Comments are usually a sign of success. When a user ventures onto a site and see the lengthy discussion its Articles have prompted, they’re impressed. Busy comments sections tell a tale of popularity, relevance and success. This feeds further into the popularity of the site, in a sort of benevolent cycle.

Having an open comments section is not something that every site goes for. Comments sections require moderation if you want to prevent spam, so they tend to require a time commitment. Search engine optimisation experts tend to recommend comments sections to their clients when they can, as comments provide a constant flow of content to a site’s pages that doesn’t have to be generated by the business. An active comments section is both a symbol of a site’s success, and a promoter of it.

These busy comments sections often look perfectly natural, and some of them undoubtedly are. Not every site, however, experiences this kind of spontaneous comment behaviour, and it is worthwhile knowing the tricks to use to prompt user comments.

Uncaring users don’t comment

The first thing to think about is what prompts people to comment. It’s rare that users will comment when they have no investment in a site. You may get some comments from other bloggers who are there to show support for a new blog, but even these come from a particular motive.

If you want comments to continue, it’s important to post material that provokes thought which will lead to comments. Search engine optimisation companies can be a great help with this, and you can talk to us at SEO Consult. You don’t have to use sensational material to get comments, as so many bloggers seem to think. Well thought through content can be just as effective in provoking comment and can develop a much more solid user following than sensationalism can.

Make use of a well-placed prompt

You can’t always count on users just feeling inclined to comment, particularly if you’ve only just opened your site to comments. Sometimes, a prompt is what needed. If you’ve got a piece of content that prompts questions, finish it with ‘what are your thoughts?’ Other questions, like ‘what other situations have you come across?’ and ‘what are your experiences?’ are also good prompts, as they imply that the user’s knowledge is required for the issue to be resolved. Everyone liked to discuss their own experience, but they sometimes need a little urging to give up the information.

Readers require feedback too

Users may respond to gentle encouragement and post comments, but this may stop if you never participate in the comments process. Particularly with users who peruse your site regularly, it’s important to provide really positive feedback.

Even more blatant positive reinforcement can be used if you’re desperate to increase the number of comments on your site. Featuring a ‘user comment of the week’ or a ranking system for user comments creates a feeling of leadership on a site, rewarding users with an acknowledgement of their influence. Other users seeing this may feel more encouraged to participate.

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