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Reasons NOT to use Widgets

This morning the widgets plugged into a blog I wanted to comment on caused my computer to lock up for quite some time. So I thought that I'd start a list of reasons to not use them ...

Most Widgets choke search engine spiders and defeat the SEO value of your blogging efforts (MOST IMPORTANT REASON).
Most Widgets plant spy-ware and tracking cookies on your visitor's computers (YOU DIDN'T REALLY THINK THEY WERE FREE DID YOU?)
All Widgets decrease your blog's usability by slowing down the load time of all your blog pages ... decreasing the number of visitors and amount of time spent on your blog.
Some Widgets interfere with Virus Protection software and conflict with Firewalls.
Some Widgets create an unprofessional impression about you ... even so far as making you look silly (NUFF SAID)

Please excuse my ranting. Feel free to add more reasons with your comments.

Posted by Larry Wright on 11/28/2007 10:41 AM

Comments (11)

activerain, blogging, rantings, seo

11 Comments on Reasons NOT to use Widgets

NOV

2007

Hi Larry - I try and stay away form most of them, but do find myself utilizing a few here and there... Good things to think about, though.

Larry, thanks for this alternate viewpoint on widgets. I don't have any myself, being quite new to blogging, but I have noticed the load speed problem on other AR blogs.

Some widgets look like they may be useful, but too many definitely makes for a cluttered look on the blog. I didn't know about the cookie issue, that's good info, thank you.

My profile and blog are way too boring right now, but I want to spice them up the right way and make them look professional, not like the kitchen sink. Working on that...

Larry, I'm not high tech and have heard about widgets...but what are they????

Sorry don't agree Larry! I think the public likes all the new gadgets and when I see them my eye is attracted to the information! I try and get my listings noticed and I don't care how! New tools are just more fun, look great and are probably bad for your health (just like everything else fun) or your computers health!

I am now trying Vflyer.com which offers widgets if anyone cares to check it out. FREE

Thanks for your comments everyone!

Courtney ... after two months of blogging Google doesn't have a cache of your blog. I'm not sure if your Yahoo blog log widget has anything to do with that or not.

Judith ... Google does have a cache copy of your blog after only two months of blogging. Your restraint has paid off.

Kay ... widgets are the little program plug-ins that you'll see in the right margin or content section of many blogs. (Go Aggies!)

Lynn ... whether you agree or not, these are just a few simple facts of blogging life. I didn't notice any widgets on your current blog page ... but Google doesn't have your blog cached so if you've used them in the past that may be why.

Wow! Had no idea this was a problem! Thanks!

Larry - good points you make. I have not gone there yet, and will have to give it some thought before I proceed. I really dislike having slow loading pages.

Larry,

Thank you those widgets drive me banana's! I thought I was the only one having a problem with them, I have learned to avoid certain ones because they lock you up forever. :)

NOV

2007

Larry - Thank you for sharing. I limit the use of widgets. Some of them are extremely annoying and does affect the way the page loads. I especially hates the one that makes sounds a you scroll over words.

Thanks again everyone ...

Elenor - thing that raise thw awareness of REALTORS are what I tend to blog about most

Georgina - you are wise to not plug in any widgets to your blog

Suzanne - you'll find a few AR blogs with folks venting about blog widgets

Jennifer - your blog is cached by Google and has a Page Rank assigned so the Vflyer widget has probably not negatively influenced your blog

I've noticed the same problems with some blogs loading. Some of the widgets are cool but I'm not visiting any blog to see them.

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