What is a Widget on a Website? Types, Examples & Tools to Create Them

Imagine visiting a website and being instantly drawn to a tiny app-like feature that catches your attention. This widget is a small but mighty tool that enhances your online experience. Whether it’s a simple search bar, a sharing button, or a more complex lead generation widget, these elements can significantly boost your website’s functionality. In this article, you'll discover what a widget on a website is, the different types, and how to create them.

BlogCTAs offers a programmatic CRO tool to help you learn about widgets, including what they are, types, examples, and tools to create them.

What is a Widget on a Website?

A web widget is a dynamic, eye-catching element you can embed directly on your website. It might appear in specific locations on the page or pop up as visitors enter. These widgets deliver messages like updated business hours or limited-time promotions. Whether it’s a countdown timer, visitor counter, or weather update, these widgets are versatile and straightforward to integrate.

Just copy and paste some code. By using these widgets, you turn a basic site into an engaging, interactive experience. Widgets always remain in the visitor’s view, making them effective attention grabbers. This feature is crucial for conveying important information that shouldn’t get buried in the text.

Why Use Web Widgets? Here’s Why

Using web widgets can significantly boost your website’s conversion rate. Data from a million Duda sites show that websites employing widgets have an average conversion rate four times higher than those without. Web widgets enhance usability by giving visitors quick access to essential features and data, such as product suggestions or live chat support. They streamline customer engagement by making it easy for users to find what they need and take specific actions without leaving your site.

These little interactive elements offer tailored content and immediate assistance, improving user engagement and creating a pleasant browsing experience. They also help businesses by reducing response times and gathering consumer behavior data. Widgets bridge the customer and business gap, facilitating smooth online interactions.

Why You Need a Web Widget on Your Website?

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Webpage widgets profit businesses and internet site visitors by improving operations, enhancing customer experience, and driving participation.

According to Forrester’s study research, 42% of consumers, up substantially from 27% in 2019, felt businesses needed live chat support on their websites. Using webpage widgets offers the following main advantages:

Boosting User Experience with Widgets

Widgets enhance user experience by integrating useful features directly into the web pages. Think about it: you're on a travel site with a weather widget showing conditions at your destination. Or you're shopping online, and a live chat is ready to assist. These elements keep users engaged by ensuring they don't have to wander around aimlessly.

Driving Engagement with Interactive Elements

Who doesn’t love a good quiz or a handy calculator? Widgets like these keep site visitors engaged. Encouraging interaction creates a dynamic experience that fosters a connection with your brand. Whether a social media feed or a feedback form, these widgets make a website more lively and engaging.

Elevating Customer Support with Live Chat

Live chat widgets are a game-changer for customer service. Forrester's research highlights that 42% of consumers think live chat is crucial. No surprise there: it reduces friction and provides immediate support without interrupting the browsing experience. A site that listens and responds in real-time? That's a win-win for everyone.

Converting Visitors into Leads with Strategic CTAs

Widgets with clear calls to action can guide users toward conversions. Whether it's a sign-up form or a booking button, these widgets can dramatically improve conversion rates. Businesses can see significant gains by making it easier for visitors to take the next step.

Gathering Insights with Data Collection Widgets

Widgets can collect valuable data on user behavior and preferences. This information allows businesses to adjust their strategies and optimize their sites for a more personalized experience. Imagine having a tool that silently gathers insights while the rest of your site does the heavy lifting. That's the power of data collection widgets.

Streamlining Blog Conversion: Simplifying CTA Integration for Improved Lead Generation

Blog CTAs, a programmatic CRO tool for your blog. We noticed that it was too difficult to set up blog-wide CTAs on most content management systems like:

Framer
Webflow
Ghost
Strapi
Wordpress
Sanity
Tina
Dozens of other CMSs

Our engineering teams needed to jump through multiple hoops and divert their attention from pressing issues to set aside 3-7 days to set up a blog-wide CTA for our websites manually. Blog CTAs were created to make setting up CTAs on your blog easy.

Increase your blog conversion rate by 3-7% with sidebar CTA’s. Start to capture more leads from your blog within 5 minutes. Sign up for the waitlist today.

9 Common Types of Web Widgets

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1. Building Trust with Social Proof and Reviews Widgets

Seeing is believing. Social proof and reviews widgets showcase customer testimonials, star ratings, or notifications that say, “X people just signed up.” These widgets don’t collect leads directly, yet they give potential leads that confidence boost they need, making them comfortable enough to leave their details behind. They can be a powerful ally when used with other lead-gen tactics.

2. The Classic Pop-Up Form: Done Right

Pop-ups are a lead generation staple. Those tiny boxes appear while navigating a website, inviting you to subscribe to a newsletter, claim a discount, or download a freebie.

While their reputation for being intrusive isn’t entirely unjustified, the key lies in timing and relevance. Trigger them at the right moment halfway through a page or just as someone’s about to leave, and they’ll do wonders for your lead collection efforts.

3. Embedded Forms: Subtle Yet Effective

Embedded forms are the non-intrusive cousin of pop-ups. You’ll find them on a web page, often in apparent areas like the homepage, a blog sidebar, or at the end of an article. These forms are perfect for visitors who dislike interruptions but are willing to share their information if they are interested in what you say.

4. The Last-Chance Offer: Exit-Intent Widgets

Exit-intent widgets are a clever tool that detects when someone’s about to leave your site. They swoop in with an enticing offer like “Wait! Here’s 10% off your first order!” or “Before you go, download our free guide!” This highly effective approach gives you one final opportunity to engage and convert a visitor before they bounce.

5. Engage and Convert with Quizzes and Surveys

Interactive widgets like quizzes and surveys are a win-win for both parties. Visitors answer a few questions and, in return, gain access to something valuable, such as a personalized product recommendation or a fun personality result. They’ll need to provide their contact information to view their results, making it a great way to collect leads while keeping things engaging.

6. Real-Time Engagement with Chatbots

Chatbots are those friendly little message bubbles that ask, “Need help?” They’re fantastic for lead generation because they can engage visitors in real-time.

Whether answering common questions, recommending products, or collecting contact information to pass along to your team, chatbots can do it all. Advanced ones even use AI to personalize interactions, ensuring visitors feel like chatting with real people.

7. Gated Content Offers: A Simple Exchange

If you have valuable content like:

Ebook
Webinar
Checklist

Consider using a gated content widget. This tool locks the content behind a form, requiring visitors to share their contact info to access it. It’s a straightforward exchange: their email for your expertise.

8. Subtle Promotions with Sticky Bars and Slide-Ins

Sticky bars and slide-ins are less intrusive than pop-ups. Sticky bars are slim banners that remain at the top or bottom of a page, while slide-ins glide into view from the side. They’re perfect for subtle promotions, like announcing a sale or asking visitors to subscribe to your newsletter.

9. Have Fun with Spin-the-Wheel Gamified Widgets

Who doesn’t love a little spin for a chance to win? Spin-the-wheel widgets offer visitors a fun way to earn prizes like discounts or freebies. In return, they provide their contact details to claim their reward. It’s an engaging way to collect leads while keeping things playful and exciting.

8 Examples of Web Widgets You Can Use on Your Website

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1. Text Widgets: The Building Blocks of Your Website

Text widgets are essential tools for adding and customizing text on your website. Think of them as the backbone of your content, allowing you to modify easily:

Font type
Size
Style
Color

Do you need a bold headline or a specific font for a paragraph? Text widgets make it simple to enhance your site's readability and design.

2. Image Widgets: Visual Storytelling at Its Finest

Images are key to engaging visitors. Image widgets let you seamlessly integrate pictures into your site, elevating how you tell your brand's story. By strategically using images, you can create a more immersive experience, guiding visitors towards taking action, whether making a purchase or signing up for a newsletter.

3. Before & After Widgets: Instant Storytelling Tools

Before and after widgets are clever tools for showcasing transformations in an instant. Visitors can slide between images to see changes or improvements, making it a perfect way to highlight results. It’s visually engaging and gives users a quick, satisfying way to understand your message.

4. Calendar Widgets: Keeping Everyone in the Loop

Calendar widgets are great for displaying upcoming events or schedules. From yoga classes to business meetings, these widgets make it easy for users to stay informed about what's coming up. They’re simple to read and can be customized to match your site’s design.

5. Click to Call Widgets: Bridging the Gap Between You and Customers

Click-to-call widgets simplify the process of contacting your business. Users can dial your number with just a tap, making it incredibly easy for potential customers to reach out. This feature helps increase engagement and can lead to more conversions.

6. Share Widgets: Encouraging Digital Word of Mouth

Share widgets make it easy for visitors to spread the word about your products or services. They can share your content on social media or via email with just a click. This organic promotion can significantly boost your reach and credibility.

7. Countdown Widgets: Building Anticipation and Excitement

Countdown widgets are perfect for creating buzz around an upcoming event or launch. They visually count down the time left, adding a sense of urgency and excitement. Customize them to fit your brand’s aesthetic and watch engagement soar as the timer ticks down.

8. Business Hours Widgets: Keeping Your Customers Informed

Business hours widgets provide clear, easy-to-read information about when you’re open. This is especially important for businesses with physical locations. Promising your hours on your homepage ensures customers know when they can reach or visit your store.

7 Best Website Widget Software

1. BlogCTAs: Elevate Your Conversion Game

blog cta - What Is a Widget on a Website

Blog CTAs, a programmatic CRO tool for your blog. We noticed that it was too difficult to set up blog-wide CTAs on most content management systems like:

Framer
Webflow
Ghost
Strapi
Wordpress
Sanity
Tina
Dozens of other CMSs

Increase your blog conversion rate by 3-7% with sidebar CTA’s. Start to capture more leads from your blog within 5 minutes. Sign up for the waitlist today.

2. WiserNotify: Real-Time Social Proof

wiser notify - What Is a Widget on a Website

WiserNotify is your ultimate partner in displaying real-time social notifications, including:

Visitors
Sign-ups
Purchases
Reviews

This widget helps you build trust and encourage customers to take action. It’s fully customizable, allowing you to align its design with your brand’s aesthetics. It integrates smoothly with:

Shopify
Wix
WordPress
Big Commerce
Magento

3. Curator: Social Feeds on Your Site

Curator is a social media aggregator designed to embed feeds from:

Instagram
Twitter
Feedback

Directly on your website. This tool is perfect for showcasing user-generated content and highlighting brand activity. By integrating social media into your site, Curator increases user engagement and fosters a stronger connection with your audience. It’s an ideal solution for:

Bloggers
E-commerce stores
Brand marketers

4. Trustpilot: Boost Credibility with Reviews

trust pilot - What Is a Widget on a Website

Trustpilot is a top-notch online review platform that helps businesses collect and showcase customer feedback. You can display real-time reviews and ratings by embedding Trustpilot’s trust box widget on your website. This social proof enhances credibility and fosters trust, ultimately boosting sales.

5. Intercom: Engage with Chat Widgets

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Intercom offers powerful live chat widgets and AI chatbots to enhance user engagement and streamline customer interactions. These tools enable real-time connections with customers and sales leads directly on your website.

Seamlessly integrating with CRM systems, Intercom funnels conversations efficiently. Its automation features reduce response times while improving customer satisfaction.

6. Elfsight: Enhance Functionality Effortlessly

elf sight - What Is a Widget on a Website

Elfsight provides many website widgets designed to enhance functionality and user experience. With over 80 customizable widgets available, you don’t need coding knowledge to integrate them.

These widgets work seamlessly across platforms like:

WordPress
Shopify
Wix

Elfsight’s responsive design ensures a consistent user experience across devices, while its drag-and-drop editor makes customization a breeze.

7. Testimonial.to: Simple Social Proof Widget

testimonial - What Is a Widget on a Website

Are you looking to add:

Testimonials
Ratings
Review

Features to your website? Testimonial.to is a simple yet powerful widget for embedding social proof.

It’s an easy-to-use solution for collecting text or video testimonials and customer reviews. The website widget suits dozens of platforms and tech stacks; no coding is required. Integrate with hundreds of other tools for websites of all sizes.

Capture More Leads from Your Blog for Free Today with Blog CTAs

Setting up a call-to-action across your blog should be simple, yet many content management systems make it a hassle. Framer, Webflow, and Ghost often require engineers to spend days tweaking code. It’s a diversion from the actual work. Blog CTAs change that. This tool is like a breath of fresh air, allowing you to bring CTAs without sweat.

With a sidebar CTA, you can boost your blog’s conversion rate by up to 7%. Imagine getting that done in five minutes.

Tired of Not Driving Enough Revenue from Your Blog?