Classifieds-101 Beginner Help with Categories

ScrapbookSupplie · March 16th, 2007, 02:01 PM

I posted this once in another area although I think I had it in the wrong area, so I am reposting.

Chuck, you're my Saving Grace with these programs and probably the one that will wind up being pestered with this, so I thank you in advance, and I thank anyone else who has input too!

I'm setting up our classifieds now and in the section where you edit the categories, trying to figure out what to put in some of the different blanks (obviously to get the most out of the program).

Can you tell me (please)....

First, for each category you have to select a template type. Does this mean that each time a user posts in this category they're "stuck" with this same template type? Should we have the same exact categories for "items for sale/buy it now", "auctions", etc.? Can you tell me better what affect my choice here has on the category?

My next question could be an oxy-moronic one - the extra fields... Is this where I might include things like, shipping cost, compatible part numbers, seller's city, will ship to, or other lines that I want the seller to be able to fill in each time they list an item? AND, if I specify extra fields here, will they be mandatory for the seller to complete or will they be able to submit a listing without filling in the extra fields? Oh! And, I only have the choice of ONE custom, custom field where I can have a drop down list, radio button or similar? Is this right?

* * I am almost done with my questions, my apologies for the length of this post * *

When I input the cost for placing the ads in this category, there are check marks below for the user groups. I do not see a set of options where I can set a usergroup that can post listings for free. I understand that we can set the program up so that certain customers can use the program for free (or get a discount), and I assumed this is where we'd do it. Can you tell me how?

Finally (yep, I ran out of questions)... What exactly is the category intro? Where does it show up and how? Do spiders see it? Would we want it on every category or would that be a pain in the butt for users?

Thanks so much for all of your help. I really do try to figure these things out on my own, but until we get the program off the ground a little bit it's next to impossible to do it with one user, and I don't want our customers to see it yet.

Chuck S · March 16th, 2007, 02:54 PM

Quote:

First, for each category you have to select a template type. Does this mean that each time a user posts in this category they're "stuck" with this same template type? Should we have the same exact categories for "items for sale/buy it now", "auctions", etc.? Can you tell me better what affect my choice here has on the category?

You pick which one is appropriate for a range of categories. If your selling stuff the default forsale is right. If you are doing help wanted you do that.

Quote:

My next question could be an oxy-moronic one - the extra fields... Is this where I might include things like, shipping cost, compatible part numbers, seller's city, will ship to, or other lines that I want the seller to be able to fill in each time they list an item? AND, if I specify extra fields here, will they be mandatory for the seller to complete or will they be able to submit a listing without filling in the extra fields? Oh! And, I only have the choice of ONE custom, custom field where I can have a drop down list, radio button or similar? Is this right?

yes this is where you do extra fields for things like this but they are not mandatory.

Quote:

When I input the cost for placing the ads in this category, there are check marks below for the user groups. I do not see a set of options where I can set a usergroup that can post listings for free. I understand that we can set the program up so that certain customers can use the program for free (or get a discount), and I assumed this is where we'd do it. Can you tell me how?

Admin => edit usergroups is where you select which groups pay or post free

Quote:

Finally (yep, I ran out of questions)... What exactly is the category intro? Where does it show up and how? Do spiders see it? Would we want it on every category or would that be a pain in the butt for users?

It is simply a box to place a short announcement and appears at the top of the category

ScrapbookSupplie · March 16th, 2007, 04:51 PM

Thanks Chuck, I kind of thought I might get you.

Can you tell me a little better on these two items. I probably should have quoted (sorry).

First: "You pick which one is appropriate for a range of categories. If your selling stuff the default forsale is right. If you are doing help wanted you do that."

If I select "For Sale" as the default, I assume that the person making the listing can change it?

Second: To allow certain user groups to post for free or get a discount on listing fees, you said to do it here: "Admin => edit usergroups is where you select which groups pay or post free"

I still do not really see where you change this to make it free for certain users. Maybe I am looking in the wrong place. I have a user group set up, and the options are: Admin Access? Mod Access? Moderate Ads? Allow posting? Allow highlight? Allow bold? Allow italic? Allow Payment? Allow comments?

Also, how does the billing work anyway? Is this program set up to charge the user for every single listing or can we set it up to let users list what they want and bill them once per month?

Thanks Chuck~
Jeanne

Chuck S · March 16th, 2007, 05:34 PM

Users can not select template types that is the admin you who do this. It has to do with the types of ads you are making for a category whether it is for sale, help wanted, wanted or personals

To have a user not pay for ads then the usergroup they belong to in edit usergroups just set allow payment set to NO. Those that say yes will have to pay