Brilliant Directories Open Forum Insights

This open forum session provides a comprehensive overview of Brilliant Directories, offering users and potential customers the opportunity to ask questions about the software. The session covers various topics, including software functionalities, troubleshooting, marketing strategies, and unique selling propositions for directory websites. Key insights include the introduction of new features like the multi-listing add-on, strategies for optimizing SEO, and tips for enhancing user engagement and competitiveness in the directory market.

Introduction to Brilliant Directories

Welcome to this open forum designed for Brilliant Directories users, customers, and those interested in exploring the platform. This session provides an opportunity to ask any questions about the software and gain insights into its functionalities.

This is an open forum where you guys, Brilliant Directories users, customers, and also people who are interested in getting started with Brilliant Directories can ask any questions about the software.

The forum will include examples and discussions led by key participants, offering a comprehensive overview of Brilliant Directories and its purpose.

Joining the Community

Engaging with the Brilliant Directories community is a valuable step for anyone looking to enhance their directory or membership website. By joining the LinkedIn group, you gain access to a platform where you can ask marketing questions and discuss strategies related to your site. This community is not only a place for peer support but also a resource where you can receive insights from key team members like Patrick Burnell and David Rocklin, the digital strategist at Brilliant Directories.

If you're not a part of our LinkedIn group, we recommend joining going to brilliant directories dot com forward slash linkedin.

Open Forum Ground Rules

The goal here is to answer questions from new potential users and existing customers about how Brilliant Directories works.

The open forum is designed to provide a platform for both new potential users and existing customers to ask questions about Brilliant Directories. The primary aim is to address inquiries related to how the platform functions, what it can offer, and to assist in resolving any "how-to" issues on the spot. For instance, if you are unsure about how to add a banner ad or make specific updates to your site, the forum is an opportunity to receive quick and easy assistance.

Types of Questions Encouraged

Participants are encouraged to ask any questions they may have, as there are no wrong questions in the forum. However, to ensure that we can address as many inquiries as possible, the focus will be on questions that typically require two to three minutes to answer. This approach allows us to efficiently manage time and provide support to a larger number of participants.

Handling Complex Inquiries

While the forum aims to address questions promptly, more complex inquiries that require extensive time may be handled differently to ensure that all participants have the opportunity to engage and receive assistance.

Website Audit Reviews

Website audit reviews are an essential service offered to help optimize your online presence. These reviews involve a comprehensive analysis of your website, focusing on the features you are currently using, your lead capture strategies, and your methods for attracting new members.

It's just a matter of me going over your site, going through and seeing what features you're using.

During a one-hour phone session, you will receive personalized recommendations tailored to your specific niche and business model. The session aims to identify what is working well for others in similar fields and share those insights with you. Additionally, some setup tasks can be completed during the call to ensure your website is ready to go live.

Benefits and Feedback from Users

Participants in these audit reviews often find them invaluable, especially when preparing to launch their websites. The session ensures that your category structure is optimized, forms are functioning correctly, and membership levels are appropriately configured.

How to Schedule an Audit Review

To schedule a website audit review, visit BrilliantDirectories.com/audit and book your session with a brand manager. This proactive step can significantly enhance your website's effectiveness and user engagement.

Q&A Session Highlights

The Q&A session of the presentation provided an interactive platform for participants to engage directly with the hosts. The session began with Eric's inquiry about the multi-listing add-on, a new feature recently launched. This add-on allows users to manage multiple listings under a single account, which is particularly beneficial for business owners with multiple locations. Although a live demonstration was not available, a video tutorial and screenshots were offered as resources.

Eric, I've gone ahead and unmuted your microphone.

The discussion also covered the differences between the new multi-listing feature and the existing listings area. The new feature enables members to create separate profiles for each listing, making them independently searchable on the website. This is a significant improvement for users managing multiple business locations.

The session continued with another question from David Lewis, who asked about removing the "top rated" label on listing page results. This question highlighted common customization needs among users.

SEO and Listings Management

In this section, we explore the management of SEO templates and the customization of search result pages. A common question arises:

How can I change the word top rated here?

To address this, we delve into the admin area of a demo site. The search results pages often contain dynamically generated information, powered by templates. To edit these, you can navigate to your website and use the "Edit SEO Template" link found in the sidebar. This link directs you to the admin area where you can modify variables used for main titles, such as the profession name.

For instance, if the profession name is set as "local business," it appears on the front end as "top rated local businesses." You can change this to "local business directory" by adjusting the variables. Using variables is beneficial as they automatically adapt to different categories, ensuring relevant search results.

Additionally, you can modify the SEO meta details, including meta keywords and descriptions, using the sidebar. This flexibility allows for the injection of keywords into landing pages, enhancing SEO architecture and hierarchy.

Enhancing Directory Competitiveness

What could I implement, in my directory to make it more competitive?

In the quest to enhance the competitiveness of a directory, several strategies can be employed. One innovative idea is to allow members to upload promotional videos to their profiles, a feature not commonly seen in databases. Additionally, offering daily deals could attract more users and keep the directory dynamic.

The key to standing out in competitive markets is to focus on quality content. Directories should position themselves as experts on specific topics, catering to both website members and end users. For instance, if the directory is for lawyers, the focus should be on what can be offered to them, such as posting coupons or adding videos to profiles.

However, it's crucial to ensure that the content created is engaging for the end users. Often, the public may not interact with the content as expected, so it's important to try out ideas quickly and analyze their effectiveness. Social media campaigns can be a useful tool in this regard, allowing for the measurement of engagement through metrics like reach, likes, shares, and comments.

By gathering data on what content resonates with users, directories can refine their offerings and build a compelling value proposition. This approach not only attracts traffic but also helps in making a convincing sales pitch to businesses, showcasing an active community and substantial site traffic.

Launching quickly and experimenting with different content types, such as deals, videos, and articles, can help define the brand and guide future investments. This agile approach allows directories to adapt and thrive in their respective industries.

Event Management and Sorting

Managing event listings effectively is crucial for ensuring that users can easily find and attend upcoming events. One common issue is the need to reverse the order of events so that the most imminent ones appear first.

I can't seem to get the events to reverse order.

Managing Event Listings

To manage event listings, you need to access the admin area of your website. This is where you can control various settings related to events, including their order of appearance.

Sorting and Organizing Events

In the admin area, navigate to the "Edit Post Settings" under the content area. Events are treated as a type of post, and you can adjust their settings here. To reverse the order of events, you can modify the "Order Results By" setting. Selecting "Start Date, Soonest First" will ensure that the next available event appears at the top of the list.

Customizing Event Search Results

Brilliant Directories allows for customization of search results directly from the admin area. Unlike other platforms where you might need to edit PHP files, Brilliant Directories provides a more user-friendly interface. You can adjust the search results design and order events by various criteria, such as post ID or start date.

Static vs Dynamic Pages

In the world of web development, understanding the differences between static and dynamic pages is crucial, especially when it comes to optimizing for search engines.

You talked the other last week about turning a search result page from to a static page.

Differences between Static and Dynamic Pages

Static pages are fixed and display the same content for every user. They are typically written in HTML and do not change unless manually updated. On the other hand, dynamic pages are generated in real-time, often using server-side scripts, and can display different content based on user interactions or database queries.

Benefits of Static Pages for SEO

Static pages are beneficial for SEO because they load faster and are easier for search engines to index. They often have cleaner URLs, which can improve click-through rates from search results. By converting dynamic search result pages into static ones, you can enhance your site's visibility and performance in search engine rankings.

How to Create Static Pages in Brilliant Directories

Brilliant Directories offers a feature to convert dynamic pages into static ones, which can be particularly useful for optimizing search results pages. This process involves using the admin area to create a static version of a page, allowing for custom content and SEO enhancements.

For instance, you can create a static page for a specific category, such as "Acura" in Dallas, and add custom HTML content, meta titles, and descriptions. This customization allows for targeted marketing campaigns and better control over your site's SEO strategy.

Monetizing and Selling Directories

Monetizing and selling directories can be a strategic move for businesses looking to leverage their existing resources. In a recent discussion, Deb and Josh from South Jersey shared their experience of purchasing eight licenses for Brilliant Directories. Initially intended for industry-specific directories, their clients decided not to pursue the project. This led them to consider creating directories independently and selling them.

"We're thinking of maybe just creating directories anyway and then, like you talked with somebody earlier, I guess we could then sell that directory?"

Strategies for Monetizing Directories

1. Create a Flagship Website: Focus on building a comprehensive and well-structured website. This serves as a model for future directories.

2. Utilize the Copy Site Feature: Brilliant Directories offers a feature to clone a site for a nominal fee. This allows you to replicate the hard work put into the flagship site and adapt it for different industries by changing elements like the logo.

3. Sell the Directory: Once a directory is ready, it can be sold on domain selling platforms. The transfer process is handled carefully to prevent fraud and ensure a legitimate transfer of ownership.

By following these strategies, businesses can effectively monetize their directory websites and explore new revenue streams.

Blog vs Member Articles

What is the difference between the blog and the member article?

In the realm of website management, understanding the distinction between blog and member articles is crucial for optimizing content strategy. Both features are commonly available to those who purchase a website, and each serves a unique purpose.

Differences between Blog and Member Articles

Blog articles are typically used for the primary blog of a website. They are controlled by the website owner, ensuring that the content aligns with the brand's identity. This control is achieved by restricting posting permissions to a specific membership level, preventing unauthorized content from being published. Blog articles are usually found under the URL path /blog.

On the other hand, member articles allow listings on the website to post their own content. These articles are grouped under a single URL, such as /articles, and are not mixed with the official blog content. This feature is often not utilized initially but can be valuable for websites that wish to offer members the opportunity to contribute content.

Best Practices for Using Each Feature

For blog articles, it's essential to maintain a consistent brand voice and use the platform to engage with your audience through controlled, high-quality content. The blog feature also offers additional SEO functionalities and can be enhanced with tools like the article slider add-on, which allows for the selection of specific articles to highlight.

Member articles can be creatively rebranded to increase their perceived value. For instance, renaming them as "company press releases" can attract businesses looking to disseminate news, thus enhancing the website's unique selling proposition.

Enhancing Content Strategy

Utilizing both blog and member articles effectively can significantly enhance a website's content strategy. Blog articles can serve as a platform for official communication and brand storytelling, while member articles can foster community engagement and provide diverse perspectives.

SEO Best Practices

If I don't put something in my h one or my h two, is that going to affect my Google searching?

In the realm of SEO, the architecture of your website plays a crucial role in how search engines like Google interpret and rank your pages. A well-structured SEO architecture ensures that your content is easily accessible and understandable by search engines, which can significantly impact your search rankings.

Importance of SEO Architecture

SEO architecture refers to the way your website is organized and how information is presented to search engines. It involves the strategic use of headings, meta titles, and descriptions to convey the purpose and content of each page. This structure helps search engines determine the relevance of your content to user queries.

Utilizing H1 and H2 Tags Effectively

Headings, particularly H1 and H2 tags, are vital for SEO. The H1 tag is typically used for the main title of a page, signaling to search engines what the page is about. As mentioned in the discussion, having a clear and descriptive H1 can enhance your page's visibility in search results. While new coding practices allow for multiple H1 tags, it's generally recommended to have one primary H1 per page.

Tips for Optimizing Page Content

• Use Descriptive Headings: Ensure your H1 and H2 tags are descriptive and relevant to the content of the page.
• Incorporate Keywords: Integrate relevant keywords naturally within your headings and content to improve searchability.
• Fill in Content Gaps: As highlighted, filling in content areas with valuable information can boost your SEO performance.
• Update Meta Descriptions: Keep your meta descriptions concise yet informative, as they play a role in search engine results.

By following these best practices, you can enhance your website's SEO and improve its performance in search engine rankings.

Integrating Third-Party Tools

Integrating third-party tools into your Brilliant Directories website can significantly enhance user interaction and functionality. One common request is to add chat support using third-party software. This process is straightforward and involves embedding a code snippet provided by the chat service provider.

He would like to add chat support on his Brilliant Directories website using a third party software.

Adding Chat Support to Your Website

To add chat support, you first need to sign up for a chat tool that allows you to communicate with your website visitors. These tools typically provide an embed code that you need to place on your website.

Using Third-Party Embed Codes

Most chat service providers will instruct you to insert this code into the "head" section of your website. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Access Design Settings: Navigate to the design settings of your Brilliant Directories website.
2. Locate the Custom CSS and Head Section: Find the tab for custom CSS and head code.
3. Insert the Embed Code: Paste the provided embed code into the head elements section.
4. Save Changes: Once you save the changes, the chat tool should appear on the live front end of your website.

This method ensures that the chat support feature is seamlessly integrated, providing an immediate way for visitors to interact with your site.

Membership and Pricing Strategies

In this section, we explore effective membership and pricing strategies for directory websites. The discussion begins with an example of structuring membership tiers for two directories, CleaningConnections.com and SpotlessCheetah.com.

I've got three membership tiers for my two, my two website directories.

Structuring Membership Tiers

The approach involves offering three membership tiers, with the lowest tier initially being free. This tier included $5 leads, but the decision was made to remove the cost of leads entirely to stimulate engagement. This strategy aims to attract more users by providing a free base membership.

Offering Free and Paid Options

A key consideration is whether offering a free membership tier is beneficial for gaining traction. The recommendation is to provide a free lead to new members, especially those unfamiliar with the brand. This can help create a positive initial experience and encourage further engagement.

Balancing Features Across Tiers

To maintain the value of higher-tier memberships, it's suggested to limit the features available in the free tier. This involves careful consideration of which features to include or exclude to ensure that paid tiers offer significant additional value.

Recommendations

• Free Lead Strategy: Offer the first lead for free to new members to build trust and demonstrate value.
• Feature Limitation: Reduce the number of features in the free tier to enhance the appeal of paid tiers.
• Tier Naming: Consider renaming tiers to better reflect the target audience, such as "Quick Start Profile" for individuals and "Agency" for businesses.