How can a Gravatar help me?
This is actually a topic that I have put a lot of thought into, because I am always amazed at how many people, don’t have one. I am using Gravatar as an example, but there are other custom avatars to choose from, read about them here. If you want to learn more, watch the video here.
A Gravatar is good for your website.
I know, a Gravatar is connected to an e-mail address, not a whole website, so, how is it good for your site? If everyone that ever writes anything on your WordPress site (Not always a Blog these days) has one, it makes the site look friendlier and more inviting, thus leading to more visitors and more comments, all of which help your website grow in popularity, and popularity adds credibility which if you are selling products will increase your sales.
A Gravatar can be good for your image.
I say can be, because you can do like I do, and use something silly, then readers may judge you in a way that you do not want them to, but, each email address that you use can have a different one, and, as I do from time to time, you can change it. For my OpinionHead site, I can use pretty much anything, I want to catch people’s attention, but for my business sites, I use my picture so that readers know who I am, and yes, that little pic is me in the main image.
A Gravatar gives you individuality!
You may notice the little silhouette for some users, that is the default image that is displayed when no Gravatar has been set up for that email address, and yes, if that is what happens when you leave a comment, this article is for you, so, go and get one already! Watch the video, that may help you see just how easy it is to show the world who you are or give some insite into your disturbed personality, like mine, after all, that is the whole point, just be you!
Why would you or would you not want to get a Gravatar?
This is the question I pose to all who read this, why would you or would you not want to get a Gravatar? It seems that I have more trouble getting, not just visitors to my sites, but owners of sites that I build for them to get one. CommentLuv helps get many that have websites of their own to post comments, and a Gravatar lets us see who you are!
Twitter: BlazingMinds
says:
I have to agree that having a Gravatar is one of the most important aspects of an online presence, once people get used to seeing your distinct Gravatar, they then get to know you, I think nearly every one recognises my Gravatar
Karen´s recent blog post ..Wordless Wednesday – Cappuccino Time!
Thanks for your comment, I honestly can’t understand why everyone doesn’t have one, it is fast, easy, FREE, and if you get tired of it, you can change it, although that may not be the best idea, changing it changes it everywhere, so name recognition comes into play, but, once they know your name, a new Gravatar can catch people’s eye and renew interest in what you have written.
CarpetGuy´s recent blog post ..Unionization- The cancer for business and security!
I just recently updated my gravatar and I must agree that it does add personality to the post. Im sick of the generic boring pics that used to show up for my posts. I added a funny picture of myself and it cracks me up everytime I look at it. I took it a few years ago at Medieval times in their “torture” museum. Im actually sitting on a spiked bed that was a torture device used in the past! Scary stuff – well I made the best of it haha!
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Twitter: phonakins
says:
I’m much more likely to click through to someone’s link if there’s a gravatar next to it
Fiona´s recent blog post ..So Like a Rose
Twitter: BasicBlogTips
says:
David, I really don’t think that people choose not to have a Gravatar. I find that the real problem is people are using different email addresses when leave comments or sign up for different services than the one they have on their Gravatar account. The easy solution for that is to add all of the relevant emails addresses to the account with the appropriate Gravatar.
The other problem is – if you’re using Gmail or if you have a Blogger blog, Gravatar isn’t recognized, therefore you need to upload the same image to your Google profile that you have on your Gravatar account.
One last point – some folks just don’t know where to sign up so I’m glad you gave them the link. Now there’s no more excuses
Thanks for spreading the word!
Ileane Smith´s recent blog post ..Video Blogging Women On The Rise
Thanks Ileane, getting the link to the folks that don’t know where to go was part of the reason for the article, another was directed to those that you mentioned that are using email addresses not linked to their Gravatar, I mean come on, you can add as many email addresses as you want, anyway, just trying to help out.
CarpetGuy´s recent blog post ..What is a website and why do I need one
Funny you should mention this because I just updated my Gravatar today! The old one was too small and people were getting confused about what it was a picture of. Hope you like the new one:)
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Twitter: lavenderuses
says:
Hi Estava
I like the new Gravatar
Agree with the importance of having one. It makes it easy to be recognise and to be recognised by others. I often skim through Twitter and if I see those whose blogs I visit, will click on to read their posts. If there is no Gravatar do wonder who the person is who is commenting on my blog. Thanks for sharing Carpet Guy.
Patricia Perth Australia
Patricia´s recent blog post ..So Little Time- So Much To Do
I agree 100% with you David. One of the most important benefits of having a gravatar is that it gives you (your business, blog,..) an image, an image that will make it easier for people to remember you and spot you when they see it elsewhere.
Another thing about gravatar is that it gives you a bit more credibility. People are more likely to trust someone with a pic than an unknown person.
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Thanks satrap, image is very important, it is a perception, right wrong or otherwise, when someone reads a comment somewhere, and they see that blank ugly silhouette, or standard default avatar of whatever type, then they see your user-name, there is a feeling, like what are they hiding? Or, whatever, if there is nothing, but, if they see your picture, or something like mine, they remember it.
Oh, just so you know, and anyone reading this, the Gravatar that I amusing, the kiss my behind thing, it is supposed to be funny, and not directed to anyone here, it just kind of fits what I write at my site, OpinionHead, and is directed to …well, if you read what I write there, you’ll get it!
CarpetGuy´s recent blog post ..Unionization- The cancer for business and security!