Google Labs has launched a widget (or gadget, as Google calls it) that lets users set up an online store powered by its Google Checkout online payment service. Sellers can embed a large version of the Google Checkout store gadget on their own website or on Google Sites - a free webhosting service - to act as the user's ecommerce store. Sellers may also embed a small version of the gadget on their blog or website.
Sellers must use a Google Docs spreadsheet, where they manage their inventory, and must have a Google Checkout seller account. They can then embed the online store anywhere.
According to Google, sellers can get their first online store up-and-running in under five minutes. A tutorial shows three examples of how sellers might use the widget.
