Is the NEW Off Canvas Widget better than Pop Ups?

Summary

The video script discusses the release of Elemental's beta version 3.22, introducing an offcanvas widget. It explains the differences between using the offcanvas widget and traditional popup templates, highlighting the pros and cons of each. The offcanvas widget allows for a more integrated experience without disassociation from the page, while popup templates offer more triggers and conditions but can be confusing for beginners. The script also addresses SEO concerns with popup templates and suggests the offcanvas widget as a solution for better SEO and a streamlined workflow.

Takeaways

• 🚀 Elemental released a beta version 3.22 introducing an offcanvas widget.
• 🔍 The offcanvas widget is available in the beta version and is set to be live for everyone in early June.
• 📹 A tutorial video explaining how to use the offcanvas widget is linked in the video description.
• 🤔 The script addresses the common question of why use the offcanvas widget when popup templates are already available.
• 📐 Popup templates are used for various pages like homepage, shop, product, or post pages, and can include special offers, downloads, subscriptions, or messages.
• 📲 For mobile menus, popup templates can be used to create an offcanvas menu that slides in when on mobile devices.
• 🛠️ Popup templates offer customization with options for overlay, close button, slide in/out effects, and display conditions.
• 🔄 Popup templates can be versatile with triggers and effects, but may require creating multiple templates for different pages or purposes.
• 🚫 A drawback of popup templates is the potential confusion of building them separately from where they appear, and SEO issues until they are summoned.
• 🔑 The offcanvas widget allows for building the popup directly on the page or template where it's needed, reducing disassociation.
• 🌐 The offcanvas widget is beneficial for SEO as it renders the menu when the page loads, unlike popup templates which only render upon interaction.
• 🛑 The offcanvas widget currently has fewer settings and effects compared to popup templates, but offers a streamlined building process on the page itself.

Q & A

What is the new feature released by Elemental in beta version 3.22?

The new feature released by Elemental in beta version 3.22 is the offcanvas widget.

Why would someone use the offcanvas widget instead of the popup templates?

The offcanvas widget can be used when you want to create a mobile menu or any other popup directly on the page it needs to appear, avoiding the disassociation of building the popup in a separate template.

What is the main difference between popup templates and the offcanvas widget in terms of user experience?

Popup templates can be versatile and used for various pages with different triggers and conditions, but they may require creating separate templates for different pages. The offcanvas widget, on the other hand, keeps everything in one place, making it less disassociated and easier for users to manage.

How does the offcanvas widget help with SEO compared to popup templates?

The offcanvas widget helps with SEO by rendering the menu or content as part of the page when it loads, unlike popup templates which only render when summoned, potentially missing out on initial SEO benefits.

What are some of the cons of using popup templates according to the script?

Some cons of using popup templates include the potential confusion of building them in separate locations, the need to potentially add and hide another menu for SEO purposes, and the complexity of managing multiple triggers and conditions.

Can the offcanvas widget be used for purposes other than mobile menus?

Yes, although it's called an offcanvas widget, it can technically be used for any popup, such as for special offers, subscriptions, or informational messages.

What is the advantage of using the offcanvas widget for building a header template?

Using the offcanvas widget for building a header template allows you to keep everything in one place, avoiding the need to create a separate popup template for the mobile menu, which simplifies the process.

How do you create a mobile menu using the offcanvas widget?

To create a mobile menu using the offcanvas widget, you add an icon or button in your header template, then link it to the offcanvas widget to make the menu slide in when clicked.

What are some of the limitations of the offcanvas widget compared to popup templates?

The offcanvas widget has fewer settings and effects compared to popup templates. For example, it lacks the ability to have a close button within the widget itself, although this can be worked around by adding an icon that closes the widget.

How can the offcanvas widget be beneficial for users new to working with templates or WordPress?

The offcanvas widget can be beneficial for new users because it simplifies the process of creating popups by allowing them to build it directly on the page where it will appear, reducing the learning curve and potential confusion associated with separate template creation.

What is the recommended approach when deciding between using a popup template and the offcanvas widget for a homepage?

If you want the popup to appear on multiple pages, it's recommended to use a popup template. However, if the popup is specific to a singular page or a few pages, using the offcanvas widget might be more efficient.