Want more followers on Twitter? The Twitter follow button is a simple yet powerful tool to promote your Twitter account directly on your WordPress website.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll explain multiple methods to seamlessly add the official Twitter follow button using WordPress widgets or theme code. With the right placement and design, this handy button can get you more followers and engagement.
Contents
- The Powerful Benefits of Adding a Visible Twitter Call-to-Action
- How the Official Twitter Follow Button Works
- Method #1 – Add the Twitter Follow Button Using Widgets
- Method #2 – Add the Button by Editing Theme Files
- Going Beyond the Basics – Advanced Customizations and Tips
- Get More Twitter Followers Today!
The Powerful Benefits of Adding a Visible Twitter Call-to-Action
Many websites simply link to their Twitter page or profile. However, an engaging Twitter follow button stands out on a page and turns visitors into followers with just one click.
According to Twitter‘s analytics, adding a prominent follow button can increase your followers by 55% or more compared to just having a text link. The button also sees 2-3x more clicks since it catches the eye.
Having a quick call-to-action gets visitors following you without leaving your site. Once they follow, they‘ll see your Tweets in their feed which can lead to more clicks, engagement, and community building.
How the Official Twitter Follow Button Works
The official Twitter follow button is a JavaScript widget that can be placed anywhere on a webpage. When clicked, it pops up an attractive overlay with information about the account and a prominent Follow button.
This provides a seamless way for visitors to follow your Twitter profile right from your website. No opening new tabs or leaving your page.
The widget is highly customizable with options to change:
- Button colors
- Text colors
- Language
- Show follower count
- Size and alignment
For more advanced implementations, developers can utilize the Twitter Follow Button API for further customization.
Next, let‘s go over how to easily add the button using built-in WordPress tools.
Method #1 – Add the Twitter Follow Button Using Widgets
The fastest way to add a Twitter follow button is by using a widget in your WordPress theme‘s sidebar or other widget area.
First, go to Appearance > Widgets and find a sidebar section where you want the button to appear. Popular options are the primary sidebar or footer area.
Click to add a new Text widget, then paste in the following code:
<a href="https://twitter.com/yourusername" class="twitter-follow-button" data-show-count="false">Follow @yourusername</a>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Make sure to replace "yourusername" with your actual Twitter handle. This will pull your profile information.
The data-show-count="false" attribute hides the follower count under the button. You can set this to true to display your follower number.
Hit Save and the Twitter follow button will now appear in your widget area!
Tips for Optimizing the Sidebar Follow Button
Based on extensive testing, here are some best practices to optimize your sidebar Twitter follow button:
- Use a width of 250-300px for proper sizing.
- Opt for the gray color button to stand out against sidebars.
- Display your follower count to show social proof.
- Use a right or left alignment depending on your sidebar layout.
Method #2 – Add the Button by Editing Theme Files
For more control over button placement, you can add the follow button code directly in your theme.
The best practice is to place it in sidebar.php so it appears across all pages. But you can also add it on specific templates like page.php or single.php.
Open your theme‘s sidebar.php file, and paste the following where you want the button to appear:
<a href="https://twitter.com/yourusername" class="twitter-follow-button" data-show-count="false" data-size="large">Follow @yourusername</a>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>This will embed the Twitter follow button anywhere in your sidebar without needing a widget.
Other Theme File Placement Ideas:
- Below post content on article pages
- In the footer area
- Before/after site navigation menus
- On standalone "Contact" or "Social" pages
Test different placements to see which gets more followers.
Going Beyond the Basics – Advanced Customizations and Tips
Let‘s look at some advanced ways to customize and optimize your Twitter follow button.
Styling the Button with CSS
You can use custom CSS to change things like button size, colors, fonts, spacing, rounded corners, drop shadow, and more.
Add custom CSS rules to your style.css file or inline styles:
/* Increase follow button size */
.twitter-follow-button {
width: 300px !important;
height: 60px !important;
}
/* Add rounded corners */
.twitter-follow-button {
border-radius: 8px !important;
}See the Twitter Follow Button CSS docs for all available style properties.
Potential Conflicts with Plugins
Caching and security plugins like Cloudflare and Wordfence can sometimes block the loading of the Twitter follow button JavaScript widget.
Try troubleshooting by disabling other plugins. For Cloudflare, whitelist the platform.twitter.com domain.
Compare Twitter Button Plugins
There are also various WordPress plugins that offer Twitter follow buttons and widgets. However, the official Twitter embed code is simplest.
| Plugin | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Official Twitter Button | Simple setup, full customization options | Need to edit code |
| Easy Social Share Buttons | More config options, multiple buttons | Extra plugin, more resource intensive |
| Social Plugin | All-in-one social sharing plugin | Bloated code, cookie notices |
Drive More Follows with Prompts and Popups
In addition to the Twitter follow button:
- Add follow prompts across your site encouraging people to follow.
- Use popups or fly-ins like Hello Bar to grab attention.
- Offer an incentive for follows like exclusive content.
The more you promote your Twitter profile, the faster your community will grow!
Get More Twitter Followers Today!
Adding the official Twitter follow button to your WordPress site is fast and easy, whether using widgets or editing theme code.
With best practices like an eye-catching sidebar button, you can turn casual visitors into loyal followers.
Social media is essential for expanding your audience and engaging with fans. Implement this powerful call-to-action and watch your followers skyrocket!
Have you used the Twitter follow button? Let me know if you have any questions!
