If you have a WordPress website, you already know that social media is a great way to connect with customers. But did you know you can use it right on your website to grow your audience? That’s where Social Share and “Follow Me” buttons come in!
These buttons may look similar, but they serve different purposes. Using both on your website can help your business gain more visibility, engagement, and followers.
So, what’s the difference? In short, Social share buttons encourage visitors to spread your content, while “Follow Me” buttons make it easy for people to connect with you on social media. Keep reading, and I’ll explain what each button does, why it is important, and how you can easily add them to your WordPress site.
Social Media in Your Small Business
Social media is a powerful and affordable tool for small businesses. Here are a few reasons why you should be posting on social media:
1) Reach More People: Millions of people use social media daily. Social media like Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn can help you reach more potential customers.
2) Low-Cost Marketing: Social media is one of the cheapest ways to market your business. Creating a profile is free; even paid ads cost less than most traditional advertising.
3) Build Trust with Customers: Sharing helpful content and talking directly with your audience builds trust. People are more likely to buy from businesses they feel connected to.
4) Drive Traffic to Your Website: Social media is great for sharing your blog posts, products, or promotions. This brings people back to your website, where they can learn more about what you offer.
5) Get Feedback: Social media is a great place to hear from your customers. You can answer questions, solve problems, and learn what they like or dislike about your business.
Using social media wisely can help your business grow. Be sure to understand the social media platforms and where your target audience is hanging out. “Share” buttons and “follow-me” icons can boost your social media efforts.
Video: The Difference Between “Share This” and “Follow Me”
Watch this short video that explains the difference:
Social Share Buttons Explained
What Are They?
“Social Share” are small buttons on your website that allow visitors to share your content on a particular social media platform. For example, suppose you’ve written a great article that a visitor wants to share with friends and colleagues who may find it interesting. Now, she can click a button to share it on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest.
This helps spread the word about your business, and it’s a lot easier than sending a link via email, especially if you want to share it with many people.
Why Use Them?
- Bring More Visitors: When people share your content, their friends and followers see it. This can bring new visitors to your website.
- Get More Engagement: The more your content is shared, the more people will engage with it. They will like it, comment on it, and share it.
- Build Your Reputation: Sharing content shows it is valuable or interesting. This builds your brand’s credibility.
Where Do You Put Them?
Social share buttons are usually placed at the top or bottom of blog posts or pages. Sometimes, website owners add them to a sidebar widget or footer. You want them in spots where people are most likely to share your content.
Example: Social share buttons at the bottom of each page on this website:
Example: Social share buttons at the bottom of each blog post on this website:
How To Add Social Share Buttons
Adding these buttons to your WordPress site is simple. You don’t need to know any code to do it! Here are some easy ways to add them using a few plugins:
1) AddToAny Share Buttons
By micropat
AddToAny is a popular plugin with over 300,000 installations. You can choose from many social networks and change the buttons to match your site’s design. It’s easy to use and offers many customization options, making it a top choice for adding share buttons to your WordPress site. Learn more here: https://wordpress.org/plugins/add-to-any/
2) Social Media Share Buttons & Social Sharing Icons
By Inisev
This plugin lets you add stylish social media buttons to your WordPress site. It’s easy to use, with options to customize the icons, change their styles, and even add animation effects. This plugin is popular because it’s lightweight, beginner-friendly, and supports multiple social platforms. Plus, it gives you complete control over how and where the buttons appear on your site! Learn more here: https://wordpress.org/plugins/ultimate-social-media-icons/
3) Social Sharing Plugin – Sassy Social Share
By Heateor Support
Sassy Social Share has a simple setup, and visitors can quickly share your content on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. It’s popular because it offers many customization options, works smoothly on different devices, and doesn’t slow down your site. Plus, it’s free and supports over 100 social networks! https://wordpress.org/plugins/sassy-social-share/
“Follow Me” Buttons Explained
What Are They?
“Follow Me” buttons are different from social share buttons. These buttons help people find and follow your social media profiles. They do not share your content. Clicking a “follow me” button takes users to your social media page. There, they can choose to follow you.
Why Use Them?
- Grow Your Followers: The more followers you have on social media, the more people will see your updates, promotions, and posts.
- Stay Connected: Followers are more likely to become repeat customers because they see your business updates regularly.
- Direct Communication: More followers mean more chances to talk directly to your audience, get feedback, or answer questions.
Where Do You Put Them?
“Follow Me” buttons work best in visible places. The website header, footer, or sidebar is ideal. This way, they are always visible, no matter which page the visitor is on.
Example: Follow Me buttons at the bottom of my About page:
Example: Follow Me buttons in the footer of the main page of this website:
How to Add “Follow Me” Buttons
Many of the themes I teach—like Ashe, Hestia, and Divi—come with built-in “Follow Me” social icons, allowing you to add them to your top menu or footer easily. If you’re using a popular theme, you probably won’t need a plugin.
The process for adding “Follow Me” buttons varies by theme, so be sure to check your theme’s settings or documentation.
If your theme doesn’t include this feature, you can use a plugin like Superb Social Media Share Buttons and Follow Buttons
Or the Monarch plugin from Elegant Themes.
Final Thoughts on Social Share Buttons vs. “Follow Me” Buttons
Social share and “Follow me” buttons each serve a purpose in growing your online presence. Share buttons help visitors spread your content, increasing your reach, while “Follow me” buttons connect them to your social media, building a loyal audience.
Place them wisely—near blog posts for sharing and in the header, footer, or sidebar for following—to make them more effective. Use both to engage visitors, expand your reach, and strengthen your online community!
Remember, the right tools, used in the right way, can help your business grow!
Do this in the “Easy Blogging in WordPress” Workshop!
