Widgets are those stand-alone
elements in a blog that take care of all matters other than the core
content. Technically they are small programs that are attached to the webpage's code and are executed from the webpage.
They cull out matter from myriad sources, process it and present it on
the blog.
Since widgets are not the core content of a blog, they compete for attention with the core content and other elements on the blog. There has to be a compromise between the value added on one side and space taken / conflict for attention on the other. Widgets and such other elements have the potential to ‘make or mar’ your blog in a big way, so we advise that you have a look at each widget and the whole blog separately for these two aspects - value rendered and cost in terms of space / attention / conflict.
Do not put too many widgets on the blog. Once they become a crowd, they put off the visitor.
Even a few widgets can be annoying if they are too flashy, irritatingly animated or out of shape.
Also consider the placing of widgets. Do not stuff sidebar(s) with a large number of widgets. If for some reason you must keep some widgets that do not add great value to the blog, put them down in the sidebar or in the bottom of the blog.
Many free widgets on the web have a link to the creator of the widget. This is true also of badges. Use such widgets and badges if you think that associating with them enhances your blog's value. Usually do not put widgets that trick the visitor into clicking on it and take him to a website selling widgets or other items. Even when hidden sale is not involved, a big link-text can be irritating. While reviewing blogs, we recently saw a cute fairy widget on one blog, with a witty remark coming from the fairy. But just below the remark was this irritating, animated text: ‘If you liked me, you can visit me for more such widgets, at www...’.
We have seen blogs with many widgets that contain links to other posts, labels / categories, and external sites, but a number of these links don’t open. Some widgets stop working or updating content after some time. Therefore, do check every few months whether the links and widgets [especially those not provided by the blogging platforms such as Wordpress and Blogger] are working or not.
Avoid these:
- widgets with text that is difficult to read because of its style or size;
- widgets with colors that pop up too much or completely submerge the widget content in the background;
- a few too light or too dark widgets in the sidebar of the opposite contrast;
- widgets needing scrolling [e.g. a newsreel that needs you to scroll a bar to read the news];
- more than one heavy widget [e.g. video bar] on a page;
- audio widgets that start playing on opening the blog [e.g. playing of a tune];
- too many advertisements, especially those between posts, and big ones;
- pop-up widgets [especially those needing action before they let you go further].
Since widgets are not the core content of a blog, they compete for attention with the core content and other elements on the blog. There has to be a compromise between the value added on one side and space taken / conflict for attention on the other. Widgets and such other elements have the potential to ‘make or mar’ your blog in a big way, so we advise that you have a look at each widget and the whole blog separately for these two aspects - value rendered and cost in terms of space / attention / conflict.
Do not put too many widgets on the blog. Once they become a crowd, they put off the visitor.
Even a few widgets can be annoying if they are too flashy, irritatingly animated or out of shape.
Also consider the placing of widgets. Do not stuff sidebar(s) with a large number of widgets. If for some reason you must keep some widgets that do not add great value to the blog, put them down in the sidebar or in the bottom of the blog.
Many free widgets on the web have a link to the creator of the widget. This is true also of badges. Use such widgets and badges if you think that associating with them enhances your blog's value. Usually do not put widgets that trick the visitor into clicking on it and take him to a website selling widgets or other items. Even when hidden sale is not involved, a big link-text can be irritating. While reviewing blogs, we recently saw a cute fairy widget on one blog, with a witty remark coming from the fairy. But just below the remark was this irritating, animated text: ‘If you liked me, you can visit me for more such widgets, at www...’.
We have seen blogs with many widgets that contain links to other posts, labels / categories, and external sites, but a number of these links don’t open. Some widgets stop working or updating content after some time. Therefore, do check every few months whether the links and widgets [especially those not provided by the blogging platforms such as Wordpress and Blogger] are working or not.
Avoid these:
- widgets with text that is difficult to read because of its style or size;
- widgets with colors that pop up too much or completely submerge the widget content in the background;
- a few too light or too dark widgets in the sidebar of the opposite contrast;
- widgets needing scrolling [e.g. a newsreel that needs you to scroll a bar to read the news];
- more than one heavy widget [e.g. video bar] on a page;
- audio widgets that start playing on opening the blog [e.g. playing of a tune];
- too many advertisements, especially those between posts, and big ones;
- pop-up widgets [especially those needing action before they let you go further].
WIDGETS COME IN MANY TYPES…
- content – popular posts, related posts, latest
comments, labels, profile, search box, archives
- community – social media, subscription, feed,
blogroll, polls
- utilities – clock, calendar, currency
converter, map, tips, translator
- dynamic updates – daily quotes, newsreel,
trends, stock quotes, stat counters, visitors, weather
- fun and show – game, jokes, celebrities, slide
show, photo-stream, video bar, songs
- advertisements
