Too Many Widgets is Like…

A generic blogspot blog.

A widget overload may be okay for a personal blog or new blogspot user, but not for “established blogs”. You don’t see A-listers displaying badges or widgets saying their blog rank or directory links. The only time a widget is needed is if it offers something very beneficial for you as a blogger.

For example, entrecard sent about 400+ unique visitors this month already. MyBlogLog used to send 100-200 visitors. Scratchback earns about $20per month. These widgets, at least for me, are quality and beneficial enough to keep on the sidebar.

Once a widget no longer offers value for your blog it should be removed. Once MyBlogLog stopped delivering the traffic it used to, it was gone. Sidebar space is prime real estate for important features on your blog.

Benefits of Widgets

Depending on the widget there are several benefits to display widgets.

* Referral traffic
* Networking
* Value for your readers
* Publicity for displaying the widget (similar to referral traffic)

Negatives of Widgets

There are also several negatives of displaying widgets.

* Sidebar clutter
* Slower loading page
* “Free” advertising
* Unprofessional look
* Design clash

“Over Widgetizing”

By “over-widgetizing” you can be ‘just another blog’. Surfing the blogosphere I often find 3 column blogs with very slow loading pages that turn me off on the first visit.

Widgets are definitely addicting to bloggers. They generally provide free or “cheap” traffic. By simply adding a widget you could get visitors to your blog. As bloggers we sometimes get lazy and give into widgets, but at what price?