Quick Start Guide

RYO Membership Directory Plugin Administrator Manual
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Ready to Get Started Fast?

There's a lot of potential with this system for customization and special pages. But there's a quick way to get started, setting up the basic member directory features. Do this, then customize and fine-tune later.

The system is provided with basic profile information and page layouts already done, so you have to do as little customizing as possible. Maybe none!

Be sure to check the 'Admin Notes' in your Member Directory Dashboard. These have specific information for your application, and can be used to save your notes so the next time you try to do something, you can get the information easily.

That's a sample member profile at right, in this case a publisher listing promoting a book.

Here's how to get started fast...

1. Decide: What Do You Want to Do to Help Your Online Community?

There are several kinds of Member Directories that you can choose to install. We suggest you start with something basic.

For an overview, if you haven't read it already, read "What Do You Want to Do to Help Your Online Community?".

2. Install the Plugin and Enter Your License Key

Installing the plugin is simple.

Login here and download the software.
Upload to your website.
Activate the plugin.
Enter your email address and license key (which we emailed to you).

After activating the plugin, there should be a folder in the wp-content folder called memberimages. If it's not there, it's because your server blocked it's creation. You may need to create that, and whicle you're checking, make sure there are sufficient permissions to allow the program to read and write to that folder. That usually means setting permissions to 0644. (If you have trouble saving pictures for your member profiles, the setting may have to be 0664. Check with your hosting company if you have problems.)

3. Create a Member Directory Page

In your WordPress Dashboard, under Pages select Add New.

Give the Page a Title (like Member Directory).

In the text area add a shortcode for a basic Member Directory:

[memberdirectory]

and click the Publish button.

That's all!

4. Add and Update Member Information

Create some members (if you don't have some already).

Edit these member profiles to get some basic data. Upload a photo to each one.

If you're using WishList Member levels for the directory, the software will automatically include members who have been subscribed to any level.
If not using WishList Member levels, each member will need to have a role with a user level code above the non-member level, and will need a member status assigned. You, as administrator, can do this by Promoting the user from the Members screen in the RYO Member Directory administration area, then editing the user's profile to select a Member Status.

5. Try it out

See what you've got! Have a look at your Member Directory. Click on a name to see the profile. Try searching for a keyword (name or word in the profile) from a member listing.

Are you really done? Almost. A few little things:

Add a Page with help information to help your members know how to edit their profiles. And add the URL for that page to your directory Settings. Sample Help Page.
How about an additional directory page, like a Member Search Page? This is a page that has a search box and a list of topics or interests that are selected when a member edits their profile. Click on a topic, get a list of everyone who chose that topic! Member Search Page.
You may want to do some additional customizing to make it just right for you!

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