Abstract
Our client had an existing website that they wanted to redesign in order to improve its overall performance. They likewise needed new features such as video chat, a subscription based membership scheme etc. Based on these requirements we suggested the customization of Joomla open source CMS in redesigning the website. The solution provides equestrians and lifestyle enthusiasts with a platform to meet like-minded individual, create a network of friends and communicate with them.
Our client is a US based venture.
Business Requirements
Our client was running an online social networking service wherein single equine and countryside enthusiasts could meet and associate with each other. They wanted to redesign the website to provide better and more interactive features to their members. New features such as audio/video chat, a subscription model for members, a directory listing etc were required. Members were to be provided with options to hide/freeze their accounts. The administrator was to be provided full control over the website.
Redesign of the Website
Users can register with the community to create their profiles detailing their characteristics, lifestyle, personality traits and so forth. They can pick for a premium membership (the plans and rates can be managed by the administrator) to avail additional features such as access to the live chat rooms, options to freeze their account, hide their profile from other members etc. A profile is shown on the website only after it has been verified by the administrator. Members have the option to define the characteristics and traits of their ideal partners. The system alerts the member when any new member that matches his/her criteria of an ideal partner joins the community. An IP locator has been used to identify a user’s location. The prices displayed on the website are based on the basis of the location.
There were two main modules into the solution:
- Administrator Panel
- Public Module
Technology Used:
- PHP
- Joomla
- MySQL
- HTML
Administrator Panel
The administrator can manage the entire website through the administrator panel. We have customized the Joomla admin module as per the business requirements of the client. The administrator can perform the following tasks:
- View site statistics such as total number of registered user, users currently online, and registrations in the current date, most popular profiles, most active members etc in the dashboard.
- Set Permissions and Process requests to freeze/activate profiles, hide/unhide profiles, and cancel subscriptions.
- Profile verification (i.e. approve or reject) new profiles and photos uploaded by members. Any changes in the photos and profiles are displayed on the website only after approval from the administrator.
- Search for members registered with the community. Advance search options have been provided to enable the administrator to locate members.
- Login on behalf of the user and browse the public website.
- Update and manage content and advertisements appearing on the website.
- Send newsletters, bulk email messages to the subscriber base.
Public Module
The public module is accessible to all visitors and enables them to register with the website. The public module includes the following features:
- Search: Members can search to locate other members within the community. Multiple search criteria were implemented such as locate by gender, country, age range, appearance, personality traits and characteristics, income levels, employment/education status, interests etc. Members can also browse through the profiles, add members to their holist, send kisses, send e-mail etc.
- Discussion Forum: SMF (Simple Machine Forum) has been customized and integrated to provide a discussion forum with the solution.
- Live Chat: Third-party tools have been implemented to enable live chat between all members of a chat and Communicator (to enable 1 to 1 chat between two members) has been integrated with the solution. Tool was customized to include the profiles and photos of the members carrying out the chat. Members can also carry out video chat with each other.
- Photo Gallery: The system includes a public gallery wherein members can upload images. Members are provided with options to rate the picture, post comments, send a link to the photo to a friend and report the picture. All images displayed in the photo gallery require administrator approval.
- Directory Listing: A directory listing of companies dealing in equestrian and other related products or services is available on the website.
- Videos: The videos uploaded by the administrator are displayed.
- News: The news feeds created by the administrator are displayed. Members can browse through the articles available in the feeds.
- Shop: An external storefront has been customized and integrated with the website.
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