# What are URL portlets?

| Definition | Related Help Topics | Additional Information |

## Definition

URL portlets display the contents of a Web page pointed to by a specified URL. For example, the portlet could display an external search engine or a news service. The contents are returned to the portlet in HTML format. If you want to want to display the contents of a Web page using XML, create an XML portlet.

To build a URL portlet, you must first either create a new URL Services Provider or open an exisitng one in the mid-tier Navigator. After you open the provider, click Create New URL Portlet at the top of the Navigator. This starts a wizard that will guide you through the steps for building the portlet, which include providing a URL to the content you want to display.

### Notes

- URL portlets cannot point to Web content requiring the use of cookies.

## Related Help Topics

### Concepts:

- What are XML portlets?

### Next Steps:

## Additional Information

### On Portal Center:

- For more information go to the documentation section of Portal Center.