Basic Widgetized Areas

gistfile1.php

<?php ## functions.php
/**
 * This 'registers' the sidebar and tells WordPress it exists, as well as names it
 * and gives it wrapping markup for each widget, and the title if applicable.
 *
 * Change the markup to meet your needs.
 */
if (function_exists('register_sidebar')) {
    register_sidebar(array(
        'name' => 'Hero',
        'description' => 'Hero section of the theme',
        'before_widget' => '<div class="widget %2$s" id="%1$s">',
        'after_widget' => '</div>',
        'before_title' => '<h3 class="widgettitle">',
        'after_title' => '</h3>'
    ));
}



## whatever template your sidebar needs to be in.

/**
 * This implements the sidebar, the string you pass should be the 'name' from when
 * it was registered.
 * 
 * The purpose of the wrapping condition is to allow for default content in case no
 * widgets are added to the sidebar.
 */
if ( !dynamic_sidebar('Sidebar') ) {
    //default stuff that will be overridden if there is anything in the sidebar.
}