Widget Checklist for New Bloggers

by Ishan on November 7, 2008 · 7 comments

When designing a blog, which widgets should you keep? Which ones are to be deleted? Confused? No problem, I am here to solve all your problems. Here are the essential and useful widgets for any blog:

Essential:

  1. About Me/Us: This is the first widget you have to add to a blog. This can be a plain 'layout' element or a page/post. However, a post/page is always more useful as you have a lot of space to tell your readers all about you and the blog. Don’t forget to put a link in the navigation bar as we did for BWS or put it link in the sidebar.
  2. Categories: Category list is useful for visitors who want information on a specific topic. So, don’t forget to add one to display the labels you tagged on each post.
  3. Contact: Users should be able to easily contact you. You might end up getting valuable suggestions. If you don’t want to use 'malito' links, you can use contact form services.
  4. Links to Social Media Sites: Provide links to Digg, Delicious and Stumble Upon. Readers should be able to share your posts.
  5. Popular Posts: Why not show the best of your blog using a Popular Posts widget?Useful:
  6. Recent Posts: It can be left out if you want to use.....
  7. Read More: It eliminates need for recent posts widget as users can see summary with recent posts on homepage.
  8. Translate: Useful for blogs with readers all around the blog.
  9. Related Posts: Showing related links at end of your post is always useful. It keeps the reader on your blog longer.
  10. Tag Cloud: While a Category list can do the job, eye candy lovers can use simple or animated tag clouds. Remember, it can increase load times.
  11. EntreCard: Considered a traffic mine by many bloggers, this small widget can bring you new readers.
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About Writer [Blogging With Success]About Author Hi, I am a young Blogger from India. I am very passionate about blogging and also co-founder of Blogging With Success. I write about general blogging tips and WordPress. You can read other posts by me here.If you need help, feel free to contact anytime!
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{ 7 comments }

Ruchi April 28, 2009

Nice List, I am not using EnterCard and Links to Social Media Sites, i will surely like to try it out.

Thanks again for such a cool list.

Mr. I April 28, 2009

Well, I do not often disagree with myself but this time, I would recommend not to go with EntreCard. Most of the tims, it will only increase bounce rate!

Regarding Social Media Links, watch out next week for a WordPress tutorial to add "attractive" bookmarking icons.

Ben April 28, 2009

The traffic you get from entrecard is really a waste of time, unless you blog about blogging, maybe. You get a lot of traffic fast, but the traffic is worthless, because people just click through trying to get credits.

Mr. I April 28, 2009

There was a time when it used to be useful, but now I agree with you. EntreCard is sinking and trying everything from paid ads to marketplace but nothing seems to work.

Ann Brien March 4, 2009

I'm still relatively new to blogging so this was one question I often wondered about. Very informative blog, I'll be adding this to my "Blogs I'm Following" list. Excellent!

Mr. I March 4, 2009

Thanks for appreciation.

techniqueal t. December 14, 2008

this is certainly a great checklist. i must say i’ve been neglectful on the translation widget. will have to keep that in mind.

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