The Countdown Pro Creator enables users to easily, without any coding, create custom countdown widgets that can be shared across the web and shared on Facebook. Creating your countdown is easy and there are several opportunities to personalize the widget (a full tutorial is coming shortly!):

- Set your widget’s size: width and height
- Create your event: what are you counting down to?
- When is the date: set the date using our calendar
- Add a theme or custom background: you can upload your own photo or choose any of our available themes (birthdays, weddings, etc)
- Customize the clock: choose the look (flip, analog or digital) and position it
- Add a link to your website: great for driving traffic to your site, blog or brand!
- Add a finale: provide a message when the countdown concludes

Get started now: Build your own Countdowns!

Here are several examples – all created in just a couple minutes. Building the countdowns is as easy as it is fun. Please share your countdowns in the below comments and we will feature some of our favorites in the coming days.

Twilight: New Moon Countdown

Left 4 Dead 2 Countdown

Christmas Countdown

The Skygreen Leopards Album Release Countdown

My Wedding Countdown

NASA STS-127 Countdown

The first step is connecting your Widgetbox account with Facebook (read why and how).

Once your Widgetbox account is connected with Facebook, sharing and promoting is simple and effective. There are two primary options:

Share Through the Get Widget Menu

Whether you created the widget or you just grabbed and embedded it, sharing the widget on Facebook is a powerful way to tell friends (either about the widget itself or where you have placed it!). Once you grab the code via the Get Widget menu, you will now see a link to “Share on Facebook”:

By clicking the Share button, you will be prompted with a Facebook Connect window that includes the widget name, description, logo and link. Before publishing, you will also be allowed to write an additional caption for your Facebook Feed. You can choose not to write additional content and simply press Publish – or, you can also choose to write something additional and it will be included in your Facebook post (but not on Widgetbox):

When published, it will appear in your Facebook feed and be available to your friends (and their friends!)… opening it to thousands of additional viewers and subscribers.

Use Facebook Share

Another method of posting on Facebook is to use the the new “Share on Facebook” button that is now available on every widget details page (directly beneath the widget). Using the Share button does not require users to use Facebook Connect.

Once clicked, you will receive a Facebook window allows you to either ‘Post to Profile’ (in other words the Facebook Feed) or ‘Send a Message’ directly to your Facebook friends (via Facebook mail). In either option, you will be able to include an additional message or publish directly:

If you have chosen to share via the feed it will look similar to the below:
- my message
- the widget icon / logo
- the widget name and details
- the ability for friends to comment, like and share

Excitingly, if the widget is flash-compatible, you will notice a blue play button. When clicked, the widget that expands ands plays directly in the Facebook feed!

- Simple Widgetbox registration and/or user login
- Ability to effectively share your widgets and Widgetbox activity across your Facebook ‘Social Graph’
- Tools specifically intended to make widgets more viral and easier to distribute
- Improved on-Facebook widget integration and messaging
… And we are just getting started!

Below is a quick guide to registering through Facebook Connect and – if you already have a Widgetbox account – linking your account. You’ll realize it’s very easy! Please also read the posts on:

- Sharing / Promoting your Widgets with Facebook Connect

- Commenting and Rating with Facebook Connect

Registering Through Facebook Connect – Or Linking Your Current Widgetbox Account

There are two ways to utilize Facebook Connect for registration / login… and both are very easy.

First, new users are now able to register on Widgetbox either through their Facebook Connect login or directly through Widgetbox by providing an email address, username and password. Both work fine – but if you are an active Facebook user, you will realize that registering through Facebook Connect is simple. To get started, either click the “Join Now” link in the Widgetbox header or press the large “Connect with Facebook” graphic on the right side of the homepage. When you get to the following screen, just press the Facebook Connect button to get started:

If you are currently a Widgetbox user, you can now link your Facebook account via Facebook Connect. To do so, you can either use the same flow above (but instead of clicking “Join Now” simply click “Login” and the initiate Facebook Connect). Or, you can go to the My Account page (linked in the header) and then add your Facebook credentials.

A couple notes regarding Widgetbox and Facebook Connect:

- Connecting your Widgetbox account with Facebook Connect is important as it is a necessary action in using the other Facebook Connect tools / integrations on Widgetbox.

- It is secure and safe as the connection is authenticated through Facebook. For instance, if you logout of Facebook, your Widgetbox session would be ‘disconnected’ and you would need to re-login

- You will notice that, when your account is linked, you will see your Facebook profile photo on your Widgetbox account page. That’s one way you will know it worked!

- You can always disconnect your account through the My Account page. And you can always reconnect it as well.

Once you have either registered through Facebook Connect or linked your Widgetbox account, there are two powerful ways to share your activity with your Facebook ‘Social Graph’:

1. Share & Promote Your Widget (read here)
2. Share Your Comments and Ratings (see below)

Once you are logged in and connected with Facebook, you will see your Facebook Profile Picture beside Widgetbox’s comment box. This represents that you are actively connected with Facebook:

Once you write a review of the widget (provide a rating and a review), you will be prompted with a Facebook Connect window that:

- shows your rating (’Ryan just rated Gamefly Top 10 New Releases 5 of 5 stars…’)
- shows your review (’Fuel is the #1 game across PS3 and Xbox 360…’)
- shows the Widget’s graphic / logo
- allows you to write an additional caption for your Facebook Feed

You can choose not to write additional content and simply press Publish. This will post your review to your Facebook feed and allow your friends to access the review and visit the widget. You can also choose to write something additional and it will be included in your Facebook post (but not on Widgetbox).

This is powerful, social way to share your feedback, suggest widgets to friends and drive more awareness for your content (whether the review, widget, etc)!

RSS & Widgets: 8 Ways to Utilize RSS in Widgets

RSS feeds make it easy for web publishers and marketers to create custom widgets on Widgetbox… with no development resources! Below are eight great ways to turn feed-based activity into viral widgets sharable across the web:

1. Convert your blog or website’s RSS feed into a Blidget or Blidget Pro on Widgetbox.
Just enter your feed and customize the widget’s appearance, size and content. The widget will dynamically update as the RSS feed changes.

2. Add multiple RSS feeds with the Blidget Pro.
Why stop at one feed when you can add multiple tabs and content sources?!

3. Create custom Twitter widgets based on your activity or favorite searches:

4. Add your favorite RSS feed to your Facebook profile with a Widgetbox App (learn how!).

5. Create YouTube & Vimeo widgets that play videos in-line:

6. Turn your Flickr feed into a slideshow widget:

7. Turn your eBay listings and store items into viral marketing widgets (learn how!):

8. Turn your real-estate listings into a viral widgets and reach new potential customers:

Mashable even recommended using Widgetbox to help navigate your Twitter activity:

“Provide a website widget: For anyone who isn’t using or knowledgeable with Twitter, provide an easy conversation tracker tool on your website. You can make one via Widgetbox”

Here’s how you can use hashtags within your Twitter widgets:

1. When creating your Blidget Pro, add a tab for Twitter
2. You will have three content source options: My Updates, My Favorites, and Search

3. Under search, you can enter any text… or enter a hashtag (ie #FollowFriday or #voting)
4. The widget will then dynamically update with posts around the Twittersphere with the hashtag that you set

The good news: there has been tremendous demand for Widgetbox Pro accounts by both widget developers and subscribers… even beyond our expectations! And this creates opportunities for our developers to grow their widget businesses and audiences.

While we have already released numerous new features in 2009, Widgetbox is actively working on big ideas to empower our developer community. Ad-compliance is an early and necessary step to move in that direction. We are actively working on the next series of steps that will help our developers succeed by:

- providing tools to create great widgets
- empower developers to better distribute their content
- and enable developers to make money from their widgets

To give developers a taste of what lies ahead, Widgetbox is announcing our Closed Beta Developer Program. Beta testers will have access to new features – both widget tools and monetization opportunities – and the ability to help test and define them. If you are interested in participating, please apply at beta @ widgetbox.com with the following:

1. Your email address
2. Two great widgets that exemplify your work
3. An overview of how you are currently monetizing your activity

We encourage you to apply to the Beta Program and be an active part of what is coming next on Widgetbox.

Will Price – CEO

Giles Goodwin – Co-Founder, CTO

Exciting news: you can now create Blidgets and Blidget Pros from your Facebook Feed. Add you Twitter activity, blog or RSS feed, and other useful content from across the web and you have the ultimate social media / marketing widget! Here’s how:

1. Install Chia’s Newsfeed RSS App

To get started, you need to allow the new Newsfeed RSS Application on Facebook and grant it access. The application will access your Facebook feed and convert it into an RSS feed. Note: this all occurs on Facebook.com and you will need to login before accessing the application and granting access

You can read more about Newsfeed RSS on ReadWriteWeb.

2. Grab the RSS Feed and Create Your Blidget Pro!

Once you have granted Newsfeed RSS access, you will be provided a link to your feed. You can now enter that directly into the Widgetbox Blidget Pro editor (enter directly from our homepage). You will now have the regular options to:

- customize the Blidget Pro’s appearance
- customize the feed’s layout (supposedly images are coming soon!)
- add multiple tabs to the widget (such as Twitter, blog feeds, etc)

Here is an example using:
- my Facebook Badge as my Blidget’s header
- three tabs: my Facebook feed, my Twitter feed and my blog feed

Learn more about the Blidget Pro and read other Tutorials

This is part three of our series on turning your Blidget Pros into successful, viral Facebook Applications:

1. Beginners’ Guide to creating Facebook Apps
2. Video Tutorial of the Facebook App Creator
3. Advanced Guide to Facebook App customizations (below!)

Once you have turned your Blidget Pro into a Facebook Application, there are several customizations that can make your app more successful on Facebook:

Customize the Application’s About Page

Each Facebook Application has an About Page that includes (see an example here for the American Idol Application)
- A custom image and overview
- Basic statistics (reviews, users, friends, etc)
- A “Wall” and a “Discussion Board”
- A list of “Fans” and “Friends Who Have Added the Application”
- User reviews

Within your “Facebook Developer” page, you will find an option to “Edit About Page”. There, you will be able to manage the page’s layout, customize the content and upload your graphics:

Customize the Application’s Settings

Each Application also has a set of universal settings that are particularly important for the widget’s viral-ity through Facebook. As the developer, you can access the “Edit Settings” page directly from your “My Applications” page.

There are four key elements to pay attention to:

1. Application Name: make it simple, catchy and descriptive
2. Basic Information: Again, be clear and crisp
3. Icon & Logo: These are particularly important because the graphics appear in Facebook’s feed and in the browser

4. User-Facing URLs: Enter in URLs where the user can get more information about the brand / app

Submit the App to Facebook’s Application Directory

Also available from the “My Applications” page is the ability to submit the app to Facebook’s Application Directory (tucked away tightly in “Submit It” link beneath the App’s title).

Submitting your application to Facebook’s directory is a huge boost for awareness and finability. You must first have at least 5 total users or 10 monthly active users before submitting:

Study the App Data and Iterate

Available under “My Applications”, Facebook provides in depth data through the “Statistics” section. You can access data about the:
- Application
- Users
- Interaction
- About Page
- etc

Create a Page for the Community

Facebook Pages are public forums for fans and brands to interact. Pages are terrific ways to communicate with fans and promote / include your Application. Creating a Facebook page is simple and allows numerous customizations: just select your category and Facebook will configure the process depending on your focus: Local, Brand (product or company) or Person (artist, band, public figure).

Let Widgetbox Help Distribute

Whether you need help customizing your Application or crafting custom distribution campaigns, let Widgetbox be helpful. Contact us and we can help craft promotional campaigns that deliver based on your requirements (partnerships at widgetboxdotcom)

Learn more about the Blidget Pro and read other Tutorials

One of the most powerful capabilities of the Blidget Pro is the ability to turn the widget into a fully viral Facebook Application. Below is a video tutorial demonstrating what Blidget Pro Facebook Apps look like and how you can create one.

You can also find a couple examples here:
- Crank High Voltage Facebook App
- American Idol 2009 Facebook App
- Investor Business Daily Facebook App

Learn more about the Blidget Pro and read other Tutorials