Kaizen #163 - Extension Widgets in Zoho CRM

Kaizen #163 - Extension Widgets in Zoho CRM



Hello Developers! 

Welcome back to a new week of Kaizen.

This week, we are diving into the significance, types, and practical uses of Extension Widgets in Zoho CRM. It helps in boosting business efficiency and creating customized CRM experiences.

What is an Extension Widget?

 An Extension Widget is a customizable User Interface (UI) element that can be integrated into applications for operational efficiency and enhance user experience. It allows you to embed unique functionalities within the Zoho CRM environment, streamlining operations and facilitating seamless interaction. 

While Zoho CRM offers standard widgets, extension widgets add another layer of flexibility to the customization and integration. It allows businesses to extend CRM functionalities to align with specific business requirements. This distinction allows organizations to tailor their Zoho CRM experience more closely to their specific requirements and workflows. 

Extension Widget Types

Extension widgets are available in various types designed to suit diverse business needs. Here are the extension widget types available for integration, each configured within the respective sections of Zoho Developer Console:
  1. Business Card
  2. Custom Button
  3. Custom Actions
  4. Related List
  5. Settings
  6. Telephony
  7. Web Tab
Refer to this help document to learn more about setup and configuration details. 

Among these, the Custom Button, Related List, and Web Tab widgets serve similar purposes as the native widgets of Zoho CRM. Below, we’ll explore the remaining widget extension types, its specific functionalities, and some of the most effective use cases for each.

Telephony Widget

The Telephony Widget Extension allows users to embed telephony services directly within the application's interface. It enables seamless communication by integrating voice calling capabilities, allowing sales and support teams to make and receive calls without leaving the Zoho CRM environment.

Streamlined Communication: Users can effortlessly make calls directly from Leads or Contacts module records with a single click, reducing the need to switch between applications. 

Automatic Call Logging: It can automatically log call details, including duration and outcomes, under the relevant record, saving time on manual entries.

Enhanced Customer Interactions: Users can easily access the customer information, previous interactions, and notes in real-time within the particular record. 

With all these key-benefits, this extension widget type can help you in the following scenarios:
  1. Sales representatives can use the telephony widget to make outbound calls directly from lead records.
  2. Support agents can handle customer inquiries efficiently by accessing relevant customer history during calls. 
  3. Sales managers can make use of the call analytics to evaluate team performance and implement targeted training programs.

Settings Widget

The Settings Extension Widget allows users to manage configuration settings for extensions integrated into Zoho CRM. This widget provides a centralized interface where users can define how external data sources interact with Zoho CRM, ensuring seamless integration and functionality.

Data Mapping and Configuration: Users can specify how data from third-party applications should be mapped to fields within Zoho CRM. This is particularly useful when creating records using data from external sources. 

User-Friendly Interface: It features an intuitive interface that guides users through the setup process, reducing the complexity often associated with configuring integrations.

Following are a few scenarios where this type of widget can be effectively used:
  1. With the settings panel, you can easily configure rules and conditions for automating lead assignments or triggering tasks when records are created through any extension.
  2. By using the common settings panel, categorize imported leads with specific tags to help sales and marketing teams filter and prioritize leads from various sources.

Business Card Widget 

The Business Card Widget Extension allows users to display and manage contact information in a visually appealing format. This widget enhances the user experience by providing a quick overview of important details related to records within Zoho CRM.

Improved User Experience: It provides an intuitive interaction with CRM data. Users can easily locate and view record details, which enhances productivity during customer interactions.

Quick Access to Information: Users can customize the fields displayed in the Business Card Widget according to their business needs. This flexibility ensures that the most relevant information is readily available during calls or meetings.

Customization Options: Users can have infographic elements to the business card widget summarizing the history of a particular record, which makes the sales team to make informed decisions. 

Following are a few scenarios where you can use Business Card Widget Extensions in Zoho CRM:
  1. Support agents can utilize the Business Card Widget to view customer details while addressing inquiries or issues. It can help in quicker resolutions and better service.
  2. Sales teams can display infographics or progress indicators related to a client’s journey or project status. This can help them track milestones and engage customers based on their status.

Custom Actions Widget 

The Custom Actions Widget Extension allows users to create personalized actions that can be executed within the Zoho CRM environment. This extension leverages the Deluge Functions and helps users define custom workflows and automate tasks.

A few use cases where you can find this widget type useful are listed here.
  1. Custom actions defined in the widget can help users automate workflows and handle complex workflow rules. 
  2. When working with real-time updates, Deluge functions help keep CRM data in sync by running background tasks that update records. 
We hope you found this post beneficial and engaging!

We will meet you next Friday with another useful topic to discuss. If you have any queries, reach out to us at support@zohocrm.com or let us know in the comments section. 

Cheers! 

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