The Buzz about Widgets: We told you so...

The recent Nonprofit Times article (by Beth Kanter, who is part of our blogroll) about widgets really hit home with a lot of people. I belong to a few lists who noted the article. The techies' response: "Eh, 'bout time someone noticed... know any good developers?" The marketers' response: "Yes, we know already." Everyone in the nonprofit world: "WOW! CHECK THIS OUT! LITTLE THINGS ON PEOPLE'S WEBSITES AND WE CAN MAKE MONEY. "

*Ahem* Easy now. Don't rush. Single file, people!

That story, along with the Chronicle of Philanthropy's report about online giving (subscription required), and Tom Watson's great article about Facebook, has really got people buzzing about online giving again. Online giving didn't really go away, but in the face of fewer immediate, media-hyped disasters and relief efforts (there are still plenty of slow, agonizing disasters in the world), it didn't get full attention from traditional resources for awhile. But, development departments are finally ready to sink their teeth into widgets, and just in time for developing those fall and holiday season apps.

If you still aren't sure, check out our post about donation widgets from a few months ago. Now, remember that widgets go beyond "the ask." They can incorporate all kinds of functionality: content, RSS feeds. blog posts, etc. Remember three things about widgets (along with all the other advice you've read thus far):

• They're fun and can be useful tools for spreading the word. But, they are gadgets. Don't blow your budget getting a few developed. Ease into and it find the right widget and builder.
• Develop a marketing plan to get them to your users: e-mail announcements, site links, and social network posts. Heck, find some bloggers who like your organization or cause and contact them directly. And give it three months. Don't junk it until you know it has completely stalled.
• This won't be a windfall. It will augment giving and traffic, but it's not THE killer app... yet.

Check out Squidoo's Widget Finder for more information. Also, if you have a killer widget, let us know! Leave a comment with a URL so everyone can ogle and covet your idea!