Store Locator Software Updates

Posted by lcleveland in Map Software, MySLP SaaS, Store Locator, Store Locator Plus, WPSLP

In preparation for feature updates to our Premier (checkbox category selectors anyone?), Power, and Experience add ons, the free Store Locator Plus base plugin was updated to version 4.8.4 today. All of the updates including the premier add on features will be rolled out in MySLP 17.10 to our monthly service users later this month.

Speaking of the MySLP service, for those that haven’t already heard, it is a version of Store Locator Plus that runs on any website or mobile application that supports embedded JavaScript. That includes WordPress. Our servers handle all the locator updates, location storage, and the overhead of managing the plugins. The only thing you need on your WordPress site is to paste a JavaScript embed code in text mode while editing a page or post and the locator magically appears. You don’t even need the Store Locator Plus plugin or add ons to make it happen.

Back to the Store Locator Plus WordPress plugin update for those that like to have full control and manage their own software and websites…

The following updates have been made in Store Locator Plus 4.8.4:

Fix apostrophe in description on editor.
Fix admin page detector. Fixes category icon/marker selector for the Power Add On.
Fix the admin pages related settings highlight.
Clean up some of the admin locations interface elements. Use jQuery base dialogues from Theme Roller.
Simplified object loader to reduce overhead.
Minor performance improvement on admin page saves.
Directory Builder no longer supported, it is part of the Power Add On.
Experience 4.8.3 or higher is required.
Dropped slp_save_map_settings_inputs filter.
A half-dozen old-school style map markers (pin_red, marker, icon_entertainment, bubble_person, box_teal_airport, box_gray_house, arrow) have been removed. They can be added to WP media manager or a newer style selected in its place.

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Store Locator User Experience

Posted by lcleveland in Store Locator Plus, WPSLP

Improvements to the Store Locator User Experience were part of the Experience update. Version 4.8.3 was released today for Store Locator Plus ® WordPress Plugin users. This patch has been automatically included for our SaaS customers.

The following items have been address as part of our focus on improving the Store Locator experience:

Fixed Append To Search pulling up old setting from prior Experience/Enhanced Search installs.
The sv_SE language files have been updated.
There is a minor performance boost when saving settings on admin panel.
[slplus no_autozoom=”true|false”] is a new shortcode attribute.
[slplus no_homeicon_at_start=”true|false”] is a new shortcode attribute.
[slplus starting_image=”URL”] is a new shortcode attribute.

WordPress Store Locations SaaS

Posted by lcleveland in Map Software, MySLP SaaS, Store Locator, Store Locator Plus, WPSLP

Some of our long-time WordPress plugin customers have decide to reduce their workload and customer maintenance overhead by migrating to the MySLP service. Here are your answers to some of the most common questions that have come up during the process.

How Do I Connect MySLP To The Plugin?

The short answer: You don’t.

The MySLP service is a self-contained application that installs on your WordPress site , or any site builder that supports JavaScript, with a simple JavaScript embed. It does not require the Store Locator Plus plugins to be installed on the WordPress site.

In fact, if you are now using MySLP you should delete any of the Store Locator Plus plugins you have installed on your WordPress site. Make sure you’ve downloaded your locations and copied any settings you wish to take to MySLP beforehand. While on that topic, a good site administrator will delete any obsolte and unused plugins from a WordPress site. Deactivated plugins are still available for hackers to exploit.

If There Is No Plugin How Do I Use It?

To manage the locations and settings you will login to your MySLP Dashboard.

When you are ready to deploy the map you can go to any page or post on the site and paste the embed code you copied from your MySLP dashboard. Make sure you are viewing the page/post editor in text mode first, then paste the JavaScript embed where you want the map to appear on the page.

How Do I Get The Locations Into MySLP?

If you are migrating an existing site you will want to export locations from the WordPress install with the Power add on BEFORE deactivating and deleting the WPSLP plugins.

Go to the Locations tab in Store Locator Plus and select “Export, Hosted” or “Export, Download” from the download menu then click the To All portion of the Apply To All button.

Make sure you’ve copied your settings to your new MySLP account as well.

Once you have your locations CSV file go to your MySLP Dashboard account and look for the Locations Import tab under Advanced Options. Import is available on Power or higher level accounts. You can upgrade or downgrade service to/from the Advanced level as needed to get the import feature during the migration process.

On a related note, we are working on an “Import From A WPSLP Install” feature for MySLP that will bring over locations directly without the manual import/export process.

How Many Sites Can Use My Map?

Your MySLP account can deploy the locator on as many sites and mobile apps as you need. Each deployment will share the same map settings and location list which can be useful for building SEO content pages while retaining a consistent location listing between the sites and pages.