Clean Up Your Sidebar

Have you let the sidebar clutter build up? Be honest- everyone does it from time to time.

Remember, first impressions matter. The typical internet user will not return to an unattractive website despite its content. If you're looking for loyal readers, the first step is making your blog attractive and user-friendly.

Need some guidance with the cleanup? Here is a short list of ideas that should help:

• What content serves a purpose and what is just wasting space? Get rid of everything you don't need. Sidebar space is valuable.
• Fix any broken links.
• Put your most important content near the top of the page (your feed, contact info, etc.).
• Is there anything that could be moved to another page (contact, about, etc.)?
• Edit buttons and widgets to blend with your template. Clashing colors can be a big turnoff for a reader.

Once your page is tidy, track your visitor and subscriber stats and compare them with your totals before the cleanup. Is there a difference?

(This post is part of the 'Get Organized!' series.)

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Comments

[Karen Zara]

Hi Raivyn!

I'm glad that you're "back to business." :-) Did you receive my email?

I've been trying to keep Abaminds' sidebar as clean as possible. To be honest, I think I'm going to add a new widget to it... Yet I'll do my best to keep things under control.

On my other blog (a1-fan-fun.com) there's more clutter on the sidebar. I've taken some measures to make it look a bit better, like choosing simplified versions of blog communities' widgets.

[steven wilson]

Hi Raivyn
I will agree that the sidebar is an important part of one's page.It is a touchy subject with some blogger's since
most like the sidebar they have created.
It is kinda a personal preference thing
of what looks good,and was does not.

Great to have you back
Steven

[Rose]

Hi! I am a new blogger on the blog! Find your blog very informative for bloggers like myself. thanks for sharing tips!

[Raivyn]

Karen:
Yup, read and replied! Thanks for your time, and I'm glad to see you again. :)

Steven:
You're right, it is a touchy subject for a lot of bloggers, as we do have our own tastes. I do think simplicity is the best way to go, but there are always a few bloggers out there who manage to prove otherwise. I'm just observing trends. ;)

Rose:
Nice to meet you. :) Thank you for your input, I always love hearing from other bloggers.

[Abhinav Sood]

I'd love it, if you let me know the readability and usability of my sidebar at Inspirit. Its important, because I am myself engaged in reviewing blogs and it wont make a very good impression, if I myself s*ck at it.

[Raivyn]

Sure, Abhinav, I'll get on it as soon as I get a chance. Thanks for stopping by and reading.