Webinar Wednesday 149 – January 18, 2023

Text Editor: Now Supports Animated GIF Images (00:03:09)

• The text editor now supports animated GIF images, which can be easily dragged into the editor, removing the previous restriction that only supported JPEGs, PNG, and a couple of other formats (00:03:14).
• Before this update, there was a limitation on the types of images that could be uploaded to the text editor, but now GIF images can be uploaded or dragged into the editor natively (00:03:17).
• The addition of GIF image support in the text editor is a welcome feature, as many people enjoy using fun animated GIFs and memes (00:03:31).
• The text editor’s new capability to support GIF images allows users to simply drag or upload them into the editor, making it a convenient feature (00:03:26).

Filter: Keyword Filter Now on /locations Page (just like /categories) (00:03:37)

• The default pages on a site include a categories page and a locations page, which can be modified or removed, and these pages are being discussed in relation to a new keyword filter feature (00:03:39).
• The categories page has a keyword filter at the top, which allows users to quickly find specific categories, especially when there are dozens of top and sub-level categories (00:03:45).
• The keyword filter feature has now been added to the top of the locations page, enabling users to search for specific states, cities, or countries in alphabetical order (00:03:48).
• The locations page, often accessed via the forward slash locations URL, lists all the states, countries, or cities, and the new keyword filter makes it easier for visitors to find what they are looking for (00:04:30).
• Users can now search for specific locations, such as Arizona, and the keyword filter will help them find the desired location more quickly (00:04:43).

Design: Click-Enlarge Images on Static Web Pages (00:04:54)

• A new page setting is available in the web page builder for static web pages, allowing users to click to enlarge images on their pages, which was previously only available for posts in the design settings (00:04:54).
• The click to enlarge images feature can be enabled on a per-page basis by going to the page options and checking the “enable click enlarge images” checkbox (00:05:38).
• When the feature is enabled, visitors can click on an image to enlarge it and get a closer look, with the image popping up on the screen if it is larger than the original display size (00:05:49).
• The feature is useful for pages where images are an important part of the content, but may not be necessary for every page, and is available for all users to use on their static web pages (00:06:07).
• To access the feature, users can edit a static page in the web page builder, go to the page options, and check the “enable click enlarge images” checkbox to enable the feature for that page (00:05:32).

Speed: Delivering More Assets from BD’s CDN (00:06:15)

• Delivering more assets from BD’s Content delivery network is an ongoing process that aims to improve site performance, particularly for global visitors, by increasing speed (00:06:16).
• The use of the CDN is expected to significantly enhance the site’s performance, allowing it to load faster for visitors worldwide, especially those accessing the site from different parts of the globe (00:06:17).
• Approximately 90 percent of assets are currently being delivered from the CDN, with efforts to identify and migrate additional assets to the CDN expected to continue over the next few months as new features are developed and introduced (00:06:32).

Finance: Search Subscriptions Based on Active/Ended Status (00:06:42)

• The finance tab has a new search subscriptions page in the admin area, which allows searching subscriptions based on their active or ended status, and this feature is related to the transactions page (00:06:42).
• The search subscriptions page provides an overview of all active membership plan subscriptions or ended membership plan subscriptions, along with metadata and total generated, and includes filters for searching (00:07:09).
• The transaction history tab has been updated to include the ability to search individual transactions based on their billing cycles, such as monthly or quarterly, and also by their active or ended subscription status (00:07:26).
• The combination of searching by active or ended subscription status and using a date range can provide insight into churn rate or subscription activity on the site (00:07:51).
• The search settings can be used to get a quick understanding of how many subscriptions ended after a certain period, such as a month, and to gauge the overall subscription activity (00:07:55).

Import: Ability to import Posts via .csv File (00:08:03)

• The ability to import posts via a .Comma-separated values file is now available, allowing users to import various types of posts, including events, jobs, photo albums, and property listings, with the goal of making this feature available through the API for use with tools like Zapier or Pably (00:08:03).
• The first step in this process is to support Microsoft Excel or CSV file imports, similar to importing members to a site, and phase one of this feature is now complete, with some users possibly seeing this option in their content management posts (00:08:29).
• Users can import post files and choose between single-image posts or multi-image posts, such as photo albums or property listings, which have photo galleries associated with them, compared to blog posts with a single featured image (00:08:56).
• The support team is working on creating a sample import template for this feature, which is currently in its infant stages and does not yet support image importing with post data, but this functionality is expected to be released in the coming weeks (00:09:17).
• The ability to import posts from CSV files will unlock a wealth of functionality, allowing users to populate and fill their site with data from various sources, including third-party feeds and RSS feeds, with the goal of having this feature fully available by the end of February (00:09:30).
• The feature to create posts from RSS feeds and other sources, including events, articles, and jobs, is closely tied to the import posts feature and is expected to be ready by the end of February, including the ability to include images when importing data (00:09:52).

Translate: Ability to Set Default Text Labels as French, German & More (00:10:08)

• The ability to translate a site into French language and German language is expected to be available soon, within the next week or two (00:10:09).
• The site currently has the ability to translate all text labels into Spanish language with just a click, and French and German are the next languages to be added (00:10:12).
• The translation feature will be expanded to include more languages in the future, with the selection of languages being based on popularity (00:10:25).

Add-On: Star Ratings for Posts – Users Can Review Posts & Leave Star Ratings with Their Comments (00:10:30)

• A new add-on is being released next week, which will allow users to leave Star (classification) for posts, in addition to comments, with a rating scale of one through five stars (00:10:31).
• The new add-on will enable users to leave a star rating with their comments, and this feature is expected to encourage the development of more features around commenting functionality (00:10:33).
• The release of the star ratings add-on has prompted an overhaul of the settings for the comments area, which will allow for more rapid addition of features such as uploading, voting, following posts, and email notifications for replies on comments (00:10:34).
• The star ratings feature is part of a larger effort to enhance the commenting functionality, with more updates and features to be released in the future, including improvements to commenting, voting, and notifications (00:10:37).
• The new add-on will provide users with a more engaging and interactive experience, allowing them to not only leave comments but also rate posts with one through five stars, providing more feedback to the community (00:10:40).
• The development of the star ratings feature has paved the way for the introduction of more features and updates related to comments, such as uploading, voting, and notifications, which will be released after the add-on is successfully pushed (00:10:43).
• The release of the Star (classification) add-on is expected to have a positive impact on the community, encouraging more user engagement and interaction, and providing a more comprehensive and feature-rich commenting system (00:10:49).

Tons More: Speed, Security, Quality-of-Life Features & Exciting New Releases on the Way! (00:11:18)

• Several new features are being developed, including speed, security, and quality-of-life features, which are based on user feedback and support tickets (00:11:21).
• The development of these features is also influenced by posts in the Facebook group and the goals that users are trying to accomplish (00:11:23).
• The feedback and support from the audience are appreciated and acknowledged, with a special mention to the users who participate in the Facebook group (00:11:32).
• The next step is to get everyone’s attention and encourage audience participation, as indicated in the next slide (00:11:37).

BD Community’s 2023 Goals (00:11:40)

• Brian B is sharing his goal for 2023, which is to import approximately 16,000 drink recipes onto his site, now that the import feature for pose types is available, and he is excited to complete this project (00:12:10).
• Brian’s website is for a bar and club, and updates will be posted on Facebook, making his goal to import the recipes even more significant (00:12:39).
• Ryan is focusing on launching courses for his community, utilizing the new directory and courses feature, to provide extra monetization opportunities, and he also plans to create courses for the community and directories in general (00:12:57).
• Ryan’s goals for 2023 include pushing out courses for the community, directories, and businesses, which are expected to be in high demand and contribute to the group’s growth (00:13:18).
• The community is appreciative of Ryan’s contributions, including his shares in the Facebook group, and is hopeful that he will achieve his goals for 2023 (00:13:32).

New Add-On: Star Ratings for Posts (00:13:42)

• The tip of the week is an add-on release, specifically Star (classification) for posts, which is expected to be released mid-next week, allowing users to review posts and leave star ratings from one to five stars with their comments (00:13:42).
• The star ratings for posts add-on works hand in hand with the free community comments feature, enabling users to select which post types on their website they want to allow members to comment on, and then members can leave a star rating to go along with their comment (00:14:06).
• The overall rating of an individual post will be calculated automatically based on all the ratings left on that post, and this overall rating will be displayed on the post detail page and in the search results page for the post, providing a quick way for users to see the rating of different posts (00:14:40).
• The star ratings for posts add-on will enable users to quickly see the rating of various posts, such as articles, videos, and properties, when scrolling through search results or post detail pages, making it easier for them to make informed decisions (00:14:57).

Star Ratings for Posts Demo & Use-Cases (00:15:06)

• Star (classification) can be enabled on a website to allow users to rate different types of posts, such as events, coupons, product reviews, movie previews, property listings, and support documentation, with the title above the comments section being customizable to match the post type (00:15:07).
• For an event post, the title above the comments section can be set to “rate this event” and users can leave comments and ratings, such as a five-star comment (00:15:23).
• For a coupon post, the title can be set to “rate this deal” and users can leave comments and ratings, such as a one-star review, with the website owner earning affiliate income from the linked website (00:16:06).
• For a product review post, the title can be set to “rate and review this product” and users can leave comments and ratings, such as a four-star rating, with the overall rating being displayed (00:16:41).
• For a movie preview post, the title can be set to “rate and review this movie” and users can leave comments and ratings, such as a one-star review, with the overall rating being displayed (00:17:02).
• For a property listing post, the title can be set to “rate this hotel” and users can leave comments and ratings, such as a 3.6-star rating, with the overall rating being displayed (00:17:43).
• For a support documentation post, the title can be set to “was the article helpful” and users can leave comments and ratings, with the website owner being able to see the overall score and update the article accordingly (00:18:17).
• The overall star rating can be displayed at the top of the post or above the post section, and can also be included in search results pages, with the option to customize the display of the rating (00:18:53).

Add-On Settings & Admin Features (00:19:44)

• The post comments section has been updated to include Star (classification), which can be enabled for specific post types, allowing for a more customized commenting experience (00:19:46).
• The title of the comment section can be set globally, but with the new update, an alternate title can be used for specific post types, such as “rate this deal” for coupon posts, making each comment section unique (00:20:18).
• The comment settings can be customized on a per-post basis, including moderation, comment count display, and star rating enablement, with the add-on providing extra settings for limiting user ratings and displaying star ratings in search results (00:20:40).
• The star rating feature can be limited to prevent users from leaving multiple ratings for the same post, and the rating can be displayed in various locations, such as above the post or comments section (00:21:00).
• The updated commenting experience is designed to enrich the interaction between visitors, members, and authors, with more features to be built into the comments section in the future (00:21:27).
• The enabled star rating for post types is expected to increase engagement from members and website visitors, and users are encouraged to provide feedback and ask questions about the new features and add-ons (00:21:45).

How to hide reviewers’ names? (00:22:12)

• The webinar discussion involves a participant named Tim, who has a website focused on countries outside of the United States, where libel and slander laws are strict, making people afraid to leave reviews with their names attached (00:22:34).
• Tim inquires about the possibility of having no names attached to Star (classification), to which it is explained that it is possible to edit the code and use CSS or a small snippet of code to obfuscate the author of the post (00:23:21).
• The solution involves having access to the code and making changes, which can be done through points and click, or with the help of the support team, and in some cases, may require full-on customization (00:23:45).
• It is stated that hiding a name is not the most difficult thing to do, and the necessary changes can be made to accommodate Tim’s requirements for his website (00:23:58).
• The discussion concludes with appreciation for the helpful response and well-wishes for Tim’s site, particularly in navigating the challenges of operating in countries with strict libel and slander laws (00:24:05).

Dynamic keyword filter on post search result pages? (00:24:11)

• A user named Brian asked about the possibility of implementing a dynamic keyword filter on post search result pages, similar to the search feature on the locations page, and whether it would be an easy fix or a more difficult task (00:24:12).
• The dynamic keyword filter would allow users to filter posts on the search result page, but there’s a limitation due to pagination, as posts on subsequent pages are not loaded on the page yet (00:24:48).
• A dynamic keyword filter was successfully implemented on the partner plugins page in the BD Marketplace, but it required loading all the plugins on the same page without pagination, making the filter more useful (00:25:20).
• To implement a dynamic keyword filter, it would be necessary to load all the posts on the page, otherwise, a keyword search with auto-suggestion can be used as an alternative (00:26:05).
• The user is looking to use the dynamic keyword filter under blogs and different post types, and it was suggested that pulling the whole table and searching it like a database could be a possible solution (00:26:29).
• There are different ways to implement the dynamic keyword filter, depending on the desired speed and responsiveness, and there are options available to achieve this (00:26:54).

Can highly rated posts be automatically featured? (00:27:07)

• A question was asked about whether a post can automatically become featured if it receives a certain number of five-Star (classification), and currently, there is no setting to automatically feature a post based on its ratings (00:27:09).
• A good strategy to encourage members to post useful content is to periodically curate and feature the highest rated content, which can be done manually, such as once a week (00:27:30).
• The current system lacks the ability to sort posts by ratings, but this feature is planned for a future phase, which would allow visitors to sort posts by most reviews or best overall reviews (00:28:15).
• Once the sorting feature is available, posts with high ratings would automatically get more visibility as visitors would be able to sort and filter search results by rating (00:28:31).
• The system currently allows sorting and filtering for member search results, but not for post search results, and the addition of this feature would increase the visibility of highly rated posts (00:28:51).
• The planned feature would enable visitors to filter search results to show only posts with a certain level of rating, which would lead to posts with top ratings getting more visibility (00:28:45).

How are coupons, deals & other posts published? (00:29:07)

• The members are responsible for adding posts, such as coupons and deals, to the directory sites, which are user-generated content sites similar to social platforms (00:29:39).
• The ability to import posts, including job listings, events, and coupons, from a Comma-separated values file is currently being developed and will be available soon, allowing for bulk import of posts (00:30:02).
• Once the import feature is available, users will be able to bulk import posts, such as coupons and deals, to their site, and they will be published live without requiring any additional work (00:30:13).
• In the current case, the sample posts were manually created one by one, but the upcoming import feature will simplify the process and save time (00:30:24).
• The new feature will enable users to populate their site more quickly, making it look more established and credible, and allowing them to focus on marketing (00:30:36).
• Having a seasoned and established website is crucial when starting out, and the new feature will help users achieve this goal (00:30:51).

Suggestion to add dynamic filter to sub- and sub-sub category page (00:30:56)

• A question was raised about the filtered search for the location page, specifically regarding the categories page, and whether a new category view with sub and sub-level categories has a filter categories option, which was not available in the previous version (00:30:56).
• The current version of the categories page with sub and sub-level categories does not have the filter categories option, but it is something that can be added in the future (00:31:27).
• The issue was previously discussed in a webinar, and Colette had also asked about it, but it has not been implemented yet (00:31:37).
• The suggestion is to add a dynamic filter to the sub- and sub-sub category pages, which is a straightforward task that can be made part of the default widget (00:32:07).
• The matter will be checked with the team, and if the filter option is not available, a card will be made for it to be implemented (00:32:04).

Suggestion to add help text to search result view options (00:32:20)

• A suggestion was made to add help text to search result view options, which currently only display icons for map view, grid view, and list view, to provide clarity for users who may not be familiar with these icons (00:32:41).
• The proposed solution involves adding title tag text to the view icons, so when a user hovers over an icon, a brief description or text appears, such as “list view”, to help them understand the purpose of each icon (00:33:24).
• This feature would be particularly useful for users who are unsure about the function of certain icons, and it would enhance the overall user experience by providing more intuitive navigation options (00:33:42).
• The suggestion was well-received, and it was confirmed that this feature can be implemented, with the possibility of adding title tag text to the icons to display helpful text when hovered over (00:33:40).
• The importance of this feature was emphasized, as some users may not know what the icons are for, especially when dealing with specific categories that require mapping or other view options (00:33:46).

Can two location input fields be added to one form? (00:34:04)

• The question of whether two location input fields can be added to one form is being considered, with the goal of allowing users to enter both an origin and a destination, such as for a trip, with the possibility of including a map view for each location (00:34:05).
• When a map view is included on a form, what is actually being saved is the longitude and latitude of the entered location, which is connected to Google Maps to provide precise coordinates (00:34:35).
• To add a second map input view to a form, it is suggested to reach out to the support team with the specific form being edited and request assistance with adding the new field, as it may be possible but requires further investigation (00:34:48).
• The possibility of adding custom HTML widgets to a form is noted, which could potentially allow for the inclusion of a live map input as a form field, although this is not currently a standard option (00:35:42).
• The potential use case for having two location input fields on a form is discussed, particularly for applications such as moving companies or load boards, where being able to enter both a starting and ending location would be useful (00:36:07).
• The conversation is being facilitated, with other participants, including Robert and Lisa, contributing to the discussion and asking questions (00:36:39).

Can users leave a comment without a star rating or vice versa? (00:36:48)

• Users can leave a comment without a star rating, and this will not affect the overall star rating of the post (00:37:20).
• Comments without Star (classification) are treated as regular comments and do not contribute to the overall star rating, which is only influenced by ratings of 1 through 5 (00:37:51).
• If a user leaves a comment without a star rating, it will not change the overall rating, as seen when the page is refreshed and the rating remains the same (00:38:20).
• Users can leave a star rating without a comment, but the system may require a comment to be left along with the star rating (00:38:31).
• There are no settings to require a star rating or a comment, or to allow only one or the other, but it would be nice to have this option in the future (00:38:49).
• The system’s current behavior may lead to user confusion if they try to leave a star rating without a comment, and it would be helpful to have a prompt or notification to inform them that a comment is required (00:39:10).
• The development and improvement of the post rating system will involve evolution and feedback from users over time (00:39:36).

How to generate sitemap for a BD-powered website? (00:39:58)

• A question is raised about Search engine optimization tools, such as Site Guru, sending emails stating that they cannot find a site map on a website, which may be affecting SEO, (00:40:02).
• The site map does not need to be located at the root domain, and its URL can be anything, as Google and Microsoft Bing do not require a specific URL, but some SEO tools might be looking for a specific “Sitemaps” file, (00:41:16).
• To satisfy these SEO tools, a redirect rule can be created to redirect “sitemap.xml” to the actual site map page, which can be done in the developer hub, (00:42:15).
• The site map generator can be used to create a site map, and the site map URL can be redirected to satisfy the SEO tools, (00:43:03).
• The redirect rule can be tested to ensure it is working correctly, and the site map can be regenerated if necessary, (00:42:54).
• Some warnings from SEO tools may be due to older practices and may not be legitimate, but if questions arise, they can be posted in the Facebook group for assistance, (00:43:35).
• Creating a redirect from “sitemap.xml” to the actual site map page can help satisfy the Search engine optimization tools and resolve any issues, (00:44:12).

Where are member-published coupons/promos published? (00:44:40)

• A member can create a coupon for their products, and the website owner can choose how visitors find these coupons, such as making them available in the main menu, which can be edited to link to the post types search results page (00:45:49).
• The post types search results page is automatically created and populated as members create posts, and visitors can search for coupons by category, keyword, and location (00:46:04).
• The search function works well for regional areas, but may not be effective for nationwide or global websites with limited content, and it’s easier to rally local businesses around the focus of the site when targeting a specific region (00:46:52).
• Coupons can also be showcased on the home page using streaming widgets or by hand-picking them, and visitors can view a member’s profile to see all the content they’ve published, including coupons (00:47:10).
• Website owners can self-promote content on social media, such as Facebook groups, to drive traffic to their website, as seen in the example of Corey Barnes who uses his Brilliant Directory site to feed content into his Facebook group (00:48:01).
• Members can publish multiple coupons, which can be viewed on their profile page, and website owners can use this feature to promote local businesses and help them reach a wider audience (00:47:34).
• The demo directory, demo bootstrap, is used to demonstrate how the website works, and it’s filled with sample data and posts, including coupons, jobs, events, and listings (00:45:03).
• It’s recommended to limit the number of post types enabled on the website, especially for new websites, to avoid increasing the workload and to focus on a few key features, such as coupons and events (00:45:15).
• Content can be shared from a website into a Facebook group to stimulate interest and cross-promote on both platforms, allowing people to find posts and content on and off the site (00:48:26).
• A profile page can display various tabs based on a member’s membership plan, such as the ability to publish coupons, and these tabs will only appear once the member has published their first coupon (00:48:50).
• To ensure that a coupon tab is visible, it is necessary to check the publish status and the end date of the coupon, as an expired coupon will no longer be displayed (00:49:32).
• Users have the ability to publish and unpublish their posts, deals, and coupons, and any issues with this functionality can be addressed by emailing the support team (00:49:59).
• For further assistance or questions, users can reach out to the support team or post in the Facebook group, and new members, such as Jim and Jerome, are welcome to join the community (00:50:11).

Can posts be exported? (00:50:27)

• The ability to export posts, such as events, is currently not available, but it is a good suggestion that will be added to the list of potential features, with the possibility of exporting posts as Comma-separated values in the future (00:50:47).
• In the meantime, a workaround can be used by creating a web hook in the developer Hub, which can send post data to a Google sheet via Xavier, allowing it to be saved in a CSV format (00:51:18).
• Web hooks can be used to export data from the website, including standard posts and photo album posts, and can be set up to send data to a Google sheet whenever a post is created or updated (00:51:30).
• A previous webinar discussed using web hooks to send post data to social media, and this concept can be applied to send data to a Google sheet instead, effectively allowing for export of post data in a CSV file (00:52:11).
• The idea of exporting posts to CSV is considered a nice feature to have, especially now that the ability to import posts from CSV is being developed, and it may be possible to reverse engineer the import feature to create an export option (00:52:55).

Suggestion to help troubleshoot member import location issues (00:53:10)

• The membership import feature allows users to download a template, add content, and import it into a membership, but sometimes the address does not attach to the Google Map, which can prevent it from showing up on the website until each one is logged into and the address is attached to the business listing (00:53:14).
• The issue might be due to the format of the address in the import file, where the full address, including street address, city, state, and country, is in the main address field, which can confuse the system and prevent it from geocoding the address correctly (00:54:12).
• To troubleshoot the issue, it is suggested to go back into the Microsoft Excel file and check the address format for the record that did not import correctly, to see if the city, state, and country are all in the street address field (00:54:44).
• The lack of a full address field in the import file, which only has separate fields for street address, city, state, and country, might be contributing to the issue, and using a workaround such as exporting non-geocoded members and working on them in a separate Excel file could be helpful (00:55:21).
• The idea of having a dropdown to filter geocoded or non-geocoded members, and being able to export the non-geocoded ones, could be a useful feature to quickly identify and fix issues with member imports (00:56:32).
• Out of approximately 300,000 members on the platform, 42,000 did not have a geocode, but the issue is not a major concern, and having a way to export and work on non-geocoded members could help to resolve the issue more efficiently (00:55:48).

How does Google handle duplicate content? (00:57:30)

• Google handles duplicate content by not indexing pages that have the same content as other pages already indexed, which is also known as thin content, and this can be researched by searching for “thin content Google” (00:58:04).
• When importing a large number of listings, such as 42,000, not all of them will be indexed by Google because the data is likely found elsewhere on the internet, and Google’s algorithm updates aim to not rank pages with duplicate content (00:58:17).
• To improve the indexing of these pages, it is suggested to target specific groups, such as doctors in California, and enrich their profile pages in chunks, which helps to stay organized and improves the chances of ranking (00:58:54).
• Google is looking for unique content on pages, and adding rich content to pages in batches, such as targeting doctors in different states, can help those pages rank (00:59:25).
• Segmenting and enriching profile pages in batches, such as taking care of all California doctors in one month and then moving on to New York City doctors, can help to divide and conquer the task of adding rich content to a large number of listings (00:59:15).

Suggestion to add description meta field to member categories (00:59:50)

• A suggestion was made to add a description meta field to member categories, which would allow for personalization of each category and enable the rendering of descriptions in various places on the site, such as at the top of a category page (00:59:50).
• This feature would enable directory owners to provide a description of what a particular category is about, for example, a category about plumbers could include a description of the plumbing trades and what they do (01:00:36).
• The suggested feature would be beneficial for Search engine optimization (SEO) and would eliminate the need to create a custom static page for each category, with the team considering the suggestion and potentially implementing it in the future (01:01:12).
• The discussion was part of a webinar, Webinar Wednesday 149, which covered various topics, including the upcoming availability of the Star (classification) for post add-on, and the next webinar, Webinar 150, is scheduled to take place in two weeks (01:01:35).