I want to activate search and category dropdown in connections free version

@tinasilvee

Those features are only enable in a few of the premium templates.

Ok can you tell me how can I upgrade from free to paid version. Also which version should I buy. I just want a searchable directory.

Essentially, the plugin author fails to tell you that it does NOT include a search feature whatsoever unless you purchase an add-on of some sort.

Would the Multiple Category Selection Widget not work with the free version of Connections, to enable search capabilities???

@tinasilvee

Sorry, I must have not had the email notices checked or I would have responded sooner.

You do not need to upgrade Connections, you leave that installed. The template and add-on plugins that are available are installed “on top” of Connections which extends the base features. Long winded to say to get search, you have a couple options. Purchase a template such cMap or the Widget Pack which has a search widget that can be placed in your sidebar. I hope that is a little more clear. Looking back at my reply, I definitely could been a bit more concise.

@tonewilliams That is correct.

@latinoleader Sorry, no. That plugin will only search with WordPress categories. The categories created in Connections are completely seperate.

Thanks for clarification. This will be quite useful to others. I have 2 other questions:

1.) Do you provide customization work? Like, if we wanted to customize the WordPress search or another search bar to query Connections-related fields (i.e. business name, category, phone number, etc.?

2.) Is there a way to query by zip code/postal code (and surrounding zip codes)?

@tonewilliams

1.) I do custom work from time to time when I have available capacity, but right now I’m focused on getting the next update to Connections out the door, polishing off Link and getting Contact started (an add-on that removes the email addresses and adds a AJAX driven form).

2.) Yes, there is, but nothing really user facing yet. This does work quite well, however, the queries to the Google Maps Geocode API are not yet cached. Basically this means if your site is somewhat popular you could reach the 2500 daily limit fairly quickly. After Contact is released, I’m planning finally getting Locate out the door. Something I had hoped to do many months ago but I really needed to take the time to build a solid foundation for the geo-location features.