Hi everyone, I'm excited to share some big news with you all. As some of you know, I've been working on a new project to further enhance the blogging experience on Shopify. Today, I'm thrilled to announce the launch of my latest app, Better Blog Comments. This app is designed to turn your blog posts into a community zone with threaded replies and conversations about your posts / recipes happening seamlessly.
Why Better Blog Comments?
After creating Recipe Kit for Shopify, I was pushed deep into the world of online blogging. Almost immediately users of Recipe Kit were emailing asking about a blog comment feature, something that Shopify does technically provide, but is an extremely limited feature with no updates in the past 10 years, as far as I can tell.
Once I understood the need here, looking at the existing blog comment apps yielded not great results, as most of them rely on third party services like Disqus, which most people don't want to deal with (and requires giving your user and comment data to yet another third party...).
I decided to start spending some time building this feature, and finally we are here (2 years of development, later) with the release of the app onto the Shopify app store!
Key Features of Better Blog Comments
1. Email Notifications for New Comments
One of the most requested features from you all has been the ability to receive email notifications for new comments on your blog posts. With Better Blog Comments, you’ll never miss a comment again. As soon as someone leaves a comment on your blog, you’ll get an email notification, allowing you to stay on top of your reader interactions.2. Admin Replies and Quick Replies
Responding to comments should be quick and easy. Better Blog Comments allows you to reply to comments directly from the email notification. No need to log into your Shopify admin every time you want to respond. Just hit reply in your email, and your response will be posted as a comment on your blog. This feature is perfect for those of us who are always on the go and need to manage our blogs efficiently.3. Enhanced Spam Protection
Spam comments can be a real headache. Better Blog Comments includes advanced spam protection to keep your blog clean and free from bot comments. This means you can focus on engaging with your real readers without having to sift through spam. There is also an optional feature to enable the Cloudflare Turnstile CAPTCHA system, which will help block any bots or further spammers.4. Easy-to-Use Admin Interface
Managing comments across multiple blog posts can be cumbersome. Better Blog Comments provides a centralized admin interface where you can view, manage, and respond to all your comments in one place. This makes it much easier to keep track of conversations and ensure that no comment goes unanswered.
5. 5-Star Rating System
As recipe creators, you know that having a way for readers to leave ratings can be incredibly valuable. Better Blog Comments includes a 5-star rating system, allowing your readers to rate your content directly within the comment section. This not only provides valuable feedback but also helps other readers see which posts are the most popular and well-received.Integration with Recipe Kit
One of the most exciting aspects of Better Blog Comments is its seamless integration with Recipe Kit. For those of you using Recipe Kit, this integration brings a whole new level of functionality to your recipe cards and blog comments.Recipe Ratings and Comment Connection
With this integration, the ratings left in the comments on your blog posts will be directly connected to the recipe ratings in Recipe Kit. This means that when a reader leaves a rating in the comment section of your blog, it will automatically be added to the recipe ratings average and count in Recipe Kit. This ensures that all feedback is centralized, making it easier for you to track and respond to user comments.Unified Feedback System
The integration creates a unified feedback system where comments and ratings are shared between the two apps. Users can leave a review comment with their rating of your recipe card in Recipe Kit, and this feedback will be visible in the Better Blog Comments section of your blog post. This not only enhances the user experience but also provides you with a comprehensive view of how your recipes are being received.
How to Get Started
Getting started with Better Blog Comments is simple. You can install the app directly from the Shopify App Store or visit the Better Blog Comments website for more information. The installation process is straightforward, and I’ve designed the interface to be as user-friendly as possible.Real-World Applications
To give you a better idea of how Better Blog Comments can enhance your blog, let’s look at a few real-world applications:Recipe Blogs
For those of you using Recipe Kit, Better Blog Comments is a perfect companion. Imagine a reader trying out your latest recipe and leaving a comment with a photo of their creation, along with a rating. This not only provides you with valuable feedback but also creates a sense of community among your readers. Other users can see the photos and ratings, encouraging them to try the recipe themselves and leave their own feedback.Product Reviews
If you run a blog that features product reviews, Better Blog Comments allows your readers to leave detailed comments and ratings on the products you review. This can help build trust with your audience, as they can see real feedback from other users. Additionally, the integrated rating system provides a quick snapshot of how well a product is received by your readers.Tutorials and How-To Guides
For blogs that focus on tutorials and how-to guides, Better Blog Comments provides a platform for readers to ask questions and share their own tips and tricks. The ability to leave rich comments with images and videos is particularly useful in this context, as readers can provide visual feedback and ask for clarification on specific steps.Conclusion
Better Blog Comments is more than just a commenting system; it’s a tool to build a community around your blog. By fostering engagement and providing a platform for meaningful feedback, Better Blog Comments helps you create a more interactive and dynamic blog experience. Whether you’re a Recipe Kit user or run a different type of blog, Better Blog Comments is designed to meet your needs and enhance your content. Ready to take your blog to the next level? Visit the Shopify App Store or the Better Blog Comments website to get started today. I can’t wait to see how Better Blog Comments transforms your blog!
PS. Try out the app with the blog comment widget just below this article!