I want this feature!!

I want this module!!

We’ve all been there... You spot something on another site, it looks great, and before long you’re thinking “I want that too”

Or maybe you’re on the receiving end of that request and rolling your eyes because you’ve heard it a hundred times before

Is it though? Really?

It's easy to be attracted to a shiny new module or feature; you’ve seen it on a competitor’s site; you’ve read about it in some blog; it looks cool. Surely it must boost revenue?!

But here’s the thing: every new module comes with a cost. Installation, maintenance, compatibility, performance overhead, bugs, security risks - it all adds up to technical debt! 

Unless you’ve done your homework on what you’re actually going to gain from it, you’re in danger of filling your site with glittery distractions with little return

Before jumping in, ask yourself..

Does this feature have a measurable impact on conversions, sales, or UX? Or is it just there because you thought it looked good elsewhere?

Shiny features that no one uses aren’t features. They’re technical debt. They slow your site down. They clutter your admin. They cause conflicts with other modules. And when the time comes to upgrade, they make things ten times more painful.

This for me is the most important; return on investment!

If you can’t make a clear case for how a feature pays back the cost of implementing and maintaining it, then you need to seriously question whether it should exist on your site at all. Every module should earn its place. Otherwise, it’s dead weight

Yes, some things will genuinely improve UX or efficiency behind the scenes, but not everything shiny translates to value

• Be brutal
• Cut the fat

When was the last time you looked at your site and thought “Wow, I’m glad I’ve got those 6 extra modules doing absolutely nothing for my bottom line”?

Only you can make the decision about what features and modules live on your site. I just hope this gives you a few extra things to think about, whilst also pointing out the potential harm that comes from chasing shiny things for the sake of it