4 replies to this topic

[Zishan Ahmed]

Hi,

After getting getting through some of the aritcles on internet marketing, heard a lot about the widget marketing concept on a more frequest bases... would like to hear from the expert what this "Web Widget Marketing"? is all about....

[Randy]

I assume you're referring to the practice of releasing little applications that utilize the API of some larger service in order to make something easier or better for users of the service.

If you're a code jockey and have the gifts of being able to listen to what people want and then devise a way to pull it off, it's not a bad way to get your name out there. The vast majority of these are released into the wild for free, in fact many API licenses require them to be non-commercial endeavors if they're ultimately released. So it can be a bit difficult to monetize them directly, depending upon which companies API you're utlizing.

Though if you're good enough at what you do it can bring you some traffic. How qualified this traffic is depends upon many factors. There are a few folks out there I know of who are good enough that they take on contract coding work to biuld special API/Web Widget applications for hire for specific people or companies. That business model doesn't run afoul of most API Developer licenses since you're not actually releasing the application, but just being paid for coding work for a private application.

<edit to add>
I've merged Prawin's question together with Zishan's since they're the same subject and posted on the same day.

Edited by Randy, 12 March 2008 - 06:49 PM.

[prawin]

HEllo Friends,

I would like to know your inputs and view on :

1. What is the need or rather advantages of having a web widget for a company if it requires publicity.
2. What are the various technologies to create a widget from scratch?
3. Can a web widget be sold as a service to any company for brand building purpose?
4. What are the most popular web widgets known?
5. How to track web widget popularity and ultimately brand building


Thanks for your time.

-- Prawin

[nethy]

Hi guys,
I think that these are difficult questions to answer out of context.

A lot of ideas that get thrown out as general advice such as widgets, toolbars, extensions, modules etc. that a company or individual can develop/release to benefit their brand, increase their profile or even allow direct contact between their clients and them.

While this is good general advice it is important not word it well. The advice is not: "release a widget". It's consider widgets as paret of your online strategy.

If you can work out something that will be is useful (and used) by your customers & that fits with a plan to meet you company's goals then by all means, develop a widget. having a widget does not give you any brownie points innately.

For example, if you have a need to communicate little messages (weather forecast, stock market outlook, last trade, Hollywood headlines, polls, etc) quickly to the same person regularly a widget may be a good little vehicle for that message. It may even act like the pens you get at conferences and events.

It is similar to blogging (or many other 'marketing' initiatives) as a way of increasing interaction with clients/customers. It only works if your write it & they read it. If neither party is interested (seems to be a growing source of irritation for members of this forum) it is not valuable to anyone including the company.

It is definitely not a fool proof marketing package, rather it is (or can be to be precise) a marketing tool.

If you have a want/need to use widgets in your marketing I would suggest trying to case study as many cases as possible of effective use of this tool. If no good idea comes to mind do not just create any widget.

[Randy]

Well said nethy !