Considering purchasing s2Member Pro, questions..

[dax702]

Hi, I am considering s2Member Pro for a new Wordpress site and have a few questions:

How can I gauge if the plugin will be compatible with a theme? In particular, I'm considering this theme:
http://newwpthemes.com/demo/GamesAwe/ or perhaps http://newwpthemes.com/demo/AnimeStar/

When someone registers into any level user via s2Member, does that person get created in the Wordpress user database? The reason I ask is because I have a shopping cart that has a single sign on plugin so that when someone signs into Wordpress, they're automatically created in the shopping cart. Does s2Member Pro actually completely replace the core Wordpress registration system?

Here is how I'd like to use s2Member Pro:
On my site, I will have a section where visitors can view 3 videos and download associated PDF files for each of those videos. (Each video/pdf will be in its own post) For these 3 particular posts, I would like the visitor to be able to view the videos (flash videos embedded on the page), but NOT have access to download the PDF files until they sign up (at a free user level). I would then like to offer a second user level where they pay a one time fee and have access to x number of remaining posts in this category that contain videos and PDF files to download. Can I accomplish this goal with s2Member Pro?

I'm new to Wordpress so I'm not sure if this is a Wordpress question or an s2Member question, but here goes: In Joomla, there used to be a feature where you could add a description to a blog category and that description would display above the articles. Is there a way for me to provide descriptions to the visitors about the 3 free videos and remaining paid access videos?

Will I run into some problem having x permissions on the 3 videos, and y permissions on the rest? Should they be in different categories or can they be in the same category?

[Eduan]

1. I don't know. But you can try using it, and if there's a problem then ask Jason if he could implement it.
2. Yes, they get created in the WordPress user database.
3. Yes, it is definitely possible to do this with s2Member Pro.
4. I couldn't tell, but you can use something like a teaser for each post.
5. You shouldn't run into any problems with that if configured correctly.

Hope this answers your questions, as to how to do each thing you can view the documentation that comes with s2Member Pro, also here are the official tutorial videos.

P.S. Remember to report back.

[dax702]

Thanks for the prompt reply!! Ok, so to be clear, once I install s2Member Pro, users will no longer register through the core wordpress registration process, correct?

Another question, I just came up with - I have this Facebook connect plugin:
http://www.justin-klein.com/projects/wp-fb-autoconnect I actually purchased the premium version of it. Will I still be able to use that in order to give access to those first 3 video posts to download the PDF files? In other words, they could be a level 1 user on s2Member Pro, OR they could have registered on the site by connecting with their Facebook account. Is this possible, or does s2Member Pro in a sense take over everything related to registering?

[Eduan]

1. Yes & No, if you use pro-forms then users will be registered through the pro-form but will be registered to the WordPress database. Or you can still use the normal WordPress registration system. Hope it's not too confusing.

2. You could try but it's probable that you will find problems, I would go for s2Member alone.

Hope this helps.

[dax702]

I keep seeing this reference to pro-forms, what is that?

[Eduan]

Maybe this can answer your question:

With PayPal® Pro, you don't send Customers to PayPal® at all. You keep them on your site throughout the entire checkout process, and credit cards are processed "from your site" using s2Member Pro Forms that connect to the PayPal® Pro API. This is what makes the s2Member Pro Module so powerful.

The s2Member Pro Forms can be integrated exactly the same way as PayPal Buttons are, you just pop a Shortcode into any Post/Page, and voila! You have a powerful PayPal® Pro integration. Customers use the checkout Forms generated by your Shortcodes, and they never leave your site.

Unlike many online services, such as eJunkie, 2Checkout, PayDotCom... s2Member Pro gives you full control. The checkout forms are nested seamlessly into your existing WordPress theme, making it easier to smooth over your Customers, instead of sending them off to a pre-fab checkout system.

In simple terms: It's a form, like the one that appears when you click the PayPal button, that you can fill within the same page, without leaving the page.
Or if it's the free registration pro-form then they just fill the information they need without going to another page to do it.

Hope this helps.

[dax702]

Ok, thank you for your assistance. After purchase, if I run into any problems or questions, do I post on here, or is support provided by the developer?

[Eduan]

You post it here.

[dax702]

Ok, thank you very much for your assistance. I'll place my order for the plugin and get started

[Eduan]

Great!