Membership Training "6-Step Guide to Start Membership Websites" Join Live Webcast
Webinar Wednesday 155 <small>– April 19, 2023</small>


Key Topics:

  • 1:44 – iPad Giveaway (over)
  • New Features

  • 4:11 – SPEED: Only Render Homepage Slideshow on Desktop Option
  • 6:36 – ADMIN: Now See Screenshot of Your Static Pages in Web Page Builder
  • 7:18 – SEARCH: Option to Include LOCATION filter with Dynamic Category Filtering
  • 9:19 – WEBHOOKS: Paid External Gateways, Now Compatible with Sign Up Webhooks
  • 9:54 – IMPORTS: Now Upload Posts WITH IMAGES
  • 12:18 – GOOGLE: Google Login Add-On, Code Updated with Most Secure Method
  • 12:46 – DESIGN: Centering Logo, Workaround – View Support Document
  • Coming Soon

  • 11:26 – ZAPIER API: Import Posts from Feeds & 3rd Party Sources (blogs, events, coupons, etc.)
  • 18:07 – RSS FEEDS: Secondary RSS Feed URL to Include Post Image Data
  • 18:55 – MEMBERS: Ability to Edit the JOIN DATE of Members
  • 19:07 – TONS MORE: Speed, security, quality-of-life features and exciting new releases on the way!
  • Questions & Answers

  • 20:14 – Benefits of having an app vs. mobile-friendly website?
  • 25:14 – How do “pretty URLs” (canonical URLs) work?
  • 31:48 – Prevent spam or unwanted sign-ups and emails?
  • 37:24 – Reactivating and monetizing a stagnant directory website? – 15+ Boosts Members Will Pay For To Increase Their Visibility – Upsell & Upgrade Ideas
  • Add Custom Content, Banners & SEO Value to Search Result Pages – Add Custom Content, Banners & Seo Value to Search Result Pages
  • 46:42 – How much is a listing on a high domain authority website worth?
  • 48:35 – Email account setup with Brilliant Directories? – View Support Documents
  • 53:29 – Suggestion for members to print their own membership cards
  • Mastering Source Code Changes – How To Create, Edit & Call Custom HTML Widgets
  • 1:00:25 – Editing custom homepage content
  • 1:02:17 – How to exclude emails/smart lists from newsletters?
  • 1:06:39 – Best practices for sending claim listing emails
  • 1:08:56 – Restrict a website to only specific countries? – Manually Approve New Member Signups
Brilliant Directories Webinar Wednesday

AI-Generated Transcript – Please excuse any inaccuracies

SPEED: Only Render Homepage Slideshow on Desktop Option (00:04:11)

  • The background slider for the home page can now be set to only render on desktop devices, which can help improve mobile page load speeds by loading a single image instead of multiple large images and the code that cycles through them (00:04:13).
  • Enabling this option can be particularly beneficial for mobile devices, as image slide shows can slow down page load speeds and give poor scores due to the need to download multiple large images and the code that cycles through them (00:04:25).
  • The setting to enable the slideshow only on desktop devices can be found in the design settings, under the image slider settings, and is only available if the image slideshow is enabled on the home page (00:04:48).
  • If the slideshow is not showing on mobile devices, the hero background image will be displayed instead, which can be a static image, and users can utilize this feature to have a separate mobile image for their home page (00:05:21).
  • A workaround for users who want to use one image for desktop and a different size for mobile is to enable the slideshow, only have one slide enabled for desktop, and use the home page background image as the mobile version of the home page (00:05:51).
  • This feature can help improve mobile page speeds for users who are using the slideshow on their home page, and can be particularly useful for optimizing image sizes and proportions for mobile devices (00:06:13).

ADMIN: Now See Screenshot of Your Static Pages in Web Page Builder (00:06:36)

  • The web page builder now allows users to see a quick snapshot of the screenshots of their static pages for convenience (00:06:37)
  • The system is able to grab the screenshots 99% of the time, enabling users to see what they are working with on the screen (00:06:42)
  • If a white screen is displayed, it is recommended to wait for 24 hours, as the system checks for updates every 24 hours, rather than every minute (00:06:55)
  • In cases where the image is not displayed, trying a refresh or waiting for a day or so may resolve the issue and allow the image to catch up (00:07:09)
  • The new feature is designed to improve the user experience when working with multiple pages, making it easier to manage and visualize the content (00:07:07)

SEARCH: Option to Include LOCATION filter with Dynamic Category Filtering (00:07:18)

  • The dynamic category filtering add-on has been updated to include an option for a location filter, allowing users to search for members based on categories and location, with checkboxes in the member search results sidebar (00:07:20).
  • Prior to this update, the dynamic search was limited to just using categories, and there was no ability to also search a location, but now users can search for specific categories, such as restaurants with outdoor seating, and enter a location (00:07:53).
  • To enable the location search option, users can go to the edit post settings for members, scroll down to the search results design and additional settings, and select the sidebar or search module to use, where they can choose from various options, including top level category plus location, top sub level category plus location, and more (00:08:21).
  • The new location filter options include top level category plus location, top sub level category plus location, sub sub category plus location, and top level, sub, sub, and location, giving users more flexibility in their searches (00:08:57).
  • Users can play around with the different options to see what works best for their site, and the update provides more functionality to the dynamic category filtering add-on (00:09:11).

WEBHOOKS: Paid External Gateways, Now Compatible with Sign Up Webhooks (00:09:19)

  • Webhook allow users to send data created on their site to other third-party solutions and services, enabling compatibility with paid external gateways like PayPal Standard, where the user is diverted to complete their payment (00:09:19).
  • The use of webhooks for paid signups with external gateways, such as PayPal Standard, is now compatible with sign up webhooks, allowing data to be sent to services like Zapier (00:09:31).
  • This compatibility enables users to port data from their site to other services, such as Zapier, after a user completes their payment through an external gateway like PayPal and returns to their site (00:09:42).

IMPORTS: Now Upload Posts WITH IMAGES (00:09:54)

  • The import functionality has been updated to allow uploading posts with images via a CSV file, which was not possible before and is a highly anticipated feature (00:09:55).
  • The new import feature supports various post types, including coupons and events, and can be accessed by going to the “manage posts” section and clicking on the “import a post file” button (00:10:32).
  • A link to the import guide is provided, which includes example import file templates that can be downloaded and used to import posts with images (00:10:42).
  • The ability to import posts with images is expected to make it easier to migrate from other solutions, such as WordPress, and will also enable the use of third-party sources like RSS feeds to automatically populate a site with content (00:11:22).
  • Future updates will include the ability to use Zapier API to import posts from feeds and third-party sources, allowing for automatic population of a site with content from external sources (00:11:30).
  • The upcoming features are expected to empower website owners to establish a site more quickly and easily, with the potential for “instant content” on their website, and tutorials will be created to help users take advantage of these new capabilities (00:11:55).

GOOGLE: Google Login Add-On, Code Updated with Most Secure Method (00:12:18)

  • Google was emailing website owners who have the Google login add-on, which allows users to sign up or log into a site using their Google account, because the code has been updated with their most secure method (00:12:18).
  • The update to the Google login add-on code means that website owners do not need to take any further action and can ignore any emails or notifications from Google regarding this matter (00:12:29).
  • The code update has already been taken care of, so website owners do not need to update anything on their site, and any notifications from Google can be safely ignored (00:12:32).

DESIGN: Centering Logo, Workaround (00:12:46)

  • The topic of centering a logo at the top of a site is discussed, and a workaround is provided for cases where the logo should not be shifted to the left of the page, but rather centered, (00:12:47).
  • To center the logo, it is recommended to use an image for the logo, rather than the text version, as it provides a better effect and avoids potential issues with text wrapping, (00:12:54).
  • The size of the image should also be considered, as a large logo can occupy too much space on the page, and it is important to be mindful of the real estate on web pages, (00:13:59).
  • Another consideration is the header menu, as a heavy header menu may not be suitable for a centered logo, and it may be desirable to hide the header menu on mobile devices for a cleaner look, (00:14:19).
  • A simple code workaround is provided, which involves copying and pasting CSS code into the custom CSS section of the design settings, and this code allows the logo to be centered at the top of the page, (00:14:42).
  • The header design settings also include options for mobile view, such as compact view, which puts the logo in the same line as the menu, and Fab icon compact view, which uses a small icon instead of the full logo, (00:15:51).
  • These settings can be used to create a cleaner and more app-like experience on mobile devices, and can help save real estate on smaller screens, (00:16:42).
  • Additional settings, such as hiding the header search, mini nav links, and website header on mobile, can also be used to customize the mobile experience and improve the overall design of the site, (00:17:10).

RSS FEEDS: Secondary RSS Feed URL to Include Post Image Data (00:18:07)

  • The RSS feed add-on is available as an option by default, launched to be compatible with the majority of RSS feed readers, but it did not include the post image initially (00:18:09).
  • An alternate URL will be provided to fetch the post image from the RSS feed when needed, allowing for more flexibility in using the feed (00:18:21).
  • A tip of the week will be shared on how to turn RSS feeds into email newsletters for members, which can be useful for notifying members of new event listings on the site (00:18:30).
  • The workaround for creating email newsletters from RSS feeds will include using filters to ensure members only receive high-quality posts and not unnecessary or low-quality content (00:18:42).
  • The goal of this workaround is to get users about 80 percent of the way to their goal, with some additional customization possible to fine-tune the results (00:18:43).

MEMBERS: Ability to Edit the JOIN DATE of Members (00:18:55)

  • Members now have the ability to edit the join date of their members, which can be useful in situations where a large number of members were imported and their join dates need to be modified (00:18:55).
  • This feature allows for the modification of join dates for members who were imported in bulk, providing more control over member data (00:18:58).
  • The ability to edit join dates provides flexibility and accuracy in managing member information, particularly when changes are needed after initial member setup (00:19:00).

TONS MORE: Speed, security, quality-of-life features and exciting new releases on the way! (00:19:07)

  • There are many upcoming speed, security, and quality-of-life features, with exciting new releases on the way, and May is expected to be a notable month for these updates (00:19:07).
  • Future webinars will cover topics such as the leads module, monetization, and updates to email newsletters to improve workflow, targeting, and segmenting members (00:19:16).
  • The email newsletter updates aim to make the workflow better and allow for more effective targeting and segmenting of members (00:19:22).
  • A shout out was given to the BD Community, and an opportunity was provided for members to ask questions or comment on the specific features being discussed (00:19:32).
  • A member, Eric, was given the opportunity to ask a question or provide a comment, and he shared his positive experience with attending webinars and learning valuable tips, such as updating the compact view of his logo for the mobile site (00:19:46).
  • Eric tested the update on his mobile site and found it to be effective, planning to apply the same update to both of his BD sites (00:20:03).

Benefits of having an app vs. mobile-friendly website? (00:20:14)

  • The benefits of having an app versus a mobile-friendly website are being considered for improvement, with the question of whether it’s better for people using the site as a resource (00:20:15).
  • One of the cons of having an app is that Apple Inc., and possibly Android, tax payments made through the app at a rate of 30%, and also impose certain requirements for payment workflows, such as using Apple Pay (00:21:12).
  • For a search directory, it’s essential to consider whether the end-user will use the app daily or just once to get the needed information, and whether it’s worth taking up space on their phone as a formal app (00:21:47).
  • If the app simply renders the website within an app framework, it may not be necessary, as mobile-friendly websites can be saved to a smartphone’s home screen and can also receive push notifications (00:22:15).
  • A member-facing app could be useful for managing profiles, leads, and messages, especially for back-end portals used by staff or members, but for a search directory used by end-users only occasionally, a mobile-friendly website might be sufficient (00:23:01).
  • The cost of managing and updating an app, as well as the value it provides to the user, should be considered when deciding whether to create an app or stick with a mobile-friendly website (00:23:45).
  • The API for Brilliant Directories is now open, allowing developers to create templated apps for member directories or member profile management, which may lead to more app development in the future (00:24:03).
  • When considering an app, it’s crucial to identify the target audience and determine who will use the app, as well as the potential benefits and drawbacks of having an app versus a mobile-friendly website (00:24:31).

How do “pretty URLs” (canonical URLs) work? (00:25:14)

  • The pretty URL feature is discussed, and it is explained that when the Google API is added for pretty URLs, it creates a URL that is not dynamic, allowing for better search results (00:25:14).
  • An example is provided to demonstrate how the pretty URLs feature works, showing that when a search is performed, the resulting URL is not ugly and contains relevant information such as longitude and latitude (00:25:51).
  • The canonical URL is explained, which is a more precise URL that exists for all BD sites, making them optimized for SEO, and it is what search engines look for (00:26:30).
  • A specific example is given using the website eventplanner.co.nz, where a search for “South Auckland” yields a canonical URL with relevant results (00:28:13).
  • The discussion continues with an example of searching for “West Auckland” to demonstrate how the pretty URLs feature works in this case, and it is determined that West Auckland is a neighborhood within the city of Auckland (00:28:46).
  • The importance of having a valid search results page for SEO landing pages is emphasized, and it is recommended to perform searches for specific regions to get the desired results (00:27:40).
  • The canonical URL for a specific search, such as West Auckland, should link to the search results page, but in this case, it is not working as expected and may need to be reported to support for further investigation (00:29:15).
  • The search radius can be adjusted in the search settings, and enabling strict search can help to get more precise results by cutting off results outside of the searched area, such as a postal code, country, or city match (00:29:41).
  • The default search radius can be left large, but enabling strict search will ensure that results are only shown within the specified region, which can be useful for more specific searches (00:29:51).
  • The canonical URL should link to the same type of search results page, with the same title, and not redirect to the home page, which is what is happening in this case, and the reason for this needs to be investigated (00:30:33).
  • The issue with the canonical URL not linking to the correct search results page may be due to a redirect setup or another technical issue, and it is recommended to show this example to the support team for further assistance (00:30:40).
  • The conversation is followed by a question from Vijay (actor), and then Ivan, who is self-muted, is called upon to ask their question, and the discussion continues with multiple participants (00:31:36).

Prevent spam or unwanted sign-ups and emails? (00:31:48)

  • To prevent spam emails and unwanted signups, especially when having a free plan, it is recommended to block the IP address of spammers, and there are a couple of things that can be done, such as setting up a spam keyword and blocking spoof characters, which can help stop messages to the contact us form and members (00:31:48).
  • Some SEO listing companies may find a website with a free profile account and try to use it to create free listings for their clients, which can be stopped by changing the URL of the free signup page, and this can be done by editing the member signup page URL and updating any landing pages that link to it (00:32:15).
  • The blocked spoof characters setting is good for the website contact us form, not necessarily for signups, as spammers often use these characters when submitting messages that look like regular characters but are associated with a high level of spam (00:33:07).
  • For English language sites, it is recommended to go to the general settings Integrations Tab and click on block spoof characters to help stop spam messages to the contact us form and members (00:33:32).
  • Changing the URL of the free signup page can help slow down spam signups, as the current URL may have been flagged, and it is important to update any landing pages that link to the new signup page (00:34:31).
  • The design of the free signup page can also be improved, such as moving the free signup button to a more prominent location, to make it clearer for users who want to sign up for a free membership (00:34:00).
  • To update the URL of the free signup page, you would need to go to the edit section, search for the member signup page URL, and change it to a new URL, such as “citizen”, and then update any landing pages that link to the new page (00:35:05).
  • It is also important to note that any landing pages created will need to be updated to reflect the new URL of the free signup page, to ensure that users are directed to the correct page (00:35:21).
  • To mitigate unwanted signups on a site, one simple thing that can be done is to set a timer, also known as a delay, which prevents signups from happening if a free sign up form is filled out too quickly by a bot, and this setting can be found under spam protection member sign up form time (00:35:44).
  • Increasing the delay time from two to four seconds can help thwart bots, as it is likely to take a human at least four seconds to fill out the form with emails, password, and clicking the box (00:36:15).
  • Another way to prevent unwanted signups is to copy and paste the IP address of unwanted signups and block that IP address, which can be done when members sign up and their IP address is visible (00:36:50).
  • These methods can help reduce unwanted signups, which can be annoying and a nuisance, and are simple to implement (00:37:01).

Reactivating and monetizing a stagnant directory website? (00:37:24)

  • A small business directory was launched years ago with the goal of creating a comprehensive list of businesses, and it has since gained 10,800 members or listings, with 60% of the listings being US-based and 40% international (00:37:24).
  • The quality of the listings is generally good, with most having logos, and the site has a lot of content, but the owner is considering removing international listings to focus on US-only listings as they begin to monetize the site (00:38:18).
  • The site, smallbusinesstoday.net, was reviewed, and it was suggested that instead of deleting listings without logos, the owner could utilize the “require complete profiles” setting to ensure that only complete profiles show up in search results (00:40:38).
  • The owner is planning to come up with a fair price for listings and start sending emails to currently listed businesses to let them know that it’s no longer free to be listed, with a page authority of 20, which is significant from an SEO perspective (00:39:55).
  • The question of whether to allow international businesses to stay on the site or focus on US-only listings is still being considered, with the option to give any willing business the ability to stay on the site for a fee (00:40:28).
  • To improve the quality of member profiles, it is recommended to enable the setting that requires members to have a minimum quality profile, which will prevent members with incomplete profiles from showing up in the search results, while still allowing them to have a profile, (00:41:29).
  • Enabling this setting will also provide an extra filter in the search members page, allowing for easier identification of members with incomplete profiles, and a search can be done to find members who do not have at least a profile photo, top-level category, address, etc., (00:41:55).
  • A smart list can be created for members with incomplete profiles, and an email can be sent to them with a reminder to complete their profiles and an offer to upgrade for better visibility, (00:42:42).
  • Instead of deleting international profiles, it is recommended to allow them to remain on the site, as they can still be useful for members searching for specific services in other locations, (00:43:36).
  • Regarding advertising, it is suggested to figure out what to offer to members to increase their visibility, such as boosts, badges, and more information on their profile pages, and a webinar was previously done on this topic, (00:43:47).
  • A list of potential advertising options and upsells can be found in a previous webinar, including member badges, more info on profile pages, and order in search results, and these can be hand-picked to offer to members, (00:44:11).
  • It is recommended to choose which advertising options to offer to members and then create a sample or complimentary version to demonstrate its effectiveness, (00:44:40).
  • Businesses can offer category takeovers to advertisers, allowing them to have their banners and information displayed at the top and in the sidebar of specific categories, such as lawyers or immigration attorneys, which can be a valuable option for businesses that want to target specific audiences (00:45:02).
  • Advertisers may also want to target specific locations, such as Los Angeles plumbers, and businesses can offer them the opportunity to advertise on search results pages for those locations (00:45:31).
  • To enhance the advertising experience, businesses can add custom content banners and SEO value to search results pages, which can be particularly useful for advertisers who want to target specific categories or locations (00:46:06).
  • Creating landing pages for different search locations, as Vijay (actor) is doing, can also be an effective way to target specific audiences and provide value to advertisers (00:46:00).
  • Businesses can also offer buyout packages to advertisers, which can include a range of benefits, such as prominent placement on the site and targeted advertising (00:45:14).
  • To get the most out of these advertising options, businesses should focus on providing complete profiles, keeping international people in mind, and utilizing videos to showcase their offerings (00:46:30).

How much is a listing on a high domain authority website worth? (00:46:42)

  • The real value of a listing on a high domain authority website is not determined by the volume of consumers visiting the site, but rather by its worth to SEO professionals, with a page having a Page Authority of 20 potentially being worth around $10 to $20 annually (00:46:48).
  • The value of a listing on a high domain authority website can be determined by checking the going rate for backlinks on websites with a similar Domain Authority, such as a Domain Authority 20 site, on platforms like Fiverr (00:47:13).
  • Instead of focusing solely on SEO, it’s possible to offer businesses more value by helping them generate real leads, as some consumers who find the site may also be interested in the businesses listed, and this can be a more effective way to monetize the website (00:47:30).
  • Businesses may be willing to pay a nominal fee for visibility and to be listed at the top of the results, even if it’s just for prestige, and this can be an alternative way to generate revenue from the website (00:47:55).
  • The conversation touches on the idea that the value of a listing on a high domain authority website can be measured in different ways, including its SEO value and its ability to generate real leads for businesses, and that there are various strategies for monetizing the website, including offering backlinks and providing lead generation services (00:46:43).

Email account setup with Brilliant Directories? (00:48:35)

  • Email account setup with Brilliant Directories involves connecting a domain name and setting up email deliverability, which can be done through the domain manager, and if the name servers are connected, emails from the BD site have a 99.99% chance of reaching senders (00:49:22).
  • If using another MX record platform, it’s possible to point the name servers to BD and add records such as MX records to the domain, which can be done through the cpanel and DNS zone records (00:50:40).
  • Brilliant Directories can handle all mail for a domain, eliminating the need for a third-party Mail Exchange, and users can create email addresses and connect them to devices such as Gmail or iPhones (00:51:50).
  • To set up email accounts, users can go to the email accounts section, add or edit email addresses, and create new email addresses with desired names, and then connect them to devices (00:52:01).
  • There is documentation available on setting up and managing email addresses on Brilliant Directories, including a blog post titled “Setup and Manage Email Addresses” (00:52:50).
  • Users can access the documentation and other resources, such as a folder with various pieces of documentation, which can be shared in the chat for everyone to access (00:53:07).

Suggestion for members to print their own membership cards (00:53:29)

  • A couple of months ago, over 1700 folks from Wild Apricot were brought in, and everything seems to be working well, but one of the features they requested was the ability for members to print a Business card from the site, which is not currently available (00:53:31).
  • The membership card would likely include the member’s logo or photo, name or company name, date, membership ID number, and possibly the date the card is valid until, and it could be a JPEG pre-filled with the member’s sign-up data (00:53:57).
  • There isn’t a default feature for this, but a potential workaround could be using Zapier to send member data to a tool that can create membership cards (00:55:53).
  • The idea of creating a membership card feature has come up before, particularly for students, and it may be worth considering as an add-on for the VIP add-ons club (00:56:09).
  • To move forward with this feature, it would be helpful to know how much control the previous platform had over the design of the automated card, and a discussion can be posted in the Facebook group to see if anyone else has created a similar feature (00:56:34).
  • The goal would be to create a tool where members can log into their dashboard area and print their own membership cards, potentially with a customizable design (00:57:24).
  • Enabling a membership plan allows members to print their membership information on a card size paper with a print button, which can be achieved with a little focus and effort (00:57:29).
  • The discussion involves comparing WordPress websites to other types of sites, with the mention that 99.9% of the person’s websites are WordPress, but they are currently working with an out-of-the-box site that is different from WordPress (00:57:57).
  • A new feature is coming at the end of the month, which will allow importing posts from Zapier using the API, taking member data and importing it as a post to the site with images, and creating a template for that post with a print button (00:58:39).
  • The idea of recycling data inputted into the site and posting it as a post using the API is discussed, and a video about mastering source code changes with BD is shared to help with editing page templates and post templates (00:59:21).
  • A link to a video is shared to help with understanding how widgets work and where to edit certain parts of the BD site, and it is suggested that posting in the Facebook group may help find workarounds for the ID card issue (00:59:27).
  • Lawrence’s son is taking over his websites and has a question about designing the websites, but Lawrence is currently busy, so someone else is helping with the question (01:00:15).

Editing custom homepage content (01:00:25)

  • The issue of a banner on the lower side of the homepage that cannot be found or changed in the design settings is being addressed, specifically for the Broward County, Florida Chamber of Commerce website (01:00:27).
  • The banner in question is located near the bottom of the homepage, and the goal is to either remove or replace it with different ones, with the exact location confirmed after scrolling down the page (01:00:43).
  • To edit the custom homepage content, the design settings need to be accessed, where there are various options such as hero divider, custom content one and two, featured members, and articles, with the banner likely being part of custom content one or two (01:01:06).
  • The custom content two section is opened to edit the banner, and it is confirmed that this is where the banner is located, with options to delete or keep it and modify as needed (01:01:34).
  • The issue is resolved, and the user is able to modify the custom homepage content, with appreciation expressed for the help received, specifically from Lawrence (01:01:54).
  • The conversation then moves on to a new participant, Brian B, who is greeted and asked how he is doing, with the conversation ready to address any questions or issues he may have (01:02:11).

How to exclude emails/smart lists from newsletters? (01:02:17)

  • To exclude emails or smart lists from newsletters, a feature will be available within the next 60 days to allow users to send newsletters and exclude specific smart lists, enabling the creation of a smart list of email addresses to exclude, such as those with a specific domain name, (01:02:18).
  • The new feature will enable users to select a smart list to send a newsletter to and also exclude another smart list, allowing for more targeted email campaigns and preventing unnecessary emails from being sent to the same domain, (01:03:25).
  • Currently, there is an advanced option to not send a newsletter to the same domain as the website, which can be useful for preventing self-emails and wasting email sending limits, (01:04:35).
  • When scheduling newsletters, there are settings to choose whether to email people even if they have received the email template before, and an option to not send emails to the same domain, allowing for more control over email campaigns, (01:05:04).
  • The system will automatically move users out of a smart list when they claim a listing and switch to a different membership plan, ensuring that they will not receive unnecessary emails, (01:06:22).

Best practices for sending claim listing emails (01:06:39)

  • To avoid having emails marked as spam, it is essential to send reminders and incentivize recipients tastefully, without being too frequent, and to be aware of the email frequency (01:06:45).
  • Instead of constantly sending sign-up emails, it is possible to send newsletters that indirectly motivate recipients, such as spotlighting another member in a specific category, to create a sense of FOMO and pique their interest (01:07:09).
  • Splitting claim listing people into categories and highlighting a member from each category in newsletters can help stay in touch with them tastefully and encourage involvement (01:07:21).
  • Adding emails to a list because people have provided their business cards or emails, and then sending them a introductory email to let them know about the website, can be an effective way to nurture high-value contacts (01:07:58).
  • Nurturing high-value contacts, such as those who have provided their emails voluntarily, requires a thoughtful approach to avoid overwhelming them with frequent emails (01:08:23).
  • Creating a sense of community and encouraging involvement by highlighting members and their achievements can help motivate others to join and participate (01:07:30).
  • Being mindful of email frequency and content is crucial to avoiding spam filters and maintaining a positive relationship with potential members (01:06:59).

How to restrict a website to only specific countries? (01:08:56)

  • The site is being developed as a business directory that covers Central America, which consists of seven countries, and the goal is to restrict the subscription and search to specific countries (01:08:58).
  • The current search settings only allow for searching within a primary country or globally, with no option to select multiple countries, and this is due to how Google’s API works (01:09:40).
  • To restrict search results to a specific country, the primary country of the site can be set, and this will limit search results to only that country, for example, if the primary country is set to the United States, searching for “Perris, California” will only show results for Paris, Texas, and Paris, California (01:10:12).
  • Unfortunately, there is no way to choose multiple countries and only search within those as of now, but a possible workaround could be found in the marketplace, or by using content and content cues to direct visitors to search within specific countries (01:10:33).
  • To mitigate unwanted sign-ups from outside the desired countries, content can be used to remind visitors of the available countries, and moderation can be implemented to manually approve new sign-ups, which can also add a level of exclusivity to the site (01:11:48).
  • Manually approving new sign-ups can allow for a closer relationship with members, make them feel more special when accepted, and potentially enable charging more for membership, as it adds a step to the sign-up process that makes it feel more like an application process (01:12:22).
  • Launching a website with initial content and titles in place is recommended, and then addressing potential issues as they arise, rather than delaying the launch to implement all possible restrictions (01:13:09).
  • It is advised not to overthink the process in the beginning and to consider that some potential problems might turn out to be opportunities (01:13:03).
  • The importance of having content cues in place to let people know that the website is serving specific countries, in this case, seven countries, is emphasized (01:13:14).
  • Viewers are encouraged to join the Facebook group and leave a comment to participate in a free IPad giveaway contest, with the winner to be announced on May 1st, 2023 (01:13:57).
  • The next webinar is scheduled to take place the following week, with back-to-back webinars planned, and viewers are invited to subscribe to the YouTube channel at brilliantdirectories.com/YouTube (01:14:05).
  • The webinar concluded with appreciation for the viewers’ questions and a message of gratitude from the Brilliant Directories family, wishing everyone a great day and a brilliant week (01:14:37).

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Making a living off my Brilliant Directories websites

I have been working with different directory web platforms like Wordpress, 6Cube, SEOSamba and others for over 20 years. About three years ago I found out about Brilliant Directories, since then I have built 10 directories. First, the websites and pages are Google friendly right out of the box, this is one of the most important parts of a good platform to me. Second, the software is very easy to use and there is lots of help to build your site... I no longer have a regular job because I am making a living off of my 10 Brilliant Directories.

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