Webinar Wednesday 213 – December 3, 2025

AI SETUP WIZARD: Launch a new site in 60 seconds - includes a starter logo. (00:02:17)

• The AI setup wizard is a new update that helps launch a new site in approximately 60 seconds, and it is particularly useful for those starting a brand new website, as it includes a starter logo creation feature (00:02:17).
• The AI setup wizard is designed to assist users in creating a new site from scratch, and it will eventually include a new checklist and workflow, as well as a dynamic stream displaying website activity such as people joining, payments, and posts (00:02:41).
• When using the AI setup wizard, users can input their website name and description, and choose from popular use cases and pre-made templates, such as a real estate directory or a local doctors directory (00:03:31).
• The AI will analyze the user's input and generate a vanity URL, create a logo if chosen, and allow users to select their primary language and time zone, as well as invite team members to join their site (00:04:06).
• The AI setup wizard takes about 60 seconds to launch a new site, and it is a helpful tool for those starting a new website, especially when combined with other AI-powered tools such as creating landing pages, newsletters, and posts (00:04:53).

FORM FIELD SCROLL: If required fields are missed, the page jumps to the first one. (00:05:04)

• When a form field on a site is required, such as name, last name, and company name, and a member tries to submit the form without filling out all the required fields, the page will automatically scroll up to the first missing field, allowing the member to fill it out and proceed with submitting the form (00:05:04).
• This feature update is a quality of life improvement, providing a more convenient experience for members by automatically directing them to the field that needs to be filled out, rather than staying on the submit button (00:05:16).
• The automatic scrolling to the missing field is intended to streamline the form submission process, making it easier for members to complete and submit their forms successfully (00:05:27).

AI LOGO MAKER: Instantly create fresh branding for new sites. (soon) (00:05:32)

• The AI Logo Maker is a tool that will be available soon, allowing users to create fresh branding for new sites by providing input on what they want the logo to be (00:05:32).
• The AI Logo Maker differs from other tools like Chat GPT or Gemini in that it automatically crops the image to have a transparent background and optimizes the image size to be suitable for a website, rather than producing a large 5-megabyte image (00:05:37).
• This tool is particularly helpful for sites that do not currently have a professional logo, as it provides an easy way to create appropriately sized logos (00:05:49).

SITE-TO-SITE CLONING: Copy members, widgets, & design settings between BD sites (soon) (00:05:53)

• Site-to-site cloning is a feature that will be available soon, likely in early 2026, specifically in January, allowing users to copy members, widget code, and design settings between sites (00:05:53).
• This feature will enable users with multiple sites to share resources or assets from one flagship site to a new site, making it easier to replicate and modify existing content (00:06:00).
• The site-to-site cloning process will provide a simple workflow for users to copy and modify elements from one site to another, streamlining the process of creating new sites with similar features and design (00:06:06).
• The ability to copy members, widget code, and design settings between sites will give users more flexibility and control over their site management, allowing them to make changes and customizations as needed (00:06:13).
• The site-to-site cloning feature is expected to simplify the process of creating and managing multiple sites, making it easier for users to maintain consistency and efficiency across their sites (00:06:18).

AI SEO OPTIMIZER: Optimize content + meta tags for keywords you want to rank for. (soon) (00:06:21)

• The AI SEO optimizer is a tool that analyzes a page's content and metatags to provide suggestions for improvement, helping to rank for desired keywords (00:06:21).
• This tool is particularly useful when working on a landing page or a static page, as it can help optimize the content and metatags for better search engine ranking (00:06:28).
• The AI SEO optimizer is part of a set of tools that includes AI assist and AI member tools, all of which are designed to improve the functionality and performance of web pages (00:06:21).

AI ASSIST: Refine and edit existing pages, widget code and newsletter designs. (soon) (00:06:39)

• AI Assist is a tool that will allow users to refine and edit existing pages, widget code, and newsletter designs with the help of artificial intelligence, making it a valuable resource for creating and improving content (00:06:39).
• The AI Assist tool is part of a larger set of create tools that will enable users to generate newsletters, posts, and web pages using AI, providing a range of possibilities for content creation and editing (00:06:44).
• With AI Assist, users will be able to provide instructions to the AI, such as making the content sound more exciting or professional, and the AI will be able to implement these changes and provide design ideas within the editor (00:06:58).
• The AI Assist tool is expected to be released soon, although it is noted to be more complicated than other tools, and it will offer a helpful solution for users looking to enhance their existing content and designs (00:06:51).

AI MEMBER TOOLS: Members can create posts and "About Me" sections with AI. (soon) (00:07:08)

• Members will soon be able to create posts and "About Me" sections with AI, and administrators will be able to offer AI creation tools to their members based on membership plan and post type, with the option to restrict access to certain features for specific membership levels (00:07:08).
• The AI creation tools will allow members to generate content, such as blog posts, using AI, and administrators will have control over which members can access these tools (00:07:15).
• A website created using the AI website builder was demonstrated, featuring a logo, hero background image, and other design elements automatically generated by the AI (00:07:41).
• The AI website builder uses stock photo libraries to find appropriate images for the website, and it can automatically update the design settings and add a logo (00:08:03).
• To refresh a website with the AI website builder for a previously existing placeholder site, users can temporarily switch their custom domain back to a directory up URL, which will toggle the quick setup wizard back on in the admin area (00:08:49).
• The setup wizard updates the design settings, adds a logo, and can update the vanity URL, but users can choose to leave these options blank if they prefer to keep their existing settings (00:09:09).
• The AI features are still being developed, and new updates are expected to be released soon, including the ability for members to create content using AI (00:08:35).

How to build a Join page that converts (00:10:44)

• Yaen Shaw is a special guest who has been in the BD marketplace, where users can hire third-party vetted developers and designers to customize their Brilliant Directory site, and he has insight into what makes a website succeed and what pitfalls it might fall into (00:10:44).
• Yaen works with many customers and clients, and his company, Business Labs, offers a suite of tools, including pre-made tools and stunning themes built on the Brilliant Directories platform and framework (00:11:16).
• The topic of discussion is how to build a join page, or signup page, that actually converts, and it is noted that many existing join pages are cluttered and busy, making them hard to understand and read (00:11:52).
• Yaen Shaw has a BD growth suite site that offers tools and resources to help Brilliant Directory sites grow, and his company's tools and services will be shared in the comments for those who have questions or want to learn more (00:11:40).
• The goal of the discussion is to provide tips and advice on creating an effective join page that converts, with Yaen Shaw sharing his expertise and experience working with numerous clients and customers (00:12:06).

About Yakin (00:12:14)

• The previous webinar focused on creating a homepage and achieving the "north star" goal of acquiring the first 100 members, which is a significant hurdle for many entrepreneurs as 90% of them fail to succeed or give up on their dreams when they are unable to transition from zero to one (00:12:23).
• The concept of getting the first 100 members is referred to as moving from "zero to one", and overcoming this challenge is crucial for the success of entrepreneurs (00:12:38).

Pitfalls You'll Learn to Avoid (00:12:58)

• When launching a business, the two most important pages to figure out are the homepage and the join page, and unless these are properly set up, no further action should be taken, which is referred to as product thinking (00:12:58).
• The focus of the homepage should be shifted from features to the outcome, meaning the benefits that customers will gain from using the product or service, rather than just listing its features (00:13:31).
• The outcome is what matters most to customers, as evidenced by the example of visiting a doctor and being prescribed medicine, where the patient wants to know if their headache will be gone after taking the medicine, rather than being given a list of features or instructions (00:13:49).
• Many sites and businesses fail because they focus too much on features and not enough on positioning their outcome, which is a key pitfall to avoid when creating a join page (00:14:14).
• The three main pitfalls to avoid when creating a join page are: don't list features, don't offer too many plans, and don't confuse prospects, which will be further explained in the rest of the presentation (00:14:25).

Clarity Converts (00:14:38)

• When building a join or pricing page, it's easy to get caught up in listing every technical feature, but it's essential to focus on the primary outcome that users want and appeals to them on an emotional level to drive conversion (00:14:38).
• The goal is to clear away clutter and simplify the offer and messaging, as less is often more beautiful, and this approach can lead to higher successes (00:15:08).
• Launching with a simple plan, such as one or two plans, and using a side-by-side comparison with just a few key features can be very effective, as seen in cases where joint pages have converted well (00:15:48).
• Research has been conducted to understand why simplicity is effective, including study materials from Stanford University, which will be covered in future slides to provide evidence-based support for this approach (00:16:11).
• The importance of simplifying and launching quickly is highlighted by the fact that doing too many things and overcomplicating the offer can be a major reason for failure, as seen in work with many clients (00:15:33).

Join Page = Sales Page (00:16:26)

• A join page is essentially a sales page, where people pay for a membership to solve a problem, such as paying for Netflix or Uber to address a specific need (00:16:26).
• The core element that people consider when paying for a membership is whether it solves their problem, and this is a key factor in determining the effectiveness of a join page (00:16:41).
• A comparison is made between two pages, one with a red cross and one with a green tick, where the page with the red cross lists technical features such as a $49 plan, premium list, and verified badge, whereas the ideal page focuses on solving a problem, such as guaranteeing five appointments for a $49 plan (00:16:56).
• The key concern for prospective members is not the technical features, but rather the benefits they will receive, such as revenue, inquiries, or appointments, which is what the ideal page aims to address (00:17:09).
• The focus of a join page should be on the problems it solves for its members, rather than just listing technical features, in order to effectively convert visitors into members (00:17:23).

Tip #1: What is the Goal of a Join Page (00:17:34)

• The goal of a join page is to identify the target audience, such as consumers or business owners, and create a page that caters to their specific needs, with the overall objective of convincing them to join, and this is the first tip in a series of tips (00:17:34).
• To create an effective join page, three key questions must be answered: how soon members will see the value, why they should trust the platform, and what will change for them after joining, which can be achieved by adding testimonials and clearly positioning the benefits (00:18:14).
• A successful join page should be able to clearly communicate its value proposition, such as guaranteed appointments, and avoid cluttering the page with too much information, as seen in the comparison between the cluttered join page and the ideal join page (00:19:10).
• The ideal join page should focus on selling the benefits of the membership plan, rather than just listing technical features, and should be able to position the value that members will receive early on, such as the main benefit of getting five guaranteed appointments a year (00:19:58).
• Creating an effective join page can be a time-consuming process, requiring multiple attempts and testing, but with the right approach, it can lead to success, as seen in the example where the ideal join page received positive responses even before the official launch (00:18:49).

Tip #2: Why Join Pages Fail (00:20:15)

• Most join pages fail because they include too many elements, typically 25, when only three core elements are necessary, which are the promise of what members will receive, proof of the membership's value, and a clear plan with pricing, and this simplicity is key to converting visitors into members (00:20:15).
• The promise should clearly state what members will receive, such as visibility, leads, or appointments, and this information should be prominently displayed on the join page to build trust with potential members (00:20:24).
• Proof of the membership's value can be demonstrated by showcasing the number of members who have already signed up, such as 12 members, and featuring them on the homepage to establish credibility and trust (00:20:31).
• A clear plan with pricing should be easy to understand, with minimal options, such as one or two plans, to avoid overwhelming potential members and causing analysis paralysis or form fatigue (00:20:45).
• The importance of simplicity on a join page is supported by the "jam study" of 2020, which found that when the number of options on a website was reduced from 24 to six, the conversion rate increased by 10 times, demonstrating the value of a simple and easy-to-understand join page (00:23:03).
• Established organizations may be able to get away with more complex join pages, but for new sites, it is especially important to keep the join page simple and clean, with a focus on converting visitors into members (00:21:50).
• To improve a join page, the first step should be to remove any unnecessary elements and simplify the page as much as possible to reduce form fatigue and analysis paralysis, and increase the conversion rate (00:24:01).

Tip #3: What Makes Join Page Convert (00:24:10)

• The key to creating a high-converting join page is to keep it simple and focused on a few key benefits, with the goal of attracting the first 100 members, and this can be achieved by highlighting three to four benefits and ensuring the page is easily viewable on mobile without requiring scrolling (00:24:10).
• When creating a membership plan, it should have a clear start and end, and the join page should be designed in a way that the most important information, such as the benefits, is visible at first glance, making it easy for potential members to understand the value of joining (00:24:37).
• Using social proof, such as sharing the number of people who have already joined or expressed interest, can be an effective way to build credibility and attract new members, for example, stating that 12 people joined this month or 67 leads were shared last quarter (00:24:49).
• Positioning the membership as a small, exclusive group, and being honest about the fact that it's a new venture, can be an effective way to build a sense of community and attract members who are looking to be part of something new and exciting (00:24:56).
• Highlighting one or two strong points, and making them prominent on the join page, can help to clearly communicate the value of the membership and attract potential members, and this approach has been successfully used in past launches (00:25:11).
• Using clear and simple language, and avoiding the use of large numbers or overly complex information, can help to create a sense of simplicity and clarity, and make the join page more effective at converting visitors into members (00:25:25).

Wrapping It Up (00:25:29)

• Launching with one plan, whether it's free or a paid option, can be compelling and makes it easy for sales teams to explain the product to customers, as it eliminates confusion about what to sell (00:25:36).
• Having only one plan to offer simplifies the sales process, as the sales team only needs to focus on selling that single plan, which can be beneficial for businesses (00:25:42).
• Launching with one plan is not suitable for all businesses, and having two or three plans at most can still be a viable option with minimal distractions (00:26:06).

BD Growth Suite (00:26:09)

• The formulation of plans can be done using a few examples to help understand the process, which is more ideal for those who are overwhelmed by the business nature, and these examples are set for law firms or attorneys with just two plans, all of which can be done easily using Brilliant Directories' drag and drop setup (00:26:09).
• The join pages have hidden headers and footers because they were untidy, and everything else is done right inside Brilliant Directories, with an example of a real estate page having one plan for individuals and agency managers, where the agency plan connects up to 20 agents (00:26:50).
• The vision while making these pages was to get the first 100 members, and it is clear that the first 100 members will not be big agencies, so the focus is on smaller agencies with 10, 5, or 20 agents, which is why the agency plan is limited to connecting up to 20 agents (00:27:16).
• To create a plan, four steps can be followed: describe the users, describe their real pain points, offer a solution to the problem, and create one ideal plan for the audience, as seen in the example of guaranteed appointments for real estate agents (00:28:04).
• The process of creating a plan is simple and can be done using Brilliant Directories' tools, such as the web page builder, and some of the tools provided can be used to emulate the examples shown, with the option to share links to join pages for feedback and advice (00:28:42).
• Brilliant Directories has recently added simple icons, including check marks, which can be easily added to pricing pages using the Froala text editor, allowing users to customize their pages with features like check marks and stars (00:29:30).
• The presentation also included a testimonial from Bill, who worked with Yen's company on their homepage and is now working on member profile pages and join pages, showcasing the effectiveness of Brilliant Directories' tools and services (00:29:05).
• Simplifying pricing pages by just listing the benefits, such as a searchable listing and visibility in a directory, can be an effective way to make decision-making easier for potential members, and this approach has been used in the past with success, for example, with an interior design pro directory that had a yearly price of $97 and only two plans (00:30:29).
• The use of icons, such as check marks and X's, can be added to pricing pages to make them more visually appealing, and there are pre-made blocks that can be repurposed for this purpose, allowing for easy customization (00:29:54).
• Testimonials can be a powerful tool for converting signups, and they can be easily added to pricing pages using pre-made blocks, which can be modified to include pictures of people's faces and quotes, and can be placed under the pricing page for maximum impact (00:31:21).
• Pre-made blocks can be used to add testimonials to pricing pages, and they can be customized by changing the text and images to fit the needs of the page, and this can be done by swapping out the default text and images with new ones (00:31:36).
• Pricing pages can be easily customized by adding or deleting rows and columns, allowing for a variety of different layouts and designs, and this can be done to fit the specific needs of the membership site (00:32:20).
• The interior design pro directory example from 2015 had a simple and effective pricing page that included a full mini website for each interior design firm, listing in multiple categories, and top placement in the directory, which helped to convert signups (00:30:38).

How is the AI SEO Optimizer different from the Enhanced Hosting? (00:32:41)

• The AI SEO optimizer is different from enhanced hosting, as it focuses on on-page SEO optimization, making suggestions for meta tags, meta titles, and content to improve search engine rankings, whereas enhanced hosting supports AI bots crawling and indexing a site, benefiting AI citations (00:32:41).
• The AI SEO optimizer acts as an SEO content helper, benefiting search engines like Google and Bing, by ensuring the content of a web page is optimized for specific keywords (00:33:07).
• A join page for the website "comerciozara goza.com" was reviewed, and it was suggested that simple names are good for marketing and branding, with the website's name being in Spanish (00:33:47).
• The join page was found to have broad terminology, such as "digital solutions for your business", which was deemed too vague and unclear about the outcome or type of businesses it caters to (00:34:40).
• The page offered a 50% discount for 2026, but it was unclear what the registration process entails, whether it's for marketing solutions, SEO, or registering a business in a directory (00:35:24).
• The page had a basic and premium plan, which was seen as a good practice for keeping things simple, but the description of the plans, such as "essential digital presence", was unclear and needed further elaboration (00:35:47).
• The benefits of the plans, such as having a public profile in a directory, were listed, but the directory's price and the benefits of being listed were unclear, and it was suggested to compare similar items between plans side by side (00:36:30).
• The page being reviewed has a layout that is considered fine, but the sidebar is not adding much value and could be removed to make the page full width, allowing for a cleaner design (00:37:26).
• Adding a touch point, such as a contact option or an 800 number, can help build loyalty and make the website appear more professional, especially for businesses that want to run like a larger entity (00:37:47).
• The terminology used on the page is vague, with phrases like "digital solutions for 10x your business visibility online" that do not clearly convey the outcomes or benefits of the service, making it hard to add value to the promo (00:38:24).
• The page lacks specific information on how the features of the membership plans will help businesses achieve their goals, such as gaining more clients or increasing online visibility, which is an important aspect of creating an effective join page (00:39:30).
• A good example of an effective join page is the one from Interior Design Pro, which compared similar benefits on the same line and clearly explained how the features of each membership plan would help interior designers gain more clients, creating an emotional appeal (00:39:40).
• The features and benefits of the membership plans should be geared towards connecting businesses with more clients, increasing visibility, and providing more exposure, which is essential for creating a compelling and effective join page (00:40:03).

Is it possible to have more than 24 homepage featured member orders under quick edit? (00:40:16)

• Jeff is asking if it's possible to have more than 24 homepage featured members under quick edit, and the solution is to email the support team to customize the widget, as the current limit is in place due to page load concerns, but it can be changed to any number, such as 100 or 1000 (00:40:16).
• Arlana is sharing her site, We Wellness Directory, which is a holistic business directory that supports people, pets, and the planet with conscious and compassionate care, and the site is now expanding globally (00:40:51).
• The pricing page of We Wellness Directory has a video at the top, and it would be more effective to put the text to the right of the video or below the plans, as having multiple layers before getting to the plans can cause people to lose interest and not scroll down (00:42:05).
• The logo of We Wellness Directory is taking up a lot of space on the site, creating unnecessary negative space, and it would be better to have a slimmer logo with the icon on the left and the text on the right to save space (00:42:49).
• The plans on the pricing page are named after stones, such as ruby and emerald, which correlates to the wellness industry, and it's a great strategy, but the font size could be increased and the background color of each plan could be changed to add design interest (00:43:26).
• The plan details, such as the "basic 411" in the Ruby plan, may not be clear to the younger generation, and it would be better to be more literal and put the pricing under the title to make it more visible (00:44:07).
• The website being reviewed has a section with features that is hard to see, and it is suggested to put the benefits in the title section and remove some of the features to make it more concise (00:44:41).
• The free QR code feature is considered redundant as it is just a link to the profile page, and it is suggested to remove it and instead mention that all plans are eligible for social media marketing packages (00:45:05).
• The term "one category" is unclear, and it is suggested to rephrase it to "visibility in one wellness category" to make it more specific and understandable (00:45:36).
• The website has a lot of value with its unlimited select list in unlimited wellness categories, and it is suggested to highlight this benefit more prominently (00:46:07).
• The pricing and benefits should be put together with the title to make it clear what the user is getting, and the features should be rewritten to focus on the benefits they provide rather than just listing technical details (00:46:13).
• The Memorial Connect website is a good example of a clear and specific join page, as it instantly tells the user what the point of the website is and who it is targeting, which is singers and musicians who specialize in performing at funerals (00:46:52).
• The Memorial Connect website could be improved by changing the "choose your membership" section to "choose your level of visibility" to make it clearer what the user is getting, and by making the membership options more even in size (00:48:03).
• The use of specific language and targeting a specific audience is key to creating an effective join page, as seen in the Memorial Connect website, which is very specific about who it is targeting and what it offers (00:47:25).
• The website should focus on the benefits of the features rather than just listing the technical details, and should use language that is clear and concise to make it easy for the user to understand what they are getting (00:46:28).
• When creating a pricing table, it is essential to ensure that the rows align with each other for easy side-by-side comparisons and to remove any unnecessary information to make the table more concise (00:48:49).
• The pricing plan should be carefully considered, with the cost per lead potentially being too high for some industries, such as musicians, and the terminology used should be correlated to the specific industry or market, for example, using "gig opportunity" instead of "lead" (00:49:25).
• Certain features, such as private chats, can be rephrased to better convey their value, and profile analytics can be used as a retention tool to encourage users to continue their membership (00:50:31).
• Profile analytics can be enabled for all membership plans, but only highlighted when a user wants to cancel, to demonstrate the value they are receiving from the service (00:50:56).
• The website allows general users, such as families, to create an account, which provides them with benefits like bookmarking and saving musicians, and enables one-on-one chats with musicians through the site's chat feature (00:51:34).
• The account creation process for general users can help capture emails from visitors who might otherwise just browse the site and leave, providing an incentive for them to create an account and engage more with the site (00:51:59).
• The "how it works" information should be separated from the pricing page and placed on a dedicated page to improve the overall user experience and make the pricing page more focused (00:52:29).
• The discussion revolves around creating effective join pages, with a focus on having a dedicated "how it works" page to explain the ins and outs of a product or service, which can help to declutter the pricing page (00:52:50).
• It is suggested that the pricing page should be focused, with perhaps just a brief FAQ and quick links to learn more about how it works, and then link back to the pricing page from the "how it works" page to create a circular motion (00:53:08).
• The idea of mapping out the flow of a product or service from left to right on the "how it works" page is mentioned as a potential way to clearly explain the process (00:52:57).
• The importance of removing clutter from the pricing page and moving it to a dedicated "how it works" page is emphasized, with the suggestion that this could improve the overall effectiveness of the page (00:53:34).
• The site being reviewed is given a rating of seven and a half or eight, with the suggestion that removing clutter and creating a dedicated "how it works" page could further improve the site (00:53:28).

How to change the plan layout (00:53:47)

• To change the plan layout, one option is to edit the page in the web page builder, where users can modify the text and video layout, and this can be done easily (00:54:07).
• Another option for changing the plan layout is to use the menu manager, specifically the side-by-side menu manager, which allows users to create a side-by-side pricing plan with columns, and this feature is useful for those who want more control over their pricing page layout (00:54:35).
• The side-by-side pricing page can be edited to include the plan name at the top and features below, and there is additional documentation available on this topic, which can be shared in the chat for further reference (00:55:00).
• For those who need help with customizing their site, Yen from Business Labs and BD Growth is a recommended resource, as his team is familiar with the Brilliant Directories platform and can assist with small or large-scale site overhauls (00:55:25).
• The replay of the webinar will be available for review, and it will be posted in the Facebook group, allowing attendees to revisit the slides and content discussed during the presentation (00:55:56).