Webinar Wednesday 137 – June 15, 2022

Toolbox: Ability to Clone Widgets (00:02:12)

• The ability to clone widgets is now available in the toolbox section of the admin area, which was previously not an option in this section (00:02:12).
• This cloning feature follows the same format as cloning forms, sidebars, and other elements, and can be accessed in the widget manager under the toolbox section (00:02:17).
• To clone a widget, users can head to the admin area, go to the toolbox section, and then click on the widget manager, where they will find the option to clone a widget if they have any customized widgets on their site (00:02:29).
• Cloning a widget will create a copy of the original widget, changing its name by adding the words “copy of” to the original name, while keeping all other settings and configurations the same (00:02:45).
• This feature is particularly useful for power users who need to replicate custom widgets for other instances or purposes, allowing them to easily clone and modify existing widgets (00:03:02).

Forms: New Field Type (Numbers – Integer Only) (00:03:15)

• A new field type called “Numbers – Integer” has been released in the toolbox section under forms, which is a text input field that only allows numbers to be entered, otherwise, it triggers an alert (00:03:16).
• This new field type is helpful when creating custom forms that require users to input a number, such as their age or the number of stories in a house, and can be found in the form manager (00:03:37).
• The “Numbers – Integer Only” field can be added to a form by searching for it in the field types, which is located under the “fancy fields” section, and can be made a required field (00:04:23).
• When a user tries to enter a non-numeric value in the “Numbers – Integer Only” field, they will receive an error message asking them to enter a valid number, and the field also includes up and down arrows to allow users to increment the value by one (00:04:57).
• The new field type provides more flexibility and control when creating custom forms, and allows users to easily add number fields to their forms, with the option to make them required or not (00:05:22).

Profiles: Set “Profile Cover Photo” as Required (cover_photo) (00:05:25)

• The ability to only show profiles with all required fields filled out in search results was previously discussed, and now a new item, the profile cover photo, can be set as a required field, which is an add-on, allowing members to show up in search results only if they have completed this field (00:05:26).
• To set the required fields, including the profile cover photo, website administrators can go to settings, toggle to general settings, and click on the search settings tab, where they can find the “require complete profiles” setting, which is set to “no” by default (00:06:11).
• If the “require complete profiles” setting is set to “yes”, members must fill out the defined criteria, including any required fields such as the profile cover photo, in order to show up in search results (00:06:34).
• The required fields can be managed through the “view settings” link, which takes administrators to the advanced settings, pre-filtered for required fields, and the profile cover photo can be made required by adding “cover_photo” to the comma-separated list (00:06:44).
• The process of setting required fields is similar to importing members using a CSV file, and the required fields must be filled out by members in order for their profiles to show up in search results (00:06:56).

Webhook: Identify Failed Payments (00:07:27)

• Web hooks are being continuously updated with new and subtle nuances, allowing websites to send data to third-party platforms such as Zapier and Mailchimp (00:07:27).
• A new feature has been added to web hooks, enabling the identification of failed payments for paid payment plans, which can trigger notifications and workflows (00:07:44).
• When a web hook is set up for paid sign-ups, it can indicate whether a payment was successful or failed, allowing for the creation of follow-up workflows for failed transactions (00:07:47).
• For websites using web hooks for paid sign-ups, identifying failed payments enables the creation of customized follow-up workflows or actions (00:08:02).
• Even without using web hooks, the website administrator receives an email notification for every failed paid sign-up attempt, including the information inputted on the signup form (00:08:17).
• The email notification for failed sign-up attempts allows the administrator to be proactive and potentially assist the user, providing an opportunity to email them back or offer assistance (00:08:23).
• The notification of failed signup attempts for paid membership plans provides valuable insight into these events, enabling administrators to take action and improve the user experience (00:08:30).

Sign Ups: Issue Credits when Existing Members Refer New Members (00:08:50)

• The member credits add-on is a feature that allows issuing credits to existing members when they refer new members to the site, similar to an affiliate program, and this feature has been a subject of excitement (00:08:50).
• The member credit system has been updated with additional functionality, enabling the issuance of member credits that can be used for future transactions on the website, such as incentivizing people to sign up for a free or paid plan (00:09:21).
• A new setting has been added to the member credits add-on, which rewards existing members with credits when their member ID is inputted during the sign-up process of a new member, and this setting can be found in the sign-up settings (00:09:30).
• The referral ID field has been added to the general sign-up form, allowing new members to enter the referral ID of an existing member, and if the ID is valid, the existing member will receive credits (00:10:09).
• The settings for the member credits add-on include options to reward new signups and assign referral credits to members who refer new sign-ups, with the ability to set the amount of credits to be given to referring members (00:11:12).
• The amount of credits assigned to referring members can be customized, and these credits can be used for future payments and transactions on the site, such as giving 100 credits to members who refer new sign-ups (00:11:54).
• The feature can be tested by entering an existing member’s ID number during a sample sign-up, and if the ID is valid, the existing member will receive the assigned credits (00:12:15).
• A new member, member 103, signed up for a free account, and the member who referred them, member 102, received $100 in credits, which can be tracked in the admin dashboard (00:12:40).
• The credits were added to member 102’s account, and a general ledger is available to show the credits added or debited, providing context for the credits (00:13:12).
• The referral information is also stored as metadata, allowing administrators to see who referred whom, and this information can be used to track top affiliates or members who are referring new members (00:13:47).
• Administrators can choose not to give monetary credits, but still enable the referral tracking feature by setting the credit value to zero, which would still show who referred the new member (00:13:56).
• The referral sign-ups can be tracked on the member’s detail page in the admin dashboard, showing the date of the referral sign-up and the credits granted to the referring member (00:14:18).
• Quick links can be created for members to refer friends, and the referral ID can be pre-filled in the sign-up page URL, making it easier for new members to sign up using the referral link (00:14:46).
• For sites with customized sign-up forms, administrators may need to check for updates to ensure the referral ID input field is visible on the sign-up page (00:15:41).

Emails: Deliverability Improvements via Domain Authentication (00:16:32)

• A new domain manager page is being developed to provide more information about a domain’s status, health, and other details, which will help with email deliverability improvements via domain authentication (00:16:32).
• The new domain manager page will display information such as the domain’s registration details, expiration date, and connection method, and will also provide warnings if the expiration date is approaching or if the connection method is not set up properly (00:16:35).
• The page will have multiple tabs, including an Transport Layer Security security tab that will show the status of SSL settings and triggers, allowing users to diagnose and fix any issues related to SSL (00:17:52).
• The email deliverability settings tab is the most important one, as it will help improve authentication with the domain and email sending platform, such as SendGrid, to ensure that email deliverability is as close to 100% as possible (00:18:40).
• The email deliverability settings tab will display warnings or all good alerts, and will also provide information on Sender Policy Framework and DomainKeys Identified Mail credentials, which can be used to troubleshoot and fix any issues with email deliverability (00:19:35).
• The new domain manager page is expected to be released in the next few weeks, potentially by mid-July, and will provide users with a more comprehensive and user-friendly way to manage their domain and email deliverability settings (00:16:51).

Newsletters: New Design & Workflow to Send Bulk Emails & Newsletters (00:20:08)

• The newsletter feature is part of the admin area that has not been updated in quite some time, but a new design and workflow for sending bulk emails or newsletters to members is coming soon, with a release expected at the end of July or beginning of August (00:20:10).
• Currently, to send a newsletter, users would go to emails, send newsletter, and click on the new email newsletter button, which works fine but can be improved, with the ability to schedule a newsletter and select smart lists and contacts (00:20:51).
• The new design for email newsletters is a concept, but it will provide a better layout to look at pending or sent newsletters, with features such as seeing the statuses of newsletters, total size of recipients, and statuses of emails sent, including failed, delivered, opened, and clicked (00:21:36).
• The new feature will also allow users to click on any of the numbers and see who the recipients are that fell into a specific category, and they will be able to export this list or create a segmented smart list of people’s actions (00:22:33).
• Additionally, users will have the option to clone a newsletter, see the details of the newsletter that was sent, including the ID, who it was created by, the subject, template, send date, and completion dates, as well as the smart lists that were included and excluded (00:23:17).
• The new functionality will also include the ability to see the total eligible recipients that were part of the newsletter campaign, and to schedule a newsletter using a form that is currently available (00:23:51).
• The new layout for scheduling and setting up a newsletter will have a tab with an email preview, allowing users to toggle different templates and ensure they are sending the correct template (00:24:07).
• In the future, users will be able to edit templates directly on the newsletter page, rather than having to go to the email templates page, making the page more dynamic (00:24:25).
• The settings for newsletters are currently simple, with options to edit the from name and from address associated with the newsletter (00:24:40).
• A new select recipients tab will allow users to choose from a list of smart lists, which can be included or excluded from the newsletter, enabling users to send targeted newsletters (00:24:54).
• The select recipients tab will also show the number of eligible recipients for the newsletter, allowing users to refine their targeting (00:25:41).
• Currently, there is only an option to send the newsletter immediately, but a future release will include the ability to schedule emails for a specific date and time (00:25:55).
• The scheduled send date will be connected to the website’s time zone, as set in the general settings, and users will be able to see the total number of recipients and schedule the newsletter (00:26:20).

API: Ability to Import Feeds & Data IINTO BD Websites via Zapier, Pabbly, etc. (00:26:41)

• The users as a whole will have new features, including a new API and the ability to import and port data into their site via third-party feeds such as Zapier, Pabbly, and more, with a planned release for July or August (00:26:41).
• The development team is working on various updates, including speed, security, quality of life features, and other exciting new things (00:26:50).
• The suggestions from users are appreciated, and there is an opportunity for users to ask questions or provide comments about the specific features that are live or coming soon (00:27:05).
• A special guest, Colette, joined the webinar and expressed excitement about the new features and those that are coming soon (00:27:25).
• The host, Jason, interacted with Colette, welcoming her to the webinar and inquiring about her thoughts on the new features (00:27:27).

Suggestion to add more content blocks into email newsletter templates (00:27:39)

• The suggestion to add more content blocks into email newsletter templates was discussed as a potential new feature, which would allow users to easily add pictures and links to their newsletters, similar to how it is done on their website (00:27:41).
• The current content blocks for newsletters are limited, with only four pre-made blocks available to drag and drop into a newsletter, but there are plans to add more to make it easier to structure newsletters (00:28:24).
• The addition of more block options for newsletter content blocks could help achieve the desired outcome of easily adding pictures and links, and would be a great way to structure newsletters in a specific fashion (00:28:17).
• Colette and Stephen provided feedback and suggestions, with Stephen mentioning that he had previously suggested the cloning of widgets, which is now available, and he is happy with the current state of the feature (00:28:45).
• The discussion involved appreciating the feedback and suggestions from Colette and Stephen, and considering their ideas for future improvements to the newsletter templates and content blocks (00:28:40).

Is there a way to prevent members from abusing the referral credits system? (00:29:08)

• The issue of members potentially abusing the referral credits system by signing up as new members to give themselves credits is discussed, and the possibility of developers seeing if the same IP address is being used to prevent this is considered (00:29:28).
• A scenario is described where a member wants to game the system by pretending to be a new member, signing up, and referring themselves to get credits, highlighting the need for a solution to prevent such abuse (00:29:50).
• A potential solution is proposed, involving adding a hidden field to the sign-up form to check if an IP address has already been used to join the website, and using this information to send an alert to the admin if the same IP address is used multiple times (00:30:40).
• The idea of using a hidden field, such as “ipcheck”, to store the IP address and check it against the database to prevent duplicate sign-ups from the same IP address is explored (00:30:52).
• The process of adding a hidden field and setting up validation options to check the database for duplicate IP addresses or email addresses is outlined, providing a possible direction for developers to follow (00:31:26).
• The importance of checking the IP address in real-time and the potential need for developer input to implement this solution is acknowledged (00:31:45).

How to offer extra credits to new members who join via referral? (00:32:33)

• To offer extra credits to new members who join via referral, the system allows for independent credit amounts to be assigned to the new user and the referring member, for example, 50 credits to the new user and 10 credits to the referring member (00:33:09).
• The credits given to the new user and the referring member can be separate and independent, allowing for different amounts to be assigned to each, such as 50 credits to the new user and 10 credits to the referring member (00:33:28).
• The idea is to incentivize the new user to enter a referral code, which would give them a bonus credit, and also give credits to the referring member, creating a win-win situation (00:33:50).
• One possible solution to implement this is to clone a membership plan and create a new one specifically for referrals, which would include the bonus credits for the new user, and have a separate plan for regular users (00:34:14).
• This solution would require creating a separate plan for each type of user, which could become cumbersome, but it would allow for the assignment of different credit amounts to each type of user (00:34:18).
• Another option is to create a banner or link on the sign-up page that says “Did somebody refer you? Click here to sign up with their referral credit” and links to the referral plan, which would give the new user the bonus credits (00:34:36).
• This approach would gamify the sign-up process, incentivizing people to refer each other and sign up using a referral link, rather than a standard sign-up (00:35:16).

Post Filter Builder by TreeHouse Marketing & Development (00:35:37)

• Gabriel Solis from TreeHouse Marketing & Development is a special guest and a marketplace partner who has developed features that fill in the gaps for popular requests that have not been implemented yet (00:35:40).
• Gabriel’s company has created a Post Filter Builder plugin that can benefit many Directory sites, and it is available on the marketplace as a paid plugin, with some plugins being free (00:36:45).
• The Post Filter Builder plugin is a crucial tool for websites that need features that are not yet built into the Directory platform, and users can check out Gabriel’s profile on the marketplace to explore the plugins he has created (00:36:51).
• Gabriel will be discussing what post filters are, when to use them, how they work on the Directory platform, and how to create custom post filters using the Post Filter Builder plugin (00:37:12).
• The marketplace is a resource where users can find plugins created by partners like Gabriel, which can be essential for businesses that require specific features to run their websites smoothly (00:36:57).
• Gabriel’s presentation will focus on the Post Filter Builder plugin, its functionality, and its applications, providing valuable information for users who want to enhance their Directory sites (00:37:15).

What Are Post Filters? (00:37:27)

When To Use Post Filters? (00:37:51)

• Post filters are useful when empowering website visitors to narrow down results of different content types on a site with specific, personal search criteria (00:37:56).
• The use of post filters can be applied to various types of directories, including property directories, event directories, job directories, coupon directories, classifieds, and blogs (00:38:18).
• Post filters allow visitors to refine search results based on their individual preferences, utilizing search criteria that can be tailored to their specific needs (00:38:02).
• The application of post filters is relevant in situations where website visitors need to find specific information or content that matches their personal requirements (00:38:09).
• Directories that can benefit from post filters include a wide range of categories, such as event directories, job directories, and classifieds, in addition to property directories and blogs (00:38:21).

How Do These Work on Brilliant Directories? (00:38:22)

• Brilliant Directories provides various types of posts with different search criteria options, including keyword, state, range, location, category, and additional search filters, and some of these filters, such as keyword filters, require no setup at all (00:38:28).
• Location filters require setting up a Google Maps API, for which there is documentation and videos available in the Brilliant Directories dashboard to help with the process (00:38:50).
• Category filters need a little bit of updating in the BD post settings for every different type of post, and additional search filters require more customization into the different search modules (00:39:00).
• The search modules for post types, such as properties or events, include common search criteria by default, but can be customized to add more options, which requires customizing the code in these modules and knowing how to connect it to the post criteria (00:39:40).
• Examples of search modules include jobs, which include type of employment, categories, and salary range, classifieds, which include keyword, category, and price range, and property search, which includes beds, baths, property type, and status (00:39:46).
• Customizing the search modules to add more options can be done, but it requires technical knowledge and effort to connect the customized code to the post criteria, such as property listings and jobs (00:40:15).

How To Create Custom Post Filters (00:40:28)

• The current hurdle and roadblock is overcome by creating custom post filters, and a plugin called the Post Filter Builder was created to allow users to add as many custom search criteria as they want to any default post search module on Brilliant Directories (00:40:28).
• The Post Filter Builder plugin is demonstrated using a car directory example, which includes additional search criteria such as make, model, number of doors, car type, condition, and color, allowing users to narrow down their search (00:41:03).
• The plugin enables users to define any additional search criteria they want to add via a custom search bar, and it can be used for various types of posts, including classifieds, events, and services (00:41:41).
• The search criteria can be added by someone with no coding knowledge, making it a robust and user-friendly tool, and it can be used to create a wide range of search filters and criteria, similar to those found on popular websites like Autotrader.com, Yelp, and Kayak (company) (00:42:42).
• The plugin has been requested by users, particularly for real estate websites, where it can be used to add criteria such as location, price range, and amenities, allowing users to narrow down their search and find exactly what they’re looking for (00:43:31).
• The Post Filter Builder plugin is demonstrated in action, showing how it can be used to add multiple search criteria to a directory website, and how it can be used to create a customized search experience for users (00:43:57).
• The plugin allows users to select a post type and add search criteria, including top search criteria, sub-search criteria, and sub-sub-search criteria, to create a hierarchical search system (00:44:11).
• The top label can be used as the top category or top search criteria, and sub-search criteria can be added under it, such as “make and model” with sub-search criteria like “Toyota” (00:44:28).
• Sub-sub-search criteria can also be added, such as “High Looks Corolla” and “Toyota Prius” under the “Toyota” sub-search criteria, allowing for more specific search results (00:45:01).
• The search results page can display these sub-search and sub-sub-search criteria, and users can filter results by selecting specific criteria (00:45:21).
• The plugin also allows administrators to choose between exact or broad match filtering, where exact match requires all selected criteria to be met, and broad match shows results that match any of the selected criteria (00:47:01).
• The ability to clone widgets is also mentioned, but not fully explained in this context, and the plugin’s settings and features are demonstrated through examples, such as adding a new car post and assigning categories (00:45:55).
• The plugin is developed by a company called Treehouse Marketing, and a link to their profile or marketplace will be shared, showcasing the plugin and other developments (00:48:06).

Why Add Custom Filters? (00:48:10)

• Adding custom filters is beneficial when there are additional criteria beyond the default search filters that come with the directory software, and the goal is to create a more enhanced search experience for visitors (00:48:14).
• Custom filters can be added without any coding, allowing for a more tailored search experience (00:48:16).
• The ability to add custom filters enables the creation of a more advanced search functionality, including the addition of top, sub, and sub-sub level filters, to improve the overall search experience for users (00:48:29).

How To Get Post Filter Builder Plugin (00:48:33)

• The search criteria categories are really simple, and Gabe is offering a discount for the webinar, but it’s recommended to inquire if the product is right for a site before making a purchase (00:48:33).
• To inquire about the product, potential customers can email support at treehousemarketing.org to ask questions and determine if the product suits their needs (00:48:42).
• The discussion can now shift to a Q&A session, where questions about BD websites or general topics covered during the webinar can be addressed, starting with Dan’s questions (00:48:48).
• Dan has been given the opportunity to ask his questions, and he mentions having two things to discuss, with his first question or topic being the initial point of discussion (00:49:03).

Suggestion to implement SendGrid Email Address Validation API (00:49:06)

• The suggestion to implement SendGrid Email Address Validation API is a feature request that can help prevent users from signing up with fake email accounts, which can hurt one’s reputation when emails are sent to invalid addresses (00:49:06).
• The SendGrid Email Address Validation API is a tool that checks if an email address is valid and can receive emails, as opposed to just sending gibberish or fake emails, and it can determine if an email address is legitimate or not (00:49:42).
• The API can be used to minimize spammy signups or unwanted signups, and since the backbone of the email system is with SendGrid, it is recommended to take a look at the API and consider integrating it onto signup pages (00:50:10).
• There is a cost associated with the SendGrid Email Address Validation API, but it may be worth paying for, especially since the cost of SendGrid is already being paid, and it can provide an additional tool to prevent fake email signups (00:50:20).
• The suggestion will be shared with the team to see if it’s something that can be integrated, and to determine where to take it from there, with the goal of potentially reducing spammy signups and improving the overall email system (00:50:24).

Can the website automatically attempt to collect past-due member payments? (00:50:35)

• The website has a system for monthly recurring billing, and when a credit card expires, it will try to bill the customer and send them an email if the payment fails (00:50:35).
• The system does not automatically attempt to charge the credit card again after the initial failure, but it will try to bill the same credit card a month later (00:51:20).
• There is a suggestion to add a feature that allows the website to automatically attempt to collect past-due member payments, which would be a valuable addition to the system (00:51:46).
• The idea is to have the system try to auto-bill past due invoices every day as part of the recurring payments process, which would help capture more funds in real-time (00:52:12).
• The system currently requires manual intervention to capture past due payments, which can be time-consuming and may lead to a negative experience for customers if the system continues to try to bill them for an extended period (00:52:31).
• There is a proposal to add a setting that allows users to set the number of days the system will attempt to auto-bill a past due payment, which would give more granular control over past due payment handling (00:52:44).
• The developers are open to exploring this idea and potentially releasing a feature that would allow for more automated and efficient handling of past due payments (00:53:08).
• The discussion concludes with an invitation for viewers to join the Facebook group to ask questions and share examples of plugins created by their company, and to look forward to the next webinar in two weeks (00:53:41).