Thursday, October 4, 2012

Apple's Book Widget Builder



Below are a couple of sample book widgets built using Apple's Widget builder. You can access it through this link http://widgets.itunes.apple.com/builder. It is very easy to use. Just search for the book you want to create a widget for, and then copy the code below HTML-Encoded Output:

You can then easily paste the code on your blog and if your readers click on the View button, they will be redirected to Apple's iTunes webpage where the reader can purchase the book via Apple.


      

This widget also gives ebook authors an advantage in that whenever they decide to change the book cover or book description or blurb, or even the book's price, the widget code no longer needs to be edited. So this widget could exist on multiple sites or blogs, but editing is done from a single source, (Apple of Smashwords), and all the sites can be updated.

The widget also increases credibility and authenticity. The user is given an assurance that the link she is about to click on will lead her to Apple's iTunes site and not some other site. Granted, the look and feel of Apple's widget can be duplicated, but if Apple is wise, it would constantly update this widget to improve its authenticity.

4 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hey!
    I'm a blogger too and I tried using this Widget builder in my blog but I neither know where nor how I can paste the embed code the Apple page gave me.
    Could you please help me?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hello Lu,

    When editing your blogspot post, you have the COMPOSE button and the HTML button. Click on the HTML button and you will see HTML code. You can add the HTML code provided by the Apple Widget Builder in between the < DIV > and < /DIV > tag pairs that you see on a blank post. After that, you can switch back to the "type writer" view as I fondly call it, by clicking back on the COMPOSE button.

    If you want to learn HTML, there are lots of resources online. All you need is a little time and patience.

    Hope this response was helpful.

    ReplyDelete
  4. By the way, under Blogger's Layout menu is an option to add Gadgets. You can also use an HTML/Javascript Gadget and add the Apple code in that box. Try it out.

    ReplyDelete

Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions! I want to hear from you!

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