How to Add a Facebook Like Button or Like Box

by Posted on

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.

Published by Donald Sinatra

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

  1. Hey would you mind sharing which blog platform
    you’re working with? I’m planning to start
    my own blog in the near future but I’m having a difficult time selecting between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal.
    The reason I ask is because your design and style seems different then most blogs and
    I’m looking for something unique. P.S Sorry for getting off-topic but I had to ask!

    Feel free to surf to my webpage: trap beats

  4. Its like you read my mind! You seem to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it
    or something. I think that you could do with
    a few pics to drive the message home a bit, but
    instead of that, this is magnificent blog. An excellent read.
    I’ll certainly be back.

  5. Undeniably believe that which you said. Your favorite justification seemed to be
    on the net the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely
    get irked while people think about worries that they just don’t know about.
    You managed to hit the nail upon the top and defined out the
    whole thing without having side effect , people could take a signal.
    Will probably be back to get more. Thanks

    Also visit my web page kooora

  9. Its like you read my mind! You seem to know so much about
    this, like you wrote the book in it or something.
    I think that you can do with a few pics to drive the message home a little bit,
    but other than that, this is great blog. A fantastic read.

    I will certainly be back.

    Also visit my web-site … forskolin for weight loss (http://bit.ly/)

  10. Right here is the perfect site for everyone who really
    wants to find out about this topic. You know so much its almost tough to argue with you (not that I actually would want
    to…HaHa). You definitely put a brand new spin on a subject that’s been discussed for decades.
    Wonderful stuff, just great!

    my site – kooora

  11. Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that
    automatically tweet my newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience
    with something like this. Please let me know if
    you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your
    new updates.

    my web-site :: labels

  15. Hello, Neat post. There’s an issue together with your website in internet explorer, may test this?
    IE still is the marketplace chief and a huge section of people
    will omit your magnificent writing due to this problem.

  20. Reparera mobil , Reparera, fixa iPhone6s, iPhone 7 hos oss.
    Vi reparerar, Fixa trasiga glas, skärm och trasig iPhone.
    Har ditt iPhone-glas spruckit? Reparera glas, display eller skärm?
    Laga din iPhone i Göteborg, Backaplan, Hisingen, Nordstan, Centrum,
    Stockholm, Borås, Västra Frölunda, Frölunda Torg, Varberg.
    Reparera, behöver byta skärm, glas, display på
    iphone 6s. Laga och reparera iPhone 6s, iPhone 7.
    Utför iPhone 7 Plus reparation i Stockholm, Malmö, Göteborg,
    Stenungsund, Bor̴s och Varberg. РReparera mobil

    Hi! I simply want to offer you a huge thumbs up for the excellent information you have here
    on this post. I am returning to your website for more
    soon.

  24. I believe that is one of the such a lot vital info for me.
    And i’m happy reading your article. But wanna commentary on some common things, The web site style is wonderful, the articles
    is really excellent : D. Just right task, cheers

  25. Wonderful items from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to
    and you’re simply extremely excellent. I really like what you have acquired here, certainly like
    what you’re saying and the way in which during
    which you say it. You’re making it entertaining and you continue to care for to keep it smart.
    I cant wait to learn much more from you. This is really a tremendous site.

    My web blog … real estate agent

  28. Having read this I believed it was rather enlightening. I appreciate you spending some time
    and effort to put this short article together. I once again find myself personally spending a lot of time
    both reading and leaving comments. But so what, it was still worth it!

    Here is my web site; working hacks (Susanne)

  31. Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your site and in accession capital
    to assert that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your blog posts.
    Any way I will be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently fast.

    Also visit my web page: karaoké

  32. Everything typed made a great deal of sense. However, what about this?
    suppose you wrote a catchier post title? I am not suggesting your information is not solid., however suppose you added something that grabbed folk’s attention? I mean How to Add a Facebook Like Button or Like Box |
    Donald Sinatra is a little vanilla. You should peek at Yahoo’s front page and note how they write post headlines to grab people interested.
    You might add a video or a pic or two to get readers interested about what you’ve
    got to say. Just my opinion, it could make your posts a little
    livelier.

  33. Excellent post. I was checking constantly this
    blog and I’m impressed! Very useful information specially the last part 🙂 I care for such info much.
    I was seeking this certain information for a very long time.
    Thank you and best of luck.

    Feel free to surf to my blog post – Screen Repair

  34. Aw, this was an exceptionally nice post. Finding the time and actual effort to produce a great article… but what can I say…
    I hesitate a lot and don’t seem to get anything done.

    Also visit my webpage Screen Repair

  36. It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d without a doubt
    donate to this fantastic blog! I guess for now
    i’ll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account.

    I look forward to brand new updates and will share this blog with my
    Facebook group. Chat soon!

    Review my site; handyman services nj

  39. Have you ever thought about publishing an e-book or
    guest authoring on other websites? I have a blog based upon on the same ideas you discuss
    and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know
    my subscribers would appreciate your work. If you are even remotely interested,
    feel free to send me an email.

  41. you are really a excellent webmaster. The site loading speed is amazing.

    It sort of feels that you are doing any unique trick.
    In addition, The contents are masterwork. you have
    done a wonderful process in this matter!

    Here is my web page :: primary antibody

  42. An outstanding share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a coworker
    who has been conducting a little research on this.
    And he in fact ordered me lunch due to the fact that I stumbled
    upon it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this….
    Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending time to talk about this subject
    here on your web site.

    Take a look at my weblog; Happy valentines day wishes

  45. Unquestionably believe that which you stated. Your favorite
    reason seemed to be on the net the easiest thing to be aware of.
    I say to you, I certainly get irked while people consider worries that they
    just don’t know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and
    also defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , people can take a signal.
    Will probably be back to get more. Thanks

    My site auto body shop

  46. Thank you a bunch for sharing this with all folks you really recognise what you are talking approximately!

    Bookmarked. Kindly additionally visit my site =). We may have a hyperlink exchange agreement between us

    my blog post :: Website Logo

Leave a Reply