Looking to skyrocket your content‘s exposure on the world‘s largest professional social network? Adding the official LinkedIn share button to your WordPress site is a must.
In this ultimate guide, I‘ll walk you through exactly how to add the LinkedIn share button, best practices for placement and design, and insider tips to maximizing your LinkedIn shares in 2023.
First, let‘s talk about WHY you should add the LinkedIn share button to your WordPress site:
Expand your content‘s reach on LinkedIn. With over 900 million members worldwide, LinkedIn is a goldmine for tapping into new audiences. The share button makes it a one-click process for visitors to share your content with their networks.
Boost credibility and authority. LinkedIn is known as the platform for industry experts and thought leaders. Having your content shared there can boost your credibility and position you as an authority in your niche.
Drive high-quality referral traffic. LinkedIn boasts a highly educated and affluent user base. According to Pew Research, 51% of U.S. adults with a college degree use LinkedIn, compared to just 27% of those with a high school diploma or less. More shares on LinkedIn can mean more qualified leads and customers for your business.
Increase visibility in LinkedIn feeds and search. The more your content is shared on LinkedIn, the more likely it is to appear in users‘ news feeds and LinkedIn search results. This amplifies your organic reach on the platform.
Gain valuable insights about your audience. LinkedIn‘s analytics tools provide rich data on the types of professionals sharing and engaging with your content. You can use this intel to better understand and serve your target market.
Bottom line: If your target audience includes professionals, B2B buyers, or high-earning individuals, you can‘t afford NOT to have a LinkedIn share button.
In 2022, LinkedIn rolled out several enhancements to its share button for publishers:
- Customizable button designs
- Real-time share count display
- Improved share tracking and analytics
- Streamlined code implementation
These updates make it easier than ever to add a sleek, data-rich LinkedIn button to your WordPress site and track its performance. I‘ll show you exactly how to implement them step-by-step below.
Now that you‘re convinced of the power of the LinkedIn share button, let‘s discuss WHERE to add it on your WordPress site for maximum impact.
Option 1: On Individual Posts and Pages
The most common placement for the LinkedIn share button is on individual blog posts and pages. This allows visitors to easily share the specific content they‘re viewing.
I recommend adding the button both above and below your post/page content for the best visibility and engagement. According to a study by BrightEdge, pages with social sharing buttons above and below content had 7x more shares than those with buttons only above.
Here‘s an example of an effective LinkedIn share button placement on a WordPress blog post:
Another option is to add the LinkedIn share button sitewide in your WordPress sidebar or footer. This makes it accessible across your entire site, no matter what page your visitors are on.
The advantage of this placement is that it can encourage more overall shares, as the button is always visible. However, it may be less effective than on-page buttons for driving shares of specific pieces of content.
Here‘s an example of a LinkedIn share button in a WordPress sidebar:
For maximum visibility and engagement, you might consider adding a floating share bar that remains visible as users scroll down your pages. This keeps the LinkedIn button top-of-mind and easily accessible at all times.
Many popular social sharing plugins, such as Social Warfare and Monarch, offer floating share bar options that include the LinkedIn button.
Here‘s an example of a floating share bar with the LinkedIn button:
The best placement for your site will depend on your specific audience, content, and goals. I recommend testing out a few options and monitoring your LinkedIn analytics to see which drives the most shares and engagement over time.
Ready to add the LinkedIn share button to your WordPress site? Follow these simple steps:
- Go to the LinkedIn Share Button Generator page.
- Customize your button design, size, and options. I recommend enabling the share count for social proof.
- Copy the provided HTML code snippet.
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to the post, page, sidebar, or template where you want to add the button.
- Paste the code snippet into the desired location in your WordPress editor or template file.
- Save your changes and test your new LinkedIn button!
Here‘s a quick video tutorial walking through the process:
[Embed LinkedIn button tutorial video]If you‘re not comfortable editing your WordPress theme files directly, you can also add the LinkedIn button using a plugin like Code Snippets or insert it into a Custom HTML widget.
Want to customize your LinkedIn share button to match your WordPress site‘s branding? No problem!
You can easily adjust the button‘s design, colors, and labels using LinkedIn‘s button generator tool. Simply select your desired options and copy the updated code snippet.
For even more control, you can add your own CSS styles to the button. Some common customizations include:
- Changing the button and text color
- Adjusting the size and spacing
- Replacing the default button with a custom image
- Hiding the share count or label
Here are a few examples of customized LinkedIn buttons:
[Insert examples of customized buttons]Just be sure to maintain a clear and recognizable LinkedIn button style to avoid confusing your visitors.
Official LinkedIn Button vs Social Sharing Plugins
If you‘re considering using a social sharing plugin rather than the official LinkedIn button, it‘s important to weigh the pros and cons.
While social sharing plugins can make it easy to add multiple share buttons at once, they often lack the customization options and direct integration with LinkedIn‘s platform and analytics.
Here‘s a quick comparison table of the official LinkedIn button vs popular sharing plugins:
| Feature | Official LinkedIn Button | Social Warfare | AddToAny | Monarch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Customizable design | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Real-time share count | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| LinkedIn-specific analytics | ✓ | |||
| Auto-optimized for LinkedIn | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Floating share bar option | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
As you can see, the official LinkedIn button offers the most direct integration and optimization for the platform. However, social plugins provide flexibility if you need other networks‘ buttons as well.
Adding the LinkedIn share button to your WordPress site is a great start. But to really maximize your shares and engagement on the platform, follow these best practices:
1. Create LinkedIn-optimized content
To drive more LinkedIn shares, create content that resonates with the platform‘s professional audience. Focus on industry news, career advice, thought leadership, and business insights.
Use eye-catching visuals, header images, and infographics to stand out in the LinkedIn feed. And don‘t forget to optimize your post titles and meta descriptions for LinkedIn‘s search algorithm.
Sometimes your visitors need a little nudge to share your content. Add clear and compelling calls-to-action (CTAs) near your LinkedIn share buttons to encourage more clicks.
For example, you might add a line like "Found this post helpful? Share it on LinkedIn!" or "Spread the word to your LinkedIn network!"
When someone shares your content on LinkedIn, they‘re essentially endorsing and promoting your brand to their network. Be sure to thank them and engage with their post!
Like and comment on their share, and consider following or connecting with them if relevant. This helps build relationships and loyalty with your LinkedIn audience.
Have a blog post that‘s getting tons of organic LinkedIn shares? Amplify it even further by resharing it on your own LinkedIn Page or profile.
You can use LinkedIn‘s native article publishing tool to republish the full post, or share a brief update with a link back to the original post on your WordPress site. Just be sure to mix it up with fresh content as well.
5. Monitor and optimize your results
Finally, keep a close eye on your LinkedIn analytics to track your share button performance over time. Use UTM parameters on your button links to better attribute traffic and conversions.
Look for patterns in the types of content, topics, and formats that generate the most LinkedIn shares and double down on what works. Continuously test and optimize your button placement and design as well.
By following these best practices and leveraging the official LinkedIn share button, you can significantly boost your content‘s visibility and engagement on the platform.
Expert Tips for LinkedIn Sharing Success
To tap into even more LinkedIn sharing wisdom, I reached out to some top experts in the space. Here are a few of their best tips:
"Make sure your content is valuable and relevant to your LinkedIn audience. Focus on educating, inspiring, and sparking meaningful conversations." – John Espirian, LinkedIn specialist
"Consistency is key. Regularly publish and share high-quality content on LinkedIn to stay top-of-mind with your network and build your authority over time." – Maddy Osman, SEO content strategist
"Don‘t be afraid to show some personality in your LinkedIn shares and posts. People connect with people, not faceless brands." – Michaela Alexis, LinkedIn creator and trainer
"Optimize your LinkedIn profile and Company Page to make a great first impression when people click through from your shared content. Use a professional headshot, compelling headline, and keyword-rich summary." – Donna Serdula, LinkedIn profile expert
By implementing these tips along with the LinkedIn share button best practices, you‘ll be well on your way to LinkedIn sharing success.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions about adding the LinkedIn share button to WordPress? Here are answers to some common queries:
Yes! LinkedIn provides a variety of button design options to match your branding. You can choose your preferred button size, style, and color scheme using the LinkedIn Plugins tool. Additionally, you can add your own custom CSS styles for even more granular control over the button‘s appearance.
The official LinkedIn share button automatically displays the number of times a URL has been shared on the platform. You can also access more detailed analytics on your shares and sharers by adding the LinkedIn Insights tag to your WordPress site.
Nope! Once you‘ve added the LinkedIn button code to your WordPress site, it will automatically reflect any design or functionality changes made by LinkedIn. This ensures your buttons stay up-to-date and in sync with the latest LinkedIn features without any manual updates needed.
Yes, you can add the LinkedIn button code directly to any WordPress post, page, or custom post type template file. Simply paste the code snippet into the desired location in your template and save your changes. You can also use conditional tags to display the button only on certain post types or pages.
The LinkedIn share button allows visitors to share a specific URL or piece of content with their LinkedIn network. The follow button enables users to follow your LinkedIn Company Page or profile directly from your site. The recommend button is similar to the share button but is framed as a recommendation rather than a general share.
How can I further optimize my WordPress site for LinkedIn sharing and engagement?
In addition to adding the LinkedIn share button, there are several other ways to optimize your WordPress site for LinkedIn. These include:
- Adding Open Graph tags to control how your content appears when shared on LinkedIn
- Implementing a LinkedIn follow button and badge
- Creating shareable graphics and infographics optimized for the LinkedIn feed
- Publishing and syndicating your content on LinkedIn Pulse
- Participating in relevant LinkedIn Groups and discussions
By taking a holistic approach to LinkedIn optimization, you can maximize your content‘s visibility and engagement on the platform.
Wrapping Up
Adding the LinkedIn share button to your WordPress site is a powerful way to expand your content‘s reach and engagement on the world‘s largest professional network. By following the steps and best practices outlined in this guide, you can start driving more high-quality shares and traffic from LinkedIn today.
Remember to:
- Choose strategic placements for your LinkedIn button, such as above and below your post content
- Customize your button design to match your brand while staying recognizable
- Monitor your LinkedIn analytics to track performance and optimize over time
- Implement LinkedIn sharing best practices to maximize engagement
With the right approach, the LinkedIn share button can be a game-changer for growing your audience and authority on the platform. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start optimizing for LinkedIn shares!
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