Comments sections can be a wonderful addition to the SEO of your site. Not only do they provide a supply of constant content to your pages, they build a sense of community and attract more readers. Opening up comments on your pages is a big decision, but the work doesn’t end there. You need to do something to get the comments going.

The opening of a comments section isn’t an easy decision. Comments require maintenance if you want to avoid spam. Internet users are notorious for leaving pest comments just to annoy site owners, and frequently you’ll have to remove outright malicious postings. However, if you find the right registration process or spam filter, the few hours a week you spend on moderating your comments section can bring great returns. Our consultants at SEO Consult can discuss this with you. Comments are great for search engine optimisation, and good for business too, as they let you know what your users are thinking.

Once you open up comments on one or more of your pages, it’s important to know how to encourage users to post. Here are some ideas:

1. Comment on other people’s sites. The internet is surprisingly reciprocal. You can attract attention by giving it to others.

2. Ask questions. This is a relatively simple trick, but it works. People like to be asked for their opinion, and are generally eager to give it even without asking. A simple question can be a great prompt. Even the basic ‘any thoughts?’ can work, as Twitter users have noted.

3. Ask for feedback off-site. If you’re participating in any communities around the net, take advantage of them by asking for input on your site. It can be a good idea to reference your content when you make comments and ask people what they think. This can net you some good inbound links, as well.

4. Fake it. It’s not the best way to get comments on your site, but sometimes a few fake comments can prompt others to comment. People are less likely to comment with an empty comments section. Just ensure that people can’t detect your fakery.

5. Create controversy. Many bloggers use a controversial post when they want to attract more comments. You can achieve the same effect by posting an article that challenges industry thinking. This is a path that has to be taken very gently so as not to permanently put users off.

6. Praise top commentators. Reward your top commentators by publicly praising them. The best way to do this is to post their names or a comment on your home page. There’s even a couple of plugins you can put on your page to automatically promote your most frequent commentators. Some of these offer rewards through providing a link to their websites.

7. Contests. Similarly, holding a contest for the best comment can be a great way to get a comment boost. The reward doesn’t have to be anything too impressive, and those who leave comments are likely to come back even when the contest is over.

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