Quick Start
Get Simple Commenter up and running on your website in under 5 minutes. This guide walks you through creating an account, setting up your project, choosing access settings, and installing the widget.
What You'll Need
Before you begin, make sure you have:
- Access to your website's HTML or CMS
- Your website domain (e.g.,
example.com)
Don't have an account yet?
Create Free AccountTime to complete: ~5 minutes
Difficulty: Beginner
No coding experience required!
Step 1: Create an Account
- Go to the registration page
- Enter your email address and company/project name
- Choose your login method:
- Magic Link (recommended) — We'll email you a login link
- Password — Create a password for your account
- Check your email and click the link to sign in
You can also sign up with Google for quick access.
Step 2: Add Your Domain
After signing in, you'll be guided through the onboarding process.
Project Setup
- Enter a Project Name (e.g., "My Website" or "Client Preview Site")
- Enter your Domain (e.g.,
example.com— withouthttps://)
The project name is for your reference in the dashboard. The domain tells the widget which project to connect to.
Choose Widget Access Mode
Select who can see and use the feedback widget on your website:
| Mode | Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Visible to all visitors | Everyone who visits your site can see and use the widget | Preview sites, internal tools, staging environments |
| Visible only with token link | Widget only loads when ?simple-commenter=true is in the URL | Live production sites where you want to show the widget only to specific people |
| Visible to all, requires login | Anyone can see the widget, but must log in to leave feedback | Sites where you want to identify commenters |
| Token link + requires login | Widget requires both the URL parameter AND login to use | Maximum control over who can provide feedback |
Using token mode? Share links like https://yoursite.com?simple-commenter=true with people who should see the widget. Others won't see it at all.
Step 3: Install the Widget
Copy the script snippet from your dashboard and add it to your website.
Default Script
<script
src="https://simplecommenter.com/js/comments.min.js?domain=your-domain.com"
defer
></script>
Add this to the <head> or before </body> on every page where you want the widget.
Script Loading Modes
If the default doesn't work with your platform, try a different loading mode. You can switch modes in your project dashboard.
| Mode | When to Use |
|---|---|
| Query Parameter (default) | Works with most websites |
| Data Attribute | Google Tag Manager, WordPress plugins |
| Function Call | Platforms with strict script restrictions |
| Next.js Component | Next.js projects |
See General Installation for detailed code examples of each mode.
Platform Guides
For step-by-step instructions for your specific platform:
Step 4: Test the Widget
Once the script is installed:
- Visit your website (clear cache if needed)
- If using token mode, add
?simple-commenter=trueto the URL - Look for the feedback button (default: bottom-right corner)
- Click to open the widget and submit a test comment
Widget not appearing? Check that:
- The domain in your script matches your dashboard exactly
- You're on the live site (not localhost, unless that's your registered domain)
- If using token mode, the
?simple-commenter=trueparameter is in the URL
Step 5: View Your Feedback
Head to your dashboard to see incoming comments.
What You Can Do
- View all comments organized by page URL
- Filter and sort by status, date, or commenter
- Reply to comments directly from the dashboard
- Update status (To Do, In Progress, Done, etc.)
- Switch to Board view for Kanban-style organization
- Set up notifications via email, Slack, or Trello
Open Dashboard
Alternative: Asset Commenting (No Code Required)
Don't have a website yet? Or want to collect feedback on design files without installing anything?
Use Asset Commenting to upload images and PDFs directly to your dashboard, share a link with clients, and collect visual feedback — no code installation needed.
Asset Commenting Guide →
Upload design files and collect feedback without installing any code.Next Steps
Now that you have the basics set up, explore these features:
Customize Widget →
Match colors, position, and text to your brand.Access Settings →
Learn more about token links and login requirements.Email Notifications →
Get notified when new feedback arrives.Slack Integration →
Send comments to your Slack workspace.Troubleshooting
Having issues? Here are solutions to common problems:
- Name
Widget not appearing- Description
Check that the domain in your script matches your dashboard exactly (including or excluding
www). Open browser DevTools (F12) and check the Console for errors.
- Name
Widget appears but I can't comment- Description
If you have login required, you need to sign in first. Check your access settings in the dashboard.
- Name
Comments not showing in dashboard- Description
Make sure your project is active. Check that the domain matches and you're not exceeding plan limits.
- Name
Script not loading- Description
Try a different loading mode. Some platforms work better with the data-attribute or function-call method.
Still stuck? Contact our support team and we'll help you get set up.
Congratulations! You've successfully set up Simple Commenter on your website. Your users can now leave feedback, and you'll see it all in your dashboard.