One of the best ways to engage your readers is to offer a comment section that is robust. Although WordPress comes with a decent system out of the box, offering a few bells and whistles could inspire users to return. After all, you want people to come back to your website often. Here are 11 of the most engaging WordPress comment plugins you can add today.
1. Comments Evolved
Not everyone uses the same primary social media accounts. Comments Evolved provides a tabbed section that lets users choose which platform they prefer. For example, people can leave messages under Google+, Facebook, Disqus or WordPress.com all from your single post. This means people can use social accounts they are already signed into for commenting.
2. wpDiscuz
The wpDiscuz platform offers a wide range of additions such as post sharing to social media and Postmatic for subscription and comments by email. Users can vote on comments to further help someone who is looking for specific information. This system also incorporates anti-spam features to help keep your site clean.
3. Disqus
Disqus is a platform that goes beyond simple commenting. It has its own community, widgets and aggregates comments and social media mentions of the site. It’s a robust system with a wide range of tools such as spam filtering, whitelists, blacklists and RSS subscription options.
4. WidgetPack Comment System
If you want to add the social media element to your site, Widgetpack Comment System offers a wide range of features. Uploading images, comment voting, YouTube or Vimeo embedding and more give your posts a great deal of engagement. It also delivers Google Rich Snippets for ratings, which improves search engine optimization.
5. Comment Form Message
The Comment Form Message is a simple plugin that allows site owners to change the message of the comment section. What makes this one worth mentioning is that you can change each of the comment messages per post or page. This means it can be customized to fit the content. Each of these messages can include links, images or use one of the eye-catching icons included to inspire others to comment.
6. Facebook Comments WordPress
As approximately 90 percent of the adult population in the United States uses social media on a regular basis, it only makes sense to use it to your advantage on the site. Facebook Comments WordPress allows you to input those conversations into your posts without a great deal of hassle. It comes with an array of customization options which can help you fit it to your theme.
7. WordPress Comments Fields
When it comes to simple WordPress comment plugins, this one is effective and easy to use. WordPress Comments Fields delivers a drag-and-drop system that allows you to customize the message. For example, you could place a multiple-choice question as part of the reply from a guest. The Pro version offers a few extra tools such as file uploads, ratings and color picker input types.
8. WooDiscuz
For those who use the WooCommerce plugin for website sales, WooDiscuz can take product descriptions to a whole new level. Using a tabbed system, visitors can move from the description to reviews and discussions centered around the specific product. According to studies, reviews and comments on products can increase the likelihood of a sale. As a result, this may be greatly beneficial for boosting income.
9. WP Advanced Comment
If you want to add a few extra fields for further personal depth, WP Advanced Comment may be worth exploring. It utilizes a drag-and-drop interface so you can quickly create entry fields to customize the section. The Pro version also includes things like reCaptcha, Google Map, file upload and more.
10. Comments Leaderboard
Comments Leaderboard adds a layer of competition to your posts as comments are ranked by the amount of activity the visitor has on your site. For instance, someone who posts more than 100 comments per month will rank higher than someone who writes 10. This is a simple way to reward those who comment the most and remain engaged on the website.
11. Jetpack
Most WordPress websites come with the Jetpack plugin pre-installed. This system offers a large number of modules including boosts to the comment section. This one allows visitors to use WordPress.com, Twitter or Facebook accounts when commenting on your site. It helps reduce the amount of spam while allowing others to post a message by clicking their preferred method of login.
WordPress comment plugins take your posts to a greater level by offering a way to further engage the reader. Statistically speaking, websites that offer this sense of engagement perform better. Whether it’s eCommerce or a simple advice post, keeping the attention of visitors can have a profound impact on your site. Find the additions that work for your strategies and get more out of WordPress.
What do you do to engage your visitors in conversation? What kind of perks do you give your visitors?