Here’s the definition for Google Gadgets straight from Google:
“Gadgets are web-based software components based on HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. They allow developers to easily write useful web applications that work anywhere on the web without modification. They are defined using a declarative XML syntax that is processed by a gadget server into a format that allows them to be embedded into various contexts: standalone web pages, web applications, even other gadgets. A context into which a gadget is embedded is called a gadget container. The container is responsible for managing the gadgets’ layout and controls, as well as for supporting various functionality on behalf of the gadget. A gadget may be a simple widget, a reusable component, or a full-blown application, possibly utilizing or communicating with other gadgets.”
For non-programmers, what this means is that your web developer can take engaging content from your website and turn it into a neat little tool that can help drive traffic, and hopefully revenue, to your site. How?
Let’s say you have a database of really useful information. You know your site would be a hit if you could just get the right people to visit it. A Google gadget can display excerpts from that database. And you can publish your gadget on Google’s network. That means Google users can find your gadget. But it also means that other websites can act like a container, putting your gadget on their sites.
How does that build web traffic and users for you? You can have links in the gadget that go directly to your site (which is not unlike RSS feeds that you see on personalized pages like My Yahoo! or iGoogle). Even more impressive, you can embed the sign up process to your application right into the tool. So visitors can join your services without ever visiting your site directly.
Now, this is just the tip of the iceberg and is not intended to be a definitive guide, my any means. This short article is just a primer to get your creative juices flowing. What do you have to offer your visitors? How can you make a gadget out of it? How can that gadget be used by different types of websites? Maximize your development dollars by considering Google Gadgets into your web site’s future.
We developed a bonus dollars program for our online store. If you choose our premium store, you can start building customer loyalty with ease. Now, you can set a sign-up bonus for registering in your store. Your new customers will be able to use their bonus dollars on their first purchase. And, they’ll automatically earn bonus dollars for every purchase in your store. You determine the amount they earn and can limit the amount they can use on purchases.
Are you interested in updating your ecommerce website? Give us a call at 978-697-1955.
SSL stands for “Secure Socket Layer.” Basically, it encrypts the data that is sent from your site visitor’s web browser to your web server (the web hosting company’s web servers usually). And vice versa. You know when a page is being served over a secure connection, because you’ll see the little padlock at the bottom of your browswer window. Some certificates are shared, meaning they can be used by multiple companies on the same server. They are cheap, but less secure. You should get a GeoTrust Quick SSL Certificate or a Verisign SSL Certificate. There are other companies that you can research for more options. These two are just the biggest names out there.
Also, installing the SSL certificate and purchasing the certificate happen at the same time. Basically, the server needs to generate some code, which you then pass on to the company you’re purchasing the SSL Certificate through. So, the party purchasing the certificate must have server access and understand what’s going on. Most likely your web developer or web hosting company will make the purchase and install the certificate for you.
Having and SSL Certificate is critical to transfer of sensitive data, such as when entering your credit card information during an online purchase. Having a seal from the SSL company visible on your site will assure your site visitors that their online transaction will be secure.
Small business owners can now compete with their larger competitors by making their services and products available online. Even if your customers are local to your business, you can improve your customer service by offering them online tools that are appropriate for your business.
If you own a company that requires making appointments, why not add an appointment calendar to your site? Your calendar can be public, or password protected. If your business requires customer registrations, why not let your customers register and pay online?
Think about the types of business processes that you do daily, tell us about them. We’d be happy to brainstorm with you on how to turn those processes into online benefits.
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