Every content creator wants an audience, and a great way to engage with and retain that audience is by encouraging social commenting. However, politely asking readers to comment on your posts just isn’t enough — you need to make the process extremely convenient.
A Facebook comments plugin for your WordPress.com website lets site visitors join conversations using their existing Facebook accounts. So, they won’t be required to create new accounts to register with your site. There is an initial setup process, but it will ultimately introduce the social element that you need to engage audience members and convert them into loyal fans.
Step 1: become a Facebook developer
To become a Facebook developer, visit the Facebook for Developers website and create an account.
Step 2: create a Facebook app
Click on the “Create New App” button, give it a name, then click the “Create App ID” button.
Step 3: configure the app
Click the “Settings” link and select the “Basic” option. This will direct you to a screen with information about your app.
Scroll to the bottom of that page and you’ll notice an option to “+Add Platform.” Click this option, and you’ll be presented with a pop-up window containing more choices.
Select “Website” as your platform, then enter your site’s URL on the original page.
This completes the Facebook portion of the setup process. Be sure to take note of your App ID, save any changes, and head back to WordPress.com for the Facebook comments plugin installation.
Step 4: choose and configure a Facebook comments plugin
Lazy FB Comments, SEO Facebook Comments, WpDevArt Facebook comments — there are plenty of options to choose from, so select the one that best meets your needs and install it.
Once the installation is complete, the plugin will appear on your dashboard. This is where you will configure your WordPress.com blog or website using your Facebook App ID. Go to the plugin’s settings menu to add your App ID, and ensure that it’s set to display comments.
Integrate Facebook comments into your site
A Facebook comments plugin can encourage readers to comment on your site posts by allowing them to use existing credentials. But, remember that you won’t be notified when new comments are received in your WordPress.com dashboard. It’s important to regularly check and moderate your comments section from the Facebook app dashboard.
Using Facebook to manage your comments section can help to build a community around your brand. It can also make your content more social, possibly boosting site traffic by letting readers share their own comments to their respective Facebook pages.
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