How to Add an Amazon Widget to Your Blog

I’m an avid reader and love recommending books (and other resources) that have been helpful to me in my business. Reading a good business books on a regular basis is a fantastic way to stay creative, grow your knowledge base and move forward with your business.

Do you enjoy business books? Books related to your craft or area of expertise?

Last week I found a cool Amazon widget to add to my side bar. It allowed me to easily create a “bookshelf” of business books I recommend. I thought I’d share how I created and added it.

The Amazon widget allows me to easily recommend those books, showcase what I’ve been reading, and earn a small affiliate commission if any books are purchased through my widget.

Here’s how you can create your own:

Sign in to your Amazon account
If you aren’t already signed up for the Amazon Associates program you’ll need to create an account with them
Go to https://widgets.amazon.com/
Look for the “My Favorites” widget option and click the “Add to your Web page” button
Now you’ll get a page with a search box – search for the book or other item you want to recommend
When you see the item listed, click the “add product” button for it and it will be added to your widget list on the right side of the page
You can then choose to add comments (or just click “cancel” if you don’t want to comment)
Continue searching and adding the items you’d like to your widget
When you’re done click the yellow “Next Step” button
Now you can customize the title, size and design so choose the options you’d like
When you’re happy with the preview, click “Save” (so that you can come back and edit later without needing to create a whole new widget)
Then click the “Add to my Web page” button and a popup with some code will appear on your screen
Copy the code
In another window/tab login to your WordPress admin
Go to “Widgets” under “Appearance” on the left menu
Create a new text widget (drag it from the left widget boxes to your sidebar) and paste your code there
Save
You’re all set!

You can also copy and paste your code into a page or blog post (by going to the HTML view) and create a display like this:

What have you been reading lately? Anything great you want to share? I’d love it if you leave your suggestions in a comment – I’m always looking for good books to add to my “must read” list!

Comments

Joyce Hansen
Twitter: joycerhansen
says:

June 22, 2010 at 2:51 am

Michelle,

Thanks so much for the tip for Amzon.com reading recommendations.
I’ve been meaning to do this but haven’t had to the time to figure it out.
I’ll be back, you have some great posts. I also like your sidebard Michelle Shaeffer Training.
Nice touch.

- MichelleShaeffer
  Twitter: SmallBizMuse
  says:
  
  June 22, 2010 at 4:48 pm
  
  Thanks, Joyce!
  
Gonzalo J. Suárez
Twitter: gjsuap
says:

June 22, 2010 at 10:46 am

Hey Michelle!!

This is a win-win idea!! You give better content to your users, but also get commision on Amazon Sales on your site!

Thanks!!
Gonzalo J. Suárez\’s last blog ..Mexico either can

- MichelleShaeffer
  Twitter: SmallBizMuse
  says:
  
  June 22, 2010 at 4:48 pm
  
  Win-win is always good. :)
  
Michele Scism
Twitter: RUInspired
says:

June 28, 2010 at 2:06 pm

Awesome tip Michelle – Thank you! I totally agree with Gonzalo – it is a win-win! Great content which builds credibility and commissions which build your bank account.

Thanks,
Michele Scism
The Results Lady
Michele Scism\’s last blog ..How to Create Powerful Headlines