Widget planning

Website widgets by job, not by gimmick

The best widgets are lightweight, relevant and easy to remove. Choose them around the action a visitor is already trying to take.

Useful firstAdd tools that support the visitor task.
Mobile readyKeep cards, links and embeds readable on a phone.
Clean attributionFree widgets keep a visible powered-by link.

Practical guide

How to choose a widget type

Think of widgets as small task helpers. A calculator gives a precise answer. A contact button shortens the path to enquiry. A comparison table makes options easier to scan. An accordion hides supporting detail until it is needed.

The weak version is adding a widget because a competitor has one. The useful version is adding it where it answers a question the page already creates.

What to check

  • Calculators for date, price, size, delivery or eligibility questions.
  • Accordions for dense help content and pre-sale objections.
  • Comparison tables for packages, subscription tiers or service levels.
  • Contact buttons for mobile-heavy service pages.
  • Embed generators for reusable tools, forms and third-party pages.

Widget catalogue

Useful starting points

These are the practical widgets most small sites should consider before adding heavier plugins.

Calculator

Unit converter

Convert length, weight, temperature and volume between common units.

Build unit converter