2010 14/04

Numbered, Threaded Comments With Email Reply on WordPress (DISQUS Alternative)

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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!

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  • http://jimijones.com/ Jimi Jones

    A neat comment system is a must, you are certainly right about that. I've seen some that are really not at all good for driving conversation. The ones you have listed here are nice. I am thinking about changing, jury still out on which to use. :-) I like Greg's numbering system, but also like Disqus. Maybe I can blend a few plugins together. LOL Decisions, decisions.

    Good post as always.!

  • http://ericasays.com EricaMueller

    Jimi,

    Some developers and I tried blending some of these with DISQUS and no
    luck. We also contacted DISQUS and it doesn't seem like they plan to
    integrate the numbered comments anytime soon.

    My big complaint with DISQUS is the lack of CommentLuv compatibility. I
    would love to offer that to my readers so I can promote them more. Very
    torn on whether to stick with DISQUS or create a combo of my own…

  • http://jimijones.com/ Jimi Jones

    That's really too bad. I think Disqus is missing an opportunity to dominate by not incorporating more features, particularly the ever popular Comment Luv which is a huge motivator in driving comments. Let's face it, many will leave a nice comment for that free advertising of the link back home.

    If someone else tackles this issue and develops the product, Disqus could get knocked out of the box.

  • http://www.happilyblended.com Brandy

    Thanks for this post! Great tips, I had some of them already installed and had been debating on KeywordLuv … will give it a try!

  • http://web2andmore.net Kevin Tea

    There have been one or two small glitches with Disqus but I still feel that it gives the most professional interface and ease of use. I think that it should embrace commentluv because by shying away from something like that gives the impression that the developers have something to fear from it. I am reminded how Buddhism spread in the Far East by embracing the religions and belief systems of the countries it came into and them merged them into its teachings.

  • http://ericasays.com EricaMueller

    Brandy,

    Let me know how you like KeywordLuv! I've seen it on a site or two I've commented on, but it doesn't seem real popular. I didn't use it when I saw it, cause I didn't know how. But, being in the blogging/social networking niche I've often wondered if my community would appreciate being able to use their keywords!

  • http://ericasays.com EricaMueller

    I too think DISQUS is the most professional looking of the comment systems. I like it a lot, but there are just a few things I think they could do better. You're right, if someone else comes along and implements some of these other tools, DISQUS is gonna be sorry!

  • http://www.happilyblended.com Brandy

    Thanks Erica! I actually had read another blogger's article about KeywordLuv previously and she thought it was wonderful. I will keep you posted as to any feedback I receive. I don't quite understand how it works still reviewing it! LOL

  • http://www.groceryalerts.ca/ groceryalerts

    Has anyone been able to get this working for Disqus?

    I love disqus but I want to see comment numbers.

    Thanks!

  • http://ericasays.com EricaMueller

    Steve,

    No, in fact I contacted the folks at DISQUS and they have no plans of implementing such a feature. This post was meant to give an alternative to DISQUS for those who like it's features but need comment numbering.

    – Sent from my Palm Pre

  • http://www.laptopbatteriesinc.com/Replacement-apple-laptop-battery_c2 apple laptop batteries

    Happy to share your blog!

    Disqus is popular and useful.Disqus is good for my work and life.I like it very much.but every coin has two back.we should use the disqus to improve our working efficient

  • http://www.poolerpeach.com/ Monique

    Thanks for writing about Greg’s Threaded Comment Numbering. It seems like what I've been looking for. However, I have a total noob question: If I install that what happens to all my comments previous to the plug in installation? How will they be formatted? Or am I worrying for nothing?

  • http://ericasays.com EricaMueller

    Monique,

    Your comments will remain in their same format. If they weren't previously threaded this plugin won't change them to threaded. It just numbers the comments. They call it a threaded comment numberer simply because it is compatible with threaded coments.

    Enjoy the plugin!

    – Sent from my Palm Pre

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