Is your content getting shared? If not, your website may lack social optimisation and the tools needed for readers to interact and share your messaging.

Optimising your website for social sharing

Although paid advertising and SEO will always be integral to most marketing strategies, there’s nothing better than your content getting shared by word-of-mouth on your followers’ social media channels.

Take a look at these tips to give your content the boost it deserves.

1. Create content that people want to share

Although not technical, it should be at the top of every content creator’s list. If you don’t invest your time, effort and/or money into content that’s worth reading, then nobody will visit your site to read it and share it with their network.

Even if you have all the SEO tools in the world, you won’t be able to save bad content, so instead, put your time and effort in writing interesting and sharable content.

2. Display the amount of social shares

Displaying a high number of social shares on an article gives it credibility, and readers are also more likely to share an article that they already know is popular. This is perfect for evergreen content that you keep sharing throughout the year – the social credibility will keep going up!

3. Integrate a comment system

There are pros and cons of implementing comments on blogs and articles, but if you choose a system similar to Disqus that allows you to moderate comments before they appear on your website, it’s really a no-brainer.

4. Take good care of your metadata

Have you made the mistake of sharing your content on Facebook only to find it comes up with a blank box with no description or image, you haven’t optimised your metadata. You need to add an image, title and description – don’t forget!

5. Edit your social images

Every social media channel has different image dimensions, rules and naming conventions. Unfortunately it’s not a one-size fits all thing – if you treat it like this, some of your messaging may get cropped! Find out what the specs are for each platform to make sure everybody receives the message that you intend to send.

Read and comment on the original Social Media Today article.