When we started learning about WordPress and all the features it had, we were puzzled as to what the difference was between Widgets and a Plugins. Well, eventually we figured it out, so we decided to capture it here in this article.

Widgets

Basically, Widgets allow you to manage the display of content in your blog sidebar without you having to know any HTML code. They allow you to add or remove content from the sidebar by clicking and dragging boxes into place.

“WordPress Widgets are also known as “sidebar accessories” which are WordPress Plugins or add-ons to your WordPress blog sidebar. Developed by Automattic for WordPress and WordPress.com blogs, WordPress Widgets allow the easy addition of design elements, gadgets, content, images, and more to your WordPress sidebar to personalize your blog without knowing HTML, PHP, or any code. Many WordPress Plugins now come with a Widget version to allow easy addition to the sidebar” (source WordPress).

Prior to February 2006, Widgets started out as plugins that you had to install. They have now become so popular, that in February 2006, the WPW (WordPress Widgets) was launched as part of WordPress. As of WordPress version 2.3, Widgets have become fully integrated into the WordPress software.

So, where can you find Widgets for your blog? They’re available from the WordPress Plugin Directory. Also, if your WordPress theme is Widget compatible (which most of them are now), you will find the Widgets in your WordPress Administration Panel, under the Appearance section.

Plugins

Plugins are like accessories to your blog. They aren’t meant to function on their own. Instead, they enhance the functionality of WordPress, by offering functions and features that can be customized to suit your blog’s purpose. Lisa Sabin-Wilson provides a good analogy in her WordPress for Dummies book, which we’re summarizing here: plugins are like the running-boards on a car. On their own they don’t serve much of a purpose, but when you add it to a car, it enhances the functionality (and look) of your car!

Plugins don’t come with the WordPress themes; they must be downloaded and installed into your WordPress software (we’ll be writing about how this process works in a future article).

Some of the plugins that you install may also become widgets to enhance the functionality of your sidebar. An example of a plugin that does this is the Related Posts plugin, which you can see in our sidebar.

WordPress comes with 2 default plugins as part of the standard installation. These are:

1. Akismet – this plugin detects spam in your comments
2. Hello Dolly – this plugin will randomly quote lyrics from the Louis Armstrong song, Hello Dolly, and put them in the upper right had side of your administration screen.

You can find plugins in the Official WordPress Plugin Repository, the WordPress Plugin Database, and also by simply googling for WordPress Plugins. Many authors of plugins have their own website where you can find the plugins they’ve written.

Cheers.