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What are widgets on "VKontakte"?
Widgets on "VKontakte" are modules that contain useful information and are placed on the business pages of companies in this social network. As soon as users visit the community page, they immediately see the widgets, which can be located to the left of the description in the "Menu" section or below it. These tools serve various purposes: they can greet visitors, offer discounts, answer frequently asked questions, and even collect order applications. Widgets not only attract users' attention but also help keep them on the page, which in turn increases audience engagement.
For example, the Skillbox community has placed widgets for subscribing to newsletters and registering for courses. The user can choose the desired program, and all fields with contact information are automatically filled in, leaving only one step — to submit the application. This makes the process more convenient and faster for both users and the company.
Types of widgets on "VKontakte"
Widgets on "VKontakte" are divided into three main categories that can be found in the catalog of approved VK applications. These categories include:
- Business: applications that automate routine tasks. These include chatbots, order collection forms, and mailing services. For example, the "SDEK Delivery" widget automatically integrates orders from VK into the delivery service's personal account.
- Entertainment: companies use this section to organize contests, polls, and surveys among subscribers. Such widgets not only attract attention but also keep users on the page with interesting information, such as the release dates of new episodes of favorite shows.
- Events: allow selling tickets to concerts and posting announcements of upcoming events. This section is currently the smallest but is actively developing. With the "Calendar" widget, one can conveniently organize meetings and invite friends, who will automatically receive a notification.
Why should marketers use widgets?
The use of widgets on "VKontakte" has many advantages for marketers:
- Community personalization: marketers can customize existing widgets or create their own that will greet subscribers and offer them quick actions on the page. For example, the free service "Widget in the community" allows the creation of a unique widget.
- Service promotion: companies can develop useful or entertaining widgets that other brands will want to add to their communities, thus attracting a wider audience.
- Work acceleration: some widgets help perform marketing tasks, such as analyzing and segmenting the audience. This allows for the collection of necessary data directly within "VKontakte," without switching to other platforms. The TargetViky widget, for example, provides data on subscribers from various communities based on specified filters.
How to customize widgets?
After installing a widget in the community, it has a standard appearance, but it can be changed to enhance user convenience. Here are some ways to customize:
- Changing the cover: you can design widget images in a unified style using JPG, GIF, and PNG formats. The minimum image size should be 376x256 pixels.
- Inventing a name: instead of the standard name "Open Application" or "Launch," it is better to give the widget a more understandable name, such as "Events" for the events calendar or "Follow Discounts" for the newsletter widget.
- Hiding from users: if the widget is not necessary for all users, it can be hidden to avoid cluttering the community design. In this case, a direct link to the widget can be sent if needed.