components-sidebar

name	components-sidebar
description	When the user wants to design, optimize, or audit a sidebar for blogs, docs, or content pages. Also use when the user mentions "sidebar," "blog sidebar," "content sidebar," or "side panel."
metadata	{"version":"1.0.0"}

Components: Sidebar

Guides sidebar design for content sites (blogs, docs). ~80% of users focus on the left; sidebars influence flow but can hurt conversion if overused. Posts without sidebars show 3.1x higher conversion; bottom-right sticky CTAs outperform sidebars (5.62% vs 0.58% CTR).

When invoking: On first use, if helpful, open with 1-2 sentences on what this skill covers and why it matters, then provide the main output. On subsequent use or when the user asks to skip, go directly to the main output.

Initial Assessment

Check for product marketing context first: If .claude/product-marketing-context.md or .cursor/product-marketing-context.md exists, read it for content structure and conversion goals.

Identify:

1. Content type: Blog, docs, e-commerce
2. Primary goal: Navigation, CTA, related content
3. Mobile: Collapse to hamburger or hide on small screens

Best Practices

Placement

• Left sidebar: Prime for nav; 80% of users focus left
• Right sidebar: Secondary content, ads, related posts
• Static vs sticky: Static for content-focused; sticky for persistent CTA (subscription, cart)

Conversion Reality

Approach	Typical result
Sidebar CTA	<1% opt-in for blog sidebars
In-content CTA	3x+ higher conversion
Bottom-right sticky	5.62% CTR vs 0.58% sidebar
No sidebar	3.1x higher conversion vs with sidebar

Recommendation: Prefer in-content CTAs or bottom-right sticky over sidebar CTAs. Use sidebar for nav and discovery, not primary conversion.

Widget Guidelines

• One high-value CTA max; avoid clutter
• Social proof: Testimonials, logos
• Popular/related posts: Discovery, internal linking
• Avoid: Too many ads, affiliate links; reduces trust and speed

Mobile

• Collapse: Hamburger or off-canvas drawer
• 57%+ mobile traffic: Responsive design non-negotiable
• Reduce clutter: Hide or simplify sidebar on small screens

Output Format

• Placement (left/right, static/sticky)
• Widget list (nav, CTA, related, social proof)
• Mobile behavior
• Conversion note (in-content vs sidebar CTA)

Related Skills

• components-toc: TOC often in sidebar for long content
• components-cta: Sidebar CTA (use sparingly)
• components-newsletter-signup: Sidebar signup; consider in-content instead
• seo-on-page-internal-links: Related posts in sidebar