What is the WatchCount.com Widget?
The WatchCount.com Widget is for eBay sellers: it automatically displays your item's current Watch Count within the body of your listing. Here's an example Widget, using one of the available skins and default wording:
To see an example of a WatchCount.com Widget within a live eBay listing,
click here then scroll down to the item description area.
Sounds cool! How do I get it?
The WatchCount.com Widget is extremely quick and easy to install! It's
free, and there's nothing to download or install on your computer. Nor do you register for it, configure it (unless you wish to customize) or give out your email address to us.
Simply copy-paste the below HTML code into any or all eBay listings you'd like to have automatically display Watch Counts. (This is "simple HTML": no Javascript, no Flash, no Dynamic HTML, etc.)
That's it.
HTML Code for the WatchCount.com Widget:
Note: When you paste the above HTML code into your listings, make sure that you are using the HTML view in the eBay Sell Your Item form.
Why would I want to display my item's Watch Count publicly?
A listing's Watch Count can be thought of as a measure of item popularity within the eBay community. The Watch Count of an item accumulates when registered users actively click on one of the "Watch This Item" links in a listing, effectively making it a scoring metric of sorts — a vote.
Normally this figure is for sellers' eyes only, but you may want to entice shoppers and build interest in your item by revealing its Watch Count — how many registered eBay users have taken the time to flag the item for watching. The WatchCount.com Widget colorfully shows this number to them, which often grows throughout the course of the listing's duration, potentially increasing perceived value. (Know that you can configure the Widget to automatically hide itself for low Watch Counts.)
What can I expect from the Widget?
You can place the Widget HTML code anywhere in the item listing description you'd like. After you've done that, you're good to go.
Initially the Widget will likely be hidden for a time, until the listing reaches a certain eBay-defined "popularity threshold" (usually this is at the item's first bid). After that crossover point the Widget will automatically appear, revealing the item's current Watch Count in real-time. The number shown is the same figure you can see in your
My eBay page under the column "Number of Watchers".
If a user happens to add themselves as a watcher of that item (whether the Widget is visible or hidden), the Widget will accrue a +1 count after a few-minute delay. (Note that the Widget is
not a web page view/hit counter.)
The Widget will remain visible until the listing ends, when it then automatically disappears.
(Note that the Widget works best with Auction Format or in a Classified Ad, but not too well for Fixed Price or eBay Stores items.)
Also included alongside the Widget is a
Dynamic Watch This Item Link which encourages visitors to add the item to their Watch List — and automatically does so when clicked.
What else should I know?
If you have more questions about the WatchCount.com Widget, please have a peek at the
Widget FAQ. You may also want to cruise on over to our
Widget Customizations page to learn how to easily make certain alterations to the Widget to do things like: hide the Widget for low Watch Counts; choose a different skin; alter some colors; specify a custom informational message.
