JS-Kit Navigator Is A Win-Win Widget

JS-Kit , which I tested and reviewed back in October, has just released another fantastic tool for Web publishers called Navigator . As far as I know this is the first lightweight service of its kind designed to increase traffic and retention while simplifying content management for publishers.

Navigator essentially distills opinion and user behavior into a set of flexible views. The net effect of this is to allow visitors to access content based on their personal preferences. The new feature adds great flexibility for Web publishers to define the look and function of this useful addition to JS-Kit's ensemble of fine tools.

This service has actually been one of my favorites this year both in usability and looks. My original review simply covered comments, polls, and a few of the most prevalent “up front” aspects of JS. Now Navigator really adds a new dimension to the overall utility and possibility for users and Web publishers alike. Here are some of the dual benefits of Navigator:

Publisher Benefits

• Decreased bounce rates, increased page views and simplified content management

• Easy deployment in minutes rather than days or hours

• Viral distribution of content via “Grab It”

• Maximum run-time performance with full data backup

• Pre-designed web skins for seamless site integration

• Navigator is also cross-browser compatible

• Custom view building for publishers via Editor's Picks function

Visitor Benefits

• Dynamic personal browsing accessing a sites most popular, active or highlighted content

• Visitors can migrate any content from any JS-Kit supported site to their own

• Navigator also addresses attention stress and time saving issues

• Visitors will have a much more productive and enjoyable user experience

• Access to most popular objects weighted by user ratings via Top function

• Linking users to the most active objects via Hot function

• Embedding Navigator across the Web via “Grab It”

More Refined Widgets
JS-Kit, as I said previously, is a very cool and useful Web publisher tool. I am actually fairly surprised that we have not seen more simple but super efficient tools like this. The addition of navigator adds great potential to an already useful set of site enhancers. Perhaps the best thing about JSK's tools is that they are not simply gimmicky time wasters like so many widgets (eg. Facebook stuff) are.

JS-Kit has scheduled a continual upgrade set for Navigator in the coming weeks including support for object categories and views into JSK comments and reviews. I like the way this company has set about designing aesthetically pleasing and useful tools to enhance sites. This is not rocket science but then everything good does not have to be - the service adds value and the features do what users need them to do. I noticed a few glitches in code here and there, but nothing outside what we have seen in other widgets. I know the people at this company and they are very responsive to feedback and improvement. JS-Kit is a win-win for publishers and visitors alike.