Welcome to iGrOOps™! iGrOOps™ is a fresh new take on the “Internet communities” concept. It’s a web-based information sharing, communication, collaboration, and marketing tool for groups of any size. iGrOOps™ is ideal for local communities, large and small businesses, friends and families, non-profits and everyone in between.

This manual contains all you need to know about starting your own iGrOOp.  Read the sections that interest you most, or use the "Print All" link to print out this entire document.

We have summed up iGrOOps several times by stating,

iGrOOps™ is a fresh new take on the “Internet communities” concept. It’s a web-based information sharing, communication,  collaboration, and marketing tool for groups of any size.  iGrOOps™ is ideal for local communities, large and small businesses, friends and families, non-profits and everyone in between.

But that does not even begin to do iGrOOps justice.  iGrOOps can benefit you and/or your organizations in so many ways, it can be the solution to just about all of your online needs.

iGrOOps is a Website. iGrOOps can easily replace any website you currently have, allowing you to replace your static content with dynamic and interactive content that will keep your customers coming back.

iGrOOps cannot replace all websites.  iGrOOps cannot run custom scripts.  Nor does iGrOOp handle custom e-mail.  It is suggested you keep your current website until you are familiar with what iGrOOps can and cannot do.

iGrOOps is a Social Network.  iGrOOp provides tools and applications that allow for 21st century communication among groups of any kind.  With software not available in other social networks, iGrOOps has a unique advantage in the social network space.

iGrOOps is Web 2.0.  Web 2.0 is all about interactivity and content created by users.  iGrOOps applications allow its members to build content by their contributions to the group.  The webmaster/administrator still takes the lead, but the members have can have much to do with creating the content.

iGrOOps is Membership Website Software.  Similar software applications for allowing the administrator to create a professional membership website costs thousands, even tens of thousands of dollars.  iGrOOps include all one needs to create a membership/subscription website that can make bring in tens of thousands of dollars in revenue a month!

iGrOOps is a Turnkey Business Solution.  With iGrOOps, you can be up and running with a website that generates membership-based income within an hour.  iGrOOps includes the all scripts and forms needed to interact with your PayPal or AuthorizeNet account, where 100% of the revenues you collect go to you.*

iGrOOps is a Corporate Intranet.  Large organizations can greatly benefit from the marketing, communication, and productivity tools used by iGrOOps.  iGrOOps provides an ideal way for teams, departments, or entire businesses to communicate.

iGrOOps is a Fundraising Tool.  iGrOOps can be used as a fundraiser, where content and communication is the product and member payments are responsible for raising the funds.  Forget car washes and bake sales!

iGrOOps is the Future of the Web.  iGrOOps is unique because of the flexibility it provides to its administrators (group starters) and the centralized tools.  The days of static, webmaster-driven websites are gone.  People will watch TV, but they want to interact with a website.  iGrOOps makes that possible.

* PayPal or AuthorizeNet fees apply.

*** As of January 10, 2008, registration of all new free iGrOOps has been discontinued *** 

iGrOOps launched in February of 2007 by offering a revolutionary service that allowed iGrOOp administrators to setup a hybrid social network / membership site and charge a membership fee.  Many people took advantage of this service and are now being financially compensated for their work as the group's administrator.  However, we did find that a surprising number of people wanted to use the technology iGrOOps provides for more personal reasons than for business.  To respond to this need, on August 1, 2007 we announced the free iGrOOps option.

The free iGrOOp option is a fully functional iGrOOp that is free for the administrator to start and free for the members to join.  The free iGrOOp has all the application and tools provided in the professional option, but with certain restrictions (as outlined below).

Restrictions and Limits

The free iGrOOp was designed for families, small local clubs and groups, small non-profit organizations, groups of friends, class reunions, and other personal uses.

• Free iGrOOps are provided for use by individuals and non-profit organizations for personal, non-commercial uses
• Free iGrOOps must be free to all members - there is not ability for the administrator to charge for membership.
• Free iGrOOps are limited to 100 members
• Free iGrOOps include advertising managed by iGrOOps, LLC.
• Free iGrOOp administrators and members are limited to support material available online
• Free iGrOOps administrators keep the iGrOOps logo on their iGrOOp, and all the links back to iGrOOps from the header.

Is a free iGrOOp right for you?  If so, start your iGrOOp now!

The professional iGrOOp is unlike any other social network, web 2.0, paid membership/subscription site available today.  iGrOOps is in a class of its own by providing group administrators with state of the art web 2.0 software combined with the ability to allow both free and/or paid members into their group.

The professional iGrOOp can be subsidized by charging members a membership fee, corporate sponsored, running ads, PayPal donations, and more.

Is the Professional Option Right for You?

Here is a quick checklist to determine if the professional iGrOOp is right for your needs. If you answer yes to any of the below questions, the professional iGrOOp is right for you.

• Is this for a business, for-profit, or commercial use?
• Would you like to incorporate an affiliate program?
• Would you like to use autoresponders/scheduled messages?\
• Would you like to integrate an E-commerce system where you can sell onetime and recurring products/services?
• Would you like to use your own domain?
• Is it important for you to create a professional ad free environment for your members?
• Would you like to incorporate a newsletter mail and manage feature to build and market to a list of prospects?
• Would you like to make money with Google® AdSense™ on your site?
• Would you like to run your own ads in your iGrOOp?
• Would you like to use Google Analytics?
• Would you like to use a different icon package?
• Do you foresee having more than 100 members?
• Would you like to charge your members a subscription fee to your iGrOOp?
• Do you require personal support?
• Would you like to use your own logo in the header?

Considering charging your members for membership?  Make sure you give them a reason to pay for membership.  Membership sites are a huge business an many people are making millions of dollars running successful membership sites, but they provide a higher level of content and communication not found in free groups.

Professional iGrOOps Pricing

It is a low risk, high reward business model for anyone wanted to start an iGrOOp.  The pro iGrOOp pricing includes your first 100 members, meaning you do not pay any additional costs for those members.

*This price is fixed up to 2500 members.  For more members, contact us for discount.  Dedicated server option includes unlimited members at fixed fees.

So for example, for $29 per month, you can have an iGrOOp with 100 members.  You can charge those members yearly or monthly membership fees that you set.  If you increase your membership to say 200 members, you will be charged the $29 base fee, plus an additional $25 per month for the extra 100 members.  If you are charging your members, you can see the great potential for profit:

It is easy to see how the professional iGrOOp can be a very affordable solution to organizations who give free memberships to their members, or how the professional iGrOOp can be the foundation for an extremely lucrative business!

iGrOOps Dedicated Server Platform

If you plan on having more than 2000 members, you may want to consider going with a dedicated server running the iGrOOps platform.  A dedicated iGrOOps server offers many advantages.  Some of these include:

• UNLIMITED number of members -- no extra cost for extra members.
• Custom built DELL servers for your exact needs.  Our hardware specialists will discuss your needs and design a dedicated server to meet your exact needs and budget.
• Your own webserver account with FTH access
• Your own mail server (POP,IMAP)
• Your own DNS server
• Your own secure certificate (all secure areas can use your domain - https://yourdomain)
• No quality limits on videos
• and more

Pricing starts at $499 per month, and is based on hardware specs and bandwidth usage.  For more details or exact pricing, call our main office at 978-440-9300.

*** As of January 10, 2008, registration of all new free iGrOOps has been discontinued *** 

Here is an comparison chart to help you decide between the free or professional iGrOOps solutions.  You can also watch our multi-media video on the reasons to 'Go Pro'.

* commercial users may use free iGrOOps for testing purposes

iGrOOps currently has 16 top quality applications included in the base package.  These applications were designed to aid communication, productivity, and marketing.  iGrOOps offers more applications as modules that can be added on for an additional monthly cost.

These applications make iGrOOps unique.  Many groups that charge a membership fee use these applications to add value and justify their membership fee.

Audio/Video Postcard. The audio/video postcard allows the recipients to both read and listen to/watch your message. Unlike conventional e-mails or web pages, the audio/video postcard stands out and gets attention.

The postcard resembles a postal postcard with your custom text on the left-hand side and a “stamp” in the upper right corner. The stamp can be your iGrOOp image or your member photo.

Creating the postcard is done 100% through your web browser, including the recording of your message. This makes creating these postcards simple and fun.

Upon creation, you have the option of sending the postcard to one, or many e-mail addresses. The audio/video postcard can even be used as audio or video e-mail!

See Example (audio postcard)
See Example (video postcard)

Audio / Visual Presentations. People learn in different ways. Some learn best by reading, some by images, and others by sounds. The audio visual (or a/v) presentations provides a way for you to create presentations using all words, pictures, and/or voice.

Unlike complex desktop software, these a/v presentations are viewable on the web, directly through the web-browser with no software to download, or no files needed to be opened.

The creation of the a/v presentations is intuitive – easy enough for just about anyone to create a powerful presentation that captures attention and gets a message across.

See Example A/V Presentation.

Multimedia Blog / Podcasting Application. A blog is like a on-line "diary" or journal. An iGrOOp blog incorporates audio and video for a truly unique experience! It can be used for many purposes. From a personal perspective, blogs are used by individuals to share their ideas, thoughts, and feelings with others. From a professional perspective, blogs have many more uses such as meeting minutes, software updates, corporate updates, and more.

This application can also serve as a Podcasting tool, with live RSS feeds!  Podcasting has never before been so simple!

iGrOOps allows iGrOOp administrators to choose whether or not they want to allow their members to create their own blogs. This adds great value to the iGrOOp from the member perspective. And unlike other blogs, iGrOOp blogs can be restricted to the members and select visitors, so blog information is more private.

See Example Blog

Calendar. The calendar application for iGrOOps can be used to publish events common to the group. The calendar can be displayed in month view, list view, or day view – showing all events on a particular day.

Each event has a reminder option where members can choose to be sent an e-mail and/or SMS reminder for the event at a specified time. The use of SMS (the sending of a short text message directly to your cell phone) allows this calendar to function much like popular desktop calendar software applications today.

See Example Calendar.

Communication System. The communication system is the core of iGrOOps communication. This application has four basic functionalities.

The mailing list acts as a “list-serve”, where members of the group can send e-mail to the list address, and the message will be distributed to all the members in the group. At the same time, the message is posted on the discussion board, or forum. This is the web-based interface to this mailing list. Members can also post directly on the forum utilizing some advanced options and formatting.

Then there is the private messaging. Private conversations can go on between members with e-mail (and optional SMS notification) going out only to the two parties involved in the conversation.

Let's not forget polls! With each post, the member can create an optional poll as part of this post. This poll collects multiple-choice responses from the members and tallies the data. Polls can also be displayed on the iGrOOp homepage for even more exposure.

See Example (forum with categories)
See Example (post with poll)

Documentation Creator. The online documentation creator is a tool used to create on-line documentation much like the help files used by desktop applications.  This tool makes creating documentation easy while automatically creating expanding menus and searchable documents.

See Example (this document is an example)

File Sharing. The file sharing application is the gateway into the iGrOOps server, where administrators and/or members can upload just about any kind of file from their local computer to the server. Members can then download the files from the iGrOOps server to their local computer.

Options can be set to allow the creation of folders, renaming of files, and deletion of files where the file sharing application can also be setup to limit members to download files only.

See Example File Sharing Application. (download permission only)

FAQs. One of the greatest benefits of the Web is the ability for users to find the answers to their questions immediately. Just about every good site that provides content has a section for the most frequently asked questions, the problem generally is maintaining this area. iGrOOps uses the FAQ Manager which allows the admin team, even the members (at the administrator’s option) to create and maintain FAQs for the group using a convenient web interface.

Members can also comment on the FAQs giving other members even more insight and helpful advice. The user interface allows for easy browsing and searching for entered FAQs.

See Example FAQ.

Custom Member Webpages. Each member can create their own custom webpage. These webpages are created with the online webpage creator - a tool that is very similar to popular word processing editors, making the creation of webpages both intuitive and fun.

(no example available - most member webpages are private to the group)

Gallery. No group site would be complete without photographs. iGrOOps is no different. iGrOOps includes a powerful and flexible gallery application that will display uploaded photographs or images in several different layouts, including an auto-forwarding “slide show” that allows viewers to just sit back and enjoy.

The uploading feature of this application allows you to select and upload unlimited images at one time, while automatically resizing your images to your choice of several sizes ideal for web viewing. Once the images are uploaded on the server, captions can be entered for each image.

See Example Photo Gallery.

Reviews. The reviews application is like the phone book for your group, but with many more features. The reviews application allows administrators and/or members to enter businesses, products, vendors – “listings”. These listings can include an image, a description, contact information, and more. Each member can then add comments to, and rate the listings just like popular e-commerce sites with one major difference – the listings are specific to the group and the ratings are from members of your own group.

Members can also leave private notes on each listing that are visible only to the owner of the notes.

With the reviews application, you can list and rate businesses, vendors, movies, books, restaurants, hiking trails, foods, places, ... just about anything.

(no example available - reviews private to groups)

Task Manager. The iGrOOps task manager organizes and details “tasks” or “things to do” for administrators and/or the members of the group. Using this tool, one can organize the tasks common to the group and assign tasks to different members, while monitoring the status of the tasks. The members can also enter their own tasks while choosing to share the task status with the group, or keep the task private. Each task that is not made private can be commented on by other members. This way, members can offer advice or information that can be used to complete the task.

Members can choose to be sent reminders of tasks when action is due. This is done daily by e-mail.

(no example available - tasks private to groups)

Teleconferencing. We offer reliable secure reservationless conferencing, using state of the art digital technology. Features include dedicated dial-in-number and access codes, free recording, up to 150 callers per conference, no reservations needed, one number and multiple access codes to group and organize conferences, and more!

Video/MP3 Gallery. Videos are one of the most effective ways to communicate a message to an audience. With today’s high-speed Internet access and advanced web browsers, viewing good-quality videos on a web page is not only possible, but common practice for many content providers. The iGrOOps video/MP3 gallery is a tool that allows members and/or just administration team members to easily upload videos and/or MP3 sound files using the provided web-based uploader. From there, the server converts just about any video format into the very efficient and universal Flash format for web display, and converts audio formats to the universal MP3 format. In addition to uploading, this application also allows the embedding of videos from other popular video websites. Once a media file is uploaded and converted, members can rate and leave comments on the video or audio file.

See Example Video. 

Web Audio Chat. Web audio chat is a chat application that can be used for basic text chat and/or voice chat using your PC sound card. It includes many features such as private messages while chatting, file sending, and private rooms.  You can even use this application to have live "conference calls" with your iGrOOp members.  Great for webinars or one to many communications.

(no example available - chat private to groups)

Web Video Chat. iGrOOps uses a flash-based chat client for real-time voice and video chat. This means, there is no software to download and you have a chat client that is not limited to HTML or scripting languages.

The web video chat works much like other chat clients, where you can chat in real-time with one or many users anywhere in the world by typing text messages. However, the iGrOOps web video chat application takes this basic functionality steps further. You can have a voice conversations, just as if you were talking on the telephone – but without the need to give out phone numbers and without those long-distance charges! With the added benefit of live video.

If that weren’t enough, the iGrOOps web video chat allows for users to hold and participate in conferences – just like a teleconference -- but with video. One member can do all the talking while many others listen in and send questions/comments to the speaker via text chat, or the listeners can talk in the conference as well.

(no example available - chat private to groups)

All these applications use "permissions" meaning you can set the access level for each application.  For example, you can allow guests to view your posts on the communication system, but only allow paying members the ability to post.  Or you can allow free members the ability to view your videos, but only paying members the right to upload.  It is a very flexible system!

Traditional "social networks" are quite limited with access control.  For example, if you put your videos on YouTube, the world can access them.  If you start a YAHOO group, others will need to be a member of your group to access any of the group content.  This black and white approach to access control may have worked years ago, but the online communities demanded more -- and iGrOOps listened.

Multi-Layered Access Control

iGrOOps offers what is called "multi-layered access control".  As the name suggests, there are many "layers" to the access you as the group administrator can set for your group.  These layers are defined below.

Membership-Based Access.  Each area, feature, and application in your group is secured with membership-based access.  There are three levels of this kind of access.  They are:

• Guests/Visitors - guests are non-registered members (or visitors) to your group
• Limited Access Members - registered members who have chosen your first level of membership (if you choose to offer two levels)
• Full Access Members - registered members who have chosen your second level of membership (this is the default level if you have only one price point for your group membership)

Why two levels?  Let's say you want to provide free membership with limited content and applications, and a premium service with full application access.  These two levels provides and excellent opportunity for member upgrades.

You can select the membership-based access for each of your applications.  Other areas of your group are automatically secured based on use and information. 

Read / Write Access

When you select the membership-based access for each application, you also decide which levels will have write access, and which will only be able to read content.  This provides even more flexibility and control.  For example, your communication system can be set so guests and both levels of members can read posts, but only full access members can post messages (see figure 1)

figure 1

Administration Access

The administrator of the iGrOOp has what is called "administration" access.  This is the person that can access all areas of the iGrOOp including the group's setup areas.  The main administrator is the person who initially sets up the iGrOOp.

The main administrator can be changed by the iGrOOps administration staff only. 

Administration Team Access

The main administrator can define an "administration team" -- one or more members of the group who will have administration rights to some, or all of the areas.  These administrators are defined as follows:

• Co-Administrator
• Director of Benefits
• Benefits Committee
• Director of Communications
• Communications Committee
• Director of Content
• Content Committee
• Director of Marketing
• Marketing Committee
• Director of Membership
• Membership Committee
• Director of Member Support
• Support Committee
• Director of Public Relations
• Public Relations Committee

With the exception of the "Co-Administrator", which has all the same privileges as the Administrator, the other roles all have regular member access.  You can, however, grant admin access to individual members of your admin team on a per application basis.

Privileged Member

For each application, you can grant any member administration rights.

In the configuration area of each application, the administrator can assign admin rights to an administration team title in addition to a certain member.  This is helpful because a) sometimes admin team members change and you do not want to change for each application every time a new member comes on or leaves and b) by giving admin access to say "Support Committee" you are giving admin access to all those members who you assigned to that position.

Block Trail Member Access

For any application, you can deny trial members access to the application.

iGrOOps can be used by just about any kind of group, club, community, family, or organization there is.  Between the free option and the professional option, any group can benefit from an iGrOOp.

Here are some live examples of iGrOOps in use.

iGrOOps are membership-based communities with most of the tools and content available to members only.  Unless you are a member of these groups, you will not be able to see all the features.

	The Public Speaking iGrOOp is a online group of people with a passion for speaking in public. This is a pro iGrOOp that takes advantages of such features as the page peel ad (upper right hand corner), newsletter, and video / MP3 gallery to store speeches and podcasts of members.  The admin charges $29 per year for membership or $4 per month.  They have almost 200 members and been around for just a few months.
	The District 31 Toastmasters iGrOOp is run by a non-profit organization.  It has about 400 members.  The organization is not charging its members for this service and enjoys daily activity.  The most used applications are the communication system (mailing list option) and the video / MP3 sharing application. Even at 400 members, the cost to District 31 Toastmasters would be just $104 per month -- about the cost of a professional static website.
	The Year To Success iGrOOp is run by an author of a book who uses the group to communicate with readers and provide premium content to paid members. He is using two membership levels -- the first level is free which gives readers access to forum and the second level is $19 per month, which gives readers direct access to author through private messages and live video chat sessions, as well as access to much video and audio information.  Cost to author: $29 per month.
	The FreeToastHost iGrOOp is a project owned by Toastmasters International.  They use iGrOOps as a support site for their online club software.  They have almost 1000 members registered in the group, a very active support board (communication system), bi-weekly video chats, audio video presentations explaining how the software works, and more.  Toastmasters International does not charge their members for this group.
	HomebrewToday.com is a pro iGrOOp for those home brewing enthusiasts.  This iGrOOp reaches a niche market. This customer used iGrOOps professional design package as well as the banner package.  The iGrOOp includes the affiliate module that will allow this customer to grow their membership by affiliate referrals.
	MembershipSiteBuilding.com is a pro iGrOOp that uses its own domain name in the URL.  It uses a different icon package and bright colors for a relaxed look and feel. Since this is one of our accounts (iGrOOps), we use all the trick and tools on this site.  We offer free limited membership so sign up just to see what is possible with iGrOOps!
	The Sudbury Town iGrOOp is a community group, created specifically for the townspeople of Sudbury, MA.  They charge $29 per year for membership and have close to 100 members after just a couple of months. Unlike other town websites, iGrOOps allows for a higher quality of content by compensating the administrator for his/her efforts.  The members pay the nominal fee to use the tools and keep in the loop with their neighbors and friends.
	The Joel Barlow Class of 1990 iGrOOp is a site for the 172 alumni that make up that group.  It is a pro option and asks for donations though the integrated PayPal donations feature.   The iGrOOp uses the FAQ as a "what ever happened to..." feature, where classmates can post what they know about other classmates.

Can we showcase your iGrOOp?  If it adds variety to our list of examples, we can may use it (with your permission).  Let us know!

Want to see more?  Check out our gallery on membershipsitebuilding.com.

This section is for the professional iGrOOp option only (paid).  The free iGrOOp has only one membership option -- free one year memberships.  Customers using the free iGrOOps option are prohibited to collect any form of payment from their members for the use of the iGrOOp. 

You have MANY options when it comes to membership for your iGrOOp.  iGrOOps offers perhaps the most flexibility available today for any social network/membership site when it comes to giving group admins the choice on how they want to run their membership.  This flexibility makes iGrOOps the ideal solution for just about ANY kind of group you can think of!

The Big Question:  Free to Members? or Charge Members?

For some groups this question may be easy to answer.  For example, a corporation using iGrOOps as an Intranet site would obviously not charge its employees for membership.  But for most groups, the question is not an easy one to answer.

You set the membership fee for your iGrOOp and you keep 100%* !  iGrOOps integrates with both PayPal and Authorizenet in seconds (see section below)

There are many aspects to consider such as the content you are providing, who is providing it, etc.  Whatever your decision, your iGrOOp can support both paid and free memberships (at the same time too - see below).

iGrOOps provides additional documentation and advice on charging membership fees for your iGrOOp.  Many successful paid membership sites are making millions of dollars today -- you can too with a good idea, the right execution, and iGrOOps.

Types of Membership

With iGrOOps, you can use one or two types of membership.  These are full access and limited access.

• Full Access membership gives members access to all areas you specify in the admin configurations when you set up your iGrOOp.  For example, you may choose that full access members can have read and write access to all the tools (read the video postcards and create them).  You can choose JUST to have this one level of membership.
• Limited Access membership also gives members access to all areas you specify in the admin configurations when you set up your iGrOOp, but as the name suggests, this is a lower level of membership where you would not give these members access to all the same tools as the full access members.

Why not use both Full and Limited access?  Charge a reasonable fee for your full access membership, then make your limited access free or very low cost and work on your upgrades!

Use the trial membership feature to give your members anywhere from a 1 day to a 6 month free trial!  This system will require a credit card from the customer, but not charge the customer until the trial period has finished.

Collecting Payment from Members

iGrOOps provides each group with a complete membership system that includes secure online forms fully integrated with both PayPal and Authorizenet. 

Group administrators can choose to charge members yearly, monthly, or both.  In combination with the access levels, this means you have a very powerful membership site tool!  Here are some examples on how you can set up your membership:

Example 1) Full access membership is $10 per month or $99 for the whole year, limited access membership is free

Example 2) Full access membership is $29 per month or $199 for the whole year, limited access membership is $5 per month or $50 per year

You can choose not to use both monthly and yearly, and just choose one.

Getting Paid (or not) 

You have five options when it comes to collecting payment (or not collecting payment) from your members.  These are... 

• Do not charge.  If you are not charging members, simply set all your monthly and yearly prices to $0 and your members will be registered without having to pay.
• You charge elsewhere.  This option is for those who do not want to use PayPal or AuthorizeNet, perhaps have another processor, or already charges customers through another business and would be better off adding their membership fees on an invoice.
• Promotion Code.  You can setup a promotion code that can be use to give users who use this code a free year full access membership.
• AuthorizeNet.  iGrOOps is fully integrated with AuthorizeNet to provide seamless real-time payment.  You must have an on-line processor who is compatible with AuthorizeNet, and AuthorizeNet account, and if you are billing customers monthly, subscription to AuthorizeNet's automated recurring billing system.
• PayPal.  If you have a PayPal account, you can start collecting credit cards in minutes with no extra expense. 

Inviting and Approving Members

Most admins choose to approve all members before they are given access to your group.   You can, however, choose to automate the approval and just have all who pay successfully automatically approved.

Inviting members can be done using a very simple invite tool within your iGrOOp.  Both members and admins can use this tool to invite prospective members to join.

* PayPal and/or Authorize net will, of course, take their share of processing fees -- usually about 3% and around .30 per transaction.  See their sites and your merchant agreement for exact numbers and details.

The Affiliate Program Module 

Affiliate Marketing is one of the hottest trends to reach the Internet.  It is a way for your members (or affiliates) to recommend your online group to other people and get compensated for it.  It is a revolutionary way of marketing that has made the Internet what it is today.  With iGrOOps, you can be a part of this success.

Affiliate Marketing is just one of the many ways to build your online group membership.  Activating this program in your group can have a significant impact on membership growth.

About the Affiliate Program Module: This application is a module that does not come standard with the pro package.  This module, as with others, must be ordered.  Check the iGrOOps home page for current prices.

How the Affiliate Program Works

This is a program for YOUR iGrOOp that allows your members to refer other members to your group using a unique URL assigned to them, and get paid as a result.  You set the affiliate commissions, the payment cycle, and the terms and conditions.  You, as the site admin, also pay the affiliates.  iGrOOps takes care of the tracking and the reporting.

Features

• seamless integration within iGrOOps
• user and admin areas
• custom terms and conditions
• define one time commission on yearly full access memberships
• define one time commission on yearly limited access memberships
• define recurring commission on yearly full access memberships
• define recurring commission on yearly limited access memberships
• define one time commission on monthly full access memberships
• define one time commission on monthly limited access memberships
• define recurring commission on monthly full access memberships
• define recurring commission on monthly limited access memberships
• define pay cycle (every month, quarter, when in the month, etc)
• define who on your team has admin access to this feature
• affiliates can have custom HTML on their landing page
• landing pages are really your group's homepage -- affiliates do not have to create any pages to get started
• affiliate e-mail notifications
• creates PayPal masspay files for fast and simple affiliate payments

Benefits - More Paid Members which equals more revenue!

The Smart Autoresponder Module

How many times have you signed up for a newsletter, or membership site, and began receiving regular, quality information?  Did you ever think, "How can someone keep coming up with this stuff on a regular basis?"  The chances are, there was not someone creating and sending out the messages on a daily basis. The messages were probably created a while ago, and just sent to you on a schedule based on your membership date or the day of the year.  These are what we call, "Smart Autoresponders".

Smart, or scheduled autoresponders are perhaps a marketer's favorite tool.  It is way to ensure that each member gets all the information the marketer wants to give them, on the schedule the marketer wants to give it to the member.  Best of all, it is all automated!

The "Smart Autoresponder" Module is available only to pro iGrOOp users.  This is a module that has an additional cost associated with it.  For full pricing details, please see the iGrOOps homepage.

Features and Benefits

• Create and send unlimited autoresponders for one monthly fee
• Send messages in plain text or HTML
• Use the online editor to compose your HTML messages -- without needing to know HTML
• Enter a custom "from" address for each responder
• Choose to include full access members, limited access members, and/or newsletter subscribers in each message
• Use the optional "offset days" feature to hold off sending automated messages to members/subscribers until they have been registered for a set number of days
• Newsletter subscribers can opt out of messages at any time.
• Full or Limited access members can opt out of mailings without cancelling membership 
• "Important message" option will send your message to members even if they opted out of non urgent messages
• A complete delivery report can be sent on a per autoresponder basis
• Set up autoresponders to be sent based on the number of days subscribed, number of weeks, number of months, a given calendar date, and even on a member's birthday
• Choose what time of day you want your autoresponders to be sent out
• Advanced sorting options for easy autoresponder management

Some Examples of The Smart Autoresponders

Think of the smart autoresponders as an extension of your communication system.  You can use these ONLY to send messages to your full or limited group members, and/or your newsletter subscribers.  They cannot be used to send to any other lists.  There are many circumstances where these would be very useful.  Here are some examples:

Example #1: You want to send regular mailings to your newsletter subscribers.  You do not want to have to keep writing messages every few days, and you want to make sure that each subscriber get all your message -- you may even want them to get the messages in order.  This is where smart autoresponders come in.  You create and upload your autoresponders in advance, associate each responder with a membership day.  So for example,  Bill who signed up today (day 1) will get the responder associated with day 1.  Phil, who signed up last week, is on day 7 and will get day 7's message -- even though Bill got day 1's message.  And you can sit back and let automation sell for you!

When messages are being sent to your newsletter subscribers, the custom and standard footers are appended to the messages being sent.  This will always give the subscribers the opportunity to unsubscribe and give you the opportunity to up sell with your custom footer!

Example #2: You want to send regular mailings to your members.  Let's say you run a group where you want your members to receive the same messages all at the same time, no matter when they joined.  You can use the communication system and manually send your members a new message each day, or you can use the smart autoresponders and create all 365 messages in advance, and schedule them to go out one day at a time throughout the year, while you site back and focus on other parts of your business!

The possibilities are endless.  Smart autoresponders keep your name and website in the eyes and minds of your subscribers/members.

The E-commerce Module

Holy Shnikies!  It is finally here.. the long awaited e-commerce module!  We have incorporated about 95% of all the features you've asked for, plus added more.  We have created what we believe to be the ideal membership site e-commerce solution that is full integrated with iGrOOps, and works wonderfully with the affiliate and autoresponder modules.

Features & Benefits List

• special pricing for products sold for limited and/or full members
• accept offline payment / checks
• integrated with PayPal / PayPal Subscriptions
• integrated with AuthorizeNet / AuthNet ARB (automatic recurring billing)
• sell products with one time price or recurring price
• assign admin access to groups or individual members
• unlimited number of products / services
• easy to use shipping schedules that do not require weight/size calculations
• option to charge tax or not per product
• custom thank you message per product sold - ideal for redirecting customers or selling electronic products with immediate downloads
• integrated with the iGrOOps reviews application
• full inventory control
• product pages SEO friendly
• add options to products that add to or subtract from the price
• optional sale price
• affiliate commission per product - two tier
• recurring charge option with optional customer set trail period ideal for forced continuity
• the ability for members to be "assigned" to products, ideal for selling products on consignment and giving your members a portion of the sale
• shipping schedules that can be setup to specifically charge customers shipping to a specific state a different price
• tax schedules that allow for multiple taxes, either country or state based
• use iGrOOps custom web pages, homepage editors and autoresponders to instantly insert products into pages or emails using product teasers or full products
• simple navigation to maximize the number of completed orders
• easy reorder / returning customer system
• integration with autoresponder module
• integration with affiliate module
• uses the secure domain https://www.safeonlinepayments.com for secure ordering -- a generic URL with no easy traceback to iGrOOps
• quick e-commerce system - single page product system fully integrated with sales letters
• option to use group headers or not use group headers, to maximize people staying in the order system

Examples

Examples

There are many ways you can incorporate the e-commerce system into your iGrOOp.  Here are some ideas with some examples:

1. Product Teasers.  You can place product teasers in the right and left columns in your group, on the homepage, in any custom member or admin webpage, and even in HTML autoresponder messages.  This is done with 2 clicks -- first click the new shopping cart icon that appears on the HTML editors for these areas then click the product and format you want to include in your HTML.  You can see and example of the product teaser in the bottom left hand column here:
   
   http://www.igroops.com/igroops/publicspeaking
   
2. Sales Letters.  Using the custom admin webpages, you can create sales letters used for online marketing campaigns that incorporate audio/video and the selling of a single product.  Our e-commerce system was designed for selling a single product or service at a time to maximize the conversion of prospects to customers by making the process as simple as possible.  You can choose to not use your iGrOOp headers and left column for the entire checkout process as demonstrated here:
   
   http://www.igroops.com/igroops/y2s/adminpages/YearToSuccess
   
3. Individual Product Pages / Direct Links.  Upon creation of a product, an individual sales page is already created you for the product... on that you can use with or without headers.  This is the most simple and basic way to start selling right away.  The first link is and example with headers, the second is an example without headers:
   
   http://www.igroops.com/igroops/publicspeaking/ecommerce/00000001/Year-To-Success-Book.html
   
   http://www.igroops.com/igroops/publicspeaking/ecommerce/00000001/Year-To-Success-Book.htm
   
4. Searchable Product List.  A searchable product list is automatically created for your for all of your products.  Although this is not a "shopping cart" type solution, members can browse through all available products and choose purchase the ones they want one at time.
   
   http://www.igroops.com/igroops/publicspeaking/ecommerce
    

iGrOOps offers several services from design to marketing for both users of free and professional group options. 

We have a team of designers, programmers, artists, marketing professionals, copywriters, actors (voice overs), and more, here to help your iGrOOp succeed!  Use us!

Services Currently Offered

• Design Package: $499. Using our in-house team of professional designers, copywriters, and iGrOOp experts, we will create an attractive and professional online group for you. Click here for complete details.
• Banner Creation Package: $299.  Using our in-house team of professional designers, copywriters, and iGrOOp experts, we will create a set of eight (8) banners for your iGrOOp that can be used on other websites to advertise your group.  These banner sizes are the 8 that Google uses for their network. Click here for complete details.
• Podcasting Package: $149. The iGrOOps Podcasting package is a service available to both paid and free iGrOOps administrators.  Using our in-house team of professional designers, copywriters, and iGrOOp experts, we will create some starter sounds (show introduction, transition, ending) and logo/image for your Podcast. Click here for complete details.

For more information on these or other services, contact us.

Are you concerned that your iGrOOp will be a financial drian?  Fear not!  There are several ways your costs can be subsidized or eliminated using iGrOOps.  Of couse, if your iGrOOp is a for-profit group, you can use these tecqniues to make money -- a lot of money.

The benefits of the Professional iGrOOp are well worth the very reasonable monthly fees.  Going "pro" can take your group to a new level by adding compensation to the administrator(s) thus increasing the quality to the members. 

Five Ways to Start Making Money With Your iGrOOp

Some iGrOOps do not exist to make money.  Some of the groups exist purely for the communication and networking benefits. Having said that, in order for a non-funded group to survive and prosper, it must bring in enough money to at least pay for itself.  Here are some suggestions:

• Start charging a nominal membership fee.  Since the professional iGrOOp includes the first 100 members, your "charter" members can be have a lifetime free membership.  But each member over 100 can pay a small amount per month or year.  For example, the $29 includes 100 members and each addl member is only .25 per month, so if you have 200 members in your group and the second 100 pay just $6 per month, your group will be paid for.
• Use PayPal donate.  iGrOOps has PayPal donate buttons built in, where they can appear in up to four different locations.  If your group is generous enough, perhaps the donations can cover the iGrOOps fee. 

Once your members see what they are getting with iGrOOps versus other "free" group sites, they should be more than happy to make a small donation to keep the group alive and thriving.  It costs only .29 per month per member for 100 members!

• Find a sponsor for your group.  With the professional option, you can run banner advertisements throughout your iGrOOp.  If you find an organization that will be willing to "sponsor" your site, you can offer the sponsor continual advertising within your group.  A very attractive deal!
• Use Google AdSense.  Google has a great program for anyone with a website to generate some income without selling a thing!  You simply sign up for an AdSense account, copy and paste some code that Google provides you into a section in the home page editor, and bam!  Your Google ads will start appearing in several places within your iGrOOp.
• Sell Products from your iGrOOp.   With our new e-commerce module, you can sell products from your iGrOOp and run your own online store!  This module integrates with our affiliate module, allowing you to compensate your members for their referrals.