12 Jan, 2021

Last edited: 16 Jan, 2025, 8:48 PM

Notes for Network Operators

The following help pages are available to Network Operators (ie Heroes) for launching, controlling and managing various aspects of a MainCross network:

Basics#

1. First principles - We start with a basic understanding of functionality of any network site built using the MainCross Network Builder
2. Launching a new Network Site - Steps to be followed when you are ready to launch a Network Site on the MainCross system. Its quite simple really - get a domain, setup the DNS, create your superuser account and then we'll provision your instance on our servers.
3. Configuring channels - Each MainCross Social+ tier is allowed a generous quota of channels. Channels are created and managed by the Network Operator and utilized by everyone else (users and members).
4. Showcasing the network - Provide information on the network's purpose & benefits to attract members. This can be done through a network landing carousel, hybrid landing page, full-featured landing page, or a featured post.
5. Managing members - How accounts on MainCross Network Sites work - creation, restrictions and promotion. Member is open to anyone, and federated across all networks. Each network can independently restrict a member if so desired.
6. Content control and moderation - Network operators have fine grained control over all content that's present on their Network Site. One can control what is posted, and once posted, one can moderate it.
7. Network & Channel Heroes - Grant dashboard & channel access to multiple accounts for fine-grained control of every aspect of the network. Network Heroes manage the overall network, while Channel Heroes manage individual channels.
8. Hybrid access - A comprehensive set of channel access levels (public, restricted, protected, and private) and access control mechanisms (paywall, magic link, manual approval) are available to all MainCross networks, allowing an unprecedented level of control over the network and member levels.
9. Important destinations - All Network Sites that operate in the Managed mode have the following destinations (system routes). Some of these destinations are optional.
10. Network feed - The network feed is the most important element of your Network Site and is the primary means of engagement for Members and Visitors.
11. Newsletters / Broadcast mail - Explore the MainCross systems broadcast mail categories, including Digest, Service, and Announcement mails, designed to enhance community engagement through timely updates and curated content while ensuring compliance with privacy laws.

Advanced topics#

1. Support channels - Support channels are special channels combining support tickets and community forums, allowing users to report issues, receive responses, and seek help from other users or staff members.
2. Monetizing your Network Site - Monetize your digital property via various innovative methods - digital subscriptions, event ticketing, selling products or services, sublicensing channels, etc. Keep all your earnings and maximize your revenue streams - MainCross charges 0 sales commissions.
3. Social commerce - The native social commerce engine allows e-commerce transactions from browsing to checkout without needing to leave the platform. No third party solution or integration is required. Multiple configurations are possible to create simple or complex solutions.
4. Directory service - Public directory - showcase partner members (listing, contact, map), and optionally onboard into a comprehensive Organization channel. Private directory - Maintain a private & secure member directory, with custom search/filter, and auto sync with with member data.
5. Custom email - Send Transactional and Broadcast emails from your own domain with Custom Sender Name & Email, instead of the default one
6. Channel syndication - Channels from any Network Site can be made available natively on other Network Sites, with huge benefits - more content reach, and monetization for the channel owner.
7. Network roles - Network Sites may optionally define a few roles for its Members. The role schema can be made mandatory - ie existing and new members have to choose a role before participating on the Network.
8. Product management - High level product management strategy covering features and sub features, suite versioning and release cadence

Warning: Do not use multiple browser tabs to perform configuration of the network or channels. Settings will overwrite each other and it will be a confusing experience.

FAQs#

A running list is here

Cook book#

Achieve specific tasks or goals

Hero Dashboard#

The Hero Dashboard allows you to configure and view the status of all your account tools. It has a number of sections.

1. The entire network can be configured via the Network Dashboard.
2. Reusable components can be configured via the Components library.
3. All the TOP channels can be configured on the (All) channels dashboard.
4. Configure and view the status for the community on the Community dashboard.
5. Configure and view the status of your communication tools on the Communication dashboard.
6. Configure and view the status of your commerce tools on the Commerce dashboard.
7. See all the actions made by Heroes in the Hero Dashboard in the Audit log.
8. View salient information about the network plan & tier under Plan & Billing.

Editors#

1. Long Form+ editor (for General and Help Pages)
2. Page Builder (for Featured Pages)
3. Multiple post editors (for various Post types)
4. Image editor

Analytics#

1. NetworkPulse, ChannelPulse & UserPulse
2. User statistics
3. Email analytics