7.5 Plugins and widgets (third party)

Avoid the use of widgets and plugins such as social media icons, Google Maps, embedded videos, etc. These plugins or third-party services use a lot of resources and can easily be removed or replaced.

RGSEN Criterion 2.10
Assessing alternatives to third-party services (for features such as forms, interactive maps, video players, etc.) and factoring in environmental impacts when deciding which to go with would fulfill the recommendations of Criterion 2.10 of the General Repository for the Eco-design of Digital Services (Référentiel Général de l'Ecoconception des Services Numériques - RGESN).
See the repository (French)

Most websites have links towards social media accounts that use plugins (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.) and represent an unnecessary use of Javascript.

Example

Social media plugins replaced by an image and a link

You can easily replace those plugins by using an image and a link to obtain the same effect.


<a class="nav-link" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/designers-ethiques">
    <img src="asset/images/linkedin.svg" alt="Accéder à la page LinkedIn de Designers Ethiques">
</a>

Example

Social media plugins replaced by links only

You can also simply replace them with a link and no image, as the Low-tech Lab website does:

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Linkedin, RSS feed
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It is also worth considering whether these icons and/or links are needed on every page in the first place. Is it more of a need or a habit?

For further information:

Eco-design: 115 best practices - 4th edition on github - GreenIT (github) (French)

Removing embedded live feeds

It can be tempting to embed live feeds from social media accounts directly into the page, but it is best to link to these social media accounts instead, or to choose which posts from the feeds to showcase. This will also reduce the number of trackers on the website.

Replace embedded maps

As an example, the Google Maps plugin weighs about 1 MB, even though it is not clear what value it really adds to the user experience.

Questions to be answered

Do all users need to load the map?
Considering the size the map plugin takes up, is the information it provides really making up for it?
Can it not be replaced with a link towards an interactive map that only interested people will open?

RGSEN Criterion 4.4
Allowing the user to decide what third-party services to use would fulfill the recommendations of Criterion 4.4 of the General Repository for the Eco-design of Digital Services (Référentiel Général de l'Ecoconception des Services Numériques - RGESN).
See the repository (French)

Locating an address

Ask yourself: will our users/clients come visit us? If the answer is no, then an address without a link is more than adequate!

Example

Interactive map replaced with an image and a link

If you think the image adds actual value, and will avoid having your users going to Maps to find you, then an image of the map and a link can be effective (just as it was for social media icons). Example: Un Ecrin Vert - Biocoop Montreuil.

Example

Map plugin replaced with a link only

Otherwise, you can replace the Google Maps plugin with a simple link to the map, as in this example, courtesy of Wholegrain Digital. And why not a link to OpenStreetMap or Qwant Maps instead of Google Maps?