Posts Tagged ‘skadate features’

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Five Dating Site Trends Of The Now

Friday, August 26th, 2011

by Zima

“Click. Boom. Amazing!”

Steve Jobs

I thought it would be appropriate to start a new SkaDate Dating Software blog post with a Steve Jobs quote. The iconic Apple founder stepped down as the CEO of his company on August 24, and although he has nothing to do with Online Dating, our trend-hungry industry will always respect Mr. Jobs for being one of the most influential trend-setters that ever lived.

Oh, and if you couldn’t guess, the post is about trends. Specifically, the stuff that drives virtual matchmaking at the moment, and will likely continue to do so in the years to come.

5. On-the-go Dating

The rapid development of mobile technologies finally allows everyone to enjoy the constant online presence, without being confined to a specific location (like home or office), or a bulky device (like desktop or laptop). The Internet has never been this close to users with all the tablets, smartphones, and their applications around.

Remember how in ‘You’ve Got Mail’ Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan had to get to their computers to start communicating? Via E-mail? That was so 1998. If their romance happened today, they’d both be members of some local dating service, checking for new messages on-the-go right on the street.

That’s what the mobility has done to us. We no longer want to wait – we want to continue the dating experience at all times. If you are wondering, SkaDate does have a Mobile Edition, and there are considerations regarding a development of a smartphone app too.

4. Globalization Time

Just look at some of our Monthly Roundups – it’s obvious that Online Dating is spreading like wildfire all over the globe. It is even available in those parts of the world that (theoretically) shouldn’t have open Internet access in the first place. You just wait and see, it’s now a matter of time until there’s an international dating site endorsed by Kim Jong-il.

And I’m not talking exclusively about local services. Unsurprisingly, large corporations are represented all over the place, but what we are seeing lately is the trend of smaller startups thinking globally. If your idea is not likely to lift-off in Wisconsin, it doesn’t mean it won’t work in Cambodia or Lithuania.

3. A Niche Niche

Anyone can get on the Match.com and start going through the list of possible partners. But where’s the fun in that? Besides, do you think counterculture pundits will ever choose something as mainstream? It’s not like they’ll discuss Ayn Rand philosophy there. Because there’s a niche online dating site just for them.

Of course, that’s a bit of an extreme example, but it does show that a carefully selected niche will draw thousands of members in. (The Ayn Rand one got over 10,000).

This is pretty logical too if you think about it. Sure, the Match.com database is big, but being a redhead myself I’ll definitively have an extra bonus while surfing DateGinger. I also might be inclined to check out Yes! Mrs. Robinson website… But that’s a story for another time. The point is – the more exclusive the niche, the better are the chances to succeed.

2. Social Dating

This was bound to happen at some point and luckily when it did, the industry just adopted to the new reality and moved on. I am talking about the gradual merging of online dating and social networking.

And Networks started it first too, adding various flirty interactions usually reserved for romance portals. But with dating scripts like SkaDate Internet matchmakers soon learned that it can work the other way around too.

In the end everyone benefits from the combination. After all, social networking is best for growing strong communities with large memberships, while dating sites can excel in covering the additional monetization options.

1. Features Nucleus

Finally the days when ‘looking through pictures of Ukrainian girls in awkward poses’ was considered online dating are gone. As I’ve noted in the previous post, members want more interaction in their online dating. If you can’t keep ‘em busy, you’re gonna loose ‘em.

Regular chat, video chat, virtual gifts, media players, polls, blogs, forums, and games, all these and plenty of other features – that’s what will get members returning to the well for more. Well, that and potential dates, of course. Yeah, it’s best not to forget about those, while chasing the latest trends.

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SkaDate Features: Games

Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011

by Zima

A mascot for social network gaming

I hope I’m not revealing some huge SkaDate Software Secret by saying that simple (or even complicated) matchmaking mechanics no longer make a dating site stand out. Members want Interaction. The more interactivity options they have – the better. Also, Facebook and Google+ taught us over the years that the preferred way for network members to socialize is by jointly harvesting crops. Or killing zombies. Preferably both at the same time. In short, members love to play games.

Think about it, what would your visitors rather do after checking the newest matches and setting up their dates for the evening? I bet the elevated romantic mood won’t do any good for working on some boring PhD. Unless, of course, that’s a PhD on Zombie-Crop-Harvesting. Seriously though, the best way to keep users on the site for longer is to give them something to do. And that’s where SkaDate excels with plenty of gaming options.

First of all, there’s the integrated collection of Novel Games. These represent the classical choice for killing time – from Minesweeper and Go to Eight Ball and Backgammon. The games are immediately available to all members at the outset, so admins quite literally don’t have to do anything. Unless they want to widen the choice that is.

Take a look at Free Online Games, Free World Group or our favorite – Mochimedia. They have roughly nine trillion various reasons to skip on washing dishes and remain engaged and interacting on a website. Racing, puzzles, adventures and even action – pick your poison, get the embed code and add it to the list of games available on your network. It’s that simple.

By weeding out the unnecessary alternatives you can even set up a hub for specific game genres, say, fish breeding, if that’s your type of thing. One thing to remember though, is that unlike with Novel Games, your members will be busy interacting with players on the outside servers, while still remaining on your website.

But if this is still not enough, or you want to have the additional bonus of featuring both multiplayer and single player games, there is the CometChat Plugin. While not a free option, (requiring only one-time payment for integration), it seamlessly extends the interactivity experience both with a multitude of games and a number of other cool features.

Of course, with the flexibility of SkaDate Dating Script it is easy to go overboard and add all the top choices out there. Don’t. As much as it’s fun to drag-race a school bus on a daily basis, don’t forget that the primary function of a dating site is (surprise!) to serve as a meeting point for lonely hearts. Be smart about the game. Make the experience work to your advantage.

Here is a quick tip – hold on to just a few really cool games for all tastes to keep members occupied for a while. At the same time make a habit of adding a few more choices once in a while. Maybe even set up polls, asking what users want to play next month. This will show site visitors that the network is dynamically responding to all the members’ demands, all the while stimulating their drive for zombie-destruction or crop harvesting.

 

 

 

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SkaDate Software Upgrade: New Themes and Features

Tuesday, August 16th, 2011

As the summer continues to quickly fizzle out, we’ve got just the thing to end the season with a bang!

Get ready for new stylish themes and improved features. This fresh Upgrade Package of the SkaDate Dating Software makes our product even better, prettier, and more exiting for network members.

The goodies include -

  • New Themes: Nite Bluez and Day Bluez

If there was only one word to describe the new themes, it would be ‘Dandy’. The new unique templates emphasize coolness, neatness and professionalism of any network that will employ them. Following the latest industry trends the themes are done in a tastefully reserved and subtle style, with a touch of glamour. In addition to the overall appealing visual presentation, site elements were also reworked to appear semi-transparent on the background, which adds to the general classy feel of the new themes. Both templates use the same base, but in contrast to Nite Bluez, Day Bluez creates a more sexy, revealing and sensual atmosphere. Take your pick!

  •  Additional Payment Provider: iTelebill

Our list of supported Payment Providers is extended with iTelebill – a leading mobile and phone payment company specializing in the Online Dating and Social Networking. This globally available solution is focused on maximizing site revenues with its excellent service and technology record.

* Simplified payment system

* No need for a registration

* Advanced security

* Certified customer support

  • Other Improvements
* Updated list of supported currencies for payment providers
* Added iFrame support for popular video resources, including YouTube, Metacafe, and Vimeo
* Badwords substantially improved (filtering of entire words, as well as any letter combination is now possible)
* Improved calendar form in Activity Scheduler
* Improved admin system for removing members and member content
* Retooled function of Jump to Member’s Profile link
* Added Hot List function of editing the number of members in the list
* Big photos are now resided properly during Facebook Login
* Added additional display options for Event View in index pages
* After registration via Facebook members are now taken to Edit Profile page
* More user-friendly system for adding pictures in Photo Uploader
* Improved system for unsubscribing from mailing lists
* Added Total Online component for index pages

* Additional information is now available on the Who Viewed Me page (under Profile Details)

If you already own a copy of SkaDate Dating Software, download the new version in your Customer Area, otherwise contact our Pre-sales Operators and get the fully upgraded solution now! Our support team will be on standby to help you with any questions.

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SkaDate Features: Privacy is a Must

Tuesday, July 19th, 2011

by Zima

PrivacyThe word privacy is tossed around a lot lately. We can all thank Google+ for the resurrection of the topic, as it’s one of the distinctive features that sets the big G apart from all other social networks. We understand the concerns and always have. That is why SkaDate Dating Software includes several basic, but very useful privacy functions.

For starters it should be clear that as a solution intended for virtual matchmaking, SkaDate allows networks’ members to befriend other members and then lock personal private data and uploaded content, making it accessible to only a selected group of people. Alternatively, if members want maximum exposure, they can set their privacy as Public – this way content will be available to anyone interested. Let’s look into details.

Remember how last week I created a Harry Potter profile? Now that the initial shock of not seeing any more wizard-adventures settled in, I feel somewhat ashamed of being an over-thirty year old fan of essentially a kids franchise. But seeing as how it still netted me a few potential dates, let’s keep the profile alive for a while, although making it as private as possible. It’s creepy, but if you think about it, that’s how it works in real life – for instance, you never learned about your neighbor’s D&D Role-playing antics. I said, you never learned about it, dammit…

Anyway, as the first thing, I’ll make the content I uploaded last week private. Basically, anything that ends up in My Photo, My Video, and My Music folders can be set as private. For example, every video members upload have two links under them – Delete and Edit. After clicking Edit they are taken to a new page, where the video’s status can be changed from Public to Friends Only.

Pretty much the same can be done to every uploaded photo. Except there is an additional bonus of making chosen pics Password Protected. That’s right, if I don’t want to show my Ron Weasley photos even to my friends, I can select the option to password-protect them and then send out the password to those who are truly worthy of this treasure-trove of a knowledge.

Another useful privacy option is included with the Groups function. When members create new groups they can choose who can browse their Group pages, and who can join them – Anyone or only those who will be Invited. There is also a possibility to make Groups Invitation-only, but also leaving a backdoor in allowing other members to ask for access.  As I chose to make my profile uber-private, I’ll set the Group browsability to ‘Only Members’ and open access ‘By Invitation Only’ flat.

Now, before going into full lockdown, I want to remind everyone that Gift Sending can also be made discreet with SkaDate. Yep, there is an option of making selected gifts ‘Visible to Recipient Only,’ which is nice, considering the possible repercussions for publicly sending out fluffy teddy bears by an older member disguised as a teenager with a wand…

OK, it’s time for the final stage of my ‘going-underground’ plan. All photos are password-protected, all videos are for friends only, and all groups only accept members I invite personally. After venturing into ‘My Profile’ settings, members can mark a checkbox ‘Profile is Available for Friends Only’ under ‘Set Private Status’. I’ll do just that, and… here we go - now I have a fortress of a profile, barely penetrable even for my friends.

As you can see, with so many privacy choices SkaDate Dating Solution gives network members a wide range of very flexible options that can be mixed and matched, depending on a specific situation. And that is important, my friends, because it always should be up to the User, whether to hide something from a virtual Lord Voldemort, or a very real D&D Role-playing neighbor.

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SkaDate Wizardry: Profile Building
(A Harry Potter Edition)

Tuesday, July 12th, 2011

by Zima

Harry Potter

Buyskadetus! (Real spell, we swear).

Here we go people! The very last Harry Potter is unleashed on the world’s population this week, so it’s time to start dressing up as wizards and catching up on the updated Quidditch regulations for the 2011 season. Taking a step further, online daters can decorate their profiles thematically, and use this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrate the end of the era (and also to romantically cash-in on the Potter-love at the same time). Luckily, SkaDate Dating Software comes equipped with all the necessary magic tools for members to play around and bring their profiles up to speed. Allow me to demonstrate.

The necessary powerful customization options are available under ‘My Profile’ link. Let’s start with background. Initially it will be set as a default theme chosen by the Dumbl… the Administrator. While I do trust the website owner and his splendid taste, the occasion demands me to be a little more creative. I can chose any color of the background from a handy palette, or even better – use a custom image. Let’s set the mood right away with an emo-looking Harry Potter closeup, and then wait for the Admin to approve it. Ah… Much better already!

Now, at this stage the profile looks somewhat empty, so let’s liven it up with some busy elements. It is done by Adding Components, including Blogs, Forums, Friend Lists, Groups and other self explanatory things, in addition to more exiting features such as Custom HTML, Media Player, and RSS Feed.

Take that RSS Feed for instance. As I set out to make the best possible Potter-themed profile, it is only natural that my page will feature a stream with related Harry Potter news. After searching the web for approximately 2 minutes I settle on a very comprehensible feed from Harry Potter’s Page. What’s left to do is copy the feed URL to my RSS Settings Box, chose how many news it will display at a time, and give the feed a name. Done. Now everyone who’ll view my profile will learn that Emma Watson had a huge crush on Tom Felton. Pity they didn’t use it in one of the movies…

OK, moving on. Since we are dealing with a movie-related profile, the page should definitely have some pictures on it. Sure, I have a separate option to upload photo albums, but let’s do something even more fun. Let’s add a component called Custom HTML. This box allows members to spruce up their pages with side widgets. Just don’t forget that Java and iFrame are potentially harmful scripts, so SkaDate won’t work with them. So, instead I’ll focus on finding Potter-widgets written in HTML, Flash Embed and Objects codes. Sure enough, WidgetBox has plenty to chose from, and I’ll be picking up the one that allows my visitors to scroll through the Red Carpet photos from the London Premiere. Maybe we can catch a glimpse of Tom and Emma together, who knows…

Would you look at that, the page is really taking off at this point. I am almost ready for Prime Time! I’ll leave ‘My Profile’ for a sec, to add the latest trailer for Deathly Hallows under ‘Video’, set up a Harry Potter Premiere event under, well, ‘Events’, and change my profile picture to that of Tom Felton. Hmm, let’s not be so obvious and change that again to Ron Weasley. At least we are both redheads and clumsy, so that might be more appropriate and honest.

After returning to the profile customization area I realize that my already awesome page lacks a distinctive sound. I am sure all my potential dates will love to have an appropriate soundtrack while looking trough Potter pictures, videos, news, as well as information about me. So let’s jump to MixPod real quick (or any other website that lets you create playlists), select several tracks from various Harry Potter Soundtracks and get an embed code to insert into our MPlayer Box, which is also available under the Components menu. As a last touch let’s rearrange all the visual elements on the page by drag-and-dropping them for a slicker look.

And, voila, ladies and gentlemen! In just under 20 minutes SkaDate Dating Software allowed me to set up a stylish personal profile with a clear and appealing Harry Potter theme. Which actually got me thinking… Emma Watson is nice and all, but liking a franchise based on a series of children books is not likely to score me any additional dates. Perhaps I should start thinking about rebuilding the profile from scratch and joining Team Edward in anticipation of the latest Twilight release…

Harry Potter Profile

Click for a bigger picture.

 

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