Webinar Wednesday 217 – February 11, 2026

SOCIAL SHARE: Faster buttons, prefilled messages, and 1-click copy link (00:03:00)

• The social share button links have been updated to include faster and more uniform buttons for Facebook, X, and LinkedIn, which are now located in the sidebar of the site and have a nicer aesthetic (00:03:00).
• Prior to this update, the social share buttons were heavy on page load and had a poor aesthetic due to being loaded from the social media platforms' own sharing platforms, but now they have a more consistent appearance and extra features (00:03:05).
• The updated social share buttons for X and LinkedIn allow for a prefilled message in addition to the link, with a default message of "check out this page" that can be modified, and also include a copy link button for easy sharing (00:03:45).
• The new copy link button enables users to quickly copy the link to a page and use it as needed, making it a self-explanatory and convenient feature (00:04:08).
• The updates to the social share buttons have been applied across all sites and also help improve page speed by not loading heavy scripts from the social media platforms (00:04:21).

BUSINESS DATA: Preview results, sort history, and filter by your import history (00:04:25)

• The instant business data tool has been updated with a new interface, making it easier to search and filter through imports, and allowing users to preview results and sort history (00:04:25).
• The tool now features a horizontal search bar, replacing the previous tiny search bar, and categories have been organized into smaller buckets, such as home services and legal services, to make it easier to find specific categories (00:04:31).
• Users can still search all 4,000 categories if needed, and the tool allows for more specific searches, such as searching for holistic and wellness categories, and then narrowing down to specific businesses like acupuncturists or massage therapists (00:05:04).
• The tool now provides a preview of up to five search results, allowing users to see the types of listings they will get before using their credits to import the records (00:06:15).
• A new search bar has been added to the top of the page, enabling users to search for specific imports by keyword, location, or category, making it easier to manage and view import history (00:06:55).
• The tool also allows users to assign imported business listings to specific categories on their site, providing more control and organization, and making it easier to import and manage business listings (00:07:34).

WEBSITE ALERTS: Get notified for new members, payments, and key activity (00:08:00)

• Website alerts have been released recently, and they also have a new UI update, which can be accessed by clicking on the switch website button in the top left and then clicking on the bell icon in the top right (00:08:00).
• To enable notifications, users need to toggle the bell and click enable all notifications, which will start sending pings of new signups, new payments, new leads, and other types of website activity for all sites they own and manage (00:08:40).
• There are additional settings for notifications, which can be accessed by clicking on the cog wheel or going to the notification settings dropdown, allowing users to customize the types of notifications they want to receive (00:09:08).
• It is recommended to leave all notifications on, unless the user has a very busy website, in which case they can turn off the notifications that are not interesting to them (00:09:22).
• The team is working on implementing mobile push notifications, which will allow users to receive notifications on their phone as soon as they get a new member sign up, a new payment, or other key activity (00:09:43).
• Users are recommended to turn on their notification settings to stay up-to-date with their website activity, and the team will keep them posted on the progress of the mobile push notifications (00:10:01).

DDC MEMBER BADGE: Own 3+ sites and see your DDC status in the dashboard (00:10:05)

• The lifetime site plan will be discontinued and replaced with monthly or yearly plans on a recurring basis, with existing lifetime site owners being grandfathered in, meaning they will not lose their current status (00:10:05).
• To become a Directory Discount Club (DDC) member, which allows for continued purchase of lifetime sites, an individual must own three or more BD sites, and their DDC status will be visible in the dashboard with a badge (00:10:35).
• DDC members will be able to continue purchasing lifetime sites after the plan is discontinued, as a way of showing appreciation for their support during the transition, which is now expected to occur in March (00:10:49).
• The transition from lifetime sites to recurring plans was initially planned for February but has been delayed by a month to give more time to those who need it, with the new expected transition date being in March (00:11:06).
• The DDC badge will be displayed in the websites dashboard area for members, indicating their status and eligibility to continue purchasing lifetime sites (00:10:41).

ADD TO CALENDAR: Let users add EVENTS to Apple, Google, or Outlook instantly (00:11:18)

• An add to calendar button is now available for event post types, allowing users to instantly add events to their Google, Apple, or Outlook calendars (00:11:18).
• The add to calendar button is automatically included next to the print, like, and like button for event post types with a start date, providing a convenient feature for users (00:11:25).
• The button will prefill with the event's title, start date and time, and end date and time, making it easy for users to add the event to their calendars without having to manually enter the details (00:11:56).
• The add to calendar button will only appear for event post types and will not be visible for other types of posts, ensuring that it is only displayed when relevant (00:11:40).
• This feature is available to all users and provides a nice convenience, especially for those who want to keep track of upcoming events (00:11:49).

NEW WEBSITE DASHBOARD: Cleaner design, favorites, combined stats, and dark mode (00:12:09)

• The new website dashboard has been introduced with a cleaner design, allowing for easier management of all the websites and providing some aggregate data, which will serve as a foundation for additional functionality to be built in the coming weeks and months (00:12:09).
• The dashboard is designed to make it simpler to view all the websites being managed, along with some combined statistics, laying the groundwork for future updates and enhancements (00:12:14).
• The introduction of the new dashboard is expected to catalyze the development of more functional features, which will be added in the near future, building upon the current design and capabilities (00:12:22).

IMAGE OPTIMIZATION: Auto-convert uploaded images to WebP format (Soon) (00:12:30)

• An image optimization update is coming soon, which will allow users to auto-convert uploaded images to the WebP format, a highly optimized version of an image that is stable across platforms (00:12:30).
• The current system supports various image file types, including JPEG and PNG, but the upcoming update will enable the conversion of new images to WebP format, which can reduce file size by 75 to 80% without losing quality (00:12:37).
• The image optimization update will not be retroactive, but users will have the option to turn the auto-conversion setting on or off for all new images, which is expected to reduce disk space, improve page loading speeds, and provide other benefits (00:12:52).
• The WebP format is considered the most optimized version of an image, and its adoption is expected to have a positive impact on user-generated content platforms, where members frequently upload profile images and blog posts (00:12:44).
• The update aims to provide a better user experience by reducing the file size of images, which should result in faster page loading times and improved overall performance (00:13:05).

AI EDITORS: Edit pages, posts, newsletters, and widgets with AI (Soon) (00:13:19)

• The ability to create web pages, posts, and newsletters with AI tools has been available, but the next step is to allow editing and tweaking of code for these web pages, posts, and newsletters using AI, enabling real-time modifications (00:13:19).
• This new feature will enable users to make changes to posts, pages, and newsletters they are working on, not just create new ones, which is an exciting development that will be available soon (00:13:27).
• The AI editing capability will also extend to other elements, such as widgets, allowing for a more comprehensive editing experience with AI (00:13:32).

BD RESELLER PROGRAM: Resell your own or official BD themes and earn more (Soon) (00:13:42)

• A reseller program is being developed to allow users to resell official BD themes or their own custom themes created for clients, with the goal of providing an additional earning opportunity (00:13:42).
• The program aims to cater to various groups, including agencies, designers, developers, and entrepreneurs who have built their own themes using the BD platform and want to resell them to their customers (00:13:50).
• To gauge interest in the reseller program, users are invited to express their interest by commenting "I'm interested in the reseller program" to help determine the priority and speed of the program's development (00:14:14).
• The reseller program is currently in the planning stage, with logistics being worked out, and users are encouraged to ask questions or provide feedback about the program in the comments (00:14:19).
• The development of the reseller program is intended to provide a new opportunity for users to earn more, by reselling either official BD themes or their own custom designs (00:14:01).

Account Dashboard Refresh (00:14:35)

• The account dashboard has been updated with a new aesthetic design, making it easier to view websites and contact support, especially for users with multiple sites, and this redesign includes features such as an aggregate total of all revenue and members, as well as real-time notifications (00:14:35).
• A dark mode option is available for the website's dashboard, which can be enabled by selecting it from the dropdown menu, and this feature will also be implemented for internal site pages in the future (00:15:13).
• The main page of the dashboard displays site credits, pending sites, and inactive or canceled sites, and users can switch between grid and list views, with the list view providing more metadata about the sites (00:15:37).
• The list view also allows users to sort their sites by revenue, from highest to lowest, and by the number of members, and sites can be sorted by default according to their site ID, which corresponds to the most recently added site (00:15:51).
• A star feature is available, enabling users to mark their favorite sites, which will then be displayed at the top of the results, and users can also filter their sites by their role, such as owner or collaborator (00:16:24).
• Future updates will include the addition of more information about each site, such as graphs and charts, and the ability to view aggregate data, including total revenue and total members across all sites (00:16:59).
• The support links section allows users to create a support ticket, view their support tickets, and track the status of their tickets, with the goal of providing a simple and efficient support center (00:17:27).
• Upcoming features will include the ability to move instant business credits between sites, download backups with one click, and have additional visibility into billing and products (00:18:23).

SOON: We’re Shifting to Simpler Pricing (00:18:50)

• The current pricing system is being simplified to three simple tiers, each with its own benefits, perks, and features, to reduce confusion caused by the existing system of add-ons, monthly plans, and lifetime plans (00:18:50).
• Users who have a lifetime site will be able to keep it, and DDC members with three or more sites will be grandfathered into purchasing lifetime sites in perpetuity (00:19:13).
• A special page, brilliant.com/lastchance, has been created for existing customers and users to access bargain prices and stock up on website ideas for the present or future (00:19:32).
• The page is not publicly available, but existing customers and users may have received access to it through emails or the webinar, and it is recommended to take advantage of the offer to stock up on websites (00:19:40).
• The simplified pricing system is intended to benefit users in the long run, and the company wants to continue supporting its customers who have helped them in the past few years (00:19:20).

Will lifetime sites remain fully usable without forced subscriptions? (00:20:08)

• Lifetime sites will remain fully usable without forced subscriptions, and there are no plans to disable or revise them, as the users who have these sites are considered founding members and will always have access to the core platform and core features (00:20:08).
• The decision to make changes is not punitive, but rather an effort to make Brilliant Directories more accessible at a lower entry-level price, especially for users around the world (00:20:32).
• The core platform and core features will continue to be available to all users, including those with lifetime sites, and the company will stand behind its founding members and users (00:20:42).

Can clients sell event tickets directly on the site? (00:20:44)

• The ability for clients to sell event tickets directly on the site is a desirable feature, but it comes with caveats such as the potential for fraud, chargebacks, and refunds, especially when the site takes a commission, (00:20:44).
• A platform that supports this feature is typically a multi-vendor marketplace platform, which can handle various products, including event tickets, and considers the complexities of payment processing and potential issues, (00:21:16).
• One possible workaround for this feature is to utilize a credit system, where digital products are created on behalf of members, and they are paid out at the end of the month for the revenue generated in the form of credits or manual payments, (00:21:34).
• Another workaround is for members to embed PayPal buy links on their pages, allowing them to receive payments directly, although this may still pose challenges if problems arise, as the buyer will perceive the purchase as being from the website, (00:22:09).
• Managing payments for members' sales can be complex, and the site owner may be held responsible to some extent, making it essential to consider these factors before implementing such a feature, (00:21:57).
• The ideal scenario would be a platform that can automatically process commissions, similar to Etsy or eBay, but this would require a more complex setup and consideration of potential issues, (00:21:51).

Plans for a tool to retroactively optimize existing images (00:22:40)

• A potential tool to retroactively optimize existing images is being considered, but its feasibility and benefits need to be evaluated to determine if it is worth implementing (00:22:40).
• Moving forward, new images will be optimized in WEBP format, which may help with storage capacity issues, and users who are currently experiencing storage problems can reach out to the support team for assistance (00:22:51).
• The support team can help identify and potentially resolve storage capacity issues by locating outliers, such as large website backups, that are contributing to disk space usage and can be deleted to free up space (00:23:02).
• Users who are not currently at storage capacity are advised not to worry about the issue, but those who are approaching or have reached capacity can email the support team for a quick diagnosis to identify potential solutions (00:23:13).
• The support team can perform a quick analysis to determine if there are any easy adjustments that can be made to help manage disk space usage and prevent capacity issues (00:23:29).

First step for moving an external newsletter list into BD (00:23:31)

• To move an external newsletter list into BD, it is recommended to create a sign up form first, which can be done by going to the emails, forms, and inbox section, and then creating a form called a newsletter signup form or any other relevant name (00:23:51).
• The created form can be used to filter everyone who filled it out, and a smart list can be created to include all individuals who filled out the form, which is a dynamic list that automatically updates as more people fill out the form (00:24:31).
• The smart list can be used to email the recipients in the newsletter feature, and an alternative option is to tag the members, but it is not recommended as tags are static and do not allow new people to be added unless workflows are in place (00:25:19).
• If a one-time import of members is done, a tag can be assigned to them, such as "legacy contacts from older platform", and a smart list can be created from that tag to include all legacy people and new people who fill out the sign up form (00:25:58).
• Creating a smart list is considered the best way to manage the list dynamically, while creating tags is a good static way to do it for a one-time import, which will result in a finite list that does not continue to grow (00:26:33).

Can a lifetime license be transferred when selling a site? (00:26:43)

• A lifetime site with a lifetime license can be transferred to a new owner, and if the site was purchased before the transition to recurring plans, the new owner will retain the lifetime status (00:26:43).
• Directory discount club members can continue to purchase lifetime sites after the change, but if they transfer a lifetime site to a new owner who is not a Directory discount club member, the new owner will need to choose a recurring plan (00:27:07).
• There is a distinction made between lifetime sites purchased before and after the transition date, and the transition date will be documented to determine which sites are eligible to retain their lifetime status when transferred to a new owner (00:27:25).
• The goal is to be transparent and answer questions about the transfer of lifetime licenses, and to prevent Directory discount club members from purchasing lifetime sites solely to resell them, a line will be drawn to prevent this practice (00:27:30).
• Sheila has asked a question, but the details of her question are not specified in this section, and the response is focused on providing clarity on the transfer of lifetime licenses for sites (00:27:40).

Do lifetime site winners need to join DDC? (00:27:44)

• Sheila won two lifetime BD sites and is wondering if she needs to join the DDC, to which it is explained that if she has three or more total BD sites in her account, then she is a DDC member (00:27:44).
• The total number of BD sites in her account determines her DDC membership status, and she can verify this by checking her website's dashboard for the DDC badge (00:27:57).
• Sheila's lifetime BD sites were won through contests in the Facebook group and New Year's promotions in webinars, and having three or more sites in her account would qualify her as a DDC member (00:28:10).

Will BD be affected by recent Google Maps pricing changes? (00:28:24)

• Google is making changes to their maps and charging system, and Jenny is inquiring about the impact of these changes, specifically asking if the new setup changes and charges are being considered (00:28:24).
• The Google API charges are based on the number of times it is used, with each use counting as a ping that could potentially elicit a charge or use the free credits provided by Google (00:28:36).
• To minimize the charges, caching is being implemented to reduce the number of Google Maps pings, and the newest versions of the Google APIs are being used to get the best pricing (00:28:47).
• The approach being taken is two-fold, minimizing the number of times Google Maps is pinged from visitors on the site, and using caching and the newest API versions to reduce costs and optimize pricing (00:29:01).
• The implementation of caching and the use of the newest API versions are expected to help with pricing and provide the best possible charges from Google (00:29:08).

Any changes to building landing or sales pages? (00:29:15)

• The web page builder and AI web page creator can be used to build landing and sales pages, allowing users to add assets such as images, and the AI can generate pages with suggested prompts to get started (00:29:15).
• The AI web page creator can generate a landing page or sales page, and users can customize the page by adding or removing modules, such as testimonials, features, and video sections, and rearranging them as needed (00:29:36).
• The AI-generated pages currently do an okay job, but upcoming iterations aim to improve the design, providing more sophisticated, modern, and cleaner designs, as well as better default images from stock photo libraries (00:30:20).
• Users can edit and customize the AI-generated pages, including moving modules up and down, cloning them, and adding forms using the form builder to collect information such as newsletter subscribers (00:31:25).
• The current capabilities of the AI web page creator are sufficient to create a good-looking page, but future improvements aim to take it to a higher level, making it easier for users to create professional-looking landing and sales pages (00:32:04).

Is there a first-time setup class for Brilliant Directories? (00:32:33)

• There is a resource available for first-time setup of Brilliant Directories, which can be found on the Brilliant Directory site under resources, and more specifically, under support resources, where quick start videos are available (00:32:44).
• The quick start videos provide configuration-based information, but with the AI wizard, a lot of the setup process is taken care of, and the videos are still useful for familiarizing oneself with the admin panel, such as adding a payment gateway like PayPal or Stripe, and inviting staff or other admin accounts to use the site (00:32:58).
• A 15-minute setup guide is also available, which provides a good overview of setting up the site from start to finish, and allows users to get a minimal viable product up and running in about 15 minutes, which can then be enhanced further (00:33:25).
• The 15-minute setup video covers the process of getting a site up and running quickly, so that users can show their friends and family, and it is a useful resource for those who are new to Brilliant Directories (00:33:38).
• The resources mentioned, including the quick start videos and the 15-minute setup guide, can be accessed through links provided on the Brilliant Directory site, and are intended to help users get started with setting up their site (00:33:51).

Will new add-ons be sold individually or included in VIP? (00:33:55)

• The new add-ons will be available, and the question is whether they will be sold individually or included in the VIP package, with Karen asking about the specifics of the VIP add-ons club and its relation to the lifetime site (00:33:55).
• Having the VIP add-ons club with a lifetime site guarantees access to all existing add-ons and core platform features, making it a good option to lock in current benefits (00:34:07).
• The VIP add-ons club, combined with a lifetime site, ensures that users will always have all the add-ons that were previously available, as well as all the core platform features, making it the best choice for those who want to secure these benefits (00:34:12).

Can support assist with site styling? (00:34:26)

• Support can assist with styling, particularly for small modifications, such as moving a button or changing the color of an element, and they are happy to help with these types of requests (00:34:26).
• For more complex design changes, such as a complete design makeover that requires reimagining a profile page, it is recommended to work with a designer or developer from the Brilliant Directories marketplace or find someone on Fiverr (00:34:42).
• Users can also reach out for assistance by posting their styling requests in the comments, and a quick test can be done to see if support can help with the requested changes (00:34:36).

How to generate monthly lead reports by total and per member (00:35:06)

• To generate a report showing the total number of leads received each month, both overall and member-wise, users can utilize the export feature, which allows them to set a date range, such as last month, and export the results in a format like Excel, providing a list of all leads that came into the site during that month (00:36:17).
• The leads in question refer to instances where a website visitor goes to a member's profile page and wants to contact that member, which is considered a lead, and these leads can have various statuses, including matched, pending, closed, or sold out, with sold out indicating that the maximum number of allowed matches has been reached (00:36:32).
• When a member accepts a lead, the customer automatically receives an email confirming the match, including the member's information, and the member who accepted the lead also receives a confirmation email with the customer's contact information, which is also visible in their dashboard (00:36:54).
• The export feature can be used to obtain a report of all leads, and by setting the date range, users can get a report of the total number of leads received each month, although this is currently the limited solution available for this purpose (00:37:21).
• Additionally, when a lead is accepted, the customer receives a confirmation email, and when a lead is declined, the customer receives an email stating that it was not confirmed, along with the reason, providing a clear communication process for lead management (00:35:24).

Option to share large business data sets across multiple sites (00:37:43)

• Ronnie has 250,000 business data records that he would like to share with his different sites, and he is inquiring about the availability of the flexibility to do so, as well as the cloning of sites feature (00:37:43).
• Currently, Ronnie can email the support team to manually move the business data records to other site IDs by providing the source site ID, destination site ID, and the number of records he would like to move (00:37:55).
• The cloning sites feature, which will allow for the sharing of resources between sites, is expected to be available in about a month and a half, with some pieces being put in place within the next 30 to 45 days (00:38:14).
• The development team aims to have the cloning sites feature in place as they transition to newer plans, and they are trying to synchronize the timing of these updates (00:38:26).
• Ronnie can currently use the manual process of emailing the support team to move his business data records, but a more automated solution is being worked on to eliminate this manual process (00:38:32).

When will AI be available, and will it assist with CSS, widgets, and content boxes? (00:38:39)

• The AI feature is expected to be available for use within the next 30 to 45 days, allowing users to edit and customize their designs with ease, including adding CSS and widgets, and modifying content boxes (00:38:39).
• Currently, users can create landing pages with AI, but they cannot continue editing with AI, and this limitation is expected to be addressed in the upcoming update (00:38:50).
• The upcoming AI update will give users the flexibility to enhance their designs, clone, and modify them with AI, rather than just relying on the initial creation (00:39:08).
• The release of the AI editing feature is anticipated to happen by mid-March or by the end of March, and it is expected to be a significant update that will bring a lot of excitement to users (00:39:14).
• Roger Peek is involved in the development of the AI editing feature, and the team has a clear roadmap for the updates, having already pushed many updates and now focusing on the more exciting features like AI editing (00:39:40).

Plans for an agency add-on club for multiple sites (00:39:44)

• There is a consideration for setting up an add-on club account for agencies, which would allow users to apply one or more add-ons to any or all of their sites, with the flexibility to move resources from one site to another (00:39:44).
• The add-on club concept is being explored as a way to simplify things and provide more flexibility for users, particularly those with multiple sites, such as the user who mentioned having 13 BD sites (00:39:50).
• After the transition, there will be a new pricing structure with three tiers of simple pricing, and founding or legacy users will have their lifetime sites and the VIP add-ons club as a premium package deal, which is considered the best value (00:40:13).
• The VIP add-ons club will be a grandfathered-in plan, providing a premium package deal for founding or legacy users, and users can stock up on lifetime sites before the transition at brilliantdirectories.com/lastchance (00:40:19).
• The new account dashboard updates are a sign of good things to come, with more developments and updates in the works that will benefit the entire community, and users can join the Facebook group or subscribe to the YouTube channel for more information and updates (00:40:54).
• The Brilliant Directories dev team is working on new updates, and users can expect more improvements and features in the future, with a replay of the webinar available at brilliantdirectories.com/fas and on the YouTube channel (00:41:11).