3 Easy Ways to Add Social Share Buttons to WordPress

If you are looking to add social share buttons to WordPress, you will quickly find there are a dizzying number of plugins to help you accomplish the task. So how do you choose the best solution for you?In this article, well look at three impressive WordPress plugins:JetpackOrbit Fox CompanionSocial PugEach of these options will enable you to add social share buttons to WordPress that are beautiful and stylish. However, each tools functionality varies, all providing an array of different display features. Therefore, well also try to draw out some differences so that you can pick the plugin thats right for you. Jetpack by WordPress.com Author(s): AutomatticCurrent Version: 7.8Last Updated: October 1, 2019jetpack.7.8.zip 78%Ratings 145,415,907Downloads WP 5.1+Requires Jetpack is an extremely popular WordPress plugin, originally created by Automattic for WordPress.com websites. While Jetpack offers a bunch of different functionality, the Sharing  module allows you to easily ad d social share buttons to WordPress and your blog posts, so readers can quickly share your content on their social media channels.Currently, Jetpack supports:TwitterFacebookGoogle+PinterestLinkedInTumblrmany more networksHere is an example of Jetpacks attractive sharing buttons, though you can always choose a different style:Like the look of these buttons? Read on to find out how to install Jetpack and set up the Sharing module on your WordPress website.Installing JetpackTo install the Jetpack plugin, select Plugins → Add New from your WordPress menu.Type Jetpack into the search function and then select Install Now → Activate.You will now be asked to connect your website to WordPress.com to enable Jetpack to work on your site. To do so you will need to register with WordPress.com, or simply log in if you already have a WordPress.com account.Next, you will be asked to Approve  the syncing of your website with WordPress.com.Once connected, click the  Start for Freeà ‚  button to continue (you dont need to pay for the Sharing functionality).  You will now be returned to your website where you will find a Jetpack menu has been added to your WordPress dashboard.Activating Sharing ButtonsTo activate sharing buttons, navigate to Jetpack → Settings → Sharing.Here, under Sharing buttons, turn on the Add sharing buttons to your posts  button.Next, from your WordPress menu, select Settings → Sharing.Under Sharing Buttons, drag the services appropriate to your website into the Enabled Services  box. There is also the option of hiding services behind a generic share button.Further down the page, you can:Modify the look and position of your sharing buttonsAlter the button styleChange the labelingDecide whether you want your buttons displayed on posts, pages, homepage, and/or mediaOnce youve made some selections, you can check your changes under Live Preview  to see if they work with your websites design.Once finished, select Sa ve Changes  at the bottom of the page.Is Jetpack Sharing the right plugin for you?As you can see Jetpack buttons are extremely easy to add to your WordPress website. But is Jetpack for you? Here are some reasons Jetpack is the right choice for you.Youre interested in one of the many other modules that Jetpack offersYou want access to more niche sharing websites like Pocket and SkypeNow, lets have a look at the second option to add social share buttons to WordPressOrbit Fox Companion Orbit Fox by ThemeIsle Author(s): ThemeisleCurrent Version: 2.8.10Last Updated: September 13, 2019themeisle-companion.zip 94%Ratings 4,283,244Downloads WP 4.7+Requires The free Orbit Fox Companion  plugin, created by us here at ThemeIsle, incorporates a number of modules focused on enhancing your WordPress websites functionality. Social Media Share Buttons  is one of these modules, enabling you to add beautiful buttons to your blog.Orbit Fox provides over 20 social buttons for you to choose from and add to your WordPress website. You can take control over your sharing buttons, selecting their position on screen, and turning them on and off depending on the device being used to view your website. This is an example of Orbit Fox Companions sharing buttons†¦If these buttons appeal to you, then heres how to set them upSetting Up Orbit Fox CompanionTo get started, open your WordPress dashboard and install Orbit Fox Companion (this plugin can be installed in the same way as the Jetpack plugin or any other plugin).Once installed, you will find Orbit Fox in your WordPress menu under Orbit Fox . Here, under Available Modules, activate the Social Sharing Module.Configuring Sharing ButtonsScroll down the page and you will find the Social Sharing Module under Activated Modules Options.Here, you can configure the sharing buttons.Customizations include opting to display the sharing buttons on the right or left side of desktop and mobile devices, and whether to show each netwo rks name when users hover over a button.You can then choose which social buttons to activate and decide if you want to display the buttons on desktop, mobile, or both. Remember to click Save at the bottom of the page, before checking out how your sharing buttons look on the front end of your website.Is Orbit Fox Companion the right plugin for you?Here are some reasons to choose Orbit Fox Companion over the other options:You want the ability to turn your share buttons on or off depending on a users device (e.g. turn them off for smartphones)Youre interested in some of the other features offered by Orbit Fox CompanionYou want access to niche social networks like Reddit, WhatsApp, and moreBut before you make a final decision we have one plugin left to exploreSocial Share Buttons Social Pug Social Sharing Buttons Social Pug Author(s): DevPups, Mihai IovaCurrent Version: 1.6.2Last Updated: September 30, 2019social-pug.zip 96%Ratings 872,900Downloads WP 3.1+Requires The last Wor dPress plugin we are going to look at is Social Pug. This free plugin adds customizable social sharing buttons to your WordPress blog.It supports five networks:FacebookTwitterGoogle+LinkedInPinterestAnd buttons can be placed before and/or after a blog post, as well as in a floating sidebar that follows your visitors as they scroll down the page.If you decide to use Social Pug to display sharing buttons on your WordPress website, this is an example of what the final effect will look likeSo lets find out how to add Social Pug to your site†¦Adding Social Pug Sharing ButtonsInstall and activate the Social Pug plugin. Then select Social Pug → Toolkit from your WordPress menu.Next, choose whether you would like sharing buttons as Inline Content  or as a Floating Sidebar. Activate your preference and then click on Settings.Here you can customize your buttons to suit your sites needs. Under Inline Content, click on Social Networks and then on Select Networks. Then choose the s ocial media platforms you would like to display sharing icons for.You can alter the shape, position, and spacing of your buttons, choose to display them on mobile devices, and much more. Once you have completed the necessary alterations, select Save Changes. Then preview your new buttons on the live side of your site.Is Social Pug the right plugin for you?Here are some reasons to choose Social Pug:You want to display the share count for each network (how many times users have shared the post on each network)You want to change the labels on your share buttonsJust remember Social Pug has the shortest list of supported networks. You only get the five major networks, whereas the other two plugins offer a much wider selection.Final thoughts on social share buttonsThe plugin you choose for your WordPress website will very much depend on your sites needs. Consider things like:Whether the buttons match the style of your site and appeal to your audienceWhether you can customize the buttonsW here you can position the buttonsIf the plugin supports all the social networks that are relevant to your businessDont worry if you are having trouble making a decision on which plugin is best for you. As all of the plugins are free to install and extremely quick and easy to set up, you can try them all out before settling on a favorite.How will you add social share buttons to WordPress which plugin has caught your eye? Please share your thoughts in the comments below 3 different ways to add #social #share buttons to #WordPress

Political Conservatism and the Role of Religion

Political Conservatism and the Role of Religion Quite often, those on the left of the political spectrum dismiss political conservative ideology as the product of religious fervor. At first blush, this makes sense. After all, the conservative movement is populated by people of faith. Christians, Evangelicals, and Catholics tend to embrace the key aspects of conservatism, which include limited government, fiscal discipline, free enterprise, a strong national defense, and traditional family values. This is why many conservative Christians side with Republicanism politically. The Republican Party is most associated with championing these conservative values. Members of the Jewish faith, on the other hand, tend to drift toward the Democratic party because history supports it, not because of a particular ideology. According to author and essayist Edward S. Shapiro in American Conservatism: An Encyclopedia, most Jews are descendants of central and Eastern Europe, whose liberal parties in contrast to right-wing opponents favored Jewish emancipation and the lifting of economic and social restrictions on Jews. As a result, Jews looked to the Left for protection. Along with the rest of their traditions, Jews inherited a left-wing bias after emigrating to the United States, Shapiro says. Russell Kirk, in his book, The Conservative Mind, writes that, with the exception of antisemitism, The traditions of race and religion, the Jewish devotion to family, old usage, and spiritual continuity all incline the Jew toward conservatism. Shapiro says Jewish affinity for the left was cemented in the 1930s when Jews enthusiastically supported Franklin D. Roosevelts New Deal. They believed that the New Deal had succeeded in alleviating the social and economic conditions in which antisemitism flourished and, in the election of 1936, Jews supported Roosevelt by a ratio of nearly 9 to 1. While its fair to say that most conservatives use faith as a guiding principle, most try to keep it out of political discourse, recognizing it as something intensely personal. Conservatives often will say that the Constitution guarantees its citizens freedom of religion, not freedom from religion. In fact, there is plenty of historical evidence that proves, despite Thomas Jeffersons famous quote about a wall of separation between church and state, the Founding Fathers expected religion and religious groups to play an important role in the development of the nation. The religion clauses of the First Amendment guarantee the free exercise of religion, while at the same time protecting the nations citizens from religious oppression. The religion clauses also ensure that the federal government cannot be overtaken by one particular religious group because Congress cannot legislate one way or another on an establishment of religion. This precludes a national religion but also prevents the government from interfering with religions of any kind. For contemporary conservatives, the rule of thumb is that practicing faith publicly is reasonable, but proselytizing in public is not.