A feedback widget is the user interface component that enables in-app feedback collection—typically a button or tab that users click to submit feedback directly within your product. It's the technical implementation of in-app feedback.

Core Components

The trigger: Usually a button or tab (common text: "Feedback," "Report Bug," "Send Feedback") positioned somewhere consistent across your application.

The form: Opens when users click the trigger. Typically includes:

• Text area for feedback message
• Optional screenshot capture or upload
• Optional category selection (bug, feature, question)
• Submit button

The confirmation: After submission, users see acknowledgment that you received their feedback.

Optional: Response mechanism: Some widgets let you reply to users in-app, closing the feedback loop without email.

Where to Place It

Popular locations:

Bottom-right corner: Most common. Familiar to users, doesn't interfere with main UI.

Side tab: Sticks out from right or left edge. Always visible but subtle.

Help menu: Under a "?" or help icon. Less prominent but organized with other support options.

User menu: Dropdown from user profile. More hidden but logical location.

The best position depends on your interface design and where users expect to find it.

What Gets Captured Automatically

Good feedback widgets collect context without asking users:

Technical context:

• Current page URL
• Browser and version
• Operating system
• Screen resolution
• Console errors (if relevant)

User context:

• User ID and email
• Account type or plan
• Sign-up date
• Usage information

This context is crucial for debugging and understanding feedback. Users shouldn't have to manually provide it.

Screenshot Capability

The killer feature of modern feedback widgets is easy screenshot capture:

One-click screenshot: User clicks a button, the page becomes a screenshot tool, they highlight or annotate, and it's attached automatically.

Why it matters: "The button doesn't work" is vague. "The button doesn't work [screenshot showing exactly which button]" is actionable.

Users are much more likely to submit visual feedback when you make screenshots effortless.

Design Considerations

Visibility vs. intrusiveness: You want users to find the widget easily, but not so prominent that it clutters your UI.

Visual consistency: Match your product's design system. Jarring design breaks trust.

Mobile responsiveness: Feedback widget should work on all devices, not just desktop.

Loading performance: Widget should load asynchronously and not impact your product's performance.

Accessibility: Should be keyboard-navigable and screen-reader friendly.

Common Customization Options

Text and labels: Customize the trigger button text and form fields

Position: Choose where the widget appears

Color scheme: Match your brand

Conditional display: Show/hide based on user role or page

Categories: Let users tag feedback as bug, feature, question, etc.

Required fields: Make certain fields mandatory

Implementation Approaches

Third-party widget: Use a feedback tool's embeddable widget (fastest, most feature-rich)

Custom-built: Build your own widget (full control, more maintenance)

Hybrid: Use a headless feedback API with your own UI (balance of control and features)

For most teams, third-party widgets are the right choice. Building and maintaining a feedback widget is harder than it looks.

Popular Widget Features

Smart targeting: Show different messages based on user behavior

Language detection: Display widget in user's language automatically

Follow-up tracking: See when users submit feedback and when you respond

In-app responses: Reply to feedback and have it appear in-app next time user logs in

AI categorization: Automatically classify feedback type without asking users