> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.itellico.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Widget Share Links

> Create hosted widget demo links so people can try the full widget before you embed it on your site

Widget share links let you send a hosted version of a widget to teammates, customers, or reviewers before you publish the widget on a live website.

**Access:** Open a widget in the [Widget Configuration](/manage/web-widgets/configuration) editor, then open the **Share** tab.

## Save First

The Share tab is available only after you create and save the widget.

If you just started a new widget, complete the first save first, then return to **Share**.

## Create a Share Link

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Share tab">
    In the widget editor, open **Share**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create a link">
    Click **Create Link**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set optional controls">
    Add an optional name, set an expiry date, and add a maximum number of demos if you want limited access.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Copy and send">
    Copy the generated link and send it to the reviewer.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## What Reviewers See

The link opens a hosted page that loads the widget outside your website.

Reviewers can experience the widget according to its current configuration, including:

* voice, chat, or both
* widget text and labels
* layout and branding choices
* privacy and trust settings that are visible in the widget

This is useful when you want feedback on the full visitor experience before you publish embed code.

## Manage Existing Links

The Share tab includes a link table for existing share links.

The table shows:

* **Name**
* **Created**
* **Expires**
* **Demos**
* **Actions**

From the actions menu you can:

* edit the name
* change the expiry date
* change the maximum number of demos
* open the link
* delete the link

## Share Links vs Export

Use the two tabs for different jobs:

* **Share** is for hosted preview links
* **Export** is for production embed code

If someone only needs to review the widget, use **Share**. If the widget is ready to go live on your website, use **Export**.

## Best Practices

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Use share links for sign-off" icon="check">
    Send a hosted preview to marketing, compliance, or clients before you place the embed code on a live site.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Set expiry for external reviews" icon="clock">
    Temporary links are easier to control than permanent open-ended previews.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Keep one link per review round" icon="layer-group">
    Create separate links for brand review, legal review, or customer approval so you can track and manage each one cleanly.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="I do not see the Share tab content yet" icon="floppy-disk">
    Save the widget first. Share links are available only after the widget has a saved record.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="The reviewer says the link stopped working" icon="link-slash">
    The link may have expired or been deleted. Open the Share tab, check the link status, and create a new one if needed.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I need a production install, not a hosted preview" icon="code">
    Use the **Export** tab instead of **Share** to get the embed code for your website.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Widget Configuration" icon="sliders" href="/manage/web-widgets/configuration">
    Review the rest of the widget editor, including Setup, Privacy, and Export
  </Card>

  <Card title="Web Widget Deployment" icon="rocket" href="/launch/web-widget-deployment">
    Move from hosted preview to production website launch
  </Card>

  <Card title="Trust Center" icon="shield-check" href="/manage/trust-center/overview">
    Review the public trust experience shown alongside your widget
  </Card>
</CardGroup>