Do people reply to site comments?
I always reply to site comments, I feel it provides professionalism and makes it look like someone is actually alive on the end of the website, but out of all the site comments I have provided (even after asking the site owner questions) I receive no reply, am I alone in this?
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The other thing that really annoys me is people who disapprove comments for dumb reasons.
I commented on a post that was about passive income, I quoted a man who teaches people how to create passive income and talk a bit about my journey etc and what I've done (which is relative and is genuine as it's my thoughts on the subject (I feel anyhow correct me if I'm wrong)) and it got disapproved because "it wasn't about the internet" ...
Another was disapproved because the author wanted "a comment from a women"...
Imagine that "sorry m'am you can't use Google, it's reserved for teenage males, from the age of 13-18"
Lol sorry just had to rant..
I think--putting aside bad manners-- that failing to respond to comments is like cutting off your nose to spite your face. Or dropping a hand grenate into your pants.....Dick
Yes I have had that to I reply to the comment they left but often they do not come back with a further reply
Makes you wonder how their online business is doing Katie. I couldn't imagine walking into a store, asking a clerk about a product and have them standing in front of me ignoring me (which is essentially whats happening here)
I always try to keep the discussion going. I have people leave me comments via site comments and they ask me questions to which I respond but then I never hear from them again.
I actually did a training about this How to keep the comment discussion going! in hopes it would help people understand the importance of leaving comments.
Awesome Tanja! I'll check it out!
I think people just do the site comments not to interact but because someone told them that it was essential to get comments to make their site search engine friendly, but what they don't realise is anyone who visits their site and looks at the comments will see a lot of unanswered questions.
Whenever I visit a site (and more so after owning my own blog) I always look at the comments and see when the owner replied, most blogs I go to you can see comments from years ago that haven't had a reply to them, makes you wonder how their business is actually performing..
Ya, I think you are right. I also always go back to sites I have left comments on via site comments to see what response the site owner left and then if I feel a follow up comment is appropriate (like if they answered my question) then I will leave another comment.
A few members have discussed how great it would be a follow up comment feature could be added to site comments. So perhaps for every 2 follow up comments you leave you can earn another credit.
This is a fantastic idea and it would spur people in the right direction.
I still think too many people expect this to be easy money, I know I did when I first started, then I worked my ass off, found different ways to promote affiliate links (in other communities while adding value to the people of the community by recommending books or products that will serve them and benefit them at the same time as earning me commission, to me this is essentially a blog but in a community and is by no means spam it is only books or products I have used that will genuinely add value to the participants - this also works great via social media).
They think easy money means they do the bare minimum and don't see their business as being an organic living thing, it can live a prosperous life or it can die a horrible death quickly. Bigger businesses have gone down the drain due to poor management. Look at Enron, one of the biggest companies in the world, gone over night lol and plenty more like that, so I think maybe people just need to take the finer points in this business model a little more seriously.
I think maybe an accountability system would be great as well, if they get a comment then maybe a WA email gets sent saying "hey Tanja gave you a comment, don't you think you should reply? Do you know that replying to your comment not only helps the customer feel wanted but you can also up sell and add more value to them by doing so" or something to that extent.
Very good points. I am sure Kyle and Carson are keeping an eye on these blogs regarding comments.
Hi I'm guessing from the number of SEO blogs (outside of WA) telling people to respond to comments that it may well be the old style of operating.
I know you know this Aiden, but for those who aren't sure replying to comments works against site owners in a number of ways -
1. It annoys the person who made the comment so they are unlikely to return, so you lose traffic.
2. It tells others you don't engage very regularly which could also be an indicator that the site is not monitored regularly and doesn't inspire trust.
3. Comments are a good way to increase content length, reinforce keywords and update material which are all good for SEO and ranking.
4. Comments are also an opportunity to show your expertise and authority in a subject area, especially if you answer questions.
Finally in the same way that WA operates you have an opportunity to pay it forwards and help someone with a query or problem.
Thanks for raising it, Marie :)
Hey Marie,
That's great, thanks for elaborating!
I totally agree, especially with the athuority part, I always try to add more value when someone asks a question. Haha one that really tested me was I did some healthy recipes and my call to action was "if you have any recipe that you want me to make healthier just let me know"...
Haha someone called me out on it (it was a dessert by the way so I tried to keep it as true to the dessert as I could) so I did it, and I broke it down into calories and how big a serving should be to match the calories etc, they didn't reply but that definitely showed authority in my opinion.
Hi Aiden, besides being good manners ......it makes sense to reply - so that it will also be added into the page and encourage others to follow suit.
Maybe there is still a learning curve with some of these details.
Tony
Hey Tony,
This could be true. I think a lot of people are still under the impression that you put up a website, everyone in the world magically goes there and spends every dime they have and the world is a better place.
What they fail to realise is if they don't capitalise on every opportunity that is provided to them, someone else will and steal all their business.
With giants like Amazon where you can buy ANYTHING with ease, we are truely lucky people buy from our blogs so we should work as hard as we can.
Spot on Aiden. Like the old saying "Dreams don't work - unless YOU do".
MAKE IT HAPPEN !
All the best,
Tony
I think that's bordering on rudeness by the site owner.If the comment asks a question it deserves to be answered, If the comment is a compliment it deserves at least a simple thank you.Genuine commenters can turn into genuine customers.
Couldn't agree more Ken.
Perhaps that should be another WA training "how not to be an asshole" lol probably a bit forward on my part but it sure would grab attention wouldn't it!
Good on you! mijareze! I shall seek out your website immediately and comment so I can get a reply :)
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I always do, yes. Like you say, it looks like someone is actually actively on the site. I think a bit of human interaction leads to more trust.