Steven Zahm@ Michael
re: The listings seem to take up a lot of space and have a placeholder for an image. If I do not want to use images for my listings, is there a way to get rid of the image place holder?
Yes, which template is the question referring to? I ask because the free Default template and cMap both use the Template Customizer which can be used to turn off the image and its placeholder completely.
To do this, navigate to the Connections : Templates admin page and click the Customize button for either the Default template or cMap. The page will reload with the Customizer of the left and a preview on the right.
Click the back arrow in the upper left of the Customizer. You will then see the Image panel. Click it. In that panel you can configure the image type to none and turn off the placeholder.
Click an entry name in the preview, any one will do, so click the first in the list. The preview will refresh. Now make you configure the image settings again (for this view).
Now you can click the Save and Publish button to save your changes.
re: I actually like the “Tile Plus” template because it is more compact, but can it be used without an image?
Yes, it can. However it does not yet use the Template Customizer and must be turned off with a shortcode option found here.
The shortcode would be this:
[connections image=none image_placeholder=none image_fallback=none image_single_fallback=none]
re: Does the plugin have the ability for businesses to “Claim Their Listings”
Sorry, no, not at this time.
re: sign in and change or add info to their listing?
Yes, you will need at least the Link extension and optionally the Form extension (to enable frontend editing).
Hope I have answers your questions thoroughly!