[Eric Bobrow]

Hi Steven – I have been using Connections for several years, and have purchased the full Template and Add-on pack and renewed my license several times, but haven’t ventured much beyond displaying a member list using shortcodes and playing around with a few of the card templates.

I’m considering setting up a jobs board on one of my sites to help my community post job listings as well as Seeking Work posts. I think Connections may be a good foundation for this, as long as I can get it customized and extended in the following ways:

A) the card templates to show info specifically for this context

B) the search capabilities will likely need more options

C) Start ratings and feedback similar to Upwork, Airbnb or Yelp to allow individuals and companies to get “social proof” for how well they performed

Two questions:

1. Is anyone using Connections for this type of application? If so, can you send me links so I can see how they’ve got it set up?
2. Are you available for consultation and possibly custom development to create a jobs board built on top of the standard templates and fields in Connections?

FYI – the current implementation of Connections for my community is found on https://archicaduser.com/member-list/ and two variation pages at https://archicaduser.com/member-list-by-country-compact/ and https://archicaduser.com/member-list-by-country/

Eric Bobrow

[Steven Zahm]

@ Eric

RE: Start ratings and feedback similar to Upwork, Airbnb or Yelp to allow individuals and companies to get “social proof” for how well they performed

Sorry, this feature is not available. It just is not that highly requested. The directory pages on a site are generally some of the highest visited pages. Many users over the years have confirmed this. In my personal experience on smaller directory sites which do have reviews features, page after after page are empty giving the appearance of little to no social user interaction which gives the user the impression no one is visiting or making use of the directory. So there is little no value add for adding the feature especially when having to deal with spam and fake reviews is taken into consideration.

RE: Is anyone using Connections for this type of application? If so, can you send me links so I can see how they’ve got it set up?

Sorry, I am not aware of any sites using Connections in this context.

RE: Are you available for consultation and possibly custom development to create a jobs board built on top of the standard templates and fields in Connections?

Yes I am.

Hope I have answered your questions thoroughly!

[Eric Bobrow]

Hi Steven –
Thanks for your prompt and very clear replies to my questions.
Can we set up a 20 minute meeting to discuss my project (setting up a jobs board) so I can get a quote or proposal from you for consulting, either on a fixed fee contract or an hourly arrangement? Perhaps we can move this off the forum, and make arrangements via direct email at ericbobrow@gmail.com.
Eric

[Steven Zahm]

@ Eric

I give fixed rate quotes based on scope of work. If you can supply a detailed explanation of necessary features as they directly related to Connections I should be able to give you a quote. Please feel free to contact me using the Contact link at the very bottom of this page with the details.

[Eric Bobrow]

Hi Steven – I sent you a note yesterday via the Contact link at the bottom of the page. I look forward to hearing back from you when you get a moment to respond.
– Eric

[Steven Zahm]

@ Eric

Yes, I received the email. I wanted to get a reply out today, but I ran out of time. It is first thing on my priority list for tomorrow am.

I can not really take calls, so if you can write up the scope of work with annotated screenshots, that go a long way.

[Eric Bobrow]

Steven –
The scope of work depend on what’s possible.

I know that formatting a template for output of basic data from a contact record is fairly straightforward, although it can get tricky depending on the layout.

However it will be the searching and reporting options, as well as the idea of adding reviews and star ratings, that are a much bigger question.

I would consider paying you for half an hour or an hour of consulting to simply discuss my ideas and have you give me feedback on whether they are possible given the Connections framework.

I understand that you don’t have time to simply take a call to discuss a potential project; perhaps you would consider having me pay you for a consultation?

• Eric

[Steven Zahm]

@ Eric

RE: I know that formatting a template for output of basic data from a contact record is fairly straightforward, although it can get tricky depending on the layout.

Can you create a mockup of what layout you are looking for? It does not need to be anything fancy. It can be as simple as a few sketches with notes and scanned.

RE: it will be the searching and reporting options

Can you give examples of the type of searches and reporting you are looking for? Perhaps this can already be done.

RE: adding reviews and star ratings

I can say that I do not have the available time/resources to invest in adding such a large feature.

RE: to simply discuss my ideas and have you give me feedback on whether they are possible given the Connections framework.

A Google Hangout chat would work for me. You?

I’m going to close out this support thread and reply back to your email with a link to this post. But, let’s move the discussion to that email thread. Sound good?

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