What is a Widget ??

Anyone seen this fella on the tube or somewhere ??

Widget Likes To Work - UPS Advert on Tube

Its advertising UPS’s new Widget.

But what’s a Widget???

I’ve heard a number of key people in the industry define a widget and they all have slightly different ideas of what widgets are..

My take is that a Widget is a part of a website, or application that can “Torn off”, like those small strips you find on some advertising posters, and accessed in all kinds of places like websites, blogs, desktops and mobile phones to name but a few…

The UPS Widget is a downloadable app that enables you to manage you shipping account straight from your desktop without the need to login into the UPS website.

Another example is the new Amazon Widget i’ve added to my recommended reading, Tools for Success page. This new Widget is part of their affiliate programme and allows you to easily comment and refer visitors to products.

Whatever Widgets are doesn’t really matter as they are sure to be a useful technology both for user and marketer.