin following the instructions provided at SQSP Themes.
Step 2: Activate and configure your sidebar blocks (e.g., type an author bio, connect a newsletter form, or display a “Recent Posts” feed).
Step 3: Customize colors, fonts, and spacing in a straightforward interface, ensuring the sidebar complements your site’s branding.
Step 4: Enjoy a consistent, professional-looking sidebar on your blog pages and individual posts without ever touching advanced code or repeating layout steps.
4. Which Approach Should You Choose?
If You’re a Developer or Have 2–3 Blog Posts Total: Maybe you’re comfortable with code or you don’t mind building two-column layouts in a handful of posts. You can go the manual route.
For Everyone Else: A dedicated Squarespace 7.1 Sidebar Plugin is the most efficient and reliable way to get a consistent, fully responsive sidebar across your blog. It spares you hours of maintenance and coding frustration.
5. Final Thoughts
Although Squarespace 7.1’s modern, drag-and-drop system is powerful, it’s missing the simple toggle we once had for sidebars. Thankfully, a good plugin can fill that gap—no code or repeated layouts necessary.
Want to avoid coding nightmares? Try a plugin.
Need a fast, site-wide solution? Try a plugin.
Hate duplicating layout blocks post after post? Definitely try a plugin.
In short: If you’re serious about blogging on Squarespace 7.1 and want a streamlined sidebar experience, stop wrestling with code and grab the SQSP Themes Sidebar Plugin. You’ll save yourself time, effort, and potential styling headaches—all while giving your blog a consistent, professional look.
More Resources
Official Squarespace Resource on Sidebars (Note: mostly references older 7.0 templates)
SQSP Themes Sidebar Plugin (for a seamless 7.1 sidebar)
Squarespace 7.1 Fluid Engine Overview
