Automatically Add Value to Each Membership Level Using Directory Layouts
Shouldn’t a higher-level member be presented better than a regular member in your directories? If your organization has or is moving towards different benefits for each membership level, then your member’s listings should reflect those benefits. Today, we dive into the unique layouts to display listings for each membership levels and as members change levels, how Membee manages this process for you automatically.
Looking to differentiate how each membership level is presented in your directory? Layouts are the perfect method. Layouts allow you to customize and define what displays and doesn’t display for each membership level. This allows you to determine how the listing will appear if they meet the layout criteria.
In this post, we’ll examine how layouts work for both person and organization-based directories.
The Benefits of Layouts
Some of the benefits of using layouts include:
- Visual encouragement and tangible benefits for members to upgrade their membership level
- If you are required to display non-members in your directories, visual encouragement for them to join as they see the enhanced listings enjoyed by members.
- Set it and forget it – as members change levels, Membee automatically adjusts how they are presented in your directories
When to Use Layouts
You might be wondering if layouts would apply to you – that’s a great question.
You don’t need to meet all these conditions below, but if any one of them applies to you, then you would use it if:
- You have different membership levels
- Each membership level has its own distinctive benefits, some more advantageous than others
- You track and display non-member listings in your database but want them to have limited listing features/benefits
How Layouts Work
Layouts define what information is displayed in a directory’s search results and in the detailed listings. A layout definition will:
- Allow you to choose the status or status type that the layout would be applicable to (eg. platinum members, non-members, etc)
- Provide you with the ability to fully define what information displays for each layout based on your membership need (i.e. Enable the image gallery for Platinum Members)
- Automatically applies the appropriate layout when a member’s status changes
- Allow you to set up an unlimited number of layouts
Organization-Based Listings
To illustrate how layouts are used, we’ll be focusing on the differences between two organization membership levels:
- Platinum
- Gold
In layouts, you can define what appears in the search results and the listings for each membership level. Below, we’ll dive into the visual differences.
Search Results: Layouts For Each Membership Level
You can customize the information that displays within the search results for each membership level.
Below is a detailed list of information that displays for platinum and gold members, along with a preview of the results.
Platinum Members
✅ Status
✅ Membership date
✅ Phone number
✅ Email
✅ Address
✅ Direct messaging
✅ Logo
✅ Description excerpt
✅ Pin on the map
Gold Members
✅ Status
✅ Membership date
✅ Phone number
❌ Email
❌ Address
❌ Direct messaging
❌ Logo
❌ Description excerpt
❌ Pin on the map
Based on the settings in the Platinum and Gold layouts above, the search results appear like this:
(click image to enlarge)
Listings: Layouts for Each Membership Level
The listing is where your member’s information calls home. Take a step further to customize what information is displayed for each membership level, giving some members more visual benefits.
Platinum Members
✅ Status
✅ Membership date
✅ Phone number
✅ Pin on the map
✅ Email
✅ Address
✅ Direct messaging
✅ Social media icons
✅ Logo
✅ Image gallery
✅ Description
✅ Custom Sections (services, other details)
Based on the settings in the Platinum layout, the listing appears like this:
(click image to enlarge)
Gold Members
✅ Status
✅ Membership date
✅ Phone number
❌ Pin on the map
❌ Email
❌ Address
❌ Direct messaging
❌ Social media icons
❌ Logo
❌ Image gallery
❌ Description
❌ Custom Sections (services, other details)
Based on the settings in the Gold layout, the listing appears like this:
(click image to enlarge)
Person-Based Listings
To illustrate layouts for person-based listings, we’ll be focusing on the differences between two individual membership levels:
- Certified Counsellor
- Student
You can define what appears in the search results and the listings for each membership level. Below, we’ll dive into the visual differences.
Search Results: Layouts For Each Membership Level
In the same way as the organization listings, you can also customize the information that displays within the search results for each membership level.
Below is a detailed list of information that displays for the certified counsellors and student members, along with a preview of the results.
Certified Counsellors
✅ Status
✅ Membership date
✅ Phone number
✅ Email
✅ Address
✅ Direct messaging
✅ Logo
✅ Description excerpt
✅ Pin on the map
Students
✅ Status
✅ Membership date
✅ Phone number
❌ Email
❌ Address
❌ Direct messaging
❌ Logo
❌ Description excerpt
❌ Pin on the map
Based on the settings in the Certified Counsellor and Student layouts, the search results appear like this:
(click image to enlarge)
Listings: Layouts for Each Membership Level
The listing is where your member’s information calls home. Take a step further to customize what information is displayed for each membership level, giving some members more visual benefits.
Certified Counsellors
✅ Status
✅ Membership date
✅ Phone number
✅ Pin on the map
✅ Email
✅ Address
✅ Direct messaging
✅ Social media icons
✅ Logo
✅ Image gallery
✅ Description
✅ Custom Sections (services, other details)
Based on the settings in the Certified Counsellor layout, the listing appears like this:
(click image to enlarge)
Students
✅ Status
✅ Membership date
✅ Phone number
❌ Pin on the map
❌ Email
❌ Address
❌ Direct messaging
❌ Social media icons
❌ Logo
❌ Image gallery
❌ Description
❌ Custom Sections (services, other details)
Based on the settings in the Student layout, the listing appears like this:
(click image to enlarge)
Automatic Layouts Based on Membership Level
The best part of using the directory layouts is that it’s fully automatic – set it up once and never touch it again!
This is perfect when members change membership levels, Membee will do the work for you and apply the layouts automatically so you don’t need to do anything but manage your memberships as per normal.
For example, if a Gold member upgraded to a Platinum membership, their directory listing changes accordingly as seen in the video below.
What’s Coming Next?
The “Redesigned Search Results” post will drop on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, so keep an eye on your inbox!
To be informed when Membee’s new directory is released, follow our announcements and release notes found below:
Got Questions?
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact our client services team at support@membee.com!
Is this available now? How do we start utilizing this feature?
Hi Fredo,
It’s currently not available but coming soon! You’re following our announcement and release notes so you’ll receive an email notification when news is published 🙂