Webinar Wednesday 181 – June 26, 2024

TOP 100: Top 100 categories for popular industry-specific directories (00:06:03)

• Brilliant Directories offers a "Top 100" resource for directory creators. This resource provides lists of the top 100 categories for popular industry-specific directories, helping users overcome the hurdle of creating category structures.
• The "Top 100" resource is available under the "Resources" tab on the Brilliant Directories website. It includes 15-20 top-level categories, each with 10 corresponding subcategories. Users can preview these categories through public Google Sheets, which are accessible through preview links.
• Users can download the category lists as CSV files and import them into their Brilliant Directories websites. Instructions for importing categories are provided, including a link to support documentation. Users can choose to delete existing categories or simply add to their existing category structure.

WIZARD: Sites can use the new wizard to configure basic settings (00:10:27)

• The new Setup Wizard is designed for newer sites to configure basic settings. It helps streamline the initial setup process and provides essential guidance for new site owners.
• The wizard guides users through key steps like creating a custom vanity URL, defining the target market, choosing a homepage look and theme, and setting localization preferences. These settings are crucial for SEO and site functionality.
• One of the most helpful features of the wizard is the ability to invite team members to collaborate on the site. This simplifies the process of bringing colleagues or staff into the project.

BUSINESS DATA: Millions of business records to populate your site (00:12:16)

• The Instant Business Data tool allows directory owners to populate their site with business listings. This tool is particularly helpful for new sites that are trying to establish themselves and attract members. It provides a jumpstart by giving the site a more seasoned appearance.
• The tool searches for business records based on category and location. It can find phone numbers, websites, and other relevant information. Users can choose to filter results by businesses that have updated their information within the last 30 days for greater accuracy.
• Each BD site receives 100 free credits to use with the tool. Users can purchase additional credits in packs of 1,000 or 25,000. The tool can be used to import up to 100 members into a site, and users can choose to import only a portion of the search results. Imported members can be assigned to membership plans, tagged for later organization, and added to existing or new categories.

BD APP: Stay connected with your BD sites anywhere, using our new mobile app! (00:18:52)

• The chapter discusses the BD App, a mobile application that allows users to stay connected with their BD sites from anywhere.
• The speaker mentions that the BD App has already been covered in a previous update.
• The speaker expresses excitement about the availability of the BD App.

2FA VIA EMAIL: Secure admin login (soon) (00:18:57)

• Brilliant Directories is internally testing two-factor authentication (2FA) for logging into the admin area of websites, aiming to enhance security for website owners.
• This feature is expected to be rolled out to the entire Brilliant Directories community soon, allowing website owners to secure their admin logins with an extra layer of protection.
• While 2FA for members on Brilliant Directories websites is being considered, the focus is currently on implementing it for admin logins. The team is working on mitigation protocols to assist website owners in supporting members who might accidentally lock themselves out of their accounts due to 2FA.

ICONS: A new icon-specific library will be added to the stock photo libraries (soon) (00:20:04)

• The video discusses a new feature being added to the website builder, which is a library specifically for icons.
• This library will be sourced from a tool called The Noun Project, offering a vast collection of over 5 million icons.
• The icon library will be added alongside the existing stock photo libraries, providing users with a wider range of design elements to enhance their websites, landing pages, and blog posts.

MEMBER CREDITS: Setting to select transaction types credits can be used for (soon) (00:21:02)

• The Member Credit system allows website owners to grant credits to their members, which can be used for various transactions.
• An upcoming feature will allow website owners to select specific transaction types that credits can be used for, such as lead purchases or payer post purchases.
• This feature will prevent members from using credits towards membership plan payments, allowing website owners to collect revenue from these plans.

Search business data by company name and location (00:22:33)

• The speaker suggests a feature where users can search for business data by company name and location, allowing them to import information directly into their listings.
• This feature would be particularly useful for demonstrating the platform to prospective customers, streamlining the setup process and saving time.
• The speaker also mentions using ChatGPT to automate certain tasks, highlighting the importance of self-sufficiency while acknowledging the helpfulness of the support team.

Webhook support to award Member Credits after submitting forms (00:24:35)

• The speaker is discussing a feature where members of a directory can submit leads for other members, earning member credits as an incentive.
• This feature allows members to capture potential leads even if they cannot personally fulfill the request, preventing lost opportunities.
• The speaker suggests using webhook support to automatically update member accounts with credits upon form submission, ensuring a seamless and efficient process.

How to ensure Leads are accurate? (00:26:36)

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of verifying the accuracy of leads to prevent abuse. They suggest making outbound calls to pre-qualify leads before charging for them.
• The speaker also recommends putting leads in a pending status upon submission before issuing credit.
• The speaker mentions experiencing slow response times from ChatGPT, suggesting it might be due to increased user traffic and throttling measures implemented by the platform.

Changing the focus of the site (00:27:55)

• The speaker is discussing how to change the focus of a website built on the BD platform. They are specifically looking for ways to update the basic SEO and settings without having to go through the entire setup wizard again.
• The speaker is considering whether to reset the website or simply update the settings manually. They are advised to consider whether they are completely changing the focus of the site or retaining some of the existing content.
• The speaker is also advised to consider the value of an established domain name. Even if the website is not currently being used, keeping the domain online can help it maintain its value and avoid having to go through the Google sandbox process when it is eventually used again.

Forwarding domains (00:31:35)

• Forwarding domains for SEO value is generally not effective. While forwarding multiple domains to a main domain might seem like a good way to boost SEO, it doesn't actually provide any inherent SEO value. The only reason to forward domains is if they are old and have existing backlinks or if they are misspellings of the main domain.
• Changing a domain name can be risky, especially if the current domain has established Google traffic. While it's possible to notify Google of a domain change and implement redirects, there's a risk of losing some traffic. It's important to weigh the potential benefits of a new domain against the potential loss of traffic.
• The power of a brand and its mission can sometimes outweigh the importance of a domain name. While a strong domain name can be beneficial, a strong brand and mission can be even more important in attracting and retaining customers.

Opt in and out of Business in Directories (00:35:14)

• The speaker is asking about the "opt in and opt out" process for businesses listed in directories, specifically in the context of using purchased business data for prospecting.
• The speaker is concerned about adding businesses to their directory without their consent and wants to know if they need to obtain explicit permission from businesses before listing them.
• The speaker is advised that while purchased data lists can be sourced from various providers, the best practice is to provide a clear "remove my data" link on the directory website, allowing businesses to request removal if they wish. This ensures transparency and compliance with data privacy regulations.

How to Accept Recurring & One-Time Donations (00:37:46)

• This chapter of the webinar focuses on how to accept recurring and one-time donations on a BD website.
• The chapter highlights a recent update that makes it easier for both website administrators and donors to manage and submit donations.
• The chapter will demonstrate how to set up donations on the backend and how donors can submit donations on the frontend.

Who Can Benefit From Donations (00:38:56)

• Nonprofits and Charities can benefit from donations by simplifying the donation process and allowing donors to contribute directly through their website.
• Educational institutions can use donations to fund scholarships, educational programs, and other initiatives.
• Community organizations can leverage donations to support local programs and activities.
• Religious organizations can facilitate the collection of tithes and offerings through online donations.
• Startups and growing sites can utilize donations to support their growth and development, potentially in addition to membership fees.
• Homeowners associations (HOAs) and other organizations can use donations to fund community efforts beyond their regular duties.

Benefits of Accepting Donations (00:40:12)

• Accepting donations on your website provides a direct and accessible way to increase funding and secure ongoing financial support.
• The recent update to the donation system makes it easier for both website administrators to set up donations and for donors to submit them.
• The update allows for both recurring and one-time donations, enabling a steady stream of contributions. Additionally, donors can choose custom donation amounts and frequencies, or select from preset options. The system also provides comprehensive reporting features, allowing you to track donations, donors, and export data for further analysis.

How To: 4 Simple Steps (00:41:34)

• To enable donations on your website, you first need to activate the "Sell Digital Products and Services" add-on. This add-on includes specific settings for publishing and accepting donations, expanding its functionality beyond just digital products and services.
• Next, create a new digital product post, which in this case will be labeled as a "donation." You can then select the payment type, which can be a one-time donation, a recurring donation (monthly, annually, semiannually), or a custom donation amount.
• You can also customize the donation experience by setting up a thank you page or confirmation page for donors, as well as confirmation or receipt emails for both the donor and the website administrator.
• By following these simple steps, you can easily set up donations on your website and start accepting contributions directly.

Additional Tips (00:43:20)

• Set up thank you email templates: These emails should be sent automatically to donors after they submit their donation. They provide confirmation, a receipt, and an opportunity to include additional information.
• Create a thank you page: This page should be designed to keep donors engaged on your website even after they've made a donation. Consider including additional information or directing them to other relevant areas of your site.
• Implement donor recognition: This can be achieved through a dedicated donor wall on your website, mentioning donors in email newsletters, or providing regular updates on how their contributions are making a difference.

Let's See a Donation Demo! (00:45:42)

• The video demonstrates how to set up a donation system on a website using the "Sell Digital Products and Services" add-on. This add-on allows users to create a dedicated "Donate" section on their website.
• The demonstration shows how to create different donation options, including fixed amounts, custom amounts, and recurring subscriptions. The system allows for flexible payment cycles and custom button text.
• The video highlights the ability to create a thank you page for donors, send confirmation emails, and integrate with webhooks for additional functionality. It also emphasizes the importance of providing a clear call to action on the thank you page, such as joining a Facebook group or subscribing to a YouTube channel.
• The video demonstrates how to track donations in the website's dashboard, including sales history, transaction history, and subscription information. This allows website owners to monitor donations, export donor lists, and integrate with third-party platforms.
• The video concludes by encouraging website owners, especially startups, to consider adding a donation button to their website as a way to generate funding and support their growth.

2FA for members / Toggle On & Off 2FA (01:01:37)

• The question was raised about whether two-factor authentication (2FA) applies only to the Brilliant Directories (BD) website owner or also to members accessing the website.
• The answer is that in the initial phase, 2FA will be implemented for the website owner's login to the backend administration area. This feature will be optional, not mandatory.
• Later in the year, 2FA will be offered for the front end of the website, allowing members to enable it for their accounts. This feature will also be optional, and the website owner can choose the level of security they want for their community.

Email forwarder on cPanel (01:03:19)

• Email forwarders in cPanel are no longer recommended due to issues with email providers like Gmail, Apple, and Outlook rejecting emails forwarded from cPanel. These providers have hardened their security measures, making it difficult for cPanel forwarders to be validated properly.
• The best alternative is to set up a catch-all email address in cPanel. This address will receive any emails sent to invalid email addresses on your domain. You can then forward these emails to the desired recipient within your Gmail account.
• To set up a catch-all email address, go to your cPanel and search for "default address." This will allow you to specify an email address that will receive all emails sent to invalid addresses on your domain. From there, you can forward these emails within your Gmail account using the built-in forwarding feature.

Input multiple contact details for members (01:07:29)

• The user wants to add multiple phone numbers to their member profiles on their website. They want to allow members to input two phone numbers for employees and a third phone number for the owner, which should only be visible to the website owner.
• The speaker suggests creating two new fields: "Alternate Public Phone" and "Alternate Private Internal Phone." The "Alternate Private Internal Phone" field should be hidden from public view by toggling off the "Display View" option in the field settings.
• The speaker demonstrates how to create these fields and shows how the member can input the phone numbers. The "Alternate Public Phone" number is visible on the member's profile, while the "Alternate Private Internal Phone" number is not.

BD Swag (01:11:41)

• The speaker announces a special offer for webinar attendees: free BD swag from shop.brillianddirectories.com.
• The speaker demonstrates how to use the promo code "100OFF" to get a free item (up to $25 value) or $25 off a purchase of multiple items.
• The speaker also mentions a "FREESHIP" code that may be used to waive shipping costs, although it may not work in conjunction with the discount code.
• The speaker encourages attendees to take advantage of the offer and get some free BD swag.