Your e-commerce glossary

All the terms you need to know to succeed in modern e-commerce, explained simply and clearly.

Back to Glossary

What is Widgets?

Widgets are small apps on websites that enhance UX, offering features like pop-ups, reviews, chat support, product recommendations, and currency converters.

Explanation

A widget is a self-contained, customizable piece of software that can be added to a webpage or application. It serves a specific purpose and is designed to be easily integrated into different environments. Widgets can perform various functions, such as displaying real-time data, enabling user interaction, or adding additional features to a website without requiring full-page refreshes.

Importance

  • Enhanced User Experience: Widgets allow businesses to offer interactive, user-friendly features that engage visitors and improve their experience on the website.
  • Customization: Widgets can be tailored to suit the brand’s needs and style, providing flexibility in design and functionality.
  • Interactivity: Widgets enable real-time interactions like live chats, product pop-ups, notifications, and much more, encouraging visitor engagement.
  • Efficiency: They provide quick, easy access to various features and tools, saving users time by streamlining interactions.
  • Increased Conversion Rates: By offering helpful or engaging widgets, businesses can improve customer retention, boost conversions, and increase sales.

How It Works

  • Embedding on Website: To use a widget, merchants typically need to embed a small piece of code or script into their website. This can often be done with no technical expertise using a simple installation process through Shopify apps.
  • User Interaction: When visitors interact with the widget, it responds in real-time by displaying relevant content, triggering an action, or performing a specific task.
  • Data Collection & Feedback: Some widgets collect data (like form submissions or click events) or give users feedback (like confirmation of a purchase or an error message).
  • Customization & Integration: Widgets often come with customizable settings, allowing merchants to adjust design elements, functionality, and behavior to fit their specific needs.

Benefits

  • Improved Engagement: Interactive widgets like chat support, product recommendations, or live sales notifications keep users engaged and encourage conversions.
  • Boost Conversions: Features like floating pop-ups, urgency timers, and call-to-action buttons drive higher engagement, potentially boosting sales and conversions.
  • Real-Time Information: Widgets can deliver up-to-date information like shipping status, live prices, and stock levels to users instantly.
  • Branding Flexibility: Merchants can customize widgets to match their store’s branding, providing a seamless experience for customers.
  • Better Customer Support: Widgets such as live chat or help desk integration enhance customer support, allowing for quick resolution of user queries.

Top Shopify Apps for Widgets:

Abandoned Cart Recovery
Floatly Floating Widgets

- This app offers customizable floating widgets that allow merchants to add various interactive elements to their website, such as live chat, call-to-action buttons, and special offers.

- The app improves user engagement by making key elements always visible and easily accessible, driving better interaction rates.

Abandoned Cart Recovery
Owids: 10+ widgets

- OWids provides customizable widgets for displaying important store information, such as promotions, product recommendations, and notifications, directly on your Shopify store.

- These widgets are designed to increase conversions and user engagement by providing essential information and offering interactive features for customers.