Some suggestions for the next upgrade

dotSilver Network Partner Support Forum / Dating Software Technical Support / Some suggestions for the next upgrade

Author	Message
raybman Member	Posted: 27 Aug 2005 11:20:34 - Edited by: raybman We need to keep in mind there is a lot of competition among dating web sites. We cannot forget the big ones such as Match.com, Kiss.com, Friendfinder, etc., which all offer many more features than the dotSilver program and for the same price. In order to compete we need to offer more options/functions to the site to make our sites attractive to a prospective member, and current members to recommend the site. Below are some suggested additions for the next upgrade (and by no means is this list complete; I am sure others here can thing of other additions) Recommended additions: 1) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page: a) Explanations such as: How to use some of the functions on the site (especially about the chat room) b) Type of access the different member levels will have; Which functions will be locked on which member level (Silver, Gold, or Free). 2) List in profiles what membership level the member has; Silver, Gold, or Free. This way members don't get frustrated with our sites because they don't really know who is allowed to communicate with them. 3) A Keyword Search to search through profiles. 4) A Favorite Search setting for members. 5) Allow potential members (non-members visiting the site) to browse more profiles, rather than the ONE page that they get now before being sent to a sign-up page. (This is a recurring criticism of the site from my visitors) Of course, keeping some functions locked until they sign-up such as: viewing more photos, email, and the chat room. The goal is to let them see how appealing the site is and not be "mysterious" about what we have to offer. 6) More care in the English grammar in emails sent out to members and other written portions within a site. This is not necessarily a features request but a problem I think needs to be addressed. I know many partners would like to attract more American members because, let's be honest, that is were the money is. But nothing brings up a RED FLAG to a potential American member than bad English grammer. They will see it as unprofessional and suspicious, and more than likely, not sign-up. (I would be willing to help edit these messages and written portions for dotSilver if requested) 7) A means for partners to access all parts and functions of their site for testing and customization. This can be done by giving a partner one unlimited membership so testing can be done as a regular member would experience the interface. Or as an alternative, a partner could be allowed the same full accesss through their "control panel". The first option seems to be the easiest to implement, and the latter would require more programming and database changes. Either way, this feature is an absolute necessity for a partner. Please understand I think you guys at dotSilver are doing a great job, but we are just getting started and I hope we all can be successful in this endeavor. Sincerely, Raymond www.cheektocheek.net
raybman Member	Posted: 30 Aug 2005 10:06:21 What do you think?
.silver Admin	Posted: 31 Aug 2005 01:52:51 Ray, Thank you for your extended, though-out input. We really appreciate your activity and in fact are working on the list of your suggestions as well as other features we are planning for the next major version update. Some time later we will post features for the upcoming version, some things you mention are already on the project development plan. Again, thank you for your suggestions, we work hard and pay attention to everything you suggest.
raybman Member	Posted: 1 Sep 2005 18:40:51 Great, I am looking forward to the next upgrade. Keep us posted... Ray
Anonymous	Posted: 1 Sep 2005 19:52:14 I agree with many of the suggestions except for the approach as to what a user can see without paying. After having run a dating service for over a year and a half, I realized that once you hit a critical point of membership, you have what people want. I recommend allowing ALL members to see ALL profile information (ESPECIALLY PHOTOS)... they are the most important. The only reason why people should pay should be for actually contacting other members.
.silver Admin	Posted: 1 Sep 2005 23:38:01 In close future we will do our system more flexible, that every partner could modify and customize his site as he like. Of course within limits.
kissie	Posted: 8 Sep 2005 10:05:29 I would like to see a zipcode search so people could search 25. 50, 100 and 150 miles from their zipcode. This would help them find members locally. I would also be nice if they could receive email updates that matches their search profile. This would let them see the new members that join that match their search preferences. I receive emails three times a week from yahoo personals that show women within 50 miles of my zipcode. I only have to join their service if I want to contact a person who places an ad with them. .
.silver Admin	Posted: 8 Sep 2005 23:32:25 Hi kissie. This feature will be soon available. Now we are looking for company that can give such service. If you or somebody else know something about it, we are ready to listen to you. Thanks.
rmelnyk Member	Posted: 17 Oct 2005 21:58:37 This is the most missing feature. Site is not user-friendly without it. In additional search engines can not index pages because of this limitation. When this restriction will be disabled????? I was so disappointed when I found out that new version of software has this limitation!!! ** Allow potential members (non-members visiting the site) to browse more profiles, rather than the ONE page that they get now before being sent to a sign-up page. **
.silver Admin	Posted: 20 Oct 2005 01:42:27 Hi rmelnyk. We are still growing, and on current phase we are not intend to open next pages for unregistered users. Remember that many dating sites do not allow to see even one page.
raybman Member	Posted: 20 Oct 2005 17:58:41 - Edited by: raybman "Remember that many dating sites do not allow to see even one page." But those sites also have major brand recognition on their side. We need to attract members! Since we charge the same price as most of the well-known, established sites, which site do you think a prospective member will choose? New sites need to offer a bit more or something different to get those new, paying members. Are dotSilver profits so high that discouraging new members is necessary? Just my two cents worth...
wesicle@wetsicle.com	Posted: 20 Oct 2005 21:28:50 I visited this site http://www.swinglifestyle.com/ to see what they offered their members. They allow a free member to receive and send email, view a maximum of 15 profiles per day, and view PG-rated pics only. Free members cannot use instant messaging or chat, and they cannot see X-rated pics. Paid and free members can search by zip codes and distance. This site has alot of new members each week (10668 this week) and I see alot of paid members. Their membership is: 1 Month Recurring $9.95 3 Months One Time $19 6 Months One Time $29 12 Months One Time $49 Life of Site Never Pay Again $129 1-900 Number 3 Months $19.95 6 Months $29.95 I think they have the right idea about getting new members. I have had my adult and dating sites online since June and I don't see any money yet, but I am spending money every month for webhosting and getting discouraged.
.silver Admin	Posted: 21 Oct 2005 01:15:12 Hello, today we have discussed your proposal again and decided to open more pages for unregistered users. The idea is to observe this innovation and discuss it here on forum if it brings good or bad results. Please, write here about your observations. Concerning the site http://www.swinglifestyle.com/ Some strange things are happening there, now I see 9575 new members this week, though an hour ago there were 10737 new users. Doesn't it seem suspicious to you? Also when I want to search by State and City it gives me many similar profiles, it drives me to a thought that there are not as many profiles as they are saying. After all our soft has more features than theirs. And the advanced search will be available in the next version of dotSilver partner software. What you sites need is more traffic. Don't think there is some error preventing big money to flow to your sites at this stage.
.silver Admin	Posted: 21 Oct 2005 01:59:11 I have just found that the limitation of search results display is in the partner script. You can wait for another week to have this setting configurable through admin panel or we can explain to you how to open search results for non-members now. (it requires code modification)
raybman Member	Posted: 21 Oct 2005 20:03:22 The rate structure mentioned by wesicle@wetsicle.com is an excellent way to attract new paying members. Lower rates for a similar product is a good way to grow the membership. Later, rates can always be ratched up to fit profit needs. Something to consider...
.silver Admin	Posted: 22 Oct 2005 00:09:19 Hi raybman. Soon the new version of dotSilver will be available with many interesting features. I think we should wait for the next uprade and observe the join rate. After that we will consider the financial quotations and find the best variant. We will listen to all proposals. Thanks.
loveservices Member	Posted: 6 Nov 2005 02:21:37 Hi .silver, Raybman posted some very important suggestions. I am also very concerned about the mistakes in spelling and grammar in any emails sent to members as this gives a poor impression (not just to Americans!). His post was on the 1st September. When is the next update due? Regards, loveservices http://www.loveservices.co.uk
Anonymous	Posted: 6 Nov 2005 08:05:14 Yeah, when is the next upgrade coming out ?
.silver Admin	Posted: 6 Nov 2005 21:53:51 The next update in adult network will be on Tuesday(tomorrow), and in traditional network it will be approximately this Saturday.