If you have commented on this blog before you have probably seen my “Thank You For Commenting” welcome page after your first comment that you posted.
On it I express appreciation to you for leaving your first comment and I let you know that I am looking forward to reading what you have to say. I also offer to connect with you on some social networks and I offer you some freebies as well.
Check it out if you haven’t already – that means you have to comment!
I spent a lot of time setting up the page to make it nice and offer all that I want, redesigning it every so often.
I must be doing a decent job with the page because I get asked how to make that page a lot. I’m always happy to explain it to anyone who asks – but how much easier to just have a post here that already explains it!
Install the two plugins
From your WordPress admin dashboard go to:
Plugins
Add New
You will then be at the Install Plugins page and you will want to make sure that you are on the “Search” tab.
Here you will need to search two plugins: CommentRedirect and Exclude Pages from Navigation.
Create the Thank You page
Once you have both installed you will want to create a page called Thank You For Your Comment – or whatever you want to call it, whatever you call it will be the first thing your reader sees after leaving their comment. Be sure to uncheck the box that says to include the page in the navigation.
Set up the page however you want: direct the readers to your opt-in, social media profiles, another special page, etc. When you’re happy with the page publish it.
Configure the redirect
Now that you have the page published and excluded go back to the plugin bar in your dashboard, now you will see “Comment Redirect” under add new and editor. Click that and choose your thank you page and then save the settings.
Now all of your new commentors will see that page after their first comment!
To Your Success,
Stacy, aloha. Thank You for this post on creating a Thank You page like yours.
Your directions look easy to follow so have noted it on my “to do” list for the weekend.
Best wishes for a fabulous weekend. Aloha. Janet
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Stacy Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 3:15 pm
Hi Janet,
Thank you for letting me know that the directions were easy! I think the hardest part is getting the page just right!
Stacy
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Hi Stacy,
Yes that’s something I want to do and thank you so much for sharing it. It’s on my To Do List for this weekend along with a few other plugins. Very helpful and I appreciate the clear explanations
Diana invites you to read… Just Joined This Blog Marketing Forum
[Reply]
Stacy Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 3:18 pm
Hi Diana,
Thank you for the feedback!
Take care,
Stacy
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I love that connection about leaving comments on blogs… so I will put this on my to do list…. Thanks. You make is sound so simple, but my butterflies are jumping around about the techy part already!!
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Stacy Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 4:50 pm
Hi Holly,
It really is pretty simple, I found the most difficult part to be getting the page just as I wanted!
Stacy
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So cool. Thanks for sharing!
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Stacy Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 4:50 pm
Thank you, Emily!
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Great post, Stacy! You have a really well-made Thank You page. I really appreciate it that you let us know exactly how you did it. Expect to see one on my page in the next few days. You are really providing a lot of value on your blog!
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Stacy Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 4:51 pm
Thank you, Steve! I look forward to seeing your new thank you page!
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Hi Stacy!
I am using Blogger for my blog so can’t make use of those instructions, but the idea of having a page is a great one, if only to make a special point of rewarding them for leaving a comment.
Jeanine
Jeanine invites you to read… Wardrobe Remix- What I Learned from this 30 for 30 Experiment
[Reply]
Stacy Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 4:51 pm
Jeanine,
Any plans of going with WP? I love the flexibility that it offers!
Stacy
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Hi Stacy,
Thanks for the idea and the instructions – this is great! My main blog (as well as my secondary two miniblogs actually) are on tumblr for the time being BUT for my own company blog and another one where I’m “webmaster” this is perfect since they are both wordpress installations.
Do you have any experience with tumblr, by the way?
Chilly cheers from a mostly sunny Saturday Sweden!
/Niclas J
Niclas Johansson invites you to read… The Integral Entrepreneur Manifesto
[Reply]
Stacy Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 4:52 pm
Hi Niclas,
I haven’t used tumblr, sorry. But these directions will work for your WP blogs
Stacy
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Stacy,
A very good article with simple steps to follow. One point of conflict I had was in the Exclude Pages from Navigation search, but finally figured out that they had changed the name of the plug-in. Thanks for a wonderful tip. Took me all of 5 minutes to put together a simple thank you page.
[Reply]
Stacy Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 4:53 pm
Bruce,
What did they rename the plugin? It still shows the old way in my dashboard.
Thanks,
Stacy
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Hey Stacey,
Wonderful. This mission is on my to-do list for this month. And I was not ready to go on a Google hunt and endless browsing to find a handy set of instructions to set my Thank You page up! You saved my day.
Thanks Stacey!
Cheers,
Jane.
Jane@Blogging Tips invites you to read… How I Managed To Get My Posts Featured On A-List Blogs
[Reply]
Stacy Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 4:54 pm
Hi Jane,
I’m so glad that I could help.
Stacy
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Stacy,
Interesting, I did wonder how people were doing that since it isn’t a process I’ve used or set up for clients. Subscribing to comments and such I’ve employed in the past but this is a good tip.
Thanks for being specific with the plugins too; see you again soon!
Jon
Jon invites you to read… The Dark Side of Community- Will You Help Cast Some Light
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Stacy Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 4:56 pm
Hi Jon,
I’m glad that I could help with something that you can set up for your clients!
Stacy
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Hello Stacy, When I think back I do remember, very clearly that you do indeed have a Thank You Page and I was thinking at the time… How Clever is she?
Thanks so much for the step by step instructions. I will definitely tack this onto the end of my list.
I think I will have to write another report or two though to give away. I am just at the end of one of my first ones and have a couple to finish. I loved yours btw.
Thanks Stacy,
See you soon
Jayne
Jayne invites you to read… Self Worth and Success Are You in Sync
[Reply]
Stacy Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 4:58 pm
Hi Jayne,
Thank you! Good luck with everything! I am working on a bunch of different projects myself so I know what it’s like to have a huge to-do list!
But it’s better than being bored and unproductive!
Stacy
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Hey Stacy,
Thanks for putting this together. Now, I’m going to suggest that you create a video on this topic using the plugins name as keywords. You’ll get way more traffic!!!
Have a great day…
Josh
Josh Garcia@Orlando Real Estate invites you to read… Selecting an Orlando Realty Company
[Reply]
Stacy Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 5:01 pm
Hi Josh,
Thanks for the great idea. I need to learn how to create a video!
Take care,
Stacy
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Hi Stacy,
You covered this so well, thank you.
It is not something I have done yet but at least I will know how to do it now.
Just gotta love learning from each other.
~Marcus
Marcus Baker invites you to read… How to Consistently Increase Your Income
[Reply]
Stacy Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 5:02 pm
Hi Marcus,
Yes, one of the great things about blogging is that we all have things to learn from each other!
Take care,
Stacy
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Hi Stacy! This is one thank you page I’m not utilizing and I thank you for bringing it to my attention! I’m using the thank you after someone subscribes, but not the thank you after someone comments!
Brilliant idea girl! I have to say that I do send a thank you for commenting email when someone comments for the first time, but sending them to my thank you page would be a very nice step to add!
Thank you for the tips!
Heather
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[Reply]
Stacy Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 8:08 pm
Hi Heather,
I’m also sending out a thank you email when someone comments, I like both the page and the email. They both offer something a little different and they are both great ways to grab the readers attention!
Take care,
Stacy
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Hi Stacy,
This sure is a great idea to express gratitude to readers who take the time to comment.
Thanks for sharing with us how you make your own Thank You page!
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Stacy Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 11:30 am
Thank you Felicia, I hope you found it helpful!
Stacy
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Stacy, I just found your gem of a site via Blog Frog! I’m blessed by it! Unfortunately, I have my blog at Blogger and cannot utilize your fabulous ideas for a thank you page. I hope I don’t regret setting it up in Blogger versus Word Press
Carrie
Carrie invites you to read… Trusting Wholeheartedly in Him
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Stacy Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 11:33 am
Hi Carrie,
Quite a few girls from Blog Frog have made the switch from blogger to WP and they have been very happy. Don’t feel that you can’t switch if you decide you want to!
Stacy
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Hey Stacy, I must say that when I saw your ‘thank you for commenting page’ popup (after I commented) I loved it, and I’m glad you posted how you created it. Thanks.
You know, I have a ‘thanks for commenting email’ setup buy I seem to like the page one better – now I can find time to create it, using your steps.
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Stacy Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 11:35 am
Hi Stella,
I use the thank you email as well (you’ll probably get one soon!) and I find that they are both useful and effective!
Take care,
Stacy
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Funny, my “to-do” list had on it a note to reach out and ask you how you created your comment thank you page.
Thanks for sharing this!
And your instructions are so clear and simple.
I’m looking forward to creating one for my blog, too.
Wishing you well-
Nanette
Nanette@ Wise Well Women invites you to read… How to Find the Courage to Commit to Goals
[Reply]
Stacy Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 9:25 am
Hi Nanette,
I have been asked many times how I made the thank you page and I’m glad to be able to help everyone out!
Stacy
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Could I skip the Exclude page from navigation plugin if I have Custom menus?
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Stacy Reply:
May 20th, 2011 at 8:21 pm
Hi Janet,
If the custom menus allow you to hide a page from the navigation then that should work!
Stacy
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Stacy
Thanks so much for sharing with is all!
Sue
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Stacy Reply:
May 23rd, 2011 at 12:57 pm
You’re welcome, Sue!
Stacy
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Valuable. Thank you for this!
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Hi Stacy,
Thanks for the great article.
This is on my to do list!
Thank you
Nick
Nick Messenger invites you to read… How to market with social media
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Thanks, Stacy. I created a Thank You page using these simple directions. Also turned off the Thank Me Later plugin, which was set up to send a thank you.
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Stacy Reply:
January 10th, 2012 at 11:18 am
I’m glad that you found a solution that works for you!
[Reply]
[...] Thank them for commenting. [...]
Hey Stacy! Thanks for this post. I think its important to show gratitude to the comment makers. Well, I’m currently using a plugin (wordpress) to automatically send an email to the comment maker. Its THANK ME LATER. I found it useful! Hope you review it too..
Krishna Kiran invites you to read… Hello world!
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