How to Display Your Facebook Page Reviews in WordPress
As an expert in WordPress with over 15 years of experience, I’ve seen firsthand how displaying social proof, like customer reviews, can drastically impact a website’s credibility and conversions. One of the most effective ways to showcase positive feedback is by incorporating your Facebook page reviews directly onto your WordPress site. This creates trust, builds your brand reputation, and encourages potential customers to choose you over competitors.
But don’t worry – manually copying reviews from Facebook and pasting them into your website isn’t necessary. There are user-friendly plugins and techniques that automate this process, saving you time and effort. In this guide, I’ll break down the process, step-by-step, using one of the most powerful tools available: Smash Balloon Reviews Feed Pro.
Let’s dive in!
Why Display Your Facebook Page Reviews in WordPress?
There are several compelling reasons to display your Facebook reviews on your WordPress website:
- Build Social Proof: Reviews act as a powerful form of social proof, demonstrating that other customers trust your business and its services. Potential customers are more likely to make a purchase when they see positive reviews from real people.
- Enhance Credibility: Authentic reviews contribute to your website’s overall credibility and trustworthiness. They showcase that you are a legitimate business with satisfied customers, which can be crucial for building trust in your brand.
- Improve Engagement: Reviews can spark conversations and encourage engagement with your website. Visitors may leave their own reviews, ask questions about the products or services, or simply share their experiences.
- Drive Conversions: By showcasing positive feedback, reviews can directly contribute to increased conversions. Customers are more likely to buy from a business that has a strong reputation and a history of satisfied customers.
How to Display Your Facebook Page Reviews in WordPress
The most efficient way to add Facebook reviews to your WordPress website is by utilizing the Smash Balloon Reviews Feed Pro plugin. It’s a comprehensive and user-friendly plugin that streamlines the process, allowing you to display reviews from various platforms, including Facebook, Google, Yelp, and TripAdvisor, all within one plugin.
1. Set Up the Reviews Feed Pro Plugin
The first step is to install and activate the Reviews Feed Pro plugin on your WordPress website. If you need help with this process, refer to our step-by-step guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.
After activation, navigate to Reviews Feed in the left-hand menu of your WordPress dashboard. You’ll be prompted to enter your plugin license key, which you can find in your account on the Smash Balloon website. Click the “Activate” button once you’ve entered the key.
2. Connect Smash Balloon to Your Facebook Page
Now, it’s time to connect your Facebook page to your WordPress blog. Reviews Feed Pro makes this process straightforward. Go to the Reviews Feed » All Feeds page from your WordPress dashboard and click on “Add New.”
To display your Facebook page reviews, select “Facebook” and then “Connect with Facebook.” Choose the “Page” option from the radio buttons and click “Connect to Facebook.”
This action will open a popup where you can log in to your Facebook account and select the specific page(s) from which you want to retrieve reviews. Once you’ve chosen your page, click “Next.”
Facebook will display a list of information that Smash Balloon will have access to and the actions it can perform. If you wish to restrict Smash Balloon’s access to your Facebook page, simply click any switch to turn it from “Yes” to “No.” However, be aware that this may affect the reviews displayed on your WordPress website. It’s generally recommended to keep all switches enabled for optimal functionality.
Once you’re satisfied with the Facebook permissions, click “Done.” After a few moments, you’ll see a message confirming the connection between your WordPress blog and Facebook page. Click “OK” to proceed.
Reviews Feed Pro will automatically redirect you back to your WordPress dashboard.
3. Create a Facebook Review Feed for WordPress
You’re now ready to create a feed that showcases all the reviews from your Facebook page. Check the box next to your Facebook page and click “Next.”
You can then choose the template you want to use for your page reviews. You can opt for a single review spotlight or display multiple reviews in a masonry layout, depending on your preference. Select your chosen template and click “Next.”
Smash Balloon will automatically create the feed and open it in the editor, ready for you to customize.
4. Customizing Your Facebook Review Feed
Smash Balloon automatically mirrors your website’s design, ensuring the feed seamlessly blends with your WordPress theme. However, you can fine-tune every aspect of the feed for a personalized look.
The editor provides a live preview of your review feed on the right side of the screen, while a menu on the left displays the different settings available for modifying the appearance of your Facebook reviews. Most of these settings are self-explanatory, but let’s explore some of the key areas.
Layout
Under the “Layout” tab in the left-hand menu, you can choose between three display styles: Grid, Masonry, or Carousel. As you click on each option, the live preview updates instantly, allowing you to visualize different layouts and select the one that best complements your website’s design.
You can also adjust the spacing, the number of Facebook reviews displayed in the feed, and the character limit for each review. Remember that the feed may appear differently on smartphones and tablets compared to desktop computers, so it’s wise to test the mobile version of your review feed using the buttons located in the right-hand corner. This ensures a consistent and visually appealing experience across all devices.
Header
The “Header” setting controls the text that appears at the top of your Facebook review feed. By default, Smash Balloon displays a “Reviews” headline, your average star rating, the total number of reviews, and a “Write a review” button.
You can remove any of these elements by unchecking the corresponding boxes for Heading, Button, or Average Review Rating. You can also customize the header text, including color, size, and content, by clicking on each element and making adjustments in the settings panel.
Reviews
Within the “Reviews” tab, you have two options: “Post Style” and “Edit Individual Elements.”
Selecting “Post Style” allows you to customize the overall appearance of individual reviews within the feed. You can switch to a boxed layout, add box shadows, and even adjust the corner radius for rounded edges.
“Edit Individual Elements” gives you granular control over each review’s components, including the rating, author and date, images, and review text. You can add or remove these elements to tailor the information displayed to your visitors’ needs.
Load More Button
The “Load More Button” allows visitors to see more reviews, and Smash Balloon adds it to your feed by default. You can customize this button’s appearance by changing the background color, hover state, label, margins, and more. You can also replace the default “Load More” text with your own messaging.
If you prefer, you can remove the button entirely by clicking the “Enable” toggle, encouraging visitors to visit your Facebook page for additional reviews.
5. Customize the Facebook Page Review Settings
Once you’re satisfied with the visual design of your Facebook review feed, you can further refine its settings. These settings allow you to reorganize the reviews displayed on your site, moderate content with filters, and even select specific reviews to feature in the Facebook feed.
Sort
Under the “Settings” tab, you can choose to “Sort” reviews based on date or rating. Selecting either option will provide additional settings for further customization.
For instance, if you enable the “By Rating” slider, you can decide whether to show the highest or lowest-rated reviews first. You can also randomize the order of your Facebook reviews by clicking the “Randomize” slider, ensuring a dynamic experience for returning visitors.
Filters
The “Filters” setting allows you to fine-tune the reviews displayed on your WordPress site. You can choose to only show reviews that meet specific criteria, such as having a certain star rating.
Additionally, you can filter reviews based on their content. For example, you might want to hide reviews containing the name of your biggest competitor or offensive language. Another option is to display only reviews that include specific keywords or phrases, relevant to a particular landing page or product.
To implement these filters, simply enter the blacklisted or whitelisted words in the “By Words” section.
Moderation
The “Moderation” setting grants you complete control over the Facebook review feed, allowing you to manually select the reviews you want to show to visitors. You have the choice between “Allow List” or “Block List.”
With “Allow List,” you can check the box next to each review you want to display. Conversely, using “Block List” lets you check the box for every review you want to hide.
Once you’re happy with the overall setup of your review feed, click “Save” to store your changes.
6. How to Add Facebook Page Reviews in WordPress
Now that your Facebook review feed is customized, it’s time to integrate it into your WordPress website. You have three options: using a block, a widget, or a shortcode.
Block
If you’ve created multiple review feeds using Reviews Feed Pro, you’ll need to locate the shortcode for the specific feed you want to use. You can find this information by navigating to Reviews Feed » All Feeds and looking at the value under “Shortcode.” Make a note of the shortcode, as you’ll need it for the block and widget.
To embed the feed into a post or page, we recommend using the Smash Balloon Reviews Feed block. Open the post or page where you want to display your Facebook page reviews, click the “+” icon to add a new block, and start typing “Reviews Feed.” Once the correct block appears, click to add it to the WordPress block editor.
The block will initially display one of your review feeds. To switch to a different feed, locate the “Shortcode Settings” in the right-hand menu, enter the shortcode you copied earlier, and click “Apply Changes.”
Widget
Another option is to add the Reviews Feed widget to your website. This is a convenient way to showcase positive customer reviews on every page and post. You can add the widget to the sidebar, footer, or any other widget-ready area on your theme.
Go to Appearance » Widgets in your WordPress dashboard, and click the blue “+” icon at the top of the screen. In the search bar, type “Reviews Feed” to locate the widget, and then drag and drop it into the desired widget area.
The widget will automatically display one of your review feeds. If you want to use a different feed, enter the shortcode for the specific feed in the “Shortcode Settings” box and click “Apply Changes.” To activate the widget, click the “Update” button.
Shortcode
You can also add the Facebook review feed to any page, post, or widget-ready area using the shortcode. For help with placing the shortcode, refer to our guide on how to add a shortcode.
Block Themes and the Full Site Editor
If you’re using a block theme, you can utilize the full site editor to add the Reviews Feed block anywhere on your website, including areas that aren’t editable using the standard WordPress content editor, such as your site’s 404 page template.
Navigate to Appearance » Editor in your WordPress dashboard. The full site editor will initially display your theme’s home template, but you can add the review feed to any template or template part, including the footer.
Select either “Templates” or “Template Parts” to view the available options, and click on the template or template part you want to edit. For this example, we’ll add the review feed to a 404 page template, but the steps remain the same regardless of the template you choose.
After selecting a template, WordPress will show a preview. Click the small pencil icon to add your Facebook page reviews to this template. Then, click the blue “+” icon in the top left corner and type “Reviews Feed” in the search bar. Drag and drop the correct block onto the theme template. As before, Reviews Feed will initially display a feed by default. To change this, follow the shortcode process outlined earlier.
Bonus: How to Add Google, Yelp, and TripAdvisor Reviews
While displaying your Facebook page reviews is a great starting point, customers often leave reviews on various platforms, depending on your industry. If you have a restaurant website or run a bed and breakfast, for example, it makes sense to include reviews from TripAdvisor.
With Smash Balloon Reviews Feed Pro, you can showcase reviews from TripAdvisor, Google, Yelp, and more without installing additional plugins. Simply create a new feed using the same process described above. When you reach the “Create a Review Feed” screen, select “Add New.”
In the popup that appears, select the platform from which you want to retrieve reviews, such as Google or TripAdvisor. Click “Next” and follow the prompts to connect WordPress to your chosen platform. For a detailed guide, check out our article on how to show Google, Facebook, and Yelp reviews in WordPress.
Conclusion
Displaying your Facebook page reviews on your WordPress website is a simple yet powerful strategy for building trust, credibility, and ultimately, driving conversions. The process is straightforward, especially with the help of the Smash Balloon Reviews Feed Pro plugin, which simplifies the integration and customization process.
Remember to customize your review feed to match your website’s design and to utilize the available filters and moderation tools to ensure a positive and engaging user experience. By showcasing your positive customer feedback, you can make a significant impact on your website’s success and build a thriving online presence.
FAQs
How do I choose the right plugin to display my Facebook reviews?
The best plugin for displaying Facebook reviews will depend on your specific needs. Smash Balloon Reviews Feed Pro is a popular and versatile option, offering comprehensive features and ease of use. However, other plugins like WP Social Ninja and FooGallery also offer similar functionality. Consider your budget, the number of platforms you want to integrate, and the level of customization you need when choosing a plugin.
Are there any free plugins to display Facebook reviews?
While Reviews Feed Pro is a paid plugin, Smash Balloon offers a free version of Reviews Feed that allows you to display reviews from Google and Yelp. However, you’ll need to upgrade to the Pro version to access Facebook reviews.
Can I customize the layout and design of my Facebook review feed?
Yes, you can customize the layout and design of your Facebook review feed using the settings within the plugin. You can choose from different display styles, adjust spacing, control the number of reviews displayed, and even customize the appearance of individual reviews.
Can I filter or moderate the reviews that appear on my website?
Yes, most plugins allow you to filter or moderate the reviews that appear on your website. You can choose to show reviews with a specific star rating, filter reviews by content, or even manually select the reviews you want to display.
What if I don’t have a Facebook page?
If you don’t have a Facebook page, you can still display customer reviews on your website. Consider using a dedicated review plugin like WP Customer Reviews or using a plugin that allows you to display testimonials. You can also encourage customers to leave reviews on other platforms like Google or Yelp.
Is there any way to show reviews from different platforms in one feed?
Yes, plugins like Smash Balloon Reviews Feed Pro allow you to display reviews from multiple platforms, including Facebook, Google, Yelp, and TripAdvisor, in a single feed. This provides a comprehensive view of customer feedback across different platforms.
How can I encourage customers to leave reviews on my Facebook page?
You can encourage customers to leave reviews on your Facebook page by:
- Including a clear call to action on your website and in your emails.
- Offering incentives or discounts for leaving reviews.
- Responding to reviews promptly and engaging with customers.
- Making it easy for customers to leave reviews by providing a direct link to your Facebook page.
How do I optimize my Facebook review feed for SEO?
To optimize your Facebook review feed for SEO, ensure the following:
- Use relevant keywords in the surrounding content and headings.
- Ensure the review feed is mobile-friendly and responsive.
- Use structured data markup to help search engines understand the content and improve its ranking.
- Encourage customer engagement by responding to reviews and asking for feedback.
How can I ensure that my Facebook review feed is secure?
Choose a reputable plugin from a trusted developer. Read user reviews and ensure the plugin has a strong security record. Always keep your plugin updated to the latest version to benefit from security patches and bug fixes.
Are there any legal considerations for displaying Facebook reviews?
Yes, it’s important to be aware of legal considerations. Ensure you have permission from the reviewers to display their reviews on your website. It’s also important to avoid making any false or misleading statements about reviews or using them in a way that violates Facebook’s terms of service.
What are some best practices for displaying Facebook reviews?
Here are some best practices:
- Use a consistent design that matches your website’s overall aesthetic.
- Limit the number of reviews displayed to avoid overwhelming visitors.
- Highlight reviews with a positive sentiment to build trust.
- Respond to reviews, both positive and negative, to show you care about customer feedback.
- Use a plugin that allows you to easily moderate reviews and filter out inappropriate content.
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