Webinar Wednesday 106 – January 20, 2021

Update: Customize Post URLs (00:03:09)

• The ability to customize post URLs is related to a website’s SEO and has been highly requested, allowing website owners to manually override and customize the URLs of their blog posts, events, etc. (00:03:10)
• When creating a blog post, the URL is connected to the title of the article, which is generally considered best practice, but there are cases where website owners may want to edit the post URL to remove certain words or add specific keywords without making the title look too long (00:03:32)
• To customize a post URL, website owners can go to the “Content” section, then “Manage Posts”, and under the “Actions” drop-down menu, click on the “Customize URL” option, which allows them to create a custom post URL with extra keywords (00:04:40)
• The system will validate the custom URL to ensure it does not conflict with any other posts or web pages on the site, and if the URL is available, website owners can save the changes and update the link (00:05:09)
• This feature is available for all post types, including events, jobs, and coupons, and can be accessed under the “Actions” drop-down menu in the “Manage Posts” section (00:04:42)

Update: About/Join Offer Background Colors (00:05:49)

• The about and join offer modules, also known as the about and join offer sections, are two boxes on the homepage that can be used to draw attention to certain elements, and they can be customized with different Web colors, which was not possible until now (00:05:50).
• These modules are included as streaming widgets by default when a site is launched, and they can be used to put blurbs of content on the homepage, but up until now, the background color of these modules would match the module background color set in the design settings, which is usually gray (00:06:06).
• To edit the background color of the about and join offer modules, users can go to the settings and design settings, then click on the home page tab, and select the home page section order, where they can add the about/website join offer section and click on edit settings (00:06:56).
• In the edit settings section, users have two modules, a left and a right module, where they can put whatever content they need, and they can also customize the element background color, element border color, main title, and title color (00:07:27).
• The text editors in the about and join offer modules are flexible and allow users to insert images, videos, increase font sizes, and make other customizations, making these sections super flexible (00:07:54).
• The element background color and element border color can be selected for the about and join offer modules, allowing users to customize the appearance of these sections to match their site’s design (00:08:11).

Update: Plain Paste Advanced Setting (00:08:19)

• When copying and pasting content from sources like Microsoft Word or Google Docs into a blog post or other article, the pasted content may include styling settings that do not register well on the front end of the website, which can result in increased widths and font families that are not used on the site (00:08:19).
• The styling settings from the original source can be preserved when pasting into a blog article, but this may cause conflicts on the front end of the site, and in some cases, it may be desirable to turn off these styling settings and paste only the plain text (00:10:11).
• To turn off the styling settings and paste only the plain text, the “Froela Plain Paste” advanced setting can be enabled, which will work site-wide for any posted content and allow for manual formatting of the text (00:10:47).
• Enabling the “Froela Plain Paste” setting will prevent the preservation of styling settings from the original source, allowing for a clean slate when pasting content into a blog article, and the text can then be manually formatted with bold, colors, and other styling options (00:11:10).
• The “Froela Plain Paste” setting can be found in the settings and advanced settings section of the website by searching for the keyword “Froela Plain Paste” in the keyword search (00:10:50).
• Once the “Froela Plain Paste” setting is enabled, any content pasted into a blog article will be pasted as plain text without any additional rich styling rules or font settings, allowing for manual formatting and styling of the text (00:11:23).

Update: Tax and VAT Manager Add-On (00:11:49)

• The Tax and VAT Manager Add-On has been officially released, which was previously previewed in a prior webinar, and a review of its settings will be covered in the next few slides (00:11:49)
• The release of the Tax and VAT Manager Add-On is being announced, with more information to be discussed later in the webinar (00:11:51)
• A quick review of the Tax and VAT Manager Add-On’s settings will be provided, following the announcement of its official release (00:11:52)

Update: Enable/Disable Posts in Global Website Search (00:12:05)

• The global website search add-on now allows users to choose which post types will display in the search results, providing more flexibility and control over the search functionality (00:12:06).
• The global website search enables users to search all post types on their site, including members, blogs, events, jobs, coupons, property listings, and classifieds, using a single keyword input (00:12:10).
• Some users may not want all post types to be part of the global website search, such as a classified site that has cloned its classifieds post type to support different categories and wants to exclude the website blog from the search results (00:12:19).
• To enable or disable post types from the global website search results, users can go to the content and edit post settings, which is tied to each different post type, and click on the additional settings option (00:13:20).
• Under the additional settings, users can find the “enable results for global website search” option, which is set to “yes” by default, but can be toggled to “no” to exclude a post type from the global website search (00:13:55).
• Even if a post type is excluded from the global website search, it can still be searched using its own dedicated search module, such as the search module for blog articles (00:14:12).

Update: Sidebar Module to Start Private Chat (00:14:38)

• The member private chat tool allows logged-in members to have a continuous dialogue with each other, and a new sidebar module has been introduced to increase engagement between members (00:14:40).
• The sidebar module can be added to a member’s profile page, allowing visitors to initiate a chat without having to go to a separate page, and it includes a call to action that can be updated (00:15:05).
• To use the sidebar module, members must be logged in with a registered account, and they can start chatting with each other by sending a message, which can be customized to fit the member’s needs (00:15:59).
• The message can be limited to 100 characters, and members can choose how they want to welcome people to their profile page to initiate the chat, using text labels that can be customized (00:16:29).
• To enable the private member chat in the sidebar, the bootstrap theme module member private chat needs to be dropped into the sidebar of the member profile pages, which can be done through the toolbox sidebar manager (00:17:53).
• The private member chat add-on can be searched for and inserted into the sidebar, and it is expected to elicit more engagement between logged-in members (00:18:31).
• The process of enabling the private member chat in the sidebar involves going to the toolbox, clicking on the sidebar manager, and editing the member profile page to add the private member chat widget (00:18:07).
• The member private chat tool sends email messages to members when someone is trying to connect with them, and members can continue chatting with each other through their dashboard (00:17:10).

Can non-logged in website visitors start chats with members? (00:19:07)

• Website visitors need to be logged in to initiate chats with members, as this allows the system to identify who is contacting the member, otherwise, they could use the lead form where they provide their name, email, and phone number to send a message (00:19:10).
• To start a chat, visitors would need to register for an account, but with the express member registration setting, they can register for a new account on the same page if they are not already logged in (00:19:31).
• Visitors can initiate chats with members after logging in or registering for at least a free account, and the system will prompt them to log in if they are not already logged in (00:19:53).
• There are two options available: a chat feature that prompts visitors to log in if they are not already logged in, with the option to create an account, or a message form that can be filled out without an account, where visitors provide their email and phone number and write a message that gets sent to the member (00:20:17).
• The message form allows visitors to send a message to members without having an account, and the member can then follow up with them accordingly, providing an alternative to the chat feature (00:20:31).

Do members receive an email notification when they receive a new chat? (00:20:43)

• When a live chat is started with a member, that member receives an email notification if they are not online at that moment, informing them that a new chat is waiting for them (00:20:46).
• The email notification includes a link that, when clicked, directs the member immediately to the private chat instance, allowing them to start chatting right away (00:20:59).
• If the member is already logged into the website when they receive the email notification, they can click the link and start chatting back and forth continuously (00:21:08).
• The email notification serves as a convenient way for members to stay engaged in chats even when they are not actively online, ensuring they do not miss any important conversations (00:20:44).

Tip of the Week: Tax & VAT Manager Add-On (00:21:19)

• A new add-on release has been made available, which is particularly valuable for users outside of the United States, allowing them to set tax and VAT rules that will be charged during any payment attempt on the website (00:21:20).
• The add-on enables users to set localized tax rules based on the country, state, or province, and if the billing address matches the tax rules for that country, state, or province, the tax will be applied (00:21:30).
• The tax and VAT rules can be applied to various transactions, including new sign-ups for paid accounts, purchasing leads, digital products, and paper posts (00:21:40).
• In some countries, users are obligated to show the exact VAT amount on the invoice, and this add-on will help those users comply with this requirement (00:22:08).
• The add-on provides a solution for users who need to manage tax and VAT rules for their website, and it includes features that will help users outside of the United States to manage their tax and VAT obligations (00:21:22).

What Does the Tax & VAT Manager Do? (00:22:18)

• The Tax & VAT Manager add-on is used for location-based tax and VAT rules for checkout pages and invoices, allowing for manual addition of tax rules based on regulations that need to be complied with, depending on the location of members (00:22:18).
• This add-on does not come with preset tax or value-added tax rules, but instead, allows for the creation of as many tax rules as needed, which can be applied to all payments processed on the website (00:22:30).
• The tax rules can be created to apply to all customers, regardless of their location, or can be specific to the customer’s location, with the system dynamically applying the relevant tax rules to the checkout page once the customer’s billing details are entered (00:22:57).
• The tax rules can be applied to customers based on their location, and the system will automatically apply the relevant tax rules to the checkout page, allowing customers to see the separate taxes applied to their total checkout price (00:23:12).
• The applied tax rules will also be reflected on PDF invoices sent to customers, with separate line items for the taxes that have been applied to the transaction (00:23:34).
• The add-on is particularly useful for businesses operating outside of the US, such as in Europe, where value-added taxes are more common, and need to comply with specific tax regulations (00:22:47).

Who the Tax & VAT Manager Is For? (00:23:53)

• The Tax & VAT Manager add-on is not necessary for every website, but it is useful for specific locations where the government requires the collection of sales or value added taxes, or at least specifying them separately on invoices (00:23:53).
• This add-on is valuable for websites that need to have separate line items on their checkout pages and invoices for taxes, allowing for more detailed and transparent billing (00:24:06).
• The Tax & VAT Manager can also be used to charge additional fees on top of the membership plan price, providing flexibility in pricing and billing for websites (00:24:23).
• The add-on enables the creation of custom rules, which can be applied not only to taxes and value-added taxes but also to additional fees, allowing websites to get creative with their pricing and billing strategies (00:24:36).
• The custom rules can be used to tack on additional fees to the checkout pages, providing websites with more control over their pricing and billing (00:24:41).
• The Tax & VAT Manager provides a flexible solution for websites to manage their pricing and billing, including the ability to specify taxes and additional fees separately on invoices and checkout pages (00:24:50).

Let’s See How It Works! (00:24:57)

• To customize tax and VAT settings, users can start from the admin dashboard, where they can find the finance section, payment settings area, and begin to create location-based tax rules with the tax VAT settings link (00:25:23).
• The tax VAT settings link allows users to create new tax rules, and they can choose to apply taxes based on location, with options for primary and secondary tax charges, and exclusive or inclusive tax pricing (00:25:42).
• When creating a new tax rule, users can specify the tax name, country, region, and tax rate, and they can also choose whether the tax is exclusive or inclusive, which affects how the tax price is calculated and displayed to the customer (00:26:56).
• Exclusive tax pricing means the tax price is charged on top of the listed price, while inclusive tax pricing means the final price for the customer includes the tax, and the tax amount is factored into the listed price (00:27:50).
• Users can create multiple tax rules, including secondary tax rules, and they can choose what the tax rule says on the front end, allowing for customization of the tax rule display (00:28:59).
• The tax rules can be applied to specific locations, such as Canada and British Columbia, and users can test the tax rules by refreshing the page and checking the order summary (00:28:35).
• The order summary will display the subtotal, tax amount, and total, and users can verify that the tax rules are being applied correctly, with options for exclusive or inclusive tax pricing (00:28:45).
• The system allows for the creation of tax rules, including a primary and secondary rule, which can be applied to specific locations, such as Canada and British Columbia, with a service charge of 2.5% (00:29:19).
• The tax rules can be set up to include a VAT and a service charge, which will be automatically calculated and added to the subtotal of the monthly charge, resulting in a total of $11.25 (00:30:06).
• The system also offers the option to choose between exclusive and inclusive tax pricing, where the inclusive option holds the listed price as the final price, including taxes, and the taxes are reverse-engineered to fit within the advertised price (00:30:38).
• The inclusive tax option allows the subtotal to be adjusted to make way for the taxes and service charges, so that the final total billed to the customer is the flat number advertised (00:31:31).
• The system provides the flexibility to create multiple tax rules as needed, depending on the location and business requirements, and the ability to choose how to apply taxes and service charges (00:31:45).
• The add-on for tax rules is available on the site, and it is particularly useful for businesses that need to apply both provincial and federal taxes, such as those in Canada (00:32:06).
• The development team is working on adding reporting features for taxes, including the ability to export tax data and view taxes as line items on PDF invoices and in the backend area (00:32:37).
• The future update will also provide the option to view tax details at the gateway level, rather than just the final total, making it easier to track and manage taxes (00:33:01).
• Taxes can be automatically added to orders based on the billing address location, and this functionality works for member sign-ups, upgrades, purchases, and digital products, as well as the pay-per-post add-on, if a corresponding tax rule has been created for that location (00:33:17).
• The system allows for the export of data from the admin area to reconcile accounting, which is useful for managing finances and tracking transactions (00:33:09).
• The tax functionality is fully functional and works for various types of transactions, including when members purchase leads or digital products through the site (00:33:21).
• The system will automatically add taxes to orders based on the billing address location, if a corresponding tax rule has been created for that location, and this applies to all types of purchases made through the site (00:33:40).
• There is a question and answer session available to help with any questions or concerns about the website or its features, and a user named Deborah is participating in this session (00:34:05).

How to add a Tax Identification Number or other custom text on invoices? (“Invoice Pay To Instructions” advanced setting) (00:34:07)

• The Canada member who paid for customization is updating their system and needs to add a Tax Identification Number or custom text on invoices, specifically a registration number that is mandatory for businesses in Canada (00:34:08).
• In Canada, each province has different tax rates, ranging from 12 to 15 percent, and some provinces require GST but not PST, making it necessary to have a field that shows the registration number on invoices (00:34:22).
• The member is looking for a free text field to add the 16 or 19 character registration number, which is currently not available on the invoice page (00:34:57).
• The solution is to utilize the “Billing Pay To” advanced setting, which allows adding custom information to the invoice, such as the registration number (00:35:55).
• The “Billing Pay To” setting can be used to add the company’s public number or other relevant information, and it is recommended to include this option in the documentation for all users who utilize invoices on their site (00:36:44).
• The member is glad to find that the “Billing Pay To” setting is available, and it will be made easier to find and clearer that it can be used to add custom text to invoices (00:37:07).

Future updates to reimagine the Contact Tags functionality to utilize the “Smart Lists” logic (00:37:19)

• The discussion involves Eric and the updates made to the system, including form customization and follow-up emails, with the goal of having more control over customizing forms and sending targeted emails (00:37:22).
• Eric is trying to capture where users enter their email addresses for the newsletter and apply a contact tag to separate emails for newsletters (00:37:54).
• The idea is to reimagine contact tags to utilize the “Smart Lists” logic, which currently applies to site members, to give more flexibility in segmenting lists and contacts (00:38:25).
• The goal is to allow users to know what forms contacts have completed on their site and maintain the ability to assign contact tags, while also exploring ways to reimagine contact tags for more flexibility and control (00:38:40).
• The updates aim to provide more flexibility and control over segmenting lists and contacts, allowing for more targeted email newsletters and list exports (00:39:01).
• The updates on reimagining contact tags are expected to be addressed in 2021, with more information to be shared in future webinars (00:39:22).
• The webinar concludes with an invitation to join the Facebook group and a reminder about the next webinar, which will take place the following week (00:39:44).