How can you keep your website visitors engaged on your website and provide valuable information and resources?  The answer is Widgets!

What is a Widget?  According to Wikipedia:

· In computer programming, a widget (or control) is an element of a graphical user interface (GUI) that displays an information arrangement changeable by the user, such as a window or a text box. ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Widget_(computing)

Basically a Widget is a tool or application you place on your website to provide the end user with valuable resource such as a mortgage calculator, chat feature or social networking (Facebook, Linkedin etc.) bookmarking tool.  These are applications that you do not need a webmaster or computer programmer in order to add to your website.  Useful and free widgets can be found on these and other websites http://www.widgetbox.com/, http://widgets.yahoo.com/.

Here is an example of a “Local Area Information” Widget: created by ClassifiedFlyerAds.com:

Here is an example of a useful Widget created by Walkscore on promoting “Walkable Neighborhoods”

Widgets add “sticky content” to your website.  Sticky content refers to content published on a website, which has the purpose of getting a user to return to that particular website or hold their attention and get them to spend longer periods of time at that site en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sticky_content

Widgets are easy to add to your website and provide your visitors with valuable resources thus keeping the visitor on your website for longer. Your visitors will be sure to tell their friends about all the great information that can be found on your website which results in greater exposure for you and your brand.

Information provided courtesy of Cavin Weber, Keller Williams Realty Support.