Posts Tagged ‘dating software’

SkaDate Dating Software vs White Label Dating Solutions

Tuesday, January 17th, 2012

by Zima

SkaDate Dating Software is one of the most popular and acclaimed dating scripts on the market, and there is a good reason why it is chosen again and again over various white label solutions for the past seven years. Nevertheless, many new clients who want to start online dating business often compare the two options at hand, and we are here to help them.

‘White label’ refers to a product or service produced by one company and than re-branded and sold by other companies as their own. The term comes from the world of vinyl records, where prior-to public release promo copies were sent to DJs, bearing no official artwork but a simple white label instead.

In general, white label is seen as something mass-produced and generic. Think low-end electronics or supermarkets with store brand goods – these are usually just re-brands made by someone else.  And there’s nothing wrong with that – sometimes white labels can reduce costs and save time. The same works for white label online dating, but not quite.

You see, the demand for online dating is still huge. There are close to 100 million singles in the US alone who are ready to be virtually matched right this moment. The business is striving and the industry is frequently referred to as recession-proof.  Nevertheless, the honeymoon might be over soon thanks to quickly growing competition.

Why am I telling you this? Because the only way to succeed in online dating nowadays is to be unique and original. No one needs mass-produced and generic products if those are readily available from big brands only a click away. Online dating startups have to rely on a lot of creative freedom, target niches, and be innovative, something white labels just cannot offer.

Only stand-alone platforms, especially the ones based on something like SkaDate dating script with its unencrypted source code, give users full control over their websites. They will be in charge of every aspect of the development, from design – to database expansion – to niche-specific modification, etc. Basically, anything can be done with the original script given enough effort.

With white labels new clients get a ready, generic dating solution and a member database used by all other numerous customers. That’s a problem right there, since all the new members brought to a white label website by admins will dissolve in the common pool. Needless to say, this also works against any niche concepts, since new members will be part of the same database used for, say, adult and christian sites at the same time. Do you think your members will like this idea?

But maybe the money’s good here? Ross Williams, the founder of WhiteLabelDating himself said that some of his company’s partners managed to reach a pretty decent monthly profit, but only after spending in the north of $60.000 per month on marketing.  And now look around – notice how virtually all of the dating websites that are actually making millions of dollars and setting trends run on stand-alone dating software like SkaDate? Yeah, it’s not a coincidence.

See, that’s all relative, of course, but there’s one thing to know about money in relation to white label dating solutions. No matter how hard admins work on their sites, market them, grow databases, etc., 50% of the profit will always go to the original white label.

So, not only users don’t have full control over their sites, cannot make them truly unique and target narrow niches, the profit is also split 50/50. This is a trade-off for having less overhead and not worrying about building a loyal member base.

Perhaps, white label dating solutions were a very viable option just a few years ago, when the market was still exploding. Unfortunately, that time is gone now, and more effort has to go into launching dating sites these days to make them really stand out and be successful. Hopefully you’ll find this information useful, because the final choice is up to you.

SkaDate Dating Software Update: Word from Developer

Friday, January 13th, 2012
SkaDate Dating Software Update: Word from DeveloperSkaDate 9, the new version of the acclaimed SkaDate Dating Software was released less than a month ago, which means that once again we are getting a lot of requests to simplify the updating procedures. (Read this post for more general information about software upgrades).

Rather than repeating the same answer over and over in blog comments and private support correspondence, we decided to get one definite explanation about the issue, right from developers of the SkaDate dating script. Here’s what they had to say:

Frequent requests for simplification of the update procedure mean only one thing – not everyone fully understand what PHP software is, and how it works.

SkaDate software is written in PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor scripting language, which is open source, so anyone can modify it in any way. Most SkaDate customers do just that by hiring outsourced developers or introducing various modifications themselves. Consequently, numerous modified SkaDate versions on hands all differ from our original default version.

The release of a new software version (like SkaDate 9) means that we modified the original code of existing files and also added new ones.  This is necessary for the implementation of new features and functions.

If a client never introduced custom changes to files modified in the new SkaDate version, the update of these files will be as easy as it gets – said files can be simply replaced. It is, however, a different story, if some changes have been made after all.

If that happened, custom code changes should be merged with alterations done by our programmers in the new SkaDate build. This is absolutely vital for not losing modifications introduced before the release of the new version.

(Just to be clear – file merging is the manual transformation of previously made modifications, with the goal of making them conflict-free compatible with modified files and features of the new build).

That’s how it works in any real open source PHP software, and that is why it is impossible to create some sort of automatic update system for similar PHP applications. Simply put – it is virtually impossible to automatically update everyone’s software, retaining all of the custom modifications introduced by hundreds of customers.

For instance, take Word Press – the popular blogging software. Indeed, it does has an automatic update feature. However, said update overrides all custom code changes made by users, so any modifications will be lost if it is used.

We knew about this issue even while working on our first ever update script, and we tried to find a solution. It seems that the only way to make the process easier for customers is to introduce a semi-automatic update script.

This means that our script can compare files of a customer’s SkaDate version, with files of the same default version (without custom modification), and also with files in the new SkaDate build. Let’s see how it works, using the file index.php as an example:

  • If the file was not custom-modified by the client, but was revised by us in the new build, the script will automatically overwrite it;
  • If the file did not exist at all in client’s current and our default versions, but appeared in the new build, the script will automatically add it to the current version;
  • If the file was custom-modified by the client, while we have also introduced some changes to it in the new build, the file will end up on the Merge List. This tells the client that the file must be merged with both – custom changes and changes introduced by us in the new build;
  • If the file exists in client’s current and our default versions, but is not present in the new build, it will end up on the list of files to be removed. The script does not do it automatically to avoid the risk of deleting files by mistake, thus losing some of custom changes.

SkaDate Dating Software Update: Word from DeveloperHopefully, this shows that we indeed tried our best to simplify and semi-automate the update process as much as possible, while retaining all of the custom code modifications. Any other way of automatic update will result in the loss of all custom modifications.

Note, that the person performing an update should have at least a basic knowledge of PHP programming, since updating any PHP software is the same as working on a custom modification – PHP code will be accessed directly.

We have a number of clients who have necessary PHP skills and perform all of the updates on their own. At the same time we also allow our customers to work on updates without our input, by hiring third-party specialists. However, we also have a paid service in house just in case clients are not qualified enough to work with PHP, or simply prefer to not be bothered with updates at all. In the end it’s the customer’s choice.

SkaDate Dating Software: Mobile Edition Explained

Tuesday, January 10th, 2012

By Zima

SkaDate Dating Software: Mobile Edition ExplainedSkaDate Dating Software has been recently upgraded to its 9th version, and as many of our clients have already learned, this was a major step forward for our acclaimed dating solution. This feat was accomplished in part due to the success of the SkaDate iPhone/iPad Application, developed jointly by SkaDate and SOD Technologies. Let’s talk mobile for a while and see why it is so important nowadays.

But first I want to dispel some confusion about SkaDate Mobile terms, versions, and prices. What we have on offer as great additions to the basic SkaDate dating script is SkaDate Mobile Browser Version and SkaDate iPhone/iPad Application. Slap them together and you’ll get what we brand as SkaDate Mobile Edition. Before SkaDate 9, Mobile Edition consisted only of SkaDate Mobile Browser Version, and was sold for a regular price of $150. But now our clients get even better value for their money, since both Mobile Browser Version and iPhone/iPad Application have a joint price of $200.

Now that you know what we are dealing with, you might wonder why you’d need a mobile version of dating software at all.  Well, the truth is that the times when online activity was confined to stationed desktop computers are gone now. Everyone needs mobility and on-the-go activity, even in their dating routines.

The mobile dating trend has been growing tremendously since last year. Some of more promising startups emerging in 2011 even focused entirely on exploring mobile dating possibilities. More smartphones and tablets of various aptitude and pricing appeared on the market, making sure that every single demo can find something appropriate. This turn of events had a major impact on the online dating industry and is now quickly changes its landscape, virtually assuring that there’ll be no future for successful Internet matchmaking without mobile capabilities.

This is where SkaDate comes in. Even before the real explosion of on-the-go dating, our Browser Version was already a hit. It is basically a user-friendly and light form of the actual website, which retains all of the most popular features of the real deal, but was developed specifically for working with mobile browsers like Safari, IE, and Opera Mobile.

Obviously this was no longer enough when everyone and their grandma started buying Apple products a few years ago. Launching a browser for online activity suddenly became passé. In no time users wanted personalized native apps and the bar for their quality and sleekness was set extremely high. We accepted this challenge and soon SkaDate iPhone/iPad Application was born.

SkaDate Dating Software: Mobile Edition Explained

Just like with browser version, the app is really handy for people with active lifestyles, who do not want to spend their days behind a computer. Every favorite feature from Instant Chat to Photo Upload and Profile Browsing is present, while the presentation is quite engaging, stylish and smooth.

Quite honestly I believe that similarly to latest gadgets, words are mostly useless when we are dealing with mobile applications. Hands-on experience is everything now – either it’s totally useless, or it changes the way we perceive common things and actions. And judging by the word-of-mouth so far, we took the right direction with our mobile add-on. It looks like our customers agree, since the upgraded SkaDate Mobile Edition has already become a bestseller. Don’t miss out.

SkaDate Hangout/Holiday Discount for Members

Tuesday, December 27th, 2011

by Zima

I’m happy to report that the first official SkaDate Google+ Hangout was held today (Tuesday, December 27), and those who had joined it had a real blast!

Skalfa CEO Emil Sarnogoev hosted the Hangout and talked about SkaDate Dating Software development, company’s future plans, dating industry in general, and also addressed criticism and some of the over-the-top rumors about Skalfa floating around the net.

Among other things, Sarnogoev clarified that Skalfa LLC (the company behind SkaDate dating script) is indeed registered and located in the US, with two additional ticket support departments housed in India and Central Asia – this, apparently allows Skalfa to greatly reduce the cost of the product and service.

The Central Asian location is not coincidental, since Sarnogoev was born and raised there, before moving to the US, just like many other American software developers. This also helps to fosters the transparent multi-cultural and multi-national environment in Skalfa.

Nevertheless, Sarnogoev noted that his Central Asian origin was perhaps one of the reasons the unfair competitors attempted to ridiculously link Skalfa with certain international terrorist. Luckily, the company’s seven successful years of operation in the US, as well as several dating industry awards speak for themselves and make the point moot.

Other topics discussed during the Hangout included the significance of Skalfa’s partners SOD Technologies, other software projects Skalfa is busy with in the US, benefits of the new SkaDate 9, and specific client issues.

At the end of the Hangout Sarnogoev surprised participants by announcing a Special Seasonal Deal for current SkaDate Dating Software owners. In response to several requests on the SkaDate Blog, the Mobile Edition of the software (SkaDate Mobile Browser Version + SkaDate iPhone/iPad Application) will be available for only $100 (discount of 50%) for the next several days (December 27 – December 31).

In addition, the Holiday Special Sale will be extended until December 31 as well. So, do use your chance to save $200 with each purchased SkaDate licence – you’ll pay only $350 for a bundle of SkaDate Dating Software and SkaDate Mobile Edition (value $550). Go get it now, until the time has run out.

And it will, since the SkaDate Team will be out of the office December 30 – January 3. New Year Celebrations, and everything, you know… (Note that all licenses bought during December 30 – January 3 will be serviced after January 3).

Well, I hope that between hangouts, discounts, new software versions, etc., there’s enough good news to finish 2011. The year was great, but the next one will definitely bring even more satisfaction, innovation, and success.  Happy New Year everyone!

 

Last Call Holiday Sale: SkaDate 9 Discount (200$ Off)
SkaDate Google+ Hangout on Tuesday

Friday, December 23rd, 2011

Our Promo Campaign is coming to an end. You have just a few more days to benefit from the great Holiday Discount Sale. Keep an eye on the countdown on the front page. The clock is ticking away fast!

Get your copy of the brand new SkaDate Dating Software now and receive SkaDate Mobile Edition (SkaDate Mobile Browser Version + SkaDate iPhone/iPad Application) absolutely for free!

This way you will pay only $350 for the complete SkaDate 9 package (value $550), thus saving 35% or $200 with each license bought! Happy Holidays, indeed, everybody!

(Click here to learn more about the new SkaDate dating script and the Holiday Special).

SKADATE GOOGLE+ HANGOUT

We also want to announce the first SkaDate Google+ Hangout on Tuesday, December 27 at 9AM EST. As promised, Skalfa LLC Head Emil Sarnogoev will host the Hangout, and everyone is invited. Ask any question you want about our company, the product, service, ticket support, future plans, etc. We’ll keep it informative, friendly, and informal.

Google+ Hangout is basically a video conference or a simultaneous 10 user video chat available to anyone with a Gmail Account. To join our Hangout, just visit Emil’s Google+ profile (gplus.to/emil) on Tuesday morning and wait for the start of the Hangout. Drop us a line if you have any trouble with Google+ or Hangouts and we’ll take you step by step through the process.