Have you ever found it frustrating to search for the login page on a website? Adding a simple login form to your WordPress sidebar can resolve this issue by allowing users to sign in from any page.
For eCommerce websites, this can lead to more completed transactions. For online courses, it encourages students to return frequently. Overall, it enhances user experience and engagement across any site.
At CanadaCreate, we have assisted numerous website owners in positioning their login forms effectively. While some themes come with this feature built-in, others may require a plugin like WPForms to easily create and place your own form wherever you prefer.
In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of adding a custom login form to your WordPress sidebar.
When and Why Should You Use a Custom Login Form in WordPress?
If you operate a membership site, online store, or offer online courses, your users will likely need to log in to access specific features.
Since the sidebar is visible on every page of your website, placing the login form there makes it more prominent and easily accessible for users.
Integrating a login form into your WordPress sidebar allows users to quickly sign in to their accounts. This enhances user engagement, improves overall experience, and boosts conversion rates for your forms.
In this guide, we will explore how to easily add a login form to your WordPress sidebar. You will learn how to implement the default login form as well as how to create a custom login form.
Use the links below to navigate directly to your desired section:
- Method 1: Adding the Default WordPress Login Form to the Sidebar
- Method 2: Creating a Custom Login Form with the WPForms Plugin
- Common Questions About Adding a Login Form to the Sidebar
Method 1: Adding the Default WordPress Login Form to the Sidebar
You can display the default WordPress login form in your website’s sidebar, making it convenient for users to enter their username and password to access the WordPress admin area.
For this tutorial, we will be using the Hestia theme. Keep in mind that the available options may differ based on the WordPress theme you have selected.
To begin, navigate to Appearance » Widgets in your WordPress dashboard.
From there, click the ‘+’ button, scroll down to the ‘Theme’ section, and select the ‘Login/Out’ widget block to add it to your sidebar.
You will then see the ‘Login/Out’ block in your widgets area. You can enable the options to display the login form.
Once you have made the necessary changes, click the ‘Update’ button located at the top of the page.
You can now visit your WordPress website to see the default login form in action.
Keep in mind that you will be logged in if you check the form immediately after making changes. Log out of your site to view how the form will appear to your users.
Method 2: Create a Custom Login Form Using the WPForms Plugin
The standard WordPress login form only includes fields for a username and password. We suggest designing a custom login form that aligns with your site’s branding and offers additional features.
The most effective way to achieve this is by using WPForms along with its User Registration Addon, which enables you to create both custom login and registration forms with tailored fields.
We have also utilized WPForms for creating contact forms and annual surveys, and our experience has been excellent. To learn more about our insights, check out our comprehensive WPForms review.
The first step is to install and activate the WPForms plugin. For detailed instructions, refer to our step-by-step guide on installing a WordPress plugin.
After activation, navigate to the WPForms » Settings page to input your license key. You can obtain your license key from your WPForms account on their official website.
Once verified, navigate to the WPForms » Addons page.
Scroll down to find the ‘User Registration Addon’ and click the ‘Install Addon’ button.
Don’t be concerned; although it’s named the Registration addon, it’s also used for creating your custom login form.
The addon will automatically install and activate on your website.
You are now set to create a custom WordPress login form. Simply go to the WPForms » Add New page to open the WPForms builder.
Start by entering a name for your form at the top, then select the built-in ‘User Login Form’ template. Hover over it and click the ‘Use Template’ button.
This will display the pre-loaded login fields in your form. You can click on any field to edit it or add new fields from the left column.
WPForms provides various form fields that you can add using the drag-and-drop builder. For instance, you can include a CAPTCHA field for enhanced security or customize the text on the submit button.
Next, go to the ‘Settings’ tab and select the Confirmation section.
Here, you will specify the actions to take once a user successfully logs in to your site.
You have the option to display a message, link to a custom page, or redirect users to any page on your site. We suggest redirecting users to a more relevant page.
Redirecting them to a custom page, such as a member dashboard or client portal, enhances the user experience compared to the default WordPress profile page.
Alternatively, you can send them to your homepage or any other significant page. After that, click the ‘Save’ button at the top to exit the form builder.
Your login form is now complete. You can proceed to add it to your WordPress sidebar.
Simply navigate to the Appearance » Widgets section in your WordPress admin dashboard. Here, you can add the ‘WPForms’ widget block to the sidebar widget area of your site.
Next, choose your user login form from the dropdown menu.
You can explore additional options in the settings panel on your right. For example, you can choose to display the form title and description.
Remember to click the ‘Update’ button once you are finished.
Now, you can visit your website to see the custom login form feature in WordPress.
You can also utilize WPForms to create a personalized user registration form equipped with anti-spam features.
Common Questions About Adding a Login Form to the Sidebar
Here are some common questions from our readers about how to add a login form to the sidebar of a WordPress site.
Is it possible to customize the appearance of my sidebar login form?
Yes, you can customize it. If you use a plugin like WPForms, you’ll have access to various styling options to modify the form’s look. For more extensive customization, you can apply custom CSS to ensure it aligns perfectly with your theme’s design. However, the default WordPress login widget has very limited customization capabilities.
Is it safe to include a login form in the sidebar?
Definitely. The placement of the login form does not impact your website’s security. The security of your site relies on using strong passwords, regularly updating WordPress core, themes, and plugins, and utilizing a reliable WordPress security plugin.
Can I incorporate social login options into my sidebar form?
Yes, you can include social login options (such as Google or Facebook) to simplify the sign-in process for users. This usually requires a separate social login plugin that works with your user registration system.
What should I do if my theme does not include a sidebar?
If your theme lacks a sidebar, you can place the login form widget in other areas, such as the footer. Alternatively, consider adding a ‘Login’ link to your main navigation menu that directs users to your login page.
We hope this guide has helped you learn how to add a login form to your WordPress sidebar. You may also find our step-by-step guide on enabling user registration in WordPress and the best plugins for WordPress login pages useful.
If you enjoyed this article, please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also connect with us on Twitter and Facebook.
