How to Add Social Share Buttons to Blog Posts

Social share buttons are essential for increasing your blog's visibility and engagement. They allow readers to easily share your content on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Pinterest, driving more traffic to your site. In this SEO-friendly guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to add social share buttons to your blog posts, whether you’re using WordPress, a custom website, or another platform.

Why Add Social Share Buttons?

Social share buttons enhance user experience and boost your blog’s reach. Here’s why they matter:

• Increase Traffic: Shared posts can attract new visitors from social media platforms.
• Improve SEO: Social signals may indirectly influence search engine rankings.
• Enhance Engagement: Readers are more likely to share content that’s easy to distribute.

Step-by-Step Guide to Adding Social Share Buttons

1. Choose a Social Sharing Solution

Select a tool or plugin that fits your platform and needs. Popular options include:

• WordPress Plugins: AddToAny, Social Warfare, or ShareThis.
• Custom Websites: AddThis, ShareThis, or custom-coded buttons using JavaScript.
• Static Sites: Lightweight scripts like Simple Share Buttons.

Consider factors like customization options, loading speed, and mobile responsiveness when choosing.

2. Install a Social Sharing Plugin (WordPress)

For WordPress users, plugins make the process simple:

• Install the Plugin:
  1. Go to your WordPress dashboard.
  2. Navigate to Plugins > Add New.
  3. Search for “AddToAny” or your preferred plugin.
  4. Click Install Now, then Activate.
• Configure Settings:
  1. Go to Settings > AddToAny (or your plugin’s settings).
  2. Choose which social platforms to include (e.g., Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn).
  3. Select button placement (e.g., above or below posts).
  4. Customize button style to match your site’s design.
• Test: Preview a blog post to ensure buttons display correctly.

3. Add Social Share Buttons to Custom Websites

For non-WordPress sites, you can use third-party scripts or custom code:

• Using AddThis or ShareThis:

  1. Sign up for an account on AddThis or ShareThis.
  2. Generate a code snippet for your chosen social platforms.
  3. Copy the code and paste it into your website’s HTML where you want buttons to appear (e.g., in the post template).
  4. Test the buttons to ensure they work across devices.

• Custom JavaScript Solution:
  Create buttons manually by linking to social platforms’ share URLs. For example:

  <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=YOUR_POST_URL&text=YOUR_POST_TITLE" target="_blank">Share on Twitter</a>
  <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=YOUR_POST_URL" target="_blank">Share on Facebook</a>
  

  Replace YOUR_POST_URL and YOUR_POST_TITLE with dynamic variables from your CMS or template.

4. Optimize for Performance

Social share buttons can slow down your site if not implemented correctly. Follow these tips:

• Use Asynchronous Loading: Ensure scripts load without blocking page rendering.
• Minimize Button Count: Include only the most relevant platforms to reduce clutter.
• Test Page Speed: Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to check for performance issues.

5. Make Buttons Mobile-Friendly

With mobile traffic dominating, ensure your buttons are:

• Responsive: Buttons should adjust to different screen sizes.
• Touch-Friendly: Use large, easy-to-tap buttons.
• Visible: Place buttons where mobile users can easily find them, like at the top or bottom of posts.

6. Track Sharing Analytics

Monitor how often your content is shared to gauge performance:

• Plugin Analytics: Many plugins like Social Warfare offer built-in analytics.
• Google Analytics: Track referral traffic from social platforms.
• Third-Party Tools: Use AddThis or ShareThis dashboards to view share counts.

Best Practices for Social Share Buttons

• Strategic Placement: Place buttons where readers are most likely to share, such as at the end of a post or in a floating sidebar.
• Clear Design: Use recognizable icons and brand colors for each platform.
• Call-to-Action: Add a subtle prompt like “Share this post!” to encourage sharing.
• SEO Optimization: Ensure your blog posts have meta tags (e.g., Open Graph for Facebook, Twitter Cards) for better share previews.

Adding social share buttons to your blog posts is a simple yet effective way to boost engagement and drive traffic. Whether you use a WordPress plugin, a third-party tool, or custom code, prioritize performance and user experience. By following this guide, you’ll make your content more shareable, helping it reach a wider audience.

Start implementing social share buttons today and watch your blog’s reach grow!