How To Create a Widget: The Best Tutorials

How To Create a Widget: The Best Tutorials

1. How To Create a WordPress Widget

   
   Since WordPress version 2.0, all plugins (small pieces of code that extend the functionality of the WordPress platform) have been made easy to implement inside your web site or blog using widgets, which seamlessly allow non-technical-savvy people to customize and tweak their web pages. In this tutorial you will learn all you need to create a WordPress widget.
   
   

2. How To Create Yahoo! Widgets

   
   Yahoo! has an entire section of his online portal devoted to widget creation and development. Inside Yahoo! Widget you will find software downloads, tutorials and other useful resources to design your widget or to convert and package your existing content to be distributed with Yahoo! Widgets.
   
   

3. How To Create Widgets For Blogger

   
   Blogger is the blogging platform run by Google. Every blog created with Blogger sports a sidebar where you can add widgets that will help others distribute your content on their own Blogger's blog. The Help section of Blogger shares a simple example on how to create a widget.
   
   

4. How To Create Google Gadget

   
   Google Gadgets are HTML or JavaScript widgets that you can embed on web pages and other apps (like iGoogle) to distribute your content. Google Code has a dedicated section where you can find all the information needed to develop, create and implement a Gadget using the Google API.
   
   

5. How To Create Windows Sidebar Gadgets

   
   Starting with Vista, Windows operating systems have a sidebar displayed on the right side of the desktop which you can use to manage your Gadgets (widgets). By reading this tutorial, you will learn what is a Windows Gadget and how to develop one that can be used to distribute your content across Windows computers.
   
   

6. How To Create Apple Dashboard Widgets
   The Dashboard is a desktop layer where Mac users can display, add and remove widgets. Apple has an in-depth resource page where you can learn all about Apple widgets from a technical standpoint and how to develop your own widget to distribute your content across Apple computers.

Widgets Creation Tools

Widgets Creation Tools

1. Widgetbox

   
   Widgetbox is an online service to create several types of widgets to distribute your content over the web. You can build Flash or HTML widgets, Facebook Apps, Google Gadgets, Twitter widgets, and more. To create and customize your widget, you can use one of the readily-available templates on the web site. Each widget created with Widgetbox is fully redistributable on major social sharing sites, even from the widget itself and you can track the performance of your widget with the built-in analytics facility. If you want to access premium features and also go ads-free, you can switch to one of the two premium plans starting at $3.99/month. Registration is mandatory.
   
   http://www.widgetbox.com/
   

2. KickApps

   
   KickApps is a free online service where you can create widgets to distribute your content or promote your brand on the web. KickApps allows you to generate either Flash or HTML widgets starting from scratch or by using one of the available templates. Once the widget is placed on your web site, your readers can re-distribute it using the social sharing feature. You can also create WidgeADs, which are a special type of widgets that work as an advertising banner that is freely redistributable and may help you drive traffic back to your web site. Registration is compulsory to utilize the service. No analytics.
   
   http://www.kickapps.com/widgets
   
   

3. SpinletsLab

   
   SpinletsLab is a free online service to help you create, distribute and monitor your widgets. You can create Flash widgets either from scratch or by using one of the templates available. Once your widget is created, you can distribute it on every social sharing site and even on mobile phones. Your readers can then spread your content using a dedicated sharing button sported by each widget. Last, you can track the performance of your widget in real-time using the analytics facility. Registration is mandatory to use the SpinletsLabs service.
   
   http://www.spinletslab.com/
   
   

4. Produle

   
   Produle is a widget creator service that allows you to generate three Flash-based widgets at no cost. You have several readily-available templates to style your widget and you also have a web-based studio to add multimedia content as videos, images or music to your widget in just a few clicks. You can freely use Produle widgets to distribute your content across social sharing sites and even let your readers spread your content virally on other web sites using the social sharing feature sported by each widget. Registration is needed to use the service. No analytics.
   
   http://www.produle.com/
   

5. Widgadget

   
   Widgadget is a free widget creator that you can use to generate widgets and distribute your content on web sites and social media. You can build either Flash or HTML widgets starting from one of the readily-available templates. These templates are organized to help you choose the best one to target the specific audience your widget wants to reach (bloggers, desktop users, etc.) No analytics, nor social sharing features are available. Widgadget requires registration to create your widget.
   
   http://en.widgadget.com/node/add/widget
   

6. Grazr

   
   Grazr is a free online service which you can use to generate widgets containing the output of RSS feeds. The RSS feed can either include text, images, music or videos. To upload multiple RSS feeds at once, OPML files importing is fully supported. You can choose among three pre-made templates to style your widget, but no analytics nor a social-sharing feature are available. Grazr is completely registration-free.
   
   http://www.grazr.com/
   

7. Desktopify

   
   Desktopify is a free online service that converts web widgets into stand-alone desktop widgets both for Windows and Mac platforms. You can either copy the embed code or the URL of the web widget and then give a name to your converted desktop widget, set a proper size, write a description and assign a category to get started. The web widget you have submitted will now be converted automatically for Windows and Mac platforms. Once your widget is converted, it will show up inside Desktopify web gallery where everyone can share it on major social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter. No pre-made templates are available. Registration is not needed to utilize Desktopify.
   
   http://www.desktopify.com/