So if you’re are on WordPress chances are you’ve heard that Google Friend Connect that friendly little box that has pictures of all your lovely readers will soon be disappearing- not for everyone just for all non-Blogger Blogs. Here is the actual post from Google on the subject: “Google Friend Connect—Friend Connect allows webmasters to add social features to their sites by embedding a few snippets of code. We’re retiring the service for all non-Blogger sites on March 1, 2012. We encourage affected sites to create a Google+ page and place a Google+ badge on their site so they can bring their community of followers to Google+ and use new features like Circles and Hangouts to keep in touch.”
Well to help you through the transition here are few things you can choose from to make sure your readers stay connected to your site/blog.”
1. Add Google+ badge to your site and encourage your readers to join Google+ and become part of our circles. I know this is probably a harder transition to get your readers to make especially if they’re not currently using Google+ or have no desire to use it. Here is an article to help you build a community using Google+. Again these are just options.
2. Encourage Subscription to your blog via email. If you look in my footer section you see an option for readers to subscribe to this site via email. Those who subscribe will have any posts I write sent directly to their email address. This is a great option.
3. RSS Feed: You can have readers subscribe to your RSS feed and read your posts on their reader of choice. Google Reader is the one that I tend to use.
4. Facebook Page. This is one I think would be the least intrusive for readers. It will show up on their Facebook stream that you have posted something new and readers can click on it at their leisure.
5. Ask readers to follow you on Twitter. Twitter is great way to spread the word on new and interesting posts you write. You can include a link to your post and voila! You’re readers can keep still up with your spectacular happenings!
Whatever path you choose to take just make sure to get your readers prepared for the change. There are so many great blogs out there and so many reasons to stay connected. Best of luck to you!
