How To Add Social Share Buttons To WordPress

Social share buttons make it easier for website visitors to share articles and pages with other people through social media platforms. They provide a convenient way to distribute website content without requiring visitors to copy and paste links manually.

For WordPress website owners, adding social share buttons can help increase content visibility, encourage visitors to share useful information and attract more people to the website. These buttons can be placed in different areas of a website, including above or below blog posts and alongside article content.

There are different ways to add social share buttons to WordPress. One of the easiest methods is to use a plugin, which allows website owners to add sharing options without editing theme files or writing code.

Why Add Social Share Buttons to WordPress?

Social share buttons provide visitors with a simple way to share website content on their preferred platforms.

Some benefits include:

• Easier content sharing: Visitors can share articles without copying the page URL manually.
• Increased content visibility: Shared articles can reach people who may not have visited the website before.
• More referral traffic: People who click shared links can visit the original website.
• Better content distribution: Readers can share useful information across their social networks.
• Improved visitor experience: Sharing options make it easier for visitors to recommend content to others.

However, adding social share buttons does not automatically increase website traffic. Their effectiveness depends on content quality, audience interest and how easily visitors can access the sharing options.

How to Add Social Share Buttons to WordPress Using a Plugin

Using a WordPress plugin is a straightforward way to add social share buttons to a website. Several plugins provide customisation options, allowing website owners to choose social platforms, button styles and display positions.

Follow these steps to add social share buttons using a plugin:

1. Log in to the WordPress Dashboard

Open the WordPress administration area and sign in with an account that has permission to install plugins.

2. Navigate to Plugins

From the dashboard menu, select Plugins and click Add New Plugin. This opens the WordPress plugin directory, where available plugins can be searched.

3. Search for a Social Sharing Plugin

Enter a relevant search term, such as social share buttons, in the plugin search box.

Some plugins to consider include:

• Sassy Social Share: Provides social sharing buttons for different platforms with customisation options.
• Social Media Share Buttons & Social Sharing Icons: Offers different social media icons and display options.
• AddToAny Share Buttons: Provides sharing buttons for multiple social networks and messaging services.

Check the plugin's features, compatibility, reviews and update history before choosing one.

4. Install and Activate the Plugin

After selecting a suitable plugin, click Install Now and wait for the installation to finish.

Click Activate to enable the plugin on the website.

5. Configure the Sharing Settings

After activation, open the plugin's settings page from the WordPress dashboard.

Depending on the plugin, the available options may include:

• Social media platforms to display.
• Button styles and sizes.
• Button colours and layouts.
• Sharing button positions.
• Floating or fixed sharing buttons.
• Display options for posts and pages.

Select the social networks relevant to the website's audience. Avoid displaying too many buttons, as an overcrowded sharing area can affect the appearance of the page.

6. Choose Where the Buttons Should Appear

Most social sharing plugins allow website owners to choose where the buttons appear.

Common display positions include:

• Before the article content.
• After the article content.
• Both before and after the content.
• Alongside the article as floating buttons.

Choose a position that makes the buttons easy to find without interfering with the reading experience.

7. Save the Settings

After making the necessary changes, click Save Changes or the equivalent option provided by the plugin.

Open a published article to check whether the social share buttons appear correctly.

How to Add Social Share Buttons Without a Plugin

It is also possible to add social share buttons to WordPress without installing a plugin. This method involves using social sharing URLs and adding the necessary HTML and CSS code to the website.

However, it requires some knowledge of website development and may involve editing theme files or using a suitable custom code area.

For most beginners, using a plugin is easier to manage. It also reduces the need to maintain custom sharing code whenever website requirements change.

Best Practices for Adding Social Share Buttons

Adding social share buttons is not just about making them available on a website. Their placement and appearance can also affect how visitors interact with them.

Consider these practices:

Choose Relevant Social Platforms: Include platforms that are useful to the website's target audience rather than displaying every available social network.

Use Clear Button Designs: Choose recognisable icons and suitable colours so visitors can identify the sharing options easily.

Avoid Too Many Buttons: Displaying too many sharing options can make the article look cluttered. Keep the selection simple and relevant.

Check Mobile Display: Make sure the buttons fit properly on smaller screens and do not cover important content.

Test Sharing Links: Click the buttons to confirm that they open the correct sharing service and include the intended article URL.

Monitor Website Performance: Some social sharing plugins load additional scripts. Check their effect on website loading speed and remove unnecessary features.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which is the best social sharing plugin for WordPress?

Sassy Social Share, AddToAny and Social Media Share Buttons & Social Sharing Icons are popular options.

2. Can I add social share buttons to WordPress without a plugin?

Yes. You can add them using custom HTML and CSS.

3. Where should I place social share buttons on WordPress?

You can place them above or below article content or alongside posts as floating buttons.

4. Do social share buttons improve WordPress website traffic?

Yes. They can attract referral traffic when visitors share website content on social media.

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