How Cluttered is TOO Cluttered?

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Permalink Reply by Judi on August 25, 2008 at 4:10pm

I don't like too much in the sidebars either. If my individual post is way shorter than my sidebar content, I feel like it's too much stuff.

I tend to tinker with my sidebar content fairly often. I have my "staples", like the categories, and a few ads, but all the "fun" other stuff.... it changes fairly frequently.

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Permalink Reply by Kristin on August 25, 2008 at 4:16pm

In my opinion, some people have WAY too much stuff. You can't even tell where your eye should go. A good blog, to me, is one where the author makes it easy to find what they intend for you to read first. Then the widgets/gadgets/etc. come second. A reader can peruse your sidebar if they decide to stay and explore.

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Permalink Reply by Stacey on August 25, 2008 at 6:49pm

I like a clean look. I like the post to be the main focus and it won't be if you have a ton of colorful graphics competing for it's attention. The other consideration is loading speed and space issues. Not everyone is on unlimited cable internet. Every one of those graphics and widgets take time to load & those graphics count into people's allowable download amounts. I have friends in Australia & NZ who have to turn off signature in every forum they belong to and have to limit their blog surfing to just in blog readers (so the blog doesn't get the hit count) because the graphics can really cut into their monthly allowances.

My blog is starting to look cluttered IMO, partially because I cannot figure out how to keep my archives widget collapsed rather than expanded.

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Permalink Reply by Jen on August 25, 2008 at 7:02pm

I've been pondering this and I went and 'cleaned house.' I was really getting overwhelmed myself with all the 'stuff' so I made buttons and links-to all the excess and just kept what I love most and that defines me. Great post by the way!

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Permalink Reply by Amy {Mom Spark & Mom Made That!} on August 25, 2008 at 7:27pm

Yeah, I'm trying to clean house as well. I have appreciated all the wonderful suggestions!

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Permalink Reply by Brittany on August 26, 2008 at 7:42am

Less is more for me! I hate a million blinkies distracting me from content. I have 4widgets I believe, and even then, they make me cringe a bit!

I think if you HAVE to widget bling yourself out, Jen has good advice, and link to them on another page, then it ca be blinkie viewing optional.

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Permalink Reply by Ali on August 26, 2008 at 12:02pm

Good question! With the right design and color scheme I think someone can get away with a lot of stuff (like PW, for instance). But then there are some blogs that have just as many buttons, ads, etc. that look messy and leave the reader searching for actual content. For my own blog, I try to keep it clean and simple and I'm thankful that MBC doesn't require us to display their badge. Thanks MBC!

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Permalink Reply by Carole Lindstrom on August 26, 2008 at 4:36pm

Clean and simple. If there is too much going on it is too much to focus on and I feel overwhelmed.

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Permalink Reply by kristen andrews on August 26, 2008 at 4:55pm

mine is too cluttered right now so I am having it redesigned.

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