New phpBay Search2Post Plugin For phpBay Sites
Search2Post Search Box On CollectibleAutoAuctions.com
This WordPress plugin is exclusively for phpBay Pro users. If you do not yet own phpBay, I have a feeling what I am about to show you will make you want to get it.
Alan over at psp-tubes.net recently released a new plugin called phpBay-Search2Post. If you use Wade's search replacement code to search eBay instead of your blog, this plugin takes the concept to a whole new level.
In a nutshell, this plugin becomes an auto content generator for WordPress using your visitors and the Search function on your phpBay site.
Want to see how it works? I have set this up on an old domain I had lying around. Go to http://collectibleautoauctions.com (opens in a new window)
You will see two search boxes. The first box is setup with the regular search replacement code. However, the one I want you to pay particular attention to is the second search box which is setup using the phpBay-Search2Post plugin.
Go ahead, do a search for any type of car, truck or suv and watch what happens. Pretty cool, huh?
Just think. A visitor comes to your site and the page they land on may not be exactly what they are looking for. They decide to use the search box to find it and... BAM - there it is - whether it was there before or not. The visitor just found what they were looking for and you just got another page/post added onto your site. It is a win/win situation for you both.
The plugin is not limited to posts. You can specify for it to build pages instead if you choose.
I do want to point out that you have control over the posts/pages. If a visitor searches for something completely unrelevant to your site or you do not want the post/page with the keyword they used, you can simply delete it. As well, you also have full ability to edit the posts/pages, add more content to them, etc.
There are many aspects of this plugin that you can customize and much more. Instead of listing all of the benefits and features, I encourage you to go over to Alan's site and let him tell you all about it.
EDIT: Alan has allowed me to post a link to the manual for Search2Post so that you may see all of the features of the plugin. You will find it at the following link:
When you think of the benefits and the possibilities, you can understand why I am excited about this plugin.
I have spoken about Alan's work before. He is a wonderful programmer that thinks outside the box and comes up with great ideas for plugins to help phpBay owners accomplish different tasks on their sites. You can find more of his plugins located here.
What are your thoughts? Leave a comment and let me know.
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Ben | Sep 6, 2008 | Reply
Hi Melissa
I think thats an awesome plugin, how have I not come across this before :). I love the fact it actually creates your own kind of popular search pages, so the customers are doing some of the work for you. Thanks for sharing I will be getting it.
Ben
Melissa | Sep 6, 2008 | Reply
Hi Ben!
Yes, it is a pretty sweet plugin.
Well, Alan just released it last week so that could be why you haven’t seen it yet. I intended to send you an email, but you know how I sometimes get distracted. LOL Hope all is well with you.
M
Justin from Push Deals | Sep 29, 2008 | Reply
Hey Melissa,
Can we implement this into phpBay BANs websites? I’d like an easy way to have my potential customers search for products.
Justin from Push Deals | Sep 29, 2008 | Reply
Hey Melissa, Can we implement this with phpBay websites?
Melissa | Sep 30, 2008 | Reply
Hi Justin,
Yes, you can absolutely use this with phpBay sites. In fact, this plugin was built specifically for use with phpBay.
However, you cannot use it with BANS. The Search2Post plugin was built for use with WordPress. BANS sites are built using their own platform.
Thanks for your question and I hope that gives you the answer you need.
Melissa
Push Deals | Oct 11, 2008 | Reply
What is your favorite software for BANs sites? phpBay or Wordpress based BANs sites. Also which has the highest ability for customization to possibly eliminate a ‘footprint’ in the eyes of the search engines. Thanks in advance Melissa
Scott E Kelley | Oct 17, 2008 | Reply
I just installed this at my site and it’s awesome. I also wrote a review of it at http://www.squidoo.com/best-wordpress-plugin
If you’d like to read about it.
It’s not as well-written as Melissa’s post above but I had a few points I wanted to make about the increase in value to the customer by using this plugin.
Scott E Kelleys last blog post..Squidoo
Melissa | Oct 17, 2008 | Reply
Hi Scott,
Thanks for dropping in. I’m so glad you are enjoying the plugin and I am positive Alan will be too. I am absolutely loving Search2Post myself.
I just visited your lens and want to tell you - fantastic job. You made some great points and I hope everyone visits. Next time I login to Squidoo, I will come by, rate and leave a comment.
I wish you all the best and I hope you will come back and share how the plugin is working out for you.
Melissa | Oct 18, 2008 | Reply
Hi Justin,
I am so sorry. I meant to answer you sooner. Please forgive me.
Short answer: I am going to have to be honest and say that my favorite is phpBay with WordPress.
It leaves virtually no footprint whereas no matter how much you tweak the core of BANS, I believe there is still a footprint.
I tell you what. To save space here in the comments, I will make a post comparing the two platforms and you will maybe see why I tend to lean toward phpBay.
I plan to get that up in the next couple of days. Monday at the latest.
Thanks for asking and I hope you have a great weekend.