[Naveen Chandra]

I want to make a Directory of a few professionals like Lawyers, Doctors, etc in such a way that current users can introduce next level of users to the directory so that the hierarchy can be maintained and new users can themselves add their profile to the directory. Please help me in achieving this. Also guide me about the plugins that I need to buy to get this done. Also need help in getting themes suggestions that best suits Connections Directory.

[Steven Zahm]

@ Naveen

Apologies I am a little trouble understanding what exact you need help with. I see you have purchase the Circled template and the Form and Link extensions. These will allow you to take user submitted entries and allow the submitor to maintain their own entry. If you need help with configuration to achieve this, I certainly can help. I am just no certain what you mean by “current users can introduce next level of users to the directory so that the hierarchy“.

Since you would like users to be able to add and maintain their own entries, the first step would be to setup a user registration process. This comes built in to WordPress and many users already have a user registration process setup using third party plugins so Connections does not provide this functionality.

If you do not have this setup, you could use the features built into WP or use a plugin like User Registration. There a many freely available plugins like this you just and to choose one that provide the features you require.

After you have user registration setup, then follow the setup instructions for both Form and link:

• Form: https://connections-pro.com/documentation/form/#Add_the_Submit_Entry_Link
• Link: https://connections-pro.com/documentation/link/#Configuration

If you have not configured Form at all, then you actually only need to follow the configuration instructions for Link.

I hope this helps to get you start. Let me know if you need any further assistance.

[Naveen Chandra]

Let me make it more clear. I do not want everyone to come and add her entries. I’m the admin so I’ve my own profile as a directory entry. I need a “referred by” field to be added to the form so that people can refer me as ‘introducer’ to the directory. Similarly, next level of users can refer to more people. I need this additional field be captured so that inside admin panel I can see the number of referrals that any particular user has received.

One more thing, how can I add my Connections category list to site widget? I tried using text as well as custom HTML widgets with short codes but it didn’t worked.

Thanks for your kind response.

[Steven Zahm]

@ Naveen

RE: I need a “referred by” field to be added to the form so that people can refer me as ‘introducer’ to the directory.

Would a simple text field work? If so, I do have a developer doc/tutorial which you could follow to add a text custom field which you can use as your referral field.

RE: how can I add my Connections category list to site widget?

Do you mean add the Connections Categories to the theme’s sidebar using a widget?

If yes, then you will need the Widget Pack extension, it includes a Category widget.

Hope this helps!

[Naveen Chandra]

Got into a problem. When someone used to add an entry through front end, it created him as a WP user of “Subscriber” role also and she navigated to the WP admin panel. I purchased Link add-on so that Connections’ user profiles be separated from the WP users. (I need WP admin panel access to only roles other than Subscribers to my Connections Directory)Rest of the things are working perfectly like editing the profile from front end.

Also guide me, how can I change the look of the form. Like changing the fonts and highlighting some fields using CSS.

[Naveen Chandra]

This reply has been marked as private.

[Steven Zahm]

@ Naveen

RE: When someone used to add an entry through front end, it created him as a WP user of “Subscriber” role also and she navigated to the WP admin panel.

Sorry, this is not possible. The Form/Link addons can not add WP users. If you are using a WP user registration plugin, this is exactly what should happen. You need the user to register if you wish for that user to be able to add an edit their own entry.

RE: I purchased Link add-on so that Connections’ user profiles be separated from the WP users.

Sorry, but this is not possible… Link does the exact opposite. It “links” a WP User to a Connections entry for the purpose of permitting the user to maintain their entry. You need to have user authentication. Think of it this way – do you have a profile anywhere on the web which does not have a method to authenticate you before changes can be made?

RE: I need WP admin panel access to only roles other than Subscribers to my Connections Directory

There are plugins for WP you can install that can block user access to the WP admin based on the user role.

RE: how can I change the look of the form. Like changing the fonts and highlighting some fields using CSS.

If the CSS is something quick and easy, sure, I can give some small snippets to get you started. But, I need more specific examples. The font for example is pickup from the theme. HOw do you want a field “highlighted”? Keep in mind, Connections will highlight the name fields in red if they are not filed in because they are required.

RE: You can have a kind look into my installation to confirm me I’m doing everything correctly as expected.

I took a quick look. Things seem to be correct. The one change you will need to make on the Connections : Roles admin page. You need to allow the “Subscriber” to view at least the “Public” entries or they will not be able to view anything in the directory while logged in.

Hope this helps!

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