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What are Widgets and Custom Content pages, and how are they different?

Updated

This article explains Widgets and Custom Content Pages in Pulse Commerce, including what each feature is used for, how they differ, and how to configure them in the Admin Panel. It also includes common use cases and decision guidance so you can choose the correct tool for a given storefront content requirement.

Purpose: Use Widgets for reusable storefront content areas (“sockets”) that appear in specific page regions (home page panels and product page side panels). Use Custom Pages to create dedicated storefront pages (dynamic pages using the storefront shell, or static pages you upload and link).

Widgets (also called Sockets) refer to specialized storefront content areas that can be enabled/disabled and populated with content. Common examples include “In the Spotlight,” “Money Savers,” “Cool Features,” or similar content blocks depending on your storefront configuration.

Widgets are managed in Content Manager > Widget Manager. The Widget Manager controls widget visibility and content in key storefront regions, such as:

  • The Center Panel of the home page.
  • The Right Panel (displayed on every product page in the store).
  • Top Panel: at the top of the home page.
  • Left Panel: left side of the home page.
Key concept: Widgets are ideal for content that should appear in a consistent location across many shoppers’ journeys (for example, a promotion block on the home page or a product-page side panel).

Widgets are made visible by selecting the Visible checkbox for the widget/socket.

  1. Go to Content Manager > Widget Manager.
  2. Choose the panel area that corresponds to where you want the widget to display: Right Panel, Center Panel, Top Panel, or Left Panel. (The Right Panel supports various system widgets.)
  3. Locate the widget and update content as needed.
  4. Click Edit.

  5. Select or clear the Visible checkbox to show or hide the widget.

     

Operational tip: If content changes do not appear immediately, refresh in a private/incognito window to avoid browser caching of storefront assets.

Pulse Commerce supports two types of Custom Pages you can create for your storefront: Dynamic custom pages and Static custom pages.

  • Dynamic custom pages: Use your storefront’s existing template/shell. You can edit page content, page title, keywords, and meta tags. You can also control whether the page automatically appears in a specific links group and whether it is Members Only.
  • Static custom pages: Designed by you (using external tools), uploaded to a server location, and linked from other pages in your site.
Key concept: Custom Pages are the correct tool for standalone destination pages (FAQs, policies, landing pages, brand pages), while Widgets are for content blocks embedded into existing layouts.
  1. Navigate to Content > Custom Pages.

  2. Click Add new custom page.

     

  3. In the Custom Pages Editor, complete the fields needed for your page (content, title, metadata, links group behavior, and member access controls). 

     

    Display Format note: When Display Format 1 is selected, the Custom Page displays without the website shell. When Display Format 2 is selected, the Custom Page dynamically displays the website shell.
  4. Click Add New.
Recommendation: Use a dynamic page with the storefront shell unless you have a specific reason to remove global navigation, header/footer, or template styling.

The Custom Page Editor includes a Members Only checkbox that restricts access to logged-in customers. If a customer attempts to access a Members Only custom page without being logged in, they will be redirected to the customer login portal.

 

 

Operational warning: If you enable Members Only on a page that is linked from public navigation, some customers may experience unexpected login prompts. Validate your navigation and customer journey end-to-end.
Widgets (Sockets) Custom Content Pages
Embedded content blocks in predefined storefront regions (home page panels, product page right panel). Standalone storefront pages (dynamic pages with storefront shell or static uploaded pages).
Controlled by Visible checkbox and panel location in Widget Manager. Controlled by page settings in Content > Custom Pages (title, meta, display format, link groups, Members Only).
Best for reusable promos, spotlight blocks, product page side content. Best for policy pages, FAQs, landing pages, brand pages, and content destinations.
Decision rule: If the content must appear in a consistent region across many storefront pages, use a Widget. If the content is a destination page with its own URL, use a Custom Page.

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