[jeffrey aal]

I think I can do this?

Hi,

I am not very tech savvy. Now that that is out of the way I feel better.

I think the product can do this, but IDK. Here is what I am trying to do:

Create a searchable database for “referrals” in certain geographic areas. For example, say a plumber is qualified in Arizona and wants to be listed in a search for Tucson and the Phoenix metros. Can I do that with Excerpt of exceprt plus? I have excerpt. (Bought the pro bundle)

I figure what I need is “categories” with “sub categories.” Each contact may have multiple sub categories. State is a given. So search would be State, Plumber (category), Phoenix (sub-category) trouble is some plumbers are in Mesa which is part of the Phoenix metro. Second trouble is the contact record would have to allow for inclusion of multiple sub categories. That way a plumber could show in Phoenix and Tucson.

Can I then create an output that shows only plumbers in phoenix metro? Bonus would be show name, number and email field forwarded to plumber via my referral.

Can that be done with connections? If so where do I start? Do you or any connections staff do freelance work on the side? I just need it set up. Good with maintaining contacts, etc just dont understand how to structure that search, or the output as they require potential multiple categories and sub categories. And, again I am tech illiterate.

Thanks in advance for the reply.

[jeffrey aal]

OK,

Been doing some playing and reading. Looks like I have figured a work around on the metro area issue. So I can search via only state and drop down. So, looks like I need Excerpt plus for that search. (Let me know if this is correct before I buy it)

From that I would like the output to be via Site Shot. If possible I would then want the form option on the Site Shot redirect page.

Cool. This can do exactly what I want.

Again, not tech savvy, where do I learn about the various codes? A great update would be a code generator for non tech folks like me that can auto generate code to simply paste into a WP referral / directory page.

Thanks in advance.

[jeffrey aal]

Crazy, I almost have it all figured out. Does not look like some of the above can be accomplished, but using Slim Plus, Webshot and Form I will be able to get a start. That’s all I need to get going for now.

BTW – LOVE Webshot and that it is a feature of new posts with a simple button just kicks butt!

One last question which is now the only question – can I change the color of the buttons on the form?

http://claimsdog.org/referrals/

[Steven Zahm]

@ jeffrey

I’ve read thru this a few times and I have to admit I’m not certain I follow completely but I think the method of using categories with child categories is the way to go. So, any of the templates that have a category drop down should do the trick. cMap tends to be the most popular because it also include a map.

Of note, there is a beta feature built-in to all the template with a category dropdown; enable_category_multi_select=TRUE. This option turns the category selection in to a multiselect. What this means is you users could select any arbitrary number of categories and the result would be the entries would have to be in all of the selected categories. I mention it because this options seems like it would be a good fit for what you want to accomplish.

Could you explain more about output being output via SiteShot? That extension only create a thumbnail of a website and show it instead of the photo/logo. It doesn’t do any redirecting or anything.

Yep, a shortcode generator is on the to do list with literally a couple 100 other improvements. I’ve been working on Connections for over 6 years now and my plans are to definitely to keep on going and improving into the foreseeable future.

Here’s the doc page for core shortcode options that’ll work with any template.

Here’s the doc page for the cMap shortcode options. A large majority of the options work with all the premium templates. You can see which one precisely by referring to each templates “Customization Options” page.

Hope that helps!

[Steven Zahm]

@ jeffrey

Looks like you posted while I was writing my response … good to hear you’re liking the results!

Here’s how to change the button colors… add the following to the end of your theme’s style.css file, changing the color values to ones of your choosing:

#cn-form .cn-button-shell.blue {
	background-color: purple !important;
}
#cn-form .cn-button-shell.green {
	background-color: green !important;
}
#cn-form .cn-button-shell.red {
	background-color: red !important;
}

[jeffrey aal]

Thanks so much – Great product!

I will play with child categories and see what I come up with. For now, I have a work around, by using duplicative records and then providing a “metro area” in the company name for each state. Not the cleanest way from a database stand point, but doable. Works great with slim on the output but would be great to do the other way with child categories.

Again, really like site shot.

Keep up the good work and let us know when you get to the “to do list.”

• This reply was modified 12 years, 12 months ago by jeffrey aal. Reason: Addl. information

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