Just found this fantastic tutorial on adding widget areas to any WordPress theme. I successfully set up a new widget area below the content of my posts on another blog I write for in about 5 minutes.
Addwidget Area to Theme: Step 1.
In the index.php file in your theme directory, add the following code to an area where you would like a new widget area. Directly below the content is a good idea if you wish to place adverts, or further reading there. Note we have had to wrap this line of code so it displays. Careful of too many spaces.
<div> <?php if ( !function_exists('dynamic_sidebar') || !dynamic_sidebar('Post Widget') ) : ?> <?php endif; ?> </div>
Step 2.
Then in the functions.php file add the following line, directly below the current widget code:
register_sidebar(array('name'=>'Post Widget',));
Step 3.
Finally, to style the wdiget, add this code to the style.css file:
.widget_post { background: #FFFFFF; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; width: 600px; }
It really is as simple as that. When you next go to the widgets area in your WordPress control panel, you will see an option for “Post Widget”. There is a more detailed explanation on StudioGrasshopper’s website.
Source: Studiograsshopper.ch -How to add a Widgetised area in a WordPress theme
