Webinar Wednesday 120 – August 25, 2021

Update: Form Fields: Validation Options (00:02:26)

• Form fields in the form manager have simple yet powerful validation options, allowing for customization of validation settings per field, including making a field required, which is a technical validation option (00:02:29).
• The validation options can be found under the actions drop down for each field, and can be turned on or off with a toggle, giving users the flexibility to save their work without immediately applying validation settings (00:03:41).
• One of the validation options is min max characters, which allows users to set a minimum and maximum character limit for a field, such as setting a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 10 characters, and also allows for a custom error message to be displayed if the requirements are not met (00:04:14).
• Another validation option is numerical value range, which enables users to set a minimum and maximum numerical value for a field, such as a scale of 1 to 10, and also allows for a custom error message to be displayed if the input is not within the specified range (00:05:46).
• The last validation option is regular expression rules, which is more suitable for developers who are familiar with creating regex rules, and allows for more complex and customized validation settings, such as only allowing certain ranges or strings to be entered into a field (00:06:56).

Update: Dashboard Quick Links (00:07:32)

• The admin dashboard area now features quick links to access new signups within the last seven days and 30 days, as well as a badge displaying the total count of pending items (00:07:32).
• The quick links allow users to click on “joined last seven days” or “joined last 30 days” to be taken to the search members page in the admin area, where they can view members who joined within the respective timeframes (00:07:40).
• The member snapshot section includes clickable links for payments received, upcoming and past due payments, and refunded payments, making it easier to navigate to these areas (00:07:55).
• The pending items badge counts all moderation tasks, including new inquiries from the website contact us form, leads that need to be matched, reviews and posts that need to be moderated, and past due invoices from members (00:08:34).
• The total count of pending items is displayed in the badge, providing a convenient way to keep track of tasks that require attention (00:08:36).
• The quick links and pending items badge are designed to improve the quality of life for website administrators, making it easier to manage their site and stay on top of tasks (00:07:37).

Update: Uniform Images for Search Suggestions (00:09:04)

• The update is a design and UI update for the predictive website keyword search add-on, which suggests results based on what is being typed, and sometimes includes images in those suggestions (00:09:04).
• When using the keyword search, images would previously appear in different sizes, such as rectangles, squares, skinny, or wide, depending on how they were uploaded, but they will now be uniform circles that center and focus on the center of the image (00:09:30).
• The uniform image update applies to all search suggestions, including coupons, which will now display as uniform circles when searching for a specific word, providing a consistent result (00:09:52).
• The update aims to provide a uniform result for all search suggestions, ensuring that the images are always displayed in a consistent and centered manner, regardless of the search term used (00:09:45).

Update: Digital Products: “Click for Access” button (00:10:09)

• The download digital products add-on allows users to create additional items for purchase on the site, separate from membership plans, such as a 30-minute consultation or access to protected web pages, and this feature is really cool because it provides more sales opportunities (00:10:09).
• With the download digital products add-on, users can protect web pages so that only buyers of a specific digital product can access them, and a “Click for Access” button has been added to take visitors to the page where they can buy the digital product (00:10:16).
• The “Click for Access” button is a new update that helps increase the sale of digital products by providing a link to the product page for users who do not have access to a protected page, and this button can be customized using text labels (00:10:58).
• Users can protect a web page and associate it with a specific digital product, so only buyers of that product can access the page, and they can choose the digital product from a dropdown menu if they have multiple products (00:11:54).
• The “Click for Access” button can be customized by changing the text labels to make it more exciting and encouraging for people to click and purchase the digital product (00:12:41).
• The download digital products add-on provides more flexibility and sales opportunities for users, and the “Click for Access” button is a helpful feature that can increase sales of digital products by making it easier for users to purchase them (00:12:58).

Update: Only 1-Click: For Homepage Streaming Content (00:13:22)

• The home page streaming widgets allow users to stream blog articles, coupons, and other content, and improvements have been made to make it easier for visitors to access detailed pages by making the entire element clickable, rather than just a specific button (00:13:22).
• Previously, users had to hover over the streaming widget and click on the “view more” button to access more details, but now they can simply click anywhere on the element to view more information (00:13:24).
• The improvement is intended to make it easier for people to click into the detail page of what they’re looking at, and it can be seen in action on the demo site, where clicking on any part of the streaming element will take the user to the corresponding detailed page (00:13:26).
• The entire element is now clickable, allowing users to click anywhere on it to access more details, and this applies to all types of streaming content, including coupons and events (00:13:28).
• The change is expected to be helpful for visitors, as it simplifies the process of accessing detailed pages and makes it more intuitive, and it can be seen in examples such as the “Disneyland Diamond Days” event (00:13:31).
• The improvement was made in response to feedback from users, who found the previous process of hovering and clicking on a specific button to be cumbersome, and it is intended to improve the overall user experience (00:13:33).
• The demo site provides a good example of how the new clickable elements work, and it shows how users can easily access detailed pages by clicking anywhere on the streaming element (00:13:37).
• The change applies to all types of streaming content, including blog articles, coupons, and events, and it is intended to make it easier for users to find and access the information they need (00:13:41).
• The new clickable elements can be seen in action on the demo site, where users can click on any part of the streaming element to access more details, and it is expected to improve the overall user experience (00:13:49).
• The improvement is a result of taking feedback from users and using it to make changes that benefit everyone, and it is intended to make the platform more user-friendly and intuitive (00:13:52).

Update: Advanced Setting: Display More Info In Member Results – in_results (00:14:58)

• The advanced settings for displaying additional member data in the member search result pages include options to show a member’s position, top category, or subcategories, which can be useful for sharing information with visitors and potentially improving SEO (00:14:58).
• The options to display additional member data are disabled by default, but can be enabled in the advanced settings by using the keyword filter to search for “in_results” and then selecting the desired options to display (00:15:50).
• Enabling these options allows the display of a member’s position, top category, and subcategories in the search results, which are neatly stacked and can include text labels such as “specialties” (00:16:35).
• The display of additional member data can be beneficial for dressing up search results pages and adding unique content, which can be good for SEO in some cases (00:16:57).
• To find the advanced settings for displaying additional member data, users can go to the advanced settings and use the keyword filter to search for “in_results”, which will bring up the options to show member position, subcategory, and top category in search results (00:17:11).

How to edit the categories for Job Listings? (00:17:47)

• To edit the categories for job listings, users need to go to “My Content” in the sidebar and then select “Edit Post Settings”, where they can search for the “job” post type and edit the categories, which are listed in a comma-separated list (00:18:37).
• The categories for job listings can be modified by adding, removing, or changing the existing categories in the comma-separated list, and it is essential to ensure that each category is separated by a comma (00:19:05).
• Updating the categories in the “Edit Post Settings” will automatically update the search module and the options available to members when publishing a job post, reflecting the new category list (00:19:20).
• The category list is used in two main areas: the search module, which allows users to filter job listings by category, and the job posting process, where members can select a category from the list when creating a new job post (00:19:27).
• The process of editing categories for job listings is different from editing categories for property searches, which can be done through the “Form Manager” (00:18:16).

How can a member add videos to their profile page? (00:19:58)

• Members can add videos to their profile page by uploading them as part of their post type, and administrators can encourage this by setting the video post type as the first tab on the profile page, which can be done by editing the post settings and rearranging the order of the tabs (00:21:06).
• Administrators can also encourage members to add videos to their “about me” section by updating the text label to prompt them to add a YouTube video, and members can insert a video into this section by default (00:22:23).
• The order of items in the overview tab can be controlled by editing the membership plan and adjusting the profile page settings, which allows administrators to prioritize certain sections, such as the “about me” section, and hide others if desired (00:23:27).
• By using these workarounds, administrators can currently allow members to add videos to their profile page, even if it’s not a built-in feature, and can customize the display of the profile page to prioritize videos and other important information (00:24:11).
• These customization options can help members’ profiles stand out, especially in industries where videos can be particularly effective, such as martial arts, and can be used to display content like DJ mixes or other types of videos (00:20:32).
• The ability to add videos to profile pages can be useful for members who want to showcase their skills or services in a more engaging way, and administrators can support this by providing guidance on how to upload and display videos effectively (00:21:11).

How to prevent unwanted member signups? (00:25:03)

• To prevent unwanted member signups, one method is to charge a small fee, such as one dollar, which will deter companies looking for free registration options (00:26:00).
• Another alternative is to moderate free signups, requiring email verification, and manually approving or rejecting each registration to prevent unwanted listings (00:26:12).
• Blocking IP addresses that are repeatedly used for unwanted signups is also an option, as well as using spam keywords to filter out unwanted registrations (00:26:32).
• Some directory owners may want to restrict registrations to company email addresses only, blocking popular email services like Gmail, Outlook.com, or Yahoo (00:27:07).
• A higher-level deterrent is to hide member profiles from search engines by adding a “no index, no follow” robots tag, which will prevent SEO companies from benefiting from backlinks and page indexing (00:27:46).
• By taking control of these settings and implementing these methods, directory owners can determine who can register and prevent unwanted signups (00:28:23).

Strategies to start growing an international membership community? (00:28:54)

• To start growing an international membership community, it’s essential to focus on a niche and target a specific region or city, rather than trying to cover a large area, as this approach allows for a more compelling pitch and a better relationship with potential members (00:28:57).
• Starting with a small region or city and offering free directory listings for a limited time can be an effective strategy to test the waters and gauge interest, before expanding to other areas (00:29:29).
• Focusing on a smaller niche is particularly important for solo entrepreneurs or small teams, as it enables them to create a more targeted and compelling offer for potential members (00:30:05).
• Claimable listings can be a useful marketing tool, but they should not be the only marketing strategy, and instead, should be part of a broader marketing mix, accounting for around 10-15% of overall marketing efforts (00:31:27).
• Providing value to potential members, such as tips and best practices, can help to build trust and encourage them to join the directory, with examples including blog posts on what businesses look for before joining a site and claimable listing best practices (00:30:45).
• Outsourcing directory population to freelancers on platforms like Upwork may not be the most effective approach, as it’s essential to have a personal connection with potential members and understand their specific needs and interests (00:32:21).

Thoughts on freelancers claiming to populate your directory with listings? (00:32:32)

• When working with freelancers to populate a directory with listings, it is possible to give them a template to fill with the required data, and then import the CSV file to the site yourself, eliminating the need for them to have access to the admin area (00:32:33).
• This approach allows for more control over the data and the import process, as the freelancer only needs to provide the CSV file with the required information (00:32:45).
• When working with a new freelancer or developer, it is recommended to start with small projects and break down larger requests into smaller tasks to establish a good working rhythm and avoid misunderstandings (00:33:30).
• Starting small and keeping the project scope simple helps to set everyone up for success, establish a good relationship, and ensures that both parties have a clear understanding of the project’s goals and expectations (00:34:24).
• If questions or concerns arise during the project, it is essential to communicate effectively and address them in a timely manner, such as through a Facebook group or other designated platform (00:34:47).
• The importance of setting clear expectations and maintaining open communication is crucial when working with third-party freelancers or developers to ensure the project’s success and to establish a positive working relationship (00:34:49).