Last month Facebook unveiled Facebook Platform to enable developers to use Facebook’s API and integrate applications into the social networking site.

One my favorite applications in MyQuestions (you’ll need to be logged into Facebook to see the application), which makes it easy for your Facebook friends to give you instant feedback to any question that’s on your mind.

Earlier this week, I posed the following question to my Facebook pals:

Which is closer to your philosophy on optimal blog design/usability? a) Simpler is better. Don’t clog up the sidebar. b) Give the reader plenty of options — the more, the merrier. Widgetes are the new black. Include them in the sidebar, too!

Here are the responses:

Ted Demopoulos
Simple is good, but I am immoderate! No complexity unless for a reason. And about those calendars in the sidebar, why?

June Macdonald
In moderation now I just need to practise what I preach

Christie Goodman APR
Quick loading. No flashing. Useful to visitors. Navigation aides — I love to see blog rolls, recent comments, recent posts, etc. Clarity — visitors should be able to tell what each item is for.

Whitney Hoffman
Moderation in all things- too much clutter is distracting; I love some widgets.

Shel Holtz
Is there something in-between? I think you can provide a lot off content without being overwhelming. I’m with Scott Monty on this one!

Chip Griffin
Not wild about widgets unless they are very compelling. I do like giving multiple nav options though (categories, date, popular posts, etc.)

Scott Monty
I think there’s a way to strike a balance between simple (aka “readable”) and information-rich. I’m all for giving my readers options, but want to do so in a way that is easiest on their eyes. If you run a reference blog, lots of info is good.

Stephen Sherlock
simple is better, widgets are okay as long as there is only one per service being provided. the more widgets, the more confusing, the slower page load time, the more opportunity for a problem with the service… stay simple

Jack Hodgson
We’ve learned how to ignore all the extras decorating webpages, so having lots of them accomplishes very little. I think having a select few can be effective, but it’s easy to have too many. Ie, simpler is better.
Janet Si-Ming Lee

Janet Si-Ming Lee
i like options but there should be a simple default option for novices. The more advanced user should have option to customize their blog and arrange info to their needs. I would like to list blog entries by various means e.g. favs, themes, chronology.

Dan York
Simple and clean… sidebar content should be relevant, but I’m not a fan of sites with a hundred flashing, blinking widgets vying for your attention. The attention should go to the content.

Kevin Kennedy-Spaien
I prefer 3 columns, but my “extras” rarely go lower than “the fold”.

Michael Bellina
I love the sidebar. Give me widgets, links, and images. That is where all the fun is.

Michelle Dy
Simple for the main column of the blog to ensure readability. Widgets in the sidebar so the blog has “personality”

Dave LaMorte
The posts should be easy to read and your links should be relevant.

Zadi Diaz
Simple but not sparse… a clean design can incorporate all the elements needed for the user to have a fulfilling experience.

Kathryn Lagden
i’m ok with a lot of options as long as they load quickly and it’s easy to find my way around. i do not like cluttered sites and widgets that provide marginal value and take forever to load.

Omar Ha-Redeye
Depends on the sophistication of the audience. Basic web surfers obviously prefer simpler, more tech savvy like the options of complex. Who is your target market? That’s a better question.

Bernard Goldbach
Simple. I’m killing readers with three columns and will change that this summer. Some of my daily visitors watch my pages stall as their censorware tries to digest all the widgets running in my left and right columns.

Francis Wooby
Lots of options are great, so long as they’re laid out in a logical, easily understood manner. Crowded doesn’t necessarily mean cluttered to my mind, anyway.

Amit Gupta
keep it simple!

Steve Garfield
Simpler is better

Jesse Baer
A. widgets are slow and who has time to read through a ton of links? uncluttered blogs are nicer to look at too.

Joseph Thornley
I have been simpler is better. Now, I’m beginning to look more closely at Social Media Optimization. It’s leading me to think that too simple misses opportunities to link through other media (video; voice; social platforms).

Monica Campbell
a… simpler is better

What say you? How do you use your blog sidebar?

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