Deferring Non-Essential JavaScript for Blogger

Deferring non-essential JavaScript is a powerful technique that improves website performance by allowing critical resources to load first while delaying the loading of less important scripts. This comprehensive article will cover the benefits, implementation, and optimal placement of deferring non-essential JavaScript on a Blogger site. Additionally, we will provide three alternative scripts in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to cater to various customization needs.

1. Benefits of Using Deferring Non-Essential JavaScript

Implementing deferring non-essential JavaScript offers several advantages that make it a valuable addition to any blog:

Improved Page Load Speed: By deferring non-essential JavaScript, you allow critical resources to load first, resulting in faster page load times and a more responsive website.
Enhanced User Experience: Faster-loading pages lead to a better user experience, reducing bounce rates and increasing the likelihood of visitors staying on your site longer.
Optimized Resource Utilization: Deferring non-essential JavaScript allows the browser to prioritize critical resources, ensuring a smoother rendering process.
SEO Benefits: Search engines favor fast-loading websites, so implementing deferred JavaScript can positively impact your search engine rankings.
Reduced Render-Blocking: By deferring non-essential JavaScript, you prevent it from blocking the rendering of HTML, ensuring that the page content is displayed promptly.

2. How to Use Deferring Non-Essential JavaScript

Adding and configuring deferring non-essential JavaScript on Blogger involves a few straightforward steps. Follow this detailed guide to implement it on your blog:

Step 1: Access the Blogger Dashboard

Log in to your Blogger account.
Select the blog where you want to add deferring non-essential JavaScript.

Step 2: Navigate to the Theme Section

Click on the “Theme” tab in the left sidebar.
Click on the “Edit HTML” button to access the HTML code of your blog’s theme.

Step 3: Insert Deferred JavaScript Code

Find the location in your HTML code where you want to add the deferred JavaScript. This is typically within the <head> or <body> section.
Paste the deferred JavaScript code in the desired location. Here are three alternative scripts for you to choose from:

HTML Example:

<script defer src="path/to/your/non-essential-script.js"></script>

CSS Example:

Although CSS alone doesn’t handle JavaScript deferral, it can be used to enhance the appearance of elements once JavaScript has loaded:

<style>
/* Loading spinner while JavaScript loads */
.loading-spinner {
  display: none;
  width: 50px;
  height: 50px;
  border: 5px solid #f3f3f3;
  border-radius: 50%;
  border-top: 5px solid #3498db;
  animation: spin 2s linear infinite;
}

@keyframes spin {
  0% { transform: rotate(0deg); }
  100% { transform: rotate(360deg); }
}

body.loading .loading-spinner {
  display: inline-block;
}
</style>
<script>
document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function() {
  document.body.classList.add('loading');
});
window.addEventListener("load", function() {
  document.body.classList.remove('loading');
});
</script>

JavaScript Example:

<script>
function loadScriptDeferred(url, callback) {
  var script = document.createElement('script');
  script.src = url;
  script.defer = true;
  script.onload = callback;
  document.head.appendChild(script);
}

document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function() {
  loadScriptDeferred('path/to/your/non-essential-script.js', function() {
    console.log('Non-essential script loaded');
  });
});
</script>

Step 4: Save Your Changes

After pasting the desired code, click the “Save” button.
Preview your blog to ensure the deferring non-essential JavaScript is working as expected.

3. Where to Use Deferring Non-Essential JavaScript

Optimal placement of deferred non-essential JavaScript can enhance its effectiveness. Here are some best practices for placing deferred non-essential JavaScript on your blog:

Non-Critical Functionalities: Use deferred loading for JavaScript files that are not essential for the initial rendering of your page, such as analytics, advertisements, or third-party scripts.
Above the Fold Content: Prioritize deferring JavaScript that does not affect above-the-fold content to ensure that the initial view of the page loads quickly.
Third-Party Scripts: Apply deferred loading to third-party scripts to prevent them from blocking the rendering of your content.

4. What Happens Without the Widget

Not having deferring non-essential JavaScript on your blog can lead to several potential drawbacks:

Slower Page Load Speed: Without deferred loading, non-essential JavaScript files can block the rendering of HTML, resulting in slower page load times.
Poor User Experience: Slow-loading pages can frustrate visitors, leading to a higher bounce rate and reduced user engagement.
Increased Render-Blocking: Non-essential JavaScript files loaded synchronously can block the rendering of other resources, delaying the display of page content.
SEO Challenges: Search engines prioritize fast-loading websites. Without deferring non-essential JavaScript, your blog may miss out on potential SEO benefits, affecting its search engine rankings.

Conclusion

Deferring non-essential JavaScript is a valuable technique for any Blogger site, offering improved page load speed, enhanced user experience, optimized resource utilization, and SEO benefits. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily add and configure deferring non-essential JavaScript on your blog. With the provided HTML, CSS, and JavaScript scripts, you can choose the best option that suits your website’s needs. Enhance your blog’s functionality and user experience with effective deferring of non-essential JavaScript.