Want a widget on your website that scrolls through your latest G+ posts? Turns out there's a relatively easy way to build one and make it look any way you want.
I started lookin
g for something like that after the widget I used to use -- from a service called WidgetsPlus -- stopped working reliably. I wanted something simple that actively scrolled through my stream and didn't look like crap, and I couldn't find any other service that provided it.
So I found a way to make my own, pictured here and visible in action at jrstart.com. Here's how you can do the same:
1) First, you need an RSS feed of your Google+ posts. Google doesn't provide this automatically, but plenty of third-party services can help you set one up in a matter of seconds. I used a service called Pluss to make mine; just go tohttp://pluss.aiiane.com/ and follow the prompts to authenticate, then copy the feed URL it gives you.
2) Paste your new G+ feed URL into the box on the left side of this page: http://www.widgetbox.com/widgets/make?code=feed
3) Decide if you want to make a free widget or pay to make a "pro" widget. The free widget works fine but includes ads and fewer options than the "pro" version. A "pro" account costs four bucks a month or 30 bucks a year (see the "Widgets" tab onhttp://www.widgetbox.com/pricing).
If you want to make a free widget, be sure to click on the purple button that says "Basic." Otherwise, the site will default you to the paid "pro" version.
Got it? Good. Now click the "Make Widget" button.
4) Scroll through the various settings and play around with them until you like the way your widget looks. There are a lot of options to explore, and some of them are slightly hidden (e.g. the "edit settings" link next to "Posts" in the first box on the page).
5) Once you're satisfied, click the button that says "Save Blidget" at the top of the page. (If you went the "pro" route, you'll first have to click a button that says "Upgrade Now" -- then the "Save Blidget" button will appear.)
6) Follow the prompts to create a new account. (If you went "pro," you'll be prompted to put in your payment info before reaching the next step.)
7) Scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page and click the link that says "Get Blidget." Then, when the page refreshes, click the blue button with code symbols on it ("< / >").
That's it -- now just copy the code and paste it into the appropriate place on your blog or website and you'll be good to go.
(You're on your own with the code implementation; if you aren't sure how/where to paste code on your blog or website, you'll need to check with your hosting provider, webmaster, or friendly neighborhood geek for help.)
Enjoy!
So I found a way to make my own, pictured here and visible in action at jrstart.com. Here's how you can do the same:
1) First, you need an RSS feed of your Google+ posts. Google doesn't provide this automatically, but plenty of third-party services can help you set one up in a matter of seconds. I used a service called Pluss to make mine; just go tohttp://pluss.aiiane.com/ and follow the prompts to authenticate, then copy the feed URL it gives you.
2) Paste your new G+ feed URL into the box on the left side of this page: http://www.widgetbox.com/widgets/make?code=feed
3) Decide if you want to make a free widget or pay to make a "pro" widget. The free widget works fine but includes ads and fewer options than the "pro" version. A "pro" account costs four bucks a month or 30 bucks a year (see the "Widgets" tab onhttp://www.widgetbox.com/pricing).
If you want to make a free widget, be sure to click on the purple button that says "Basic." Otherwise, the site will default you to the paid "pro" version.
Got it? Good. Now click the "Make Widget" button.
4) Scroll through the various settings and play around with them until you like the way your widget looks. There are a lot of options to explore, and some of them are slightly hidden (e.g. the "edit settings" link next to "Posts" in the first box on the page).
5) Once you're satisfied, click the button that says "Save Blidget" at the top of the page. (If you went the "pro" route, you'll first have to click a button that says "Upgrade Now" -- then the "Save Blidget" button will appear.)
6) Follow the prompts to create a new account. (If you went "pro," you'll be prompted to put in your payment info before reaching the next step.)
7) Scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page and click the link that says "Get Blidget." Then, when the page refreshes, click the blue button with code symbols on it ("< / >").
That's it -- now just copy the code and paste it into the appropriate place on your blog or website and you'll be good to go.
(You're on your own with the code implementation; if you aren't sure how/where to paste code on your blog or website, you'll need to check with your hosting provider, webmaster, or friendly neighborhood geek for help.)
Enjoy!
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