Creating Twitter Buttons for Your Website Go to about.twitter.com/resources/buttons There are four different styles of custom Twitter buttons to create. You may need only one for your site or you may need different buttons for different pages of your site. This quick reference guide will help you decide which button to create and how to customize your button.
Share a link - This type of button allows your customers to share a link to your website, or a website of your choosing, on Twitter. Follow - This type of button allows your customers to follow your business on Twitter. Hashtag - This type of button allows your customers to tweet from your website with a pre-populated hashtag. For example, #sale for a current promotion. Mention - This type of button allows your customers to create a tweet to a specific Twitter account. For example, @support to ask a question.
Share a Link Button Share URL – Typically you will want to use the default Use the page URL, which means the URL of the page that hosts the Twitter button (for example, your home page). Use the other option if you want to bring attention to a different page, other than the one that hosts the Twitter button. Tweet text – This is where you can customize the actual text of tweet. Twitter defaults to the title of the page, but you can also opt to create your own. Keep in mind that every character counts. You do not want to include so much text that your customers cannot include their own comment on the shared link. Show count – This will show the number of your Twitter followers. Only keep this checked if you have a large following. Via – This is where you can include your Twitter handle. Since you are most likely sharing a link to your website, use this only if it makes sense for your business. Recommend – This is where you can recommend a specific Twitter handle. Again, every character counts so only include this if it makes sense for your business. Hashtag – This is where you can insert a hashtag into the tweet. Use this when the link you are encouraging your customers to share also benefit from being associated with a hashtag. Large button – Checking this option will create a larger button. Opt-out of tailoring Twitter – Twitter examines tweets in order to tailor the experience for users. You can read more about this option by clicking the question mark. Language – Twitter will automatically choose the language based on the text of the tweet. The default is typically fine but you can change the language option if your business requires.
Follow Button Use the following button options for customization. User – This is the Twitter handle of the account you want your customers to follow. Typically you will want to use your business’s Twitter handle. Show username – Checking this option will show your username on the button. Large button – Checking this option will create a larger button. Opt-out of tailoring Twitter – Twitter examines tweets in order to tailor the experience for users. You can read more about this option by clicking the question mark. Language – Twitter will automatically choose the language based on the text of the tweet. The default is typically fine but you can change the language option if your business requires.
Hashtag Button Hashtag – This where you specify the hashtag for the tweet. Tweet text – This is where you can customize the actual text of tweet. Twitter defaults to No default text, but you can also opt to create your own. Keep in mind that every character counts. You do not want to include so much text that your customers cannot include their own comment on the shared link. Recommend – This is where you can recommend a specific Twitter handle. Again, every character counts so only include this if it makes sense for your business. URL – This is where you can include a link, such as a link to your website. Twitter defaults to No URL. Large button – Checking this option will create a larger button. Opt-out of tailoring Twitter – Twitter examines tweets in order to tailor the experience for users. You can read more about this option by clicking the question mark. Language – Twitter will automatically choose the language based on the text of the tweet. The default is typically fine but you can change the language option if your business requires.
Mention Button Tweet to – This where you specify the Twitter handle that will receive the tweet. Tweet text – This is where you can customize the actual text of tweet. Twitter defaults to No default text, but you can also opt to create your own. Keep in mind that every character counts. You do not want to include so much text that your customers cannot include their own comment on the shared link. Recommend – This is where you can recommend a specific Twitter handle. Again, every character counts so only include this if it makes sense for your business. Large button – Checking this option will create a larger button. Opt-out of tailoring Twitter – Twitter examines tweets in order to tailor the experience for users. You can read more about this option by clicking the question mark. Language – Twitter will automatically choose the language based on the text of the tweet. The default is typically fine but you can change the language option if your business requires.
Next to the button options, you preview the button. You can see how changing the options changes the look of the button. You can also click on the button to see the tweet. Once you are happy with the button, copy and paste the HTML into your website.