Nearly 9 out of 10 website designers say that simplicity and functionality are the most important website design elements. That’s why many designers use widgets to keep the design simple and functional.
A website widget is an application that you install on your website. It can display information like your most recent social media posts, reviews, stock trading information, and more.
Widgets can get used internally, too. Employees can see the latest company news, employee birthdays, or an employee’s calendar for the day.
Understanding how to add a widget to your website can help you expand the functionality of your site without much effort.
Read this guide to learn the basics of adding widgets and get the most out of your website.
The Purpose of the Widget
A widget seems like a great addition to your website, but it might not be the right solution for the business. That’s why you need to clarify the purpose of the widget.
What business need do you want the widget to fulfill? For example, you might want the widget to streamline existing processes.
You might not need a widget, but a team with these capabilities to help you identify ways to streamline processes.
You’ll need to weigh the costs and benefits of adding a website widget to your site. A website widget that pulls reviews from Google could slow down your website.
On the positive side, it shows visitors that your business has a track record of success. On the other hand, it can slow down your site.
A drop in performance could cost your business leads and customers because there’s a link between page speed and conversions. This is something you need to consider before adding a widget to your website.
How to Add a Widget to Your Website
WordPress widgets are prebuilt, so you can add them to the header, footer, and sidebar of your website. All you have to do is go to Appearance -> Widgets in the Dashboard of the site.
Click on the + icon and you’ll see a menu of widget options. Pick your widget and you’ll add it to the section of the site where it should appear.
Click update and the widget goes live instantly.
If the widget isn’t available in WordPress, you may have to use a third-party plugin or widget to get the functionality you need for your website.
If you want to remove the widget, all you have to do is go into Appearance -> Widgets and remove the block from the widget area.
A Website Widget Can Make a Difference
A website widget is a small application that you install on your website. It can pull information from other applications to give you data in real-time.
Adding a widget is easy to do. You have to make sure that the widget has a clear purpose because you can overdo it and slow down your site.
Now that you know how to add a widget to your website, take a look at the Marketing section to learn how to drive more traffic to your website.
