Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Why Social Share Buttons Are Important
- Types of Social Share Buttons
- Adding Social Share Buttons to Your Website
- Advanced Social Share Button Features
- Best Practices for Social Share Buttons
- Conclusion
- FAQ
Introduction
Imagine this: a potential customer lands on your eCommerce website and is wowed by your product offerings. They think, "Wow, I need to share this with my friends!" But wait—how can they do that easily? That's where social share buttons come into play. These handy tools allow users to share your content on their social networks with just a single click, amplifying your reach like wildfire. In a world where social media is a critical part of the marketing puzzle, social share buttons are your secret weapon.
In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the concept of social share buttons. You'll learn what they are, how they function, and the tangible benefits they bring to your eCommerce website. Plus, we'll guide you through the steps to add these buttons to your website effectively. With this knowledge, you're not just increasing your social media presence—you’re optimizing your website for maximum engagement and visibility.
So, let's get started on making your site more shareable and, as a result, more successful!
Why Social Share Buttons Are Important
Social share buttons do so much more than decorate your web pages. They serve as avenues for word-of-mouth marketing in the digital age. Here are some compelling reasons why you should consider incorporating them:
Extended Reach
Social share buttons enable your content to reach a larger audience through your existing visitors. When users share your products or blog posts, it shows up on their timelines and feeds, potentially attracting their friends and followers to your website.
Improved SEO
Online engagement, including sharing content on various platforms, contributes to your SEO ranking. The more your content is shared, the more Google sees it as valuable and relevant, pushing your website up in search engine results.
Increased Traffic
Social share buttons can drive more traffic to your website. A single share can attract dozens of visitors, especially if done by someone with a large follower base on social media.
Types of Social Share Buttons
Before diving into the installation process, it’s crucial to understand the types of social share buttons available. Most platforms offer similar features, but the reach and engagement can vary based on your target audience.
Like/Share Buttons
These buttons are ubiquitous across social media platforms. They allow users to share a piece of content from your site directly to their social profiles with minimal effort. For example, a Facebook Share button not only boosts your content’s reach but also integrates seamlessly with their interface.
Follow Buttons
Although not the main focus, having follow buttons prominently displayed can also help increase your social media followers. However, remember that these are different from share buttons.
Adding Social Share Buttons to Your Website
Adding social share buttons to your website is a straightforward process, which can usually be done through a few lines of code or with the help of third-party services. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it for both product pages and blog posts.
Adding Buttons to Product Pages
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Choose the Social Platforms: Decide which social media platforms are most relevant to your audience. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest are common choices.
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Get the HTML Code: Most social media platforms offer a share button generator. For example, Facebook's Share Button can be created at their developers page.
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Insert the Code: Place the HTML code in the section of your product pages where you want the buttons to appear. This is usually somewhere near the product description or below the product image.
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Customize the Appearance: Use CSS to style the buttons to match your website’s design.
Adding Buttons to Blog Pages
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Select the Platforms: Again, choose the platforms that will be beneficial to your blog audience.
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Generate the Code: Use the respective social media button generators to get the necessary HTML snippets.
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Insert the Code: Add these snippets to the header or footer of your blog template, depending on where you want them to be displayed.
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Style the Buttons: Ensure the share buttons are consistent with your website’s look and feel.
Advanced Social Share Button Features
If you need more control over the appearance and functionality of your social share buttons, consider using a third-party service like ShareThis.
How to Use ShareThis
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Create an Account: Sign up for a free account on ShareThis.
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Choose the Buttons: Select the social media buttons you want to add to your site.
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Customize the Display: You can specify how and where you want the buttons to appear on your website.
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Obtain the Code: After customization, ShareThis will provide you with two pieces of code.
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Insert the Code: Add these code snippets to your website's HTML, where you want the buttons to appear.
Best Practices for Social Share Buttons
To maximize the efficiency of social share buttons, follow these best practices:
Placement
Put share buttons in easily accessible places. For product pages, position them near the product image or description. For blog posts, place them at the beginning, end, or along the side as a floating sidebar.
Design
Ensure the buttons fit within your website's design theme. Consistent aesthetics improve user experience and make the buttons more inviting.
Functionality
Test the buttons to ensure they work perfectly across all devices. Mobile-friendliness is critical as a significant portion of users access social media from their phones.
Analytics
Use analytics to track the performance of your social share buttons. This data can provide insights into which platforms are most effective and help you optimize your social media strategy.
Conclusion
Adding social share buttons to your eCommerce website is a simple yet effective way to boost your reach, improve SEO, and drive more traffic. By understanding the different types of buttons available and following best practices for implementation, you can turn your website into a highly shareable online destination.
FAQ
Can I add social share buttons without coding?
Yes, many CMS platforms like WordPress offer plugins that can add social share buttons without any coding.
Will social share buttons slow down my website?
If implemented properly, social share buttons should not significantly impact your website's performance. However, always test for load times after adding new elements.
How can I track the effectiveness of my social share buttons?
Most social media platforms offer analytics tools that can track shares, clicks, and engagement rates. Utilize these tools to monitor and optimize your strategy.
