A web widget is a chunk of code that executes on a web page and presents information from another website. It updates either when the widget is updated or when the XML information from your Joomla or Drupal site updates. It's an easy way to propagate your message over the web. Here are three sites that allow you to create widgets for free.

Link: Sproutbuilder.com

Sproutbuilder.com allows you to build sophisticated widgets with interactive features that you can publish in your blog or website. Site visitors can copy and paste the "sprouts" to their blogs, creating a viral effect.

From the Sproutbuilder site:

"1. What is a sprout and what can I do with it?

A sprout is a multi-media flash web site that can be created without knowing a stitch of flash or HTML. This sprout (also called a widget, mini-site, mashup) can be embedded in other websites, blogs or social networking profile pages. When you update your content, all sprouts (wherever they are) will update instantly.

Just like a traditional web page, a sprout can be used for promotional, informational or personal purposes."

Link: Clearspring.com/

From the Clearspring site:

• "Quickly create cross-platform widgets that work on Facebook, iGoogle, Blogger and more. Make your widgets smarter with our API libraries, detailed documentation, and best practices.
  Distribute.
• Make your widgets viral, increase distribution from your website, and publish widgets to popular widget galleries like iGoogle using our easy tools and services.
  Manage.
• Understand how your widgets are being used across the web's most powerful analytics engine. Monitor views, placements, spread or define and track your own events.
  Monetize.
• You can make big money with your little widgets. Clearspring is working on ways to transform your widgets into money-making machines."

Link: www.widgetbox.com

From the WidgetBox site:

"Make a widget

Whether you are a hard-core coder or you just tinker around with the web, we provide you with easy to use tools to build, distribute, and track your own web widgets. You don't even need to know any code. Turn your blog into a widget or create a Facebook app in minutes. What's more, you can turn your widgets into cash when you sign-up for DevShare.

Find a widget

We have the largest selection of widgets anywhere on the web so you are bound to find the widgets you want. Browse our gallery. Or, search our widgets by category, keyword, tag, developer, and rating.

Get a widget

When you find the widget you want, we make it easy for you to take it with you. Click the "Get Widget" button and choose from all major sites including MySpace, Facebook, Blogger, and more. Or, copy the code and take it to the webpage of your choice."

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