Does your website require users to “register” or “create an account” to access specific functionalities? If so, then you should consider integrating a social login option to your website.
Having the option for social login makes the entire login process a whole lot easier and convenient for the users. As we all know, registering for a new account is time-consuming and many users don’t bother with the trouble.
Now, for WordPress users, there is no native option for enabling social login on their website. This is why we will be taking the use of Nextend Social Login to handle the task. But first:
What is Nextend Social Login?
Nextend Social Login is a free login and register plugin for WordPress. With it installed, users can log in/register to your website using their social media profiles. The social login/register options are seamlessly integrated alongside the default WordPress login/register forms.
Users have the option to use any or all of the 2 social networks Facebook and Twitter to login/register on your site. They can also remove their social accounts if they want to, from the WordPress profile page.
Now that you have an idea of all that Nextend login and register plugin has to offer, let’s go over a detailed guide.
How to Add Social Login in WordPress Website Using Nextend
The first thing you have to do is to install and activate Nextend Social Login on your WordPress website. Once you have done that, the Nextend Social Login should appear in the settings option in the sidebar of your WordPress dashboard.
Select the option, and you will be taken into the Nextend Social Login dashboard. From here, you can configure how the social-logins will work. You only get access to Facebook and Twitter. The other options require you to “upgrade now.”
Let’s look at how to set up a Twitter Social Login to get an idea of how it works.
As you can see, you will have to first create a developer app that enables your site to authorize accounts through Facebook. The process will vary with each social network, but there is a dedicated guide on the process provided for your convenience.
Once you have set up social login buttons for all the social networks you want, you can head on over to your site’s login form to see how it looks.
Here is how it turned out for us:
How to Customize the Social Login Buttons?
The plugin offers plenty of options to help you tweak around with the social login buttons‘ looks, appearance, and other functionalities. Here is how to go about them:
First, to tweak around with the basic settings for your Twitter social login button, you can head on over to the “Settings” tab as shown in the image.
From here you have the option to choose a default image size, create a user prefix on registration, a fallback username prefix for registration, and many more things if you unlock the pro addon.
Then, under the “Buttons” tab, you have the option to change/tweak the login label, link label, and unlink label. Apply your own custom text to create a personal touch with your users.
And lastly, under the Twitter social login settings, you will have access to the “Usage” tab. From here you get access to the shortcode, simple link, and image button associated with your Twitter social login. You can alter this with your own custom code to see changes.
Once you are done adjusting all these options, next head on over to the Global Settings tab. From here you will get access to three different subcategories – “General”,”Privacy,” and “Login.” There are also 6 other settings tabs but are only accessible as paid add-ons.
Let’s first go throw the “General” tab. Here you will get all the basic options including controls over setting the default redirect URL for login and registration, as well as the option to blacklist certain redirects.
Next is the “Privacy” tab. Here you can turn on/off whether you want to show terms and conditions on the login page.
And lastly, there is the “Login” tab from where you can choose to hide/show login form, registration form, any embedded login form, and also tweak around with the button alignment.
So this is pretty much a complete guide on how you can set up social login in your WordPress website. However, if you want access to some more features and functionalities, or access to some more social networks, then there are other plugins you can use for the purpose.
In case you are curious about other good login and register plugins for WordPress, we have provided 4 alternatives to Nextend Social Login.
Four More Login and Register Plugins for your WordPress websites
Now, as we all know, WordPress is know for its flexibility and is filled with a boatload of different plugins. As such Nextend Social Login isn’t the only plugin available for the CMS to help you add social login functionalities.
In fact, here we have put together 4 other paid as well as free login and register plugin for your information. You will see each plugin comes with different features, giving you the freedom to pick something that meets your requirements.
1.WordPress Social Login
Starting off, we have WordPress Social Login. Once installed, the login and register plugin can help you set up different functionalities including social login, social sharing, and also commenting on using social profiles.
The plugin comes in a free as well as a paid option with the later boasting plenty more advanced options. However, the free version isn’t lacking per se, and packs in plenty of useful features including support for 9 different social networks for social logins.
Some of its other features include:
- Customize social login icons.
- Prompt users to fill up account information after completing social login.
- Assign roles to users.
- Setup your own social login applications using Facebook and Twitter APP ID and APP Secret.
- bbPress display options.
- Add social comments using social network profiles.
All these options are available with the free version. You will get access to plenty of more advanced features with the premium version.
2.Social Login
Now for users looking to provide users the flexibility to log in through a diverse collection of social channels, there is Social Login. With this login and register plugin, you will get access to over 35 social networks including all the popular ones like Facebook, Twitter, Google, Instagram, LinkedIn, and much more.
Besides this, you will get access to a bunch of other useful features to help you properly manage the user login and registration system. And the best part is, all these features are built-in to a plugin that is completely free to use.
Here is a detailed overview of the features you get with the plugin:
- Works with over 35 social networks.
- GDPR compliant.
- Compatible with any other login/registration system you have installed on your site.
- Anti-spam and anti-bot.
- Fully customizable.
- Routinely updated according to changes made in APIs of different social networks.
3.AccessPress Social Login
AccessPress is a premium login and register plugin for WordPress websites. Following the premium pricing, you will get access to a bunch of advanced options for better managing the login/registration experience of your users. Login and registration are compatible with 9 of the most popular social media networks.
Now, besides signing in, users will also have the option to comment using their social profiles. Besides this, you will get access to a handful of customization options to tweak around with the appearance of the social icons, so they better suit your site’s aesthetics.
Here is a look at all the features it brings to the table:
- Light and dark skin for the social login/register buttons.
- 17 different templates for the login icons.
- Custom email notification settings.
- Option to send the user their login credential through email.
- Shortcode and widget support.
- Option to configure each social accounts by setting up authorization details.
- Plenty of customization options.
- Compatible with BuddyPress
4.WooCommerce Social Login
As you can guess by the name, this login and register plugin is catered to WordPress users running a WooCommerce powered e-commerce website. Instead of leading users through the tiring process of creating an account before checkout, allow them to do so easily with social login.
With that being said, it is worth noting that this is a standalone plugin, and works with WooCommerce, BuddyPress, bbPress, and even PeepSo. Furthermore, this is a premium plugin and as such, it is riddled with plenty of advanced features and functionalities.
Here is a look at the different features you get with the plugin:
- One-click registration.
- Signup statistics with charts.
- Account linking/unlinking.
- Custom redirect URL after login/registration.
- Option to integrated social login/registration directly on the checkout page.
In Conclusion
As you can see, integrating social login functionalities on your WordPress website is as simple as that. Also, you are not limited to using Nextend Social Login, as there are plenty of other great login and register plugins. All you have to do is find a plugin that meets all your feature requirements, and that’s it.
Now, if you have been inspired by this guide and decided to add social login functionalities to your WordPress website, do let us know which plugin you used and why. Also, if you have used with any of the plugins mentioned here, or any other for that matter, do write a review sharing your experience. Your fellow readers will love to learn from you, and it might help them in their own process.
After adding the social login form to your website, you can also consider to add social share buttons in your content and website to improve social shares.