We are excited to announce the release of eDirectory v13.5, a major update packed with new features and game-changing membership options for our clients. This version brings significant improvements to our platform, making it more versatile and user-friendly. Let’s dive into the details of what’s new and what’s changed in this release.
What’s New
Combination of Modules and Levels Now Called Products
In this update, we’ve redefined the combination of modules (listings, events, classifieds, banners, and articles) and levels as “Products.” This change simplifies the way site owners can manage and offer these elements to their users, providing a more cohesive and streamlined experience.
Manage Levels & Pricing Updated to Products & Plans
The Admin section for managing levels and pricing has been fully revamped and is now called Products & Plans. This update includes:
Manage Products
- Customizable Product Types: Site owners can create up to 10 types of products for listings, events, and classifieds.
- Paywalled Content: Products can be defined to be available exclusively for subscribed members, enabling paywalled content.
Manage Plans
- Unlimited Plan Creation: Site owners can create unlimited plans to advertise products on the website.
- Free Trials: Plans can include a free trial option (available for Stripe only).
- Flexible Pricing Models: Site owners can define up to two pricing models per plan with several renewal cycles, including weekly, biweekly, monthly, quarterly, semiannual, annual, and one-time payment.
- Product Combinations: Plans can offer different combinations of products, including unlimited products and specific listing templates per plan.
- Access to Paywalled Content: Plans can grant access to paywalled content.
Additional Settings & Payment Gateways
- Simplified Interface: The interface for managing additional settings related to payment gateways, currency, tax, and more has been simplified.
- Paywall Functionality: The paywall functionality can be enabled on the website.
Paywalled Blog Posts
Blog posts can now be set as paywalled individually when the Paywall feature is enabled, providing more flexibility in content monetization.
Promotion Codes for Specific Plans
Promotion codes can be created and made available for specific plans, offering more targeted promotional opportunities.
New Subscriptions Page
A new page called Subscriptions has been added under the Revenue Reports section, allowing site owners to manage subscribed members more effectively.
Redesigned Checkout Process
The checkout process has been completely redesigned and simplified into three steps: user identification, checkout form, and payment confirmation. Each step’s pages are available in the Page Editor for full customization.
Updated Email Notifications
Email notifications have been updated to reflect the new approach to subscriptions and plans. Renewal reminder emails now work with subscriptions instead of individual listings, and a new notification for member sign-ups has been included.
Enhanced Modules Preview
The modules preview on the site manager has been updated:
- Status Change: The pop-up for changing status has been replaced by a dropdown, simplifying the process.
- Plan and Category Listing: The plan assigned to the product and its categories are now listed.
Customizable Renewal Dates
The renewal date for products is inherited from the subscription to which they are assigned, but site owners can customize it individually if needed.
Activate Products Without Subscription
Site owners can now activate products and define a renewal date even if they are not assigned to a subscription.
New Widgets for Promoting Plans
Five new widgets have been added to the Page Editor to help promote plans:
- Single Plan Card
- Pricing & Plans Cards
- Pricing & Plans Cards with Custom Description
- Pricing & Plans Cards with Topics (Type 1)
- Pricing & Plans Cards with Topics (Type 2)
Simplified Sponsor and Profile Sections
The Sponsors and Profile sections have been consolidated into a single section called Members. This change simplifies the user experience and streamlines site management.
Updated Members Dashboard
The Members dashboard has been updated with a new user flow for signing up for plans, managing subscriptions, and adding content, enhancing the overall user experience.
What’s Changed
Plan-Based Product Charging
Site owners will no longer be able to charge for individual products. Instead, a plan should be created offering the product or a combination of products.
Popular Plans Configuration
Popular plans, previously known as levels, are now configured on a per-widget basis in the Page Editor, providing more customization options.
Category Pricing
Site owners will no longer be able to define prices for additional categories for listings. All listings can now have up to 20 categories without additional pricing.
Listing Template Pricing
Differentiated pricing for listing templates is no longer available, simplifying the pricing structure.
Discontinued Payment Gateways
Payments with 2CheckOut and PayFlow Link are no longer supported in this version.
Updated Approval Requirements
The approval requirements options in the General Settings section have been updated with new options to control how the status of products will be updated according to the subscription they belong to.
Simplified Email Configuration
The interface for configuring Administrator Email under the Email Sending configuration section has been simplified for easier management.
Removal of Feature Packages
Feature Packages, previously available under the Promotions & Packages section, are no longer available.
Removed Email Notifications
The following email notifications have been removed to streamline communication:
- Visitor Account Create (site manager area)
- Visitor Account Update
- Account Activation
- Listing Signup
- Event Signup
- Banner Signup
- Classified Signup
- Article Signup
Promotional Codes for Plans Only
Promotional codes are now applicable only to plan subscriptions and not individual products, aligning with the new subscription model.
Ready to start?
We believe these changes will greatly enhance the functionality and usability of eDirectory for both site owners and their members. Ready to experience the new eDirectory v13.5? Get a free guided demo at www.edirectory.com. Current customers, upgrade now to unlock exciting new features!
Read the changelog in full
Request your upgrade: https://www.edirectory.com/upgrade-form.php
