What Are Web Elements?

Associations often want to embed elements of the Cobalt portal in their association websites. This allows them to create a more seamless experience for their members.

Because of this, Cobalt has created "Widgetized" Embedded Web Elements.

Web Elements are a collection of portal pages or functions that can be embedded in another website. Some of these Elements are available to users without logging in, like the Member and Office Directory, while others aren't, like the Dashboard, Committees, and the portal Store. These were previously referred to as Widgets, a generic type of software comprising portable code intended for one or more different software platforms. In the Cobalt product, these are now referred to as Widgetized Web Elements or just Web Elements.

Associations may choose to use Widgetized Web Elements for one of two reasons:

1. To embed elements of the Cobalt portal into their Association website
2. To create custom elements that allow them to generate website functionality (like job boards or dynamic lists) without writing code or developing an application

Here are several examples:

• One association embedded the portal dashboard functionality in their website.

• Another association embedded the portal event calendar into their website.

• This association created a customized job board Web Element and embedded it on one of their website pages.

If you only want members to be able to log into the association website and the Cobalt portal with one set of credentials and have no interest in embedding portal elements into your website, Web Elements are unnecessary and you'll be satisfied by simply configuring SSO between the Cobalt portal and your website.

NOTE:

Due to the interrelationship of widgetized and standard portal code, an association may only have a standalone portal or a widgetized portal, not both. If you choose to embed Web Elements in your site, be sure to embed every portal element which you wish users to access.

With the Web Element Designer, any staff member or client can generate and pull the code snippets for Web Elements without the need for a developer. Read this this to learn how to access the designer. Read this to learn how to use the designer.