WordPress plugins are a great way to add features and functionality to your WordPress site. In this tutorial, we will show you how to implement sticky elements in WordPress plugin.
What are Sticky Elements?
Sticky elements are those that are “stuck” to the top of the screen as you scroll down. They are usually used for navigation menus, social media buttons, and call-to-action buttons.
Why Use Sticky Elements in WordPress Plugin?
There are a few reasons why you might want to use sticky elements in your WordPress plugin:
- They can improve user experience by making it easier for users to navigate your plugin.
- They can increase conversions by making it easier for users to take action on your call-to-action buttons.
- They can make your plugin more “sticky” and increase the likelihood that users will keep using it.
How to Implement Sticky Elements in WordPress Plugin
There are a few different ways to implement sticky elements in WordPress plugin. In this section, we will show you two methods: using the WordPress core function, and using a third-party plugin.
Method 1: Using the WordPress Core Function
The first method is to use the WordPress core function, wp_enqueue_script(). This function allows you to include JavaScript files in your WordPress plugin.
To use this method, you will need to add the following code to your plugin:
function my_plugin_scripts() {
wp_enqueue_script( 'my-plugin-script', plugins_url( 'my-plugin-script.js', __FILE__ ), array( 'jquery' ), '1.0', true );
}
add_action( 'wp_enqueue_scripts', 'my_plugin_scripts' );
In the code above, we are registering and enqueuing a JavaScript file called “my-plugin-script.js”. This file should be located in the root directory of your plugin.
The wp_enqueue_script() function has a few parameters:
$handle: This is the name of the script. In the example above, we have given it the name “my-plugin-script”.$src: This is the URL of the script. In the example above, we are using theplugins_url()function to get the URL of our plugin directory, and then we are appending the name of our script file to it.$deps: This is an array of dependencies. In the example above, we are including the jQuery library as a dependency.$ver: This is the version number of the script. In the example above, we are using “1.0” as the version number.$in_footer: This parameter tells WordPress whether to load the script in the<head>section or the<body>section of the website. In the example above, we are using “true” which means that the script will be loaded in the<body>section.
After you have registered and enqueued the script, you will need to create the “my-plugin-script.js” file and add the following code to it:
jQuery(document).ready(function($) {
// Add your code here
});
In the code above, we are using the jQuery document ready function to wrap our code. This ensures that our code will only run when the document is ready.
Next, we need to add the code that will make our element sticky. In this example, we will make the “My Plugin” menu item sticky.
// Get the element
var element = $("#my-plugin-menu-item");
// Get the offset position of the element
var offset = element.offset();
// Add the sticky class to the element
element.addClass("sticky");
// Add the sticky class to the body
$("body").addClass("has-sticky-element");
// Set the width of the element
element.width(element.width());
// Add the sticky position to the element
element.css("top", offset.top);
In the code above, we are first getting the element that we want to make sticky. In this case, we are using the id of the element, “my-plugin-menu-item”.
Next, we are getting the offset position of the element. This is the distance from the top of the document to the element.
Then, we are adding the “sticky” class to the element. This class is used to position the element sticky.
After that, we are adding the “has-sticky-element” class to the body element. This class is used to add a margin to the body element so that the sticky element does not overlap with other elements on the page.
Next, we are setting the width of the element. This is important so that the element does not resize when it becomes sticky.
Finally, we are adding the sticky position to the element. In this case, we are setting the top position to the offset position of the element.
Method 2: Using a Third-Party Plugin
The second method is to use a third-party plugin. In this section, we will show you how to use the Sticky Elements Plugin.
First, you will need to install and activate the plugin. For more information, see our guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.
Once the plugin is activated, you will need to go to Settings » Sticky Elements to configure the plugin.
In the “Selectors” field, you will need to add the CSS selector for the element that you want to make sticky. In this example, we will use the id of the element, “my-plugin-menu-item”.
Next, you will need to select the “sticky” class from the “Class” dropdown menu. This is the class that will be used to position the element sticky.
Finally, you will need to add the “has-sticky-element” class to the “Body Class” field. This class is used to add a margin to the body element so that the sticky element does not overlap with other elements on the page.
Click on the “Save Changes” button to save your changes.
Your element should now be sticky when you scroll down the page.
In order to add sticky elements to your WordPress plugin, you will need to use the following code:
‘wpb_sticky_widget’,
‘description’ => __( ‘Allows you to add sticky elements to your sidebar.’, ‘text_domain’ )
)
);
// Enqueue our stylesheet
wp_register_style( ‘wpb-sticky-widget’, plugins_url( ‘css/sticky-widget.css’, __FILE__ ) );
wp_enqueue_style( ‘wpb-sticky-widget’ );
}
// The widget form (for the backend )
public function form( $instance ) {
// …
}
// Update widget settings
public function update( $new_instance, $old_instance ) {
// …
}
// Front-end display of widget
public function widget( $args, $instance ) {
// …
}
}
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