You know how it is.
You spend hours crafting a killer blog post pouring your heart and soul into it.
Then you slap it online and… crickets.
You’re shouting into the void.
But wait there’s a way to change that.
Ready to level up your website game? 🚀 Stop shouting into the void and start building a real online community.
Share vs Follow: Making the Most of Your Site’s Social Buttons
Ready to level up your website game? 🚀 Stop shouting into the void and start building a real online community.
Think of it like a two-way street: Your website needs to engage with your audience on social media and your social media presence needs to draw people back to your site.
It’s a continuous cycle of growing your brand.
And the key to unlocking that potential? Those little social sharing buttons those “Share” and “Follow” icons that have been silently lurking on your site.
Understanding the Power of Sharing
Sharing buttons those gems that let your visitors spread the word are more than just clickable links.
They are your secret weapons for creating buzz and expanding your reach.
You’ve probably noticed that we’re all a bit obsessed with sharing these days and that’s a good thing for your website.
Why Share Buttons are Your Best Friends:
- Reach a Broader Audience: Forget trying to reach everyone yourself. Share buttons empower your visitors to become your marketing army. Let’s say you have a fantastic blog post about the latest trends in web design. By adding a simple “Share” button you’re opening the door for your readers to share it with their networks exposing your content to a whole new world of potential customers and followers.
- Boost Virality and Referrals: Ever heard of the saying “It takes a village”? Well the same applies to your website. The easier it is for people to share your content the more likely they are to do so. Think about it. Your audience has a network of friends colleagues and followers. By encouraging them to spread the word you’re not just reaching them but also tapping into their spheres of influence. The snowball effect is real.
- Customize Your Message: Forget about those generic “Share” posts that just slap your website link in there. With share buttons you have the power to craft a catchy message that hooks people’s attention.
- Make Your Content Shareable: Think about it. When you’re scrolling through your social media feed you’re more likely to click on a post that has a captivating caption a relevant image or a compelling quote. Share buttons let you tailor the message to each platform making your content even more enticing.
Think about a recent blog post I wrote about user experience (UX) design.
I included a share button with a short attention-grabbing quote from the article: “Creating a truly engaging UX isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about understanding the user’s needs and crafting a seamless experience.” It worked like magic! Suddenly my readers were sharing the post expanding my reach and generating tons of interest.
Harnessing the Power of Follow Buttons
Now while share buttons are all about spreading the word and attracting new visitors follow buttons play a crucial role in connecting with your existing audience and building a loyal community.
Think of them as your friendly neighborhood social media connectors.
They bridge the gap between your website and your social media profiles keeping your brand top of mind.
Follow Buttons: Why They Matter
- Cultivating a Loyal Following: Let’s face it even the most compelling content can get lost in the vast sea of the internet. Follow buttons are like friendly reminders. They give your readers a way to stay in touch with you even when they’re not visiting your website. It’s like saying “Hey keep up with what we’re doing! We’d love to have you on board.”
- Boosting Returning Traffic: Social media isn’t just for brand awareness; it’s a powerful tool for driving traffic back to your website. A follow button allows you to connect with your audience on different platforms and when you share exciting new content you can easily direct them back to your site.
- Creating Engaging Interactions: Follow buttons are all about building relationships. They encourage your audience to engage with your content participate in conversations and join the conversation. It’s like building a community around your brand fostering a sense of belonging and loyalty.
For example on my website I have a follow button that links to my YouTube channel.
When I share new videos about web design I can easily direct my followers to my website increasing engagement and generating new website visits.
How to Make the Most of Your Social Buttons
Now that we understand the power of share and follow buttons let’s talk about how to maximize their impact.
It’s not just about slapping them on your website and hoping for the best.
Strategic placement and design choices matter!
Optimize for Maximum Impact
- Choose the Right Pages: Not every page on your website deserves a “Share” button. Focus on pages with high-value content—think your most engaging blog posts informative landing pages or resources that your audience will want to share.
- Strategic Placement: Where you place your social buttons can make all the difference. Think about where your readers’ eyes naturally go. Popular options include the top or bottom of your content sidebars or even within the body of your blog posts. Remember the goal is to make it easy for readers to share without disrupting their flow.
- Design that Delights: Don’t just throw up any old social button! Choose icons that match your branding and website design. Ensure they are easy to find and visually appealing. If you’re using a plugin make sure it offers customization options so you can fine-tune their appearance.
- Make it Easy to Share: The more clicks it takes to share your content the less likely people are to do it. Go for the “one-click share” approach where a single click brings up the share window.
- Use Follow Buttons Wisely: While share buttons are selective follow buttons should be more ubiquitous. Place them in strategic locations where readers are likely to see them: sidebars footers “About” pages or even in call-to-action boxes.
The Art of Encouragement
- Don’t be Shy: Don’t be afraid to encourage your readers to share. Add a little “Share this with your friends” or “Spread the word” prompt near your share buttons.
- Track Your Results: You can’t improve what you don’t track. Use analytics tools to monitor the performance of your social buttons. See which pages get the most shares how many people are clicking on your follow buttons and make adjustments accordingly.
Conclusion
Social sharing buttons are your secret weapons for unlocking the full potential of your website.
They act as your silent marketing team amplifying your reach connecting with your audience and building a loyal community.
Remember it’s all about finding that perfect balance between encouraging sharing and building a strong lasting connection with your readers.
Think about how you can strategically use these powerful tools to boost your website’s visibility and engage with your audience like never before.
Now go forth and conquer the social media world!
Ready to level up your website game? 🚀 Stop shouting into the void and start building a real online community.