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!
EasyAzon Plugin
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 recently posted..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 recently posted..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!
zoopco recently posted..FREE Deleted Domain List
Twitter: phonakins
says:
I’m much more likely to click through to someone’s link if there’s a gravatar next to it
Fiona recently posted..So Like a Rose
Twitter: Ileane
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 recently posted..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 recently posted..What is a website and why do I need one
Twitter: estavamorioka
says:
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:)
Estava Morioka recently posted..6 Great Dresses That Celebrate the Holidays – All under 50
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 recently posted..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.
satrap recently posted..53 Ways to Make Money Online
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 recently posted..Unionization- The cancer for business and security!
Twitter: Annojo_nl
says:
I would like to have my gravatar shown all the time but the fact is that sometimes it is shown and other times it isn’t. I understand that it has something to do with the emailadress that you use, but even when I use the same adress sometimes my gravatar is shown and other times it isn’t. Are there several gravatar programs? Does someone have a shortlist of these?
Annojo recently posted..Internationale LonDam indierock in De Pater
I don’t know how many there are, but, if you go up to the first paragraph in the article, there is a link to info about the most common ones, but I can tell you this, Gravatar is the biggest or most popular as it is offered by the same folks as WorPress itself, AUTOMATTIC, so if you are using one, and the same email address, the only thing I can think of that may get in the way is the theme being used on the site where you are commenting, or, the settings of the site may be set to not show one. Do keep in mind however that you must add each email address and images must be set for each. Also, if you have a WordPress.com account, you already have a Gravatar account, it is the same login info.
CarpetGuy recently posted..Alphabet Soup- What comes next
I just remembered something else, when you set up your Gravatar, you select a rating, G, PG, etc. and if the setting you choose is higher than that allowed by the site where you are commenting, your Gravatar will not show.
Twitter: grantlylynch
says:
And its really important to use a good portrait photo for your Gravatar- dont use a illustration or poor image as it puts people off as we all like to know who we are talking with. Grant
Corporate Photographer recently posted..Commercial photography Hampshire
Twitter: jbiehl20
says:
I have tried to set up a gravatar in the past, but it has not worked for me for some odd reason. Let’s see if it show up this time….
Jeff recently posted..Working Out When Sick
Hey Grant, as a photographer, a portrait is definitely the best choice for you, anytime there is a need for someone to know you on a more personal level an actual image of you may be best, but, for some, I don’t think it necessary, I use a portrait on almost all of my sites, but not OpinionHead, I’d rather folks get an image of me from something else, like my writing, and the domain name combined with a crazy Gravatar, lets one know that maybe, and just maybe, I might be a little bit nuts! Jeff, glad to see you got it working, like I said above, check that rating, if you have a PG, by default, WordPress is set to G, so it may not show.
CarpetGuy recently posted..News Media- Left-wing by omission!