Understanding account context and saved widget management is crucial for developers working with client Wix sites. This guide explains the relationship between Buying Buddy accounts, saved widgets, and authorized domains.
For the basics of saved widgets and the id:1234 reference used in Wix, see Using Saved Widgets on your Wix Website.
Understanding Account Context
Critical Concept: Saved widgets must exist in the same Buying Buddy account as the website where they will be used. This is a fundamental security and authorization requirement.
How Saved Widget Authorization Works
Every widget created with the Widget Wizard is saved with an ID. In Wix, a widget uses a saved widget when its Widget Filter field contains the ID in the form id:1234 (exactly, with no spaces).
When you create saved widget 1234 that you want to use on realestatepro.com, that saved widget must exist in the client's Buying Buddy account (not your developer account). Saved widget 1234 will only function on websites authorized in that specific account.
Conversely, any saved widgets you create in your developer account will only work on the authorized Wix websites shown in your developer dashboard.
MLS Data Context
Only the client's Buying Buddy account will display their MLS search forms in the Widget Wizard. When you create widgets in your developer account, the Wizard uses demonstration MLS data fields instead of live MLS data.
Understanding Authentication Context
Understanding how authentication works in different contexts prevents confusion and ensures you're working in the correct account:
Wix Editor Wizard Access
- Automatic Authentication: Uses Wix website instance ID and domain name
- Always Connects To: The client's account that owns the website
- Independent Of: Your current Buying Buddy login status
- Cannot Connect To Wrong Account: The authentication is domain-specific
Menu Links from Wix App Dashboard
- Follows Your Login: Takes you to whichever Buying Buddy account you're logged into
- Potential Issue: May not be the client's account
- Solution: Always verify you're in the correct account after clicking menu links
Direct Buying Buddy Dashboard Access
- Manual Login Required: You must specifically log into the client's account
- Full Control: Complete access to edit saved widgets
- Domain Context: Only affects websites authorized in that specific account
Two Methods for Creating and Editing Saved Widgets
Method 1: Working Directly in the Wix Editor
When to use: For quick widget creation
Account Access: The Wix Editor has a direct connection with the client's Buying Buddy account, so you do not need to be logged into the client's Buying Buddy account separately.
How the Connection Works: The connection is established using the Wix instance ID and domain name to automatically authenticate with the associated Buying Buddy account. This makes it virtually impossible to connect to the wrong account when using the Wizard from the Wix Editor.
This authentication is completely separate and independent of whether you are logged into any Buying Buddy account - it's a direct, automatic connection with the account that owns the website.
Steps for Wix Editor Method:
- Open the Wix Editor for the client website (e.g., realestatepro.com)
- Access the Buying Buddy Wix App Dashboard
- Click the Wizard button to create a new widget
- Complete the widget configuration, then enter a Label and Description and save. The widget is saved in the client's account.
- On the final panel, click Add Widget to Wix Home Page. The widget is added to the home page with its
id:1234already in the Widget Filter field. Cut and paste it to the page where it belongs.
Important Limitation: The Buying Buddy Wix App Dashboard does not currently provide methods to edit saved widgets through this interface. To edit an existing saved widget, use Method 2.
Important: Understanding Menu Link Behavior
Potential Confusion: While the Wizard automatically connects to the client's account, menu links within the Wix App Dashboard will take you to whichever Buying Buddy account you are currently logged into.
Example Scenario: You are logged into your Developer Buying Buddy account and editing the client's Wix site:
- In the Wix Editor:
- Using the Wizard creates and saves widgets in the client's account (correct behavior)
- Widgets get added to the client's website homepage automatically
- However, clicking menu items takes you to your developer account dashboard
- In Your Developer Account Dashboard:
- Any actions here apply to your developer domains only
- Nothing created here affects the client's website
Best Practice: Pay close attention to which account context you're working in when navigating away from the Wizard interface.
Method 2: Working from the Buying Buddy Account Dashboard
When to use: For editing saved widgets, advanced widget management, and full control of widget settings
Account Access Required: You must be logged into the correct Buying Buddy account to access the tools for creating and editing saved widgets.
Steps for Dashboard Method:
- Login Process:
- First, login to your Developer Account
- Then, navigate to and login to the client's account (e.g., for client "Sarah Johnson")
- Create New Content:
- Use to create and save new widgets
- In the Wix Editor, enter the new widget's ID (e.g.,
id:1234) in the Widget Filter field of the widget where it should be used
- Edit Existing Content:
- Go to
- Locate the saved widget ID you want to modify (e.g.,
1234) and click its edit icon - Make your changes with the Wizard, or manually (manual edits are not checked for errors), and save
- Refresh the client's website to see the updates applied - no change in Wix is needed
Practical Workflow Examples
Creating a New Widget for Client Site
Scenario: You need to add a new property search widget to your client's homepage.
- Open the Wix Editor for your client's website
- Click on an existing Buying Buddy widget and select "Manage"
- In the App Dashboard, click "Widget Wizard"
- Configure your widget settings:
- Choose widget type (Quick Search, Property Grid, etc.)
- Set MLS criteria and filters
- Configure layout options
- Enter a descriptive Label and save
- On the final panel, either:
- Use the "Add Widget" tab and click Add Widget to Wix Home Page, or
- Use the "Update Existing Widget Filter" tab to copy the
id:1234value and enter it in an existing widget's Widget Filter field
Editing an Existing Saved Widget
Scenario: A widget on the client's site uses id:1234 and needs to be updated with different search criteria.
- Login to the correct account:
- Access your Developer Portal
- Navigate to the client's account
- Login to their Buying Buddy dashboard
- Edit the saved widget:
- Navigate to
- Locate saved widget
1234and click its edit icon - Make your required changes with the Wizard
- Save the updated widget
- Verify the changes:
- Refresh the client's website
- Every widget using
id:1234will automatically display the updated criteria
Alternative Method: Replace the Saved Widget ID
Instead of editing a saved widget, you can create a new one and point the Wix widget to it. This is useful when the same ID is used on several pages and only one page should change, or when an older widget still holds full filter text instead of an ID.
- Create a new saved widget:
- Use the Widget Wizard to create and save the widget
- Copy the
id:1234value from the "Update Existing Widget Filter" tab
- Apply to the existing widget:
- In the Wix Editor, click the widget and select "Settings"
- Click the "Settings" tab to show the Widget Filter field
- Delete the existing contents and paste the new ID
- Close the Settings panel to save
Navigation Quick Reference
In Wix Editor: Click any Buying Buddy widget → Manage → Widget Wizard
In Client's Buying Buddy Account: (create new) or (edit existing)
Widget Settings in Wix: Click widget → Settings → Settings tab → Widget Filter field (contains id:1234)
Common Troubleshooting Scenarios
Saved Widget Not Working on Client Site
Issue: A widget using id:1234 displays no properties or shows an error
Solution:
- Verify the saved widget exists in the client's Buying Buddy account (not your developer account)
- Check the Widget Filter field contains only the ID, exactly as
id:1234with no spaces - If the saved widget was edited manually, open it with the Wizard to check for errors - manual edits are not validated
- Check that the website domain is authorized in the client's account
- Ensure you're logged into the correct account when editing saved widgets
Wizard Shows Demo Data Instead of Client MLS
Issue: Widget Wizard displays demonstration MLS fields instead of client's actual MLS options
Solution:
- Ensure you're working in the client's Buying Buddy account, not your developer account
- Verify the client's account has completed MLS approval and activation
- Use the Wix Editor method if possible, as it connects directly to the client's account
Best Practices for Wix Development
- Plan Your Account Access: Determine whether you need to work in the Wix Editor or the Buying Buddy dashboard before starting
- Use Descriptive Labels: Give every saved widget a clear Label and Description in the Wizard that says what it shows and where it is used, such as "Home Page - Downtown Condos"
- Prefer Saved Widget IDs: Use
id:1234in Wix rather than full filter text, so future changes can be made from the Buying Buddy dashboard without opening the Wix Editor - Remember Shared IDs: Editing a saved widget changes every widget that uses its ID
- Test After Changes: Always refresh the client's website to verify updates have been applied correctly
- Client Communication: Inform clients when you make widget changes that might affect their website's property displays
Related Resources
Need Additional Help?
If you encounter issues not covered in this guide, please submit a help ticket with the following information:
- Client's website URL
- Saved widget ID or widget location causing issues
- Screenshots of any error messages
- Steps you've already attempted to resolve the issue
Our technical support team will be pleased to help with any specific scenarios or advanced configuration requirements.