Ever wonder why some people automatically have their avatars up on the comment boxes? Gravatar makes it possible. Wherever you go and whatever blogsite you wish to comment in, Gravatar can put up your avatar to match your personal identity with your comment. In this Blog how-to, I’m going to teach you how to make your own Gravatar and why it’s important.

Gravatar - the globally recognized avatar

First, go to http://en.gravatar.com/ and click the “Get your Gravatar today” button

Next, click the “Add a new email” Link and add the e-mail you ALWAYS wish to use EVERYTIME you comment. Think about this because it is accessible to the site owner – so you’d want to use a public e-mail, not a private one.

Then click the “Add a new image” Link and upload the image you want to show as your avatar. My tip is: Upload the best headshot you have because this will be your online identity as an instant visual for readers to see.

And you’re done! Just enter the e-mail address you used to register a Gravatar whenever you comment (on the box provided for your e-mail) and your Gravatar will automatically show up.

Why is having a Gravatar important?

It makes people want to know more about you, seeing you’re visible and honest enough to show them a visual.

If people want to know about you, they’ll probably click your link (which will redirect them to your homepage) and that’s more hits for you

It gives people an idea how you look like or (at least) how you want to look like

It’s a great way to brand yourself and boost your online identity

Hey, what could go wrong with a personal avatar right?