Widgets are one of the most under-rated tools marketers should use to increase traffic to a website. However, it is of utmost importance to use this tool correctly in order to be really effective. Widgets are truly one of the best ways to promote a website because it presents potential visitors with interactive content that is very interesting.

First of all, let’s define a widget. A widget is a type of small software application for dispersed websites. It shows a user interface that is specially designed to perform activities or actions that are based on calculations or related data from different servers. Widgets can be seen in many websites like Groupon’s and Payscale’s. However, there are many different ways to use this tool depending on the kind of website.

Basic Rules of Using Widgets

The creation of a good widget is the most basic step to ensure success in using this tool. A basic rule when using widgets for a website is transparency. This means that the embedded link in the widget you create should also be available to the visitor or end user. Avoid hiding the link with the use of coding tricks like CCS.

Brand attribution is another basic rule that you should adhere to. This means you should focus on the particular brand by creating the widget with what is called a keyword modifier in the link. A main component of a good and effective widget link is the anchor text value. Don’t forget to include both the lock-up and brand of the focus keyword that you are aiming for. This will significantly affect the quality and effectiveness of your widget.

Other Guidelines for the Creation of Widgets

A great widget should be designed well and load quickly. This will ensure that the visitor will not wait very long and curiosity or interest will be garnered. For SEO, the key to creating an effective widget is visibility to search engines. Search engines should be able to “crawl” through the widget. A good tip is to avoid using technologies like iFrames because this negatively impacts readability. Another tip is to make the widget code light in order to increase the load speed of the page.

Promoting Widgets

An effective widget should be able to excite all the parties involved including the marketers, webmasters and visitors. However, promoting widgets is also a very important part in the success of widgets. A good tip is to create a standalone page just for the widget. Also, embed the widget in your site and other sites you have partnerships with. Blog posts and mentions in newsletters and social media can also significantly contribute to the promotion of widgets.