If you run a website or blog that publishes regular content, you’re probably familiar with commenting functionality, where a reader can leave a note or reply to what you’ve written. I’m a big fan of comments, especially when you can convert those readers into email subscribers!
Comments are great for blog posts. In fact, to some people the definition of a blog includes the ability to comment on the topic that was written. However, on your static pages (Home page, About page, Start Here page, Contact page, etc.) you should not allow comments. It’s a page, not a post. The content on your static pages will most likely not change (often), and typically it is not date specific.
Why Comments are Bad for Blog Pages
Your main pages are on your blog for you to tell your readers something, not for them to communicate back with you. All too often beginning bloggers will allow comments on every page and post. But think how ridiculous it is for comments to be enabled on your contact page…a little odd, wouldn’t you say?
If you’re using WordPress as your blogging or CMS platform of choice (and if you’re not, you really should be!), you have the ability to choose what pages and/or posts to allow/disallow comments on. And if you’re using the Genesis Framework, you can set your entire site to allow comments on posts and disallow them on pages. Do your readers and yourself a favor. Disable comments for your pages, but allow them for posts. It will make for a much better user experience.
Not allowing comments on static pages will reduce the overall number of comments you’ll need to moderate, but it will also create a more professional look for your website. Readers don’t need the ability to comment on your about page, your contact page, or other static content when these pages should direct them to take another action such as reading popular posts, connecting with you on social media, purchasing a product, or some other desired action you want them to take.
Individual posts, on the other hand, are the perfect place for readers to engage and comment with you, as they can ask questions related to that specific post, and your answer to their comment can then be helpful to other readers who visit your site. This also creates a community, rather than a one-way display of information and helps readers engage with you.
If you want the option to allow even more site engagement, then maybe it’s a good idea to consider adding a forum to your blog.
Do you disagree about allowing comments on static blog pages? Have additional thoughts to add? Please Share below!
