This tutorial is for those WordPress users who would like to add a simple image to their sidebar.   Sure, you could just add a text box widget and type in the HTML, but let me show you how I do it.  For this example I will use a 250×250 graphic advertising my CMF Ads March Madness contest.

The first trick is to install the Daiko’s Text Widget Plugin.  You could use the regular text widget, but Daiko’s is so much better for 3 reasons. 

• It allows you to execute PHP code in the widget. 
• You can choose which pages to show the widget on.
• Most importantly, it remembers the content of the text box when you remove it from your sidebar.  With the normal text widget, I have to retype the code if I want to move the widget from the right sidebar to the left sidebar.

1. Now for a shortcut.  Click “add new post” in your WordPress admin screen.  We will use the WYSIWYG editor to quickly upload our graphic and write the code for us. 

2. Click the upload image button as shown below and select the picture you wish to upload.  WordPress will then say “Crunching”.  Then click “save all changes”.  You will see your image listed.

3. For SEO purposes, be sure to fill out the title and description areas in the next screen.  Click “Insert into Post” when you are finished adding your description.

4.  I would like to link my image to a URL.  First click on the image to select it, then click on the Chain icon.  Enter your link URL

5. Now click the HTML tab and then select and copy all the html code there.

6. Click “widgets” in the admin side panel.  Add a Daiko’s text box to your sidebar and let it stay as the bottom widget.  Click “edit” and paste your copied HTML code into the box.  Click “Done” and then “Save Changes”.   Now you can move your widget up the page by drag and drop.  Click “Save Changes” again.

7. Delete the draft from your list of posts if WordPress autosaved it.  You should now see your image sitting nicely in your sidebar.