Create Optimized Blog FAQs On The Fly

I love readers’ questions. And sometimes, the same questions keep coming up that I decide on posting a blanket answer on this blog to cover them.

I do this as a way to create content for this blog, help my readers find the answers they’re looking for, and save me time from not having to answer the same questions over and over again.

Problem is, many people never find the blog post that answers their question, particularly if it’s old and sitting deep in the archives. And many people don’t take the time to search for it, because it’s work and it’s simply easier to contact my staff for the answer.

I thought about creating a frequently asked questions (FAQ) page. But I wanted a brain-dead easy solution to be able to do this in a snap (much like posting to this blog), and offer more to my readers.

But also, I wanted one that would optimize my page for the search engines (where specific keywords are included in the titles and questions), and be easy enough for me to simply answer questions as I go along.

Finally, I found one…

Knowledge Constructs has just released a WordPress plugin called FAQ-Tastic. This plugin allows you to easily insert a tag in your post or page, and create FAQs in a snap from within the admin panel.

But it offers a lot more.

You can group questions together (much like blog categories), and you can even choose between single- or paged-question formats.

The difference is, the single-question format will list all your questions and answers on a single page. The paged format allows you to link to answers covered in their own individual posts or pages.

The latter is an effective solution if your answers are often found in older posts.

You can easily answer questions by linking to previous blog posts, which also increases traffic to these pages and encourages deeper, internal linking.

Or you can create a blog post to specifically answer a frequently asked question.

(You can even create a blog template page to fit a specific style you want your FAQs to have, if different from the rest of the blog.)

No need to search endlessly for an answer. No need to peer through a ton of links in the archives. And no need to email the author for the answer to a common question.

But that’s not all. FAQ-Tastic also offers two other features I really like.

First, each answer is accompanied by an anonymous rating system. The beauty of this feature is that it allows you to see if your readers find your answers helpful — and the feedback can help you improve your answers.

And the second feature is a form you can add at the bottom where people can ask you their questions if they’re not found in the FAQ. They can also leave their email address to be instantly notified when the answer is posted.

The single-page format is the one I’ve chosen for this blog. Essentially, all questions are found at the top, in a summary. And each one is linked to the answer further down the page. Click on the question to jump to the answer.

I’m going to use this for a while to see how it goes. Let me know if you like this system by commenting to this post here, or even take some time to ask a question, if you can’t find it on this blog.

Check out this blog’s FAQ page and ask your question.

About the Author

Michel Fortin is a direct response copywriter, author, speaker, consultant, and CEO of The Success Doctor, Inc. Visit his blog and signup free to get tested conversion strategies and response-boosting tips by email, along with blog updates, news, and more! Go now to http://www.michelfortin.com.

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20 Replies to “Create Optimized Blog FAQs On The Fly”

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From FAQ-Tastic: An Open Letter Apology To Michel Fortin · Knowledge Constructs · Blog Archive

[...] your recent post entitled “Create Optimized Blog FAQs on the Fly” (April 16th 2007), we at Knowledge Constructs would like to make the following [...]
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Source Website April 17th, 2007
From Making WordPress FAQ-Tastic · Knowledge Constructs · Blog Archive

[...] plugin. When I first had the idea for it, I didn’t realise that it would be popular and get an excellent review by Michel Fortin. It was simply aimed to fill a gap in the WordPress plugin market while also helping Internet [...]
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Source Website April 19th, 2007
From WordPress SEO: WordPress FAQ Plugin Google Results · Knowledge Constructs · Blog Archive

[...] only thing that I would say has had a really significant impact is Michel Fortin’s post about creating optimized blog FAQ pages on the fly. Now, part of me thinks that we got “lucky”. Then again, it could also be said that the [...]
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Source Website April 24th, 2007
From I Feel Guilty For Not Clicking On More Ads | Walt Breuninger :: Internet Marketing Tips & Tactics

[...] salesletter is misleading. So I didn't buy it. Michael Fortin posted about a new Wordpress plugin that creates an on-the-fly FAQ for your blog. It really is an awesome new plugin, and the only reason I haven't added it yet is because I [...]
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Source Website April 29th, 2007
From The Information Marketer’s Hotsheet « The Information Marketer’s Hotsheet

[...] Click here [...]
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Source Website May 25th, 2007
From Michel Fortin - Ninth Round website review · Knowledge Constructs · Blog Archive

[...] Basically, I’d just released this plugin (an update are coming soon, I promise) and I get this email from Saumil saying how this guy Michel Fortin had written a very nice review about FAQ-Tastic. [...]
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Source Website July 1st, 2007
From · » FAQ-Tastic Lite 1.0.7 is Now Ready! « KnowledgeConstructs.com

[...] just like to take a moment to thank Michel Fortin for the favourable review he wrote around a year about the original FAQ-Tastic plugin. That review really spurred me on. FAQ-Tastic is much more than that now! Share and Enjoy: [...]
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Source Website May 3rd, 2008

Comments

From Terrie Wurzbacher

Wow, thanks Michael. I am so grateful for you bringing this to my attention. I can’t wait to take al ook at this plug-in.

As usual, you have such pertinent information and useful techniques.

Thanks so much

Terrie Wurzbacher
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Author's Website April 16th, 2007
From Miles Baker

Very good find Michel!

This will go great on my blog and other SEO sites I have using wordpress. Thanks for sharing!
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Author's Website April 16th, 2007
From Saumil Patel

Hey Michel,

I just read the post and wrote a mail to my friend Zain who has got the plugin developed. Poor fella doesnt even know that your blog is sending tonz of traffic his way .. nevertheless I feel this an awesome plugin, especially with niche bloggers finding the use of question to build a flycatcher page !

Regards,

Saumil
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Author's Website April 16th, 2007
From Terrance Charles

Good stuff, that’s really a great plugin, it keeps your blod optimized to be reviewed more and keeps your archived post read, thanks for the recommendation…
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Author's Website April 16th, 2007
From CÐµÑ€Ð³ÐµÐ¹

Hi,
Do you know russun Langvuge?
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Author's Website April 16th, 2007
From Michel Fortin

@CÐµÑ€Ð³ÐµÐ¹:

Unfortunately, I don’t. But my friend Pavel Berestneff does. And he has translated many of my posts, articles, and books into Russian. His site is…

http://www.berestneff.com/

And his forum…

http://www.berestneff-board.ru/forum/index.php

His blog…

http://www.berestneff-blog.ru

He’s a great guy. Tell him I sent you
Reply Quote

Author's Website April 17th, 2007
From Zain Bador

Hi Michel,

Saumil was right - I had no idea that the plugin would create such a buzz! I’ve never had this much traffic in my life (but i’m not complaining!). It’s great! I’m now frantically getting the screenshots and guides together, so it’s the kick b*tt I needed to finish this off properly (thanks - that’s stopped me procrastinating!).

All I’m saying is, if you think this plugin is good, then just wait for a couple of weeks. I’ve got another one in the pipeline and the Developer (John) is coming up with a *KILLER* WordPress plugin. Seriously - no exaggeration - and you all heard it here on Michel’s blog first!

There’ll be some teaser posts around mid next week. I’m not allowed to say exactly what it is until John’s ready for it to be released!

I’m still gutted that I had a very similar idea but he beat me to it and started work before I could commission it! I tried buying it from him but he’s (quite rightly) holding on to this one! My only consolation is that I’ve managed to help test it and make a few suggestions. It’s definitely a labour of love - we’re both know the value of it and I already know it will beat FAQ-Tastic!

What I would like to say is that we both survive on donations. We give so much so that people can benefit from our work. We’re both very passionate about what we’re doing and we’d love any help people can give to support us. To carry on building these plugins and keep them *free* unfortunately results in us bearing the costs - but if a few users contributed $5 (like your tips jar) then it will make a big difference! Other ways of helping are things like just giving up a bit of time to help us test or just linking back to the site, or even letting us know you’ve installed the plugin and where (we’d love to have a page showing how people have used it!). So send us your links!

Anyway, thanks again… and keep an eye on this space!

Cheers,

Zain
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Author's Website April 17th, 2007
From Vince

This was very helpful. Can’t wait to get started.

Business Networking Dallas
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Author's Website April 19th, 2007
From Benedict Manovill

Hi Michel,

FAQ-Tastic seems quite ingenious. It not only will help bloggers but I think readers will like it, also.

Thank you for bringing it to our attention.

Kind regards,
Benedict Manovill
Reply Quote

Author's Website April 22nd, 2007
From Charles

Thanks for the post on this Michel: one of those great plugins which exploits a niche you didn’t know existed until its filled. Great spot. Great blog.
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Author's Website April 27th, 2007
From Stephen McCutcheon

Hi there,
Just thinking of installing FAQ -tastic on my site, but want to also see the option for people to add their name and country as I think it’s more personal.
Just found your blog btw and enjoying the reading.
Steve
Reply Quote

Author's Website April 29th, 2007
From Knight

Hi there,
Just got to this site and i just loved it, liked the design and the google ads are so well blend i am so impressed.
This website rocks.. loved the contents all the things..

Knight.
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Author's Website May 3rd, 2007
From Jason

Great find! Can’t wait to implement on my blog Thanks!
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Author's Website May 8th, 2007

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