How do widgets affect Shopify store performance?

While widgets have a positive impact on engagement, they also introduce scripts and external calls that sometimes slow down page load times. Each added widget contributes to your site’s total weight, especially if it's pulling live data or uses animations. To maintain performance, avoid loading every widget on every page. Use Shopify’s built-in theme customization or app controls to limit widgets to relevant views. You can also consider lazy-loading heavier elements or using lighter alternatives. After adding new widgets, test page speed using tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix to catch performance drops early.