Widgets made simple

Clearspring has released Launchpad, a free Web-based developer designed to reduce the time and effort required to convert Web content into easily sharable widgets. Clearspring reports that developers can convert an entire Web site into widgets in minutes, thereby increasing the content’s viral distribution capabilities.

Using code provided by Clearspring, developers can quickly embed a sharing menu or button onto their Web site. Using this menu or button, users can easily post, bookmark or embed widgets to their social network, start page or blog or e-mail them to friends or associates. Developers may also embed the sharing menu or button into an existing widget, providing users another easy way to virally share widgets.

Developers using Launchpad also have access to Clearspring’s analytics and reporting tools, which enable widget creators to track views, placements, unique viewers, time spent, interaction, etc. Clearspring tracks this information by widget and domain and offers a variety of visualization options. The data can also be imported directly into Excel.

Developers can customize the sharing menu to complement their Web site’s color scheme and design or to determine what sharing options to offer. Further, the company says, Launchpad integrates with the developers’ existing content management systems and HTML template software, allowing them to work and remain within a single familiar system.