How to create an authorization through social networks

Authorization via social networks is a handy tool for interacting with users. It allows them to avoid the tedious registration process and get quick access to the site features.

At the moment, to provide access to the site through authorization in social networks, you can integrate with more than 30 services. In addition to social networks, accounts in payment systems, or large online stores are also suitable for authorization.

Statistical studies show that 53% of users log in via Facebook and 44.8% through Google.

Let's consider working with the Gigya service. The service provides authorization through several social networks, including Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and LinkedIn. This tool is used by more than 700 well-known companies because the logging-in via social networks is flexibly configured, taking into account the characteristics of the business.

Important personal data is collected while protecting confidentiality. The use of the service increases conversion and engagement rates, improves brand loyalty.

First of all, you need to go through the registration procedure. Indicate the type of authorization, country, and the mobile number to receive a confirmation code:

To write the code, you need to study the Gigya's documentation, which describes the functions, methods, and parameters for the client and server sides, using which authorization will work:

Service algorithm:

When a user wants to register or log in to the site, he or she is invited to authenticate using either Social Login Gigya or the registration form of the site. Each of these two options leads to a separate logical flow.

The Gigya documentation provides step-by-step instructions for implementing these two logical flows:

After completing the settings, you'll see the following interface on the site:

Set up the authorization on the site in the Facebook for developers. Add a new application:

Indicate the app name, contact email, and click "Create App ID":

Select the "Facebook Login" scenario, and click "Set up":

To get the code, go to the "Getting Started" section of the app. Choose the platform "Web":

Next, enter the website address, and click "Continue":

Then, you can see the instructions for setting up the Facebook SDK:

After that, review the user login status verification code:

If necessary, you can copy the code fragments. By clicking next, you receive instructions on adding an authorization button to the site:

This completes the setup of adding an authorization function using Facebook login.

Click "Create Project" in the Google Developers Console:

Go to the "OAuth consent screen" subsection located in the "Credentials" section:

Add the following data:

• app name;
  
• application logo;
  
• technical support email address;
  
• app scope (confidential user data that can be obtained);
  
• links to the main page of the application, privacy policy, and terms of use.
  

After filling out the form, submit it for verification:

This check takes several days. It's necessary because the application gets access to confidential user data. If you save the settings without verification, you can access the data no more than a hundred times, and at the same time, users will see a notification that Google hasn't verified the application.

Then configure the credentials:

Select "OAuth Client ID". Set the type of application — Web. Fill in the name, allowed JavaScript sources, and redirects. As a result, you get the identifier and the client's secret, which will be used in the authorization code on the site.

If one of the popular CMS is installed on the site, there are convenient solutions for authorization through social networks that do not require programming knowledge. Consider plugins for WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal.

In WordPress, authorization via social networks is configured with the help of special plugins. You'll see the process using the Super Socializer as an example. To install it, go to the "Plugins" section of the WordPress admin panel and find through the search:

Click "Download":

After that, go to the "Installation" module and follow the instructions:

After activating the Super Socializer plugin, a horizontal and vertical menu with icons will appear on the site, allowing you to repost the site material using the selected social network.

The plugin implements the possibility of authorization on the site through the following social networks:

• Facebook
  
• Twitter
  
• LinkedIn
  
• Instagram
• Xing and others.