Admin Manual

If you are a) using the professional iGrOOp option and b) using both levels of membership (full access and limited access), then ultimately you will have members who want to upgrade from the limited access membership to the full access membership.

The free option does not allow for multiple membership levels -- all members are full access members who are not charged.

Scenario #1: Offering No Cost Limited Access

If you are offering your members no cost limited access, then the upgrade path for these members is easy, instant, and automated.  Your limited members will see an option to upgrade on the header of every page in your iGrOOp (see figure 1).

Once the limited access member clicks on that link, they will be taken to your membership registration form.  They will skip the custom fields screen and the approval process -- since you have already approved the member and requested custom information from them.  They will be taken directly to the payment options form where the limited access option will be removed.  Once they make payment (or enter a valid promotion code), they will immediately be given full access and you (the system administrators) will be notified of the transaction.

The approval process is for new members only, not member upgrades.  Members who you have already approved are instantly upgraded upon successful payment.

Scenario #2: Offering Limited Access for a Fee

The upgrading process is less automated when you have charged your member already for membership -- assuming a lower rate.  This requires manual intervention on your part to ensure your member is charged the correct fee based on your terms and conditions.

You should consider this manual upgrade process when determining your price points when setting up your group.

Here are the steps you will want to follow for upgrading limited access members who have paid a fee.

1. Create an icon or links on your iGrOOp encouraging limited access members to upgrade.  These links should go to an e-mail address or better yet the private message link for the iGrOOp administrator.
2. Determine how much money the member has already paid you, and apply a credit if needed.  This information can be found in member directory.  For example, if they signed up and paid $100 for a year six months ago, give them $50 credit.  You would need to do this manually through your merchant account.
3. Delete their profile from your iGrOOp.  You will need to remove them from your iGrOOp so they can register again.  Do not worry -- all their posts, comments, pages, etc. will be intact, as will their iGrOOps profile.  you are simply disassociating them from your iGrOOp.
4. Instruct the member to sign up (register) again, this time selecting the full access option.  A new transaction / subscription will be created.

This is seen as a new registration, so the member will be prompted to enter any custom information if you have that setup, and they will require approval (if that option is set).