Having a comment system that emails replies, numbers the comments, and keeps the comment section threaded and neat encourages community involvement and makes it easy to read and follow the discussion! Today I’ll show you how to achieve this using WordPress’s commenting system and a few simple plugins.
After years of blogging I have come to the conclusion that there is no perfect commenting system out there. I’ve tried Intense Debate, and I’ve tried the plain WordPress commenting system. Personally, I’ve chosen and stuck with DISQUS as it seems the easiest to use and has the most best features, but it’s not the best for everyone, especially bloggers who hold giveaways…
DISQUS Likes:
- Login available so you are remembered on every DISQUS enabled site you visit. No need to type in your information each time.
- Login not required. If a visitor does not have a DISQUS account they can still comment just as they would on any other blog.
- Email replies. This is where DISQUS does it right. Not only is the commenter notified by email when you respond, but they can reply to the comment via email without having to go back to the site. As a blog owner I find this very useful. I replay to almost all of my reader’s comments via email and they show up threaded in the comment section, and get emailed to the reader.
However, there are a few issues with DISQUS…
- Giveaway blog owners like to have numbered comments so that they can easily find the comment number of the winner. DISQUS does not have an option for this.
- CommentLuv is a fan favorite and is not compatible with DISQUS.
So, how do you get Numbered, Threaded Comments with Email Replies?
Scrap DISQUS, Intense Debate, and all the others. Use the WordPress Threaded Comments (enable threading in Settings/Discussion) and add a few plugins:
ReplyMe:
This simple plugin emails the comment author when his comment has been replied to. I love that it shows both the original comment and the reply, threaded, in the email. The downside is that one can’t reply to comments via email and must go back to the site.
Download from WordPress Plugin Directory:
ReplyMe – Comment Email Replies
Greg’s Threaded Comment Numbering:
So far, this is my favorite comment numbering plugin. It’s customizable, so you choose where the number appears, and how big it is. You can also choose to give each comment and reply it’s own number, or use hierarchical numbering so that each original comment is given a number and the replies are numbered 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 and so forth.
Download from WordPress Plugin Directory:
Greg’s Threaded comment Numbering
We’re using this system over at 5MinutesforMom.com since they run a lot of giveaways and they’re big on community.
Freedom!
Since you’re now using the WordPress commenting system you’re free to install and implement plugins such as CommentLuv, KeywordLuv, and TwitterLink Comments to further enhance your commenting community!
If you found this post helpful, please share with with a friend!
Just installed Greg's Threaded Comment Numbering… thank you! ♥ Michelle
[...] doesn’t mean they want to settle for plain old comments. Some need an alternative that offers Threaded, Numbered Comments with Email Reply for WordPress. Others merely want their commenters to know when someone has replied to their [...]
Yes I adore Disqus comment system…Its unique and very easy to use for any kind of internet surfer. I have seen many sites with the disqus integrated comment system but I havent understood the reason why people using it so much happily…but your article gave me many reasons why not it can be used..Thanks for your share…
I intend to install disqus comment system on my WordPress site, but seeing this option, I am having a rethink. Thanks.
Thanks for this! I recently made the transition to wordpress.com, and I’m fumbling my way through it. Posts like this make it so much easier.
Aimee,
I’m so glad you found the post helpful! I have tons of WP stuff to go
through, and if there’s anything I haven’t covered that you would like
to know, tell me!
Thanks for this! I recently made the transition to wordpress.com, and I’m fumbling my way through it. Posts like this make it so much easier.
Brilliant thinking! Some useful and vital article stuff you have posted here. I was curious to see a stuff like that. Thanks for sharing this precious blog writing.
I’ve been trying to get the Greg’s Threaded Comments to work on my site. Unfortunately it requires some inserts into the php files and I have no idea where to start. The instructions make no sense to me (probably because I don’t understand and have no idea where to start). If someone could give me some guidance (more like what do I type in and where) that would be great. I was expecting this plugin to be plug and play. Maybe I’m missing something.
Would love to utilize this plugin.
Karen
I just switched to disqus and it’s amazing. Glad i switched.
Thanks!
Nice commenting blog . Thanks for sharing !