Beautiful and useful: why do you need widgets on your website?

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The term "widget" is familiar to everyone who works with websites and applications. For those who don't know what this word means, we have written an article. We tell you what widgets are for, what types there are, and how to use them.

What is a widget?
First, let's get some terminology straight. In simple terms, a widget is a graphical interface element that is embedded into a web page, a computer or smartphone desktop, or another application. Sounds confusing? Let's move on to a specific example. A user downloads a pedometer application to a smartphone, after which a widget appears on the screen. This is not just a miniature icon, but a source of information. With the help of a widget, a user can track how many steps he has taken without even opening the application itself.

Widgets not only decorate website pages and phone screens. For businesses, they become an additional tool for attracting customers. The main thing is to use such elements correctly.

Pedometer
What is the difference between a widget and a plugin?
Sometimes there is confusion between these two concepts. A plugin always expands the capabilities of a website, a browser, an operating system. There are many plug-ins that remain invisible to users. However, a plugin can play a very important role. A typical example is the ad blocker in Google Chrome.

The situation is different with widgets. Their task is to remain visible, to get into the user's field of vision, to attract his attention. At the same time, a widget does not necessarily expand functionality.

The question arises: "What is better - plugins or widgets?" It all depends on what functions the site owner requires. There are tasks that plugins solve, but widgets do not, and vice versa. Let's note one more thing. Plugins can affect the operation of the site and often not in the best way. Problems with widgets occur much less often.

Widget with a joke
Where widgets are embedded
According to their place of “residence”, graphic elements are divided into two large categories.

Desktop widgets
Also known as desktop widgets. Windows users are familiar with these widgets under the name "Desktop Gadgets". These are the clock, weather, CPU load indicator, etc. In the past, Windows supported third-party widgets. However, increased chile whatsapp data risks to user data forced developers to abandon this feature. Fortunately, there is an alternative solution. Windows users can install programs that allow working with third-party widgets.

As for mobile devices, everything is simpler here. Smartphone owners actively use widgets to quickly find out the time and weather, track exchange rates, control the battery level, etc.

Widgets on mobile devices often turn into mini-browsers of sorts, allowing users to get the information they need without even having to open the app.

Various Weather Widgets
Web widgets
Widgets of this type are located directly on the website pages. They are divided into interactive and non-interactive. In the first case, we are talking about interface elements with which the user can actively interact. A simple example is the "Order a call" button or a feedback form. The user cannot influence the operation of non-interactive widgets. Such elements are simply displayed regardless of the actions of the website visitor. As an example, we can recall a timer with a countdown.

By location, widgets are divided into toppers and floras. Elements of the first type are located at the top of the page. As a rule, toppers are used to inform site visitors about current offers. Elements of this type also help collect contact information. Floras are practically no different from toppers. The only nuance is that they are placed at the bottom of the page.

Button widget
What are widgets for on a website?
We are engaged in website development, so we will focus on the role of widgets in the development of a web resource. Graphic elements allow:

Improve behavioral factors. Widgets increase user engagement. Search engines notice this, and the site ranks better.
Receive contact information. Using widgets, you can unobtrusively invite visitors to subscribe to a newsletter, order a call back, etc.
Improve the level of service. Widgets help interact with users and receive feedback from them. Collecting feedback is an important condition for business development.
Increase sales. It is important to interest the user in the product, demonstrate the benefits and encourage them to place an order. For example, a widget with a countdown to the end of the promotion will definitely not go unnoticed. Here you can also remember about quizzes. Users love tests and quizzes, so they willingly continue interacting with the site and become leads.
In general, the benefits are obvious.

Widget
Types of widgets for a website
Let's look at how widgets can be implemented on web pages.

Chats
With the help of such a widget, the user can get answers to questions of interest to him by communicating with a company representative or a bot. Usually, the chat is built into the lower right corner of the screen. Such a widget is useful not only for site visitors, but also for its owner, who can collect applications, process feedback, and unobtrusively push potential clients to the target action.

A great solution would be a multi-channel chat with links to all available communication channels: social networks, instant messengers, email, etc.