[wp-trac] [WordPress Trac] #39087: Customizer: Add indicator when additional widget areas are hidden

[WordPress Trac]

#39087: Customizer: Add indicator when additional widget areas are hidden
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 Reporter:  shireling                            |       Owner:
     Type:  enhancement                          |      Status:  new
 Priority:  normal                               |   Milestone:  Future
Component:  Customize                            |  Release
 Severity:  normal                               |     Version:
 Keywords:  needs-patch has-ux-feedback good-    |  Resolution:
  first-bug                                      |     Focuses:
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Comment (by ahortin):

 Has there actually been any user testing on this? I don’t believe that its
 very good for usability or UX, by hiding options from users, even if there
 is a small icon notification or something similar.

 Why are you forcing people to navigate to different pages in the preview
 area, just so that they can edit the widgets? You’re making the whole
 process considerably slower by forcing people to navigate to multiple
 pages. If I want to add widgets to a particular sidebar that isn't
 actually being previewed, I should be allowed to do this.

 Instead of hiding the widget and/or showing a notification when the
 preview isn't showing that particular sidebar, and then forcing people to
 navigate to another page before they can edit that sidebar, why not show
 ALL the sidebars ALL the time, and simply show a notification advising
 people that the current sidebar wont be displayed on the currently
 previewed page. This way you give people the choice. If they want to see a
 preview of the widgets, they can navigate to another page, and if they
 don't care about the preview, then they can still update the sidebar.

 By hiding panels and forcing people to navigate to specific pages, just so
 that they can update their theme options, not only makes updating your
 site considerably slower, but makes using the Customizer more complicated
 and confusing for the end user.

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Ticket URL: <https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/39087#comment:11>
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