The Significance of Estimated Reading Time in WordPress
Introduction
If you frequently visit Medium.com, you may be acquainted with its estimated reading time feature. This practical tool allows readers to gauge the amount of time they will require to read an article before diving in. Unfortunately, WordPress does not come with this feature pre-installed. However, there is a simple solution – using a plugin to add the estimated reading time feature to your WordPress website. In this post, we will guide you through the process of adding this feature to your site.
Why Include Estimated Reading Time?
Time is precious, and when readers are searching for information or solutions, they want to find them quickly. The same goes for reading articles – readers want to know the time investment beforehand. By incorporating the estimated reading time feature on your website, you can:
- Engage readers by setting clear expectations
- Reduce bounce rate by providing readers with an idea of the time commitment
- Increase user engagement by offering a clear indication of article length
Adding the Estimated Reading Time Feature
To include the estimated reading time feature on your WordPress website, you’ll need to utilize a plugin. One highly recommended option is Reading Time WP.
- Begin by installing and activating the plugin. Go to Plugins -> Add New and search for “Reading Time WP.”
- Once activated, the plugin will automatically add the estimated reading time feature to your posts. To customize the settings, navigate to Settings -> Reading Time WP.
- From the settings page, you can modify the text that appears before or after the estimated reading time. You can also adjust the average reading speed and choose whether to display the reading time in your content and excerpt.
- Save the changes, and the estimated reading time feature will be added to your posts.
If you prefer, you can also manually display the estimated reading time using the shortcode: [rt_reading_time label=”Reading Time:” postfix=”minutes” postfix_singular=”minute”]
Customizing the Estimated Reading Time Style
By default, the estimated reading time appears as plain text. However, you can personalize its appearance using CSS. Before making any changes, it’s important to back up your files. Follow these steps to style the estimated reading time:
- Go to Appearance -> Customize and click on Additional CSS.
- Add the following code to the text area:
.rt-reading-time {
font: italic bold 16px sans-serif;
color: #009688;
margin-bottom: 15px;
}
- Click on Publish to save your changes.
If you’re comfortable with CSS and want to further customize the style, you can refer to the plugin developer’s page for additional available classes.
Alternative Plugins
While Reading Time WP is an excellent choice for adding the estimated reading time feature, there are other plugins available with additional features:
Swift Bar – This lightweight plugin adds a sticky bar at the bottom of your posts, displaying the estimated reading time, social sharing buttons, and a progress bar.
Worth The Read – This plugin adds a progress bar that indicates the user’s progress on the page. You can choose to display it on posts, pages, or the homepage.
WP Time to Read – Developed by MyThemeShop Team, this premium plugin allows you to display the estimated reading time and add a progress bar to your posts.
It’s worth noting that while other plugins may be available, we only recommend those that have been recently updated.
Conclusion
By incorporating the estimated reading time feature on your WordPress website, you can provide your readers with a valuable tool for managing their time effectively. This feature helps set expectations, reduce bounce rate, and increase user engagement. Give it a try on your website and witness the positive impact it can have. Don’t forget to share your feedback in the comments section below and spread the word to fellow WordPress users.
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