How To Monetize Your Site With Widgets
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Amazon Widgets for Fun and Profit! Zahid Khan, Product Manager, Amazon Associates January 13, 2009
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This discussion by Amazon Associates will go over how to enhance your site using various widgets, what works and what doesn't, and how effective different widgets are to your site. We'll show you easy ways you can implement widgets to monetize your site right away.
Transcript of How To Monetize Your Site With Widgets
Amazon Widgets for Fun and Profit!
Zahid Khan, Product Manager, Amazon Associates
January 13, 2009
Introduction
Amazon ServicesZahid KhanAngela Pak
Amazon Associates overview
Build Links & Banners
aStore
Widgets
Main Entry: wid·get Pronunciation: \ˈwi-jət\ Function: noun Etymology: alteration of gadget
Definition: Amazon Widgets are rich, interactive mini-applications that bring Amazon functionality to your website.
What are Widgets?
Widgets
Anatomy of a Search Widget
View Search results inline (viewers don’t leave your site)
Set default search term
View ratings/price info in popover
Filter search results by product category
Customize size/color theme to match your site
[Demo]
Why use Widgets?
=
Longer user sessions
Better monetization
Widgets versus Links/Banners
Comparing Click-through rates
Vs.
Slideshow has 92% higher CTR than Banner
Widgets versus Links/Banners
Comparing Click-through rates
Vs.
Slideshow has 25% higher CTR than Text Links
Widgets versus Links/Banners
Comparing Click-through rates
Vs.
Slideshow has 150% higher CTR than Product Previews enabled Text Links
Widgets versus Links/Banners
Comparing Click-through rates
Vs.
My Favorites has 46% higher CTR than Banners
Widgets versus Links/Banners
Comparing Conversion rates
Vs.
Wish List converts 150% better than Product Preview enabled ASIN link
Widgets versus Links/Banners
Comparing Conversion rates
Search Widget converts 150% better than Search Terms text link
(http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UTF8&keywords=Coldplay&tag=ohmyki-20&index=digital-music&linkCode=ur2)
Vs.
Widgets versus Links/Banners
Comparing Conversion rates
Search Widget converts 86% better than Banners
Vs.
What works?
1. Select the right widget for the job
2. Place it in the best available spot
3. Use widgets as a self-expression tool
4. Change widget content regularly
Select the right widget for the job
What’s best for *your* site?No ‘one-size-fits-all’ solutionIs it a product-focused niche site?
Search Widget, My Favorites, Carousel
Is it a personal blog? My Favorites, Wish List, Carousel
Do you run a movies/music related site? Use MP3 Clips, TV & Movie Show preview widget
Place it in the best available spot
What widget size/placement works best?Center of Page size for one-off, very topic-
specific widgetBanner/Sidebar sizes for products that are
relevant over a longer period of timeFree-size widgets when you control the
size of the ad slot
Place it in the best available spot
What ad sizes are supported by Widgets? Some widgets are ‘free-size’:
Others have preset IAB sizes:
Use Widgets as self-expression tool
Add user comments to My Favorites, Slideshow, MP3 Clips
Use Widgets as self-expression tool
Even personalizing the widget title helps
Change widget content regularly
Should you hand-pick products or let Amazon decide?
Hand-picked wins over automated selection any day
Can you regularly update your hand-picked selection?
If you use Bestsellers/New Releases, select a category that’s relevant to your site. Change category frequently.
Change widget contents regularly
Widget Source for power usersCreate widgets programmaticallyEasily change widget contents by making
simple changes in code.Complete programmatic control over widget
look-and-feelBuild really cool mashups with Widget
Source [Demo]
As with all other ad types: Experimentation and Measurement are key.
Spot the Widget: http://www.101cookbooks.com/
SoundUnwound: Widget as Content
<script type='text/javascript'> var amzn_wdgt={widget:'MP3Clips'}; amzn_wdgt.tag='soundu-20'; amzn_wdgt.widgetType='ASINList'; amzn_wdgt.ASIN='B0016CGROY';amzn_wdgt.title=''; amzn_wdgt.width='234'; amzn_wdgt.height='60'; amzn_wdgt.shuffleTracks='True'; </script> <script type='text/javascript' src='http://wms.assoc-amazon.com/20070822/US/js/swfobject_1_5.js'> </script>
Deals Widget on PSP Gaming site
Don’t …
1. Don’t plaster your page with lots of widgets
2. Don’t give up if a specific widget doesn’t work for you
3. Don’t replace all your links/banners with widgets
Coming up in Widgets …
1. More customization color themes, size
2. More niche widgets window into different Amazon.com features
3. Streamline widget creation and maintenance
4. Widgets on Site Stripe Build widgets as you shop on Amazon.com
