Webinar Wednesday 186 – September 11, 2024

Brilliant Directories Mobile App (00:01:32)

• The Brilliant Directories mobile app is a great way to keep in touch with a Brilliant Directory website, see recent members and transactions, and more, and can be downloaded for free from the Apple Store or Google App Store by visiting brillianddirectories.com (00:01:35).
• The app allows users to access their website on-the-go and stay updated on recent activities (00:01:39).
• The Brilliant Directories mobile app is available for download on both Apple and Google devices, and users can add it to their device for free (00:01:47).
• Webinar Wednesdays are a great way for the Brilliant Directories team to share new features, updates, and fixes with users, and focus on features that can help grow communities, increase traffic, and convert visitors to members (00:01:59).
• The webinars also provide an opportunity for users to ask questions and get help with their site, including troubleshooting and figuring out how to use certain features (00:02:21).
• There are several Brilliant Directories lab updates coming soon, which are currently going through final QA to ensure everything is working properly (00:02:43).
• Some of the upcoming updates will be shared with users, and there will be plenty of time for Q&A during the webinar to address any questions or concerns (00:02:47).

CREDITS: Select types of transactions credits work with (00:02:52)

• The Member Credits add-on allows website owners to give their members credits that can be used on the site for various purposes, such as purchasing leads, membership plans, and digital products (00:02:53).
• The add-on has been updated to expand its functionality, enabling website owners to select the types of transactions that member credits can be used for (00:03:32).
• Previously, member credits would automatically be applied to any type of purchase made by the member on the site (00:03:37).
• Website owners can now go to Settings and Advanced Settings to select the types of transactions that member credits can be applied to (00:03:56).
• By default, member credits work for any type of transaction, including membership plan upgrades, recurring membership plan payments, member lead purchases, and pay-per-post features (00:04:18).
• The new setting allows website owners to turn off the ability to use credits for plan upgrades or recurring payments, making credits more suitable for perks like purchasing leads, pay-per-post, or digital products (00:04:39).
• If website owners are selling digital products, the setting is per digital product, and they would choose this setting when setting up their digital product (00:05:03).
• It is recommended to turn off member credits for membership plan upgrades or recurring membership plans, allowing website owners to collect revenue for participation while members use credits for other purposes (00:05:14).

POSTS: New CSS class to target featured posts (00:05:42)

• A new CSS class has been introduced to target featured posts, which is currently intended for web designers and developers, but a setting for it will likely be added later for non-technical users (00:05:42).
• The CSS class allows for styling of pinned or featured posts on search results pages, and can be used to highlight or change the text of these posts (00:05:53).
• The "Pin Featured Posts" add-on enables users to pin their posts to the top of search results for a period of time, which can be sold as a digital product to members (00:06:08).
• The add-on includes checkboxes to set a post as featured or pinned, and to set an automatic end date for the pinning (00:06:52).
• When a post is pinned, two new classes are added to the search results: "featured-post" and "featured", as well as a post-type specific class, such as "featured-post-blog" (00:07:12).
• Web designers and developers can use these classes to target and style featured posts using CSS, and a sample code snippet has been shared to demonstrate this (00:07:26).
• In a future phase, simple settings will be added to allow non-technical users to style featured posts without needing to write code (00:08:01).
• The new CSS class requires the use of the default code for the post type in the search results, and a sample code snippet has been shared in the chat for developers and designers (00:08:19).

VIDEOS: Option to manually add video thumbnails (00:08:41)

• Video posts can be created using links from YouTube, Vimeo, TikTok, and other platforms, which automatically pulls the thumbnail from the shared video (00:08:41).
• The thumbnail is derived from the video link when creating a post, but sometimes it may fail to pull the thumbnail or the pulled thumbnail may not be desirable (00:09:10).
• A new option is available when creating a video post, allowing users to upload a thumbnail image, which will override the automatically pulled thumbnail even if it is successfully fetched from the video link (00:09:36).
• Uploading a thumbnail image provides an override option if the user is not happy with the thumbnail coming from the video link, allowing them to use an image they upload themselves (00:10:12).

TAGS + API: Add/Remove Member Tags via API, Zapier, Pabbly, etc. (soon) (00:10:24)

• Member tags plus API will soon be released, allowing users to add, remove, override, and set new member tags via the Brilliant Directories (BD) API, Zapier, Pabbly, etc. (00:10:25)
• This feature is useful for tracking members' actions outside of Brilliant Directories, such as on other platforms like HighLevel or filling out forms with Typeform or JotForm. (00:10:43)
• Based on these external actions, users can apply member tags to identify which members have performed specific actions outside of their Brilliant Directories website. (00:10:54)
• The applied member tags enable additional segmenting, creating smart lists, emailing, marketing to specific groups, and exporting them. (00:11:05)

CREDITS + API: Add/Deduct credits via bulk actions, API, Zapier, Pabbly, etc. (soon) (00:11:13)

• Member credits can be added or deducted via bulk actions on the search members page in the BD admin area, allowing for the bulk addition or removal of credits for a group of members at one time (00:11:23).
• The API will also be available for adding or deducting member credits, enabling the use of Zapier, Pabbly, and other integrations to automate credit management (00:11:35).
• This feature will enable the rewarding of members with credits for taking actions on third-party websites or through other external activities, using workflows with Zapier and other tools (00:11:41).
• The ability to gift and incentivize members with credits will allow for greater engagement and encourage members to take actions outside of the BD site (00:12:03).

ACCOUNTS: Members can close accounts exactly on subscription end date (soon) (00:12:08)

• Members with paid plans will soon have the option to close their accounts immediately or at the end of their current subscription date (00:12:08).
• Currently, when members with paid plans want to close their accounts, they are closed immediately (00:12:11).
• The update will provide two options for closing accounts: closing immediately or closing at the end of the subscription date (00:12:31).
• The reason for the option to close at the end of the subscription date is that members are technically already paid through the end of their subscription period, whether it be a month or a year (00:12:27).

REVIEWS: SEO pages to showcase/index all reviews of an individual member (soon) (00:12:36)

• A new SEO template is being created to showcase and allow Google to index all reviews of an individual member on a dedicated page, which will be beneficial for SEO (00:12:41).
• The dedicated page will only feature reviews of that individual member, making it a unique resource for search engines to index (00:12:46).
• Members will have two relevant pages: their profile page, which includes all relevant data, and a dedicated reviews page (00:13:03).
• The option to not index the dedicated reviews page will be available for those who do not need it (00:12:54).

PAYMENTS: Webhooks for payment attempts, failures (soon) (00:13:08)

• A new webhook is being created to send data from a BD site to third-party platforms, allowing for updates to other systems such as QuickBooks or CRMs, and enabling notifications for payment attempts, whether successful or failed (00:13:14).
• The webhook will provide information on any payment attempts made on a BD website, including successful captures, failures, and other outcomes (00:13:22).
• This update will allow users to update their other systems and receive notifications in real-time, streamlining their workflow and improving efficiency (00:13:30).

Resources to get started with BD? (00:14:00)

• To get started with Brilliant Directories, it is recommended to visit the "Manage Websites" section, which is a teal-colored link, to access active websites and view the "Getting Started" videos for basic configuration and familiarization with the admin area (00:14:39).
• The "Getting Started" videos are useful for learning basic configuration and understanding the areas of the admin where simple changes can be made (00:14:51).
• The support documentation is also available for answering questions, and articles can be searched for specific topics (00:15:04).
• The Facebook group is a great place to ask how-to questions, strategy questions, and get help from others, and a link to the group can be found in the chat (00:15:14).
• A support ticket can be created in the admin area for simple questions, and responses are usually received the same day (00:15:26).
• For more advanced setup and configuration, it is recommended to work with a Brilliant Directories expert from the marketplace, which features vetted developers who can be hired and trusted to work with clients (00:15:38).
• The marketplace allows searching for experts in different time zones around the world, and they are vetted and trusted by Brilliant Directories (00:15:55).

Automate incentives for members? (00:16:21)

• A membership credit program can be used to incentivize members to get paid members by offering rewards such as a free month or two months free for every paid member they refer (00:16:23).
• The membership credits feature can be used to automate the process of rewarding credits to referring members and new signups (00:17:00).
• To set up the automation, go to membership plans, signups and upgrades, and select the credits addon to reward credits to the person signing up and the referring member (00:17:10).
• The credits assigned to the referring member can be set to a specific amount, such as $20, which is equivalent to a month or two of free membership (00:17:45).
• The referring member can share a link or the new signup can enter the member ID of the referring member to receive the credits (00:17:55).
• The membership credits feature has documentation that explains the different methods for referring members to share links or enter member IDs (00:17:50).
• The automation process can handle giving credits that amount to a month or two of free membership to referring members (00:18:03).

BD Swag Shop (00:18:42)

• A free swag giveaway is happening, and viewers can participate by visiting the BD Swag Shop at shop.brilliantdirectories.com (00:18:42).
• The BD Swag Shop offers various items, including stickers, bags, speakers, and mugs, and viewers can use the coupon code "webinar20" at checkout to save $20 (00:19:02).
• To get free shipping, viewers need to use a separate promo code, "freeship", in addition to the "webinar20" code (00:19:25).
• The link to the shop has been sent to the chat for everyone, and viewers who haven't made a purchase in the last 90 days can use both promo codes together (00:19:34).
• Viewers can use the "webinar20" and "freeship" codes to pick up some BD swag, and a reminder will be given before the end of the webinar (00:19:41).

Feedback on pricing page and the join page (00:20:00)

• A pricing page and join page for Discover Titusville, a website about the charming community of Titusville, Florida, are reviewed for feedback and suggestions for improvement (00:20:00).
• It is recommended to have a higher call-to-action, such as in the header, and possibly two buttons, like "Add your Titusville business," to make it more visible and enticing for users (00:21:02).
• The join page is reviewed, and it is suggested to use a more tangible description for the membership options, such as "Basic listing" or "Basic visibility," to make it clearer what users are getting (00:21:47).
• The membership options are "Basic" and "Premium," with the Premium option being the most expensive, but it is recommended to display the options in order from least expensive to most expensive (00:22:59).
• A 50% off promotion is mentioned, but it is suggested to provide context by showing the regular price to make the promotion more effective (00:23:25).
• The description of the Premium option is liked, but it is recommended to remove redundant language, such as "Build monthly," and to keep continuity in the pricing description (00:23:50).
• The plan is to offer a Premium option that is almost the same cost as the Basic option, but with the added benefit of an annual payment, which would upgrade users to a Premium account (00:24:40).
• Suggestions for improvement include adding more continuity, reducing redundancies, and providing better context for the deals and promotions (00:25:24).
• It is also recommended to consider comparing monthly and yearly prices and offering a discount for yearly payments, such as "Choose yearly and save 20%" (00:25:36).

Long main menu link text (00:25:45)

• The discussion revolves around the naming and features of different membership plans, specifically the Solo Preneur, Basic, and Premium plans, with the goal of simplifying the options for users (00:26:10).
• The Solo Preneur plan is intended for small businesses or individuals, such as network marketers, who are essentially one-person operations, whereas the Basic plan is more suited for brick-and-mortar businesses (00:26:19).
• The Solo Preneur and Basic plans offer similar features, with the main difference being that the Solo Preneur plan is designed for individuals rather than larger organizations (00:26:46).
• It's suggested that the names of the plans should be revised to better match the brand's persona and to simplify the options for users, with the possibility of having a free listing option and two paid plans, Basic and Premium (00:29:24).
• The idea of having a free listing option is discussed, which would allow users to get started without making a payment, and then upgrading to a paid plan later (00:29:11).
• The importance of simplicity and continuity in the naming and features of the plans is emphasized, with the goal of making it easy for users to make a decision without feeling overwhelmed (00:28:41).
• The suggestion is made to consider having only two paid plans, Basic and Premium, to make the decision-making process more binary and straightforward for users (00:29:05).

How to restore categories and locations pages? (00:29:50)

• A user's website, "We Wellness Directory," had an issue where the "Categories" and "Locations" pages were not working in the footer, despite other links working properly (00:29:51).
• The problem was investigated, and it was found that the categories page did exist, but it was not linking correctly (00:30:54).
• To fix the issue, the categories page was edited and restored to its original state by copying from a master template (00:31:41).
• The locations page was found to be deleted, so a new page was created with the URL "location" to replace it (00:32:23).
• The new locations page was set up with a title and URL, and the changes were saved (00:33:05).
• After refreshing the page, the locations link was working again, and the categories link was also fixed (00:33:13).
• The user now has working categories and locations pages, which can be accessed from the footer (00:33:32).

Adding blog content on homepage? (00:34:04)

• To add a content block or blog on the main page of a website, go to the design settings and select the homepage tab to choose the content to display, where options such as custom content can be chosen and rearranged as needed (00:34:52).
• Custom content sections can be added and edited, and their names do not necessarily determine their order on the page, allowing for flexibility in design (00:35:30).
• Adding a custom content section above the categories on the homepage can be used to display a welcome message or other information, and the background color and other design elements can be adjusted as desired (00:35:55).
• The website width can be adjusted in the design settings to make the site appear wider and fill the screen more, which can help images appear larger and may alleviate issues with menu items being on multiple lines (00:36:26).
• The extra-wide website width option can be found in the general tab under main design, and can be easily switched back to the standard default if desired (00:36:57).
• Don is inviting everyone to a trip to Maui and has been working on adding a free listing for Maui to his website to help the area recover from a fire a year ago (00:34:21).

Custom multi-step checkout forms? (00:37:30)

• A website was originally built on Wix and has multiple service pages with forms that allow customers to fill out needed information, add rush services, and pay through Stripe (00:37:30).
• The form is like a personal shopping cart for each service, where customers can pay for one or multiple services and checkout through the form (00:38:12).
• One Two Three Forms has an embed code that can be used to embed the form on a website, and it can be sent to Stripe to complete payment (00:38:37).
• The Brilliant Directories site does not have a feature that does exactly the same thing, but it can be used to sell digital products and services (00:38:55).
• To use One Two Three Forms on a Brilliant Directories site, the embed code can be copied and pasted into a widget, and then the short code for the widget can be used to render the form on any page (00:40:00).
• The embed code can be used in various places on the site, such as text labels and form fields (00:40:41).
• The form will render on the Brilliant Directories site in the same way it would on a Wix site (00:40:52).
• To play a video on the homepage, using CSS is an option, but a recommended method is to convert the video to an animated GIF, which is better for rendering on mobile, and upload it as the hero background image (00:41:37).
• Converting a video to an animated GIF can be done if the video is short enough, and it can be used as a hero background image to play on the homepage (00:42:40).
• To embed a video on the homepage or landing pages, go to the widget manager, drop the embed code, and copy the short code to paste on the desired page (00:43:25).
• To disable some widgets that are already embedded, go to the search box call to action and change the combinations of fields, such as keyword, location, or keyword only (00:44:16).
• To change the search module in the member search results page, go to edit post settings, choose the post type, and select the desired search module to use in the sidebar (00:44:57).
• The sidebar search module can be customized to use different combinations of fields, such as keyword only, top category only, or location only (00:45:17).
• The replay of the webinar will be available in the Facebook group for those who need to review the information (00:45:35).
• The webinar is about 53 minutes in, and there are no more questions from the audience (00:45:38).
• The link to the free swag is shared at shop.brilliantdirectories.com, along with promo codes "webinar20" and "free ship" (00:45:56).
• The promo codes can be used for purchasing swag, and those who haven't received any in the last 90 days are encouraged to get some (00:46:12).
• The speaker personally recommends the mouse pad and fanny pack from the swag options (00:46:16).
• New features are coming soon, and the next webinar will be in two weeks (00:46:20).
• The Brilliant Directories app is available for download at brilliantdirectories.com, allowing users to stay in touch with their BD site on the go (00:46:25).
• The replay of the webinar will be posted in the Facebook group, where attendees can re-watch and review the questions and answers (00:46:35).
• The team appreciates the constructive questions asked during the webinar and thanks the audience for participating (00:46:45).
• A special thank you is extended to those who joined on YouTube, from the entire Brilliant Directories family (00:46:47).
• The team expresses their love for the BD community and looks forward to the next webinar in two weeks (00:46:54).