How to Add a Facebook Like Button or Like Box

The Easiest Way to Add a Facebook Button to Your WordPress Site

In this post, I’ll explain the differences in the Facebook Like Button and the Facebook Like Box. I will also explain the step-by-step process of adding this functionality to your website using WordPress as an example.

Button vs Box

 
The Facebook Like Button is used for visitors of your website to ‘like’ a particular post, page, site or any other criteria a website has to offer. This is done by assigning a URL to ‘like’. Do not confuse this with a ‘Share’ button which allows Facebook users to share a post, video etc. with their Facebook friends.


I am currently using the Socialize plugin on the Ask Adam League that is running on WordPress.

The Facebook Like Button has some great advantages. It allows users of the Facebook community to ‘like’ something which in turn shares that something and broadcasts it out to all of their Facebook friends via their News Feed. Also, this something that they like will remain on their profile for other people to see and visit.

The Facebook Like Box on the other hand allows visitors to ‘Like’ a Facebook Fan Page. It also has other functions such as showing the faces of people on Facebook who like the Fan Page and it can also display the latest post on the Fan Page.

Important:

An interesting note here is that you can use the Facebook Like Button as a Facebook Like Box but only a Facebook Like Box can be used as a Facebook Like Box. This is how it works. In the Facebook Like Box Generator you are prompted to add a Facebook Page URL in the respective field pigeonholing the developer into using the Facebook API strictly for users to ‘like’ a Facebook Page. However, in the Facebook Like Button Generator the user is allowed to add any URL they want. This makes it possible for users to ‘like’ the corresponding page that the developer is suggesting. How a Facebook Like Button can be used as a Facebook Like Box is simple; add a Facebook URL to the URL field and how you are on your way to making a Facebook Like Button that when clicked will allow a Facebook user to ‘like’ your Facebook page. For example, the Ask Adam League currently has a Facebook Like Button on the site. When clicking on this Like Button, the visitor will be Liking the Facebook Fan page for the Ask Adam League. They will also be able to see other friends of theirs that like the Ask Adam League Facebook Fan Page.

How to Add a Facebook Like Button to a WordPress Site

Adding either the Facebook Like Box or Button is very similar so instead of writing War and Peace here I’ll show you the steps for the Like Button.
Notes: These steps include using the code from the Facebook Developers website and not a WordPress plugin as I’ve found many of the plugins to be confusing or very spotty with their functions.
These steps will show you how to add a Facebook Like Box to your WordPress sidebar using a text widget; the simplest way I have found to add the Like Button.

Generate the Code:

  1. Go to the Facebook Like Button generator. This is where you will set the parameters for your Facebook Like Button and generate the code for your WordPress widget.
  2. The first step for generating the code is to get the URL for your page. I will choose to use the Ask Adam League Facebook page in this example since I want my site visitors to ‘like’ my Facebook page. Just visit the page and grab the full URL there and paste it into the ‘URL to Like’ field. (I’ve noticed that Firefox 3 on my Mac did not generate the Like Button example. It wasn’t until I updated to Firefox 4 that this happened).
  3. Select the different parameters for your Like Button such as pixel width and color scheme. You can also toggle on or off Faces which just displays the faces of the users who like your page.Click ‘Get Code’ and you’ll be presented with two different types of code; iFrame and XFBML. XFBML works for me (I’ll let the coder community explain the differences).
  4. Copy the XFBML code.

Insert the Code:

  1. Login to your WordPress CMS and go to ‘Widgets’ under the ‘Appearance’ pulldown on the right.
  2. Here you’ll have all of your widgets available that can be installed in your sidebar. If you don’t know what these do just think of them as little applications that do things on your sidebar.
  3. Grab the ‘Text’ widget and drag-and-drop it to anywhere you want the Facebook Like Button to be with all of your other widgets on the sidebar respectively. (if there is currently a text widget on your sidebar that you would like to install the Facebook Like Box code to with some other code there will be no problem at all).
  4. Crack open the Text widget by clicking on the pulldown. Your text widget will open up exposing the field where you will enter the code.
  5. Paste the code that you copied from the code generator.
  6. Click ‘save’.
  7. Bring up the page(s) that has your new Facebook Like Button to check it out.

Yeah yeah. I know we only have 12 people who like us on Facebook. Give us a sec.
Now anyone that visits your site will be able to like your Facebook Fan page. You can follow these same steps with the Facebook Like Box generator to make a Like Box if you wish.

Send me a comment if you guys have any questions. Good luck!

Note: My first time adding the Like Button it took almost 2 hours for it to show up on my page. Whether it took the Facebook API a million years to work or whatever else was going on I do not know.

11,483 Replies to “How to Add a Facebook Like Button or Like Box”

  1. I don’t know if it’s just me or if everybody else encountering problems with
    your blog. It appears as though some of the text in your content are running off the screen. Can somebody else
    please provide feedback and let me know if this is happening to them as well?
    This could be a issue with my internet browser because I’ve had this happen before.

    Many thanks

    Here is my web blog; Contact Lenses

  2. each time i used to read smaller posts which also clear their motive,
    and that is also happening with this paragraph which I am reading
    here.

    Also visit my website :: hack tool (Patti)

  3. Hello there! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist with Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some
    targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good gains.
    If you know of any please share. Thanks!

    My web-site sell your home

  4. Do you mind if I quote a couple of your articles as
    long as I provide credit and sources back to your
    blog? My website is in the very same niche as yours and
    my visitors would truly benefit from some of the information you provide here.
    Please let me know if this ok with you. Thanks a lot!

    Take a look at my web blog … sell tablet online for cash

  5. Howdy! This blog post couldn’t be written any better!
    Going through this article reminds me of my previous roommate!
    He continually kept talking about this. I’ll
    send this article to him. Fairly certain he will have a great read.
    Thank you for sharing!

    Look at my blog post … game cheats

  6. It’s actually a cool and useful piece of info.
    I’m satisfied that you simply shared this useful information with us.
    Please stay us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.

    My weblog – facebook game hacks, Kimberly,

  7. It prices roughly 10 pence or less for a HV/X Main card with all of
    the circuitry utilized in a overseas factory, but to purchase one in the UK, clearly will price
    considerably extra, and also you run the danger of
    electrocution when you attempt to service your own tv by changing the previous card for
    a new one, when you have little or no expertise in the subject of electronics
    and where the recommendation in the article
    is not advisable.

  8. Magnificent items from you, man. I’ve understand
    your stuff prior to and you’re simply extremely wonderful.
    I really like what you’ve got here, really like what you’re stating and
    the best way during which you assert it. You
    are making it enjoyable and you continue to care for to stay it sensible.
    I cant wait to learn far more from you. This is
    really a wonderful website.

    My web page; ARCHITECT

  9. Your style is very unique compared to other people I’ve read stuff
    from. Many thanks for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I will just book mark this page.

  10. I’m really enjoying the theme/design of your site.
    Do you ever run into any internet browser compatibility problems?
    A small number of my blog visitors have complained about
    my website not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Chrome.
    Do you have any suggestions to help fix this issue?

    Here is my webpage: mortgage brokers Kelowna

  11. The terminals are built to the highest standards and have received very
    good feedback from customers. Micro drive mp3 players have rather more space for storing than flash
    memory gamers, varying from 5 GB to 10 GB. There may be plenty
    of free content on the Internet, but the very best content has been completely produced for you.

  12. Hi there i am kavin, its my first time to commenting anywhere, when i read this piece of writing i thought i could
    also create comment due to this good piece of writing.

    My web site – koora live

  13. Just wish to say your article is as amazing. The clearness in your post
    is simply spectacular and i could assume you are an expert on this subject.
    Well with your permission allow me to grab your feed to keep up
    to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please keep up the enjoyable work.

    My web page … montauk dog kennel services

  14. Hey! Quick question that’s completely off topic. Do you know how to make your
    site mobile friendly? My web site looks weird when viewing from my iphone4.

    I’m trying to find a theme or plugin that might be able to correct this issue.
    If you have any suggestions, please share.
    Appreciate it!

    Feel free to visit my weblog; mindfulness meditation tips

  15. Hello, i believe that i saw you visited my web site thus
    i came to go back the desire?.I am trying to to find
    things to improve my web site!I suppose its good enough to make
    use of a few of your ideas!!

  16. I was suggested this blog by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my problem.
    You are wonderful! Thanks!

  17. Great article! That is the type of information that are meant
    to be shared across the internet. Shame on Google for
    not positioning this submit upper! Come on over and discuss with my site .

    Thank you =)

  18. An impressive share! I have just forwarded this onto a coworker who had been conducting a little homework on this.

    And he in fact ordered me dinner due to the fact that I discovered it
    for him… lol. So allow me to reword this….

    Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending the time to
    discuss this topic here on your web site.

    Here is my weblog – Départ retraite

  19. Hi, I do believe this is a great blog. I stumbledupon it 😉 I will come back yet again since i have book marked it.

    Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be
    rich and continue to help others.

    Also visit my site; game cheats (Julia)

  20. With havin so much content and articles do you ever
    run into any problems of plagorism or copyright violation? My site has a
    lot of completely unique content I’ve either authored myself or outsourced but
    it seems a lot of it is popping it up all over the web without my authorization. Do you know any ways
    to help prevent content from being stolen? I’d
    really appreciate it.

    my homepage; kora online

  21. Wow, this post is pleasant, my younger sister is analyzing
    these things, thus I am going to let know her.

    my web site: generator tool, Nicki,

  22. First of all I would like to say terrific blog! I had
    a quick question which I’d like to ask if you don’t mind.
    I was interested to find out how you center yourself and clear
    your thoughts before writing. I’ve had difficulty clearing my thoughts in getting my thoughts out.
    I truly do take pleasure in writing but it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are
    usually lost simply just trying to figure out how to begin. Any suggestions
    or hints? Thanks!

    Feel free to surf to my homepage – Momsrapport

  23. That is very fascinating, You are an excessively
    professional blogger. I’ve joined your rss feed and look forward how to remove blood out of clothing
    (Alissa) searching
    for extra of your wonderful post. Additionally, I have shared
    your website in my social networks

Leave a Reply