From a marketing perspective, you GOTTA give those who financially support the site a way of feeling like they are getting something for their money.  I read over the blog "Marketing Tips: Free or Paid Membership for your website?" and there is a lot of great discussion in that thread!

That being said, I know that making those who are financially supporting our websites standOUT would help to generate interest in being a supporting member.  Here's just a suggestion on what would be a GREAT feature to help market to those who are NON-paying members.   

I think something like this would REMIND non-paying members in a passive way:

1. Realize there IS an advantage to receiving FULL MEMBERSHIP (even though it's spelled out in the subscription tab area, it tends to pull their attention VISUALLY BACK to thinking about financially joining.)

2. Realize just how MANY folks are GOLD STATUS members who FINANCIALLY support the goals and efforts of the site.

3. Desire a higher status level than just FREE.

Here's a suggestion with an image to help visualize the dramatic effect a simply ICON can have:



I've moved the "star" to a different area to suggest it could be placed where the code most comfortably would allow for it or for where it makes the most VISUAL IMPACT.  You might also provide the ADMINISTRATOR some "options" to upload to their Admin Panel for what image to place there?  For now I'd just like to see SOMETHING that highlights the PAYING members.

Hey Dave, I'm only aware of the status that is showing up under the members ICON photo that is visible ONLY to that member... not to other members.  Is there something I'm missing? 

Here's a VISUAL of what the members sees for themselves... but this is not what I'm recommending ans a new feature.  Is this what you are talking about?



I know about this...but it's not what we're suggesting as an enhancement.

If there is an option I'm missing I would LOVE IT!  Cuz that means what my members are asking for is already there!  YEEEEHAW... just tell me where to turn it on so it looks like the image I first posted.

Yes, I totally totally agree with this one.... I can't believe that the Status Membership Display under photo is only viewable to that member. Status Membership Display should also be viewable to other members, or some other icon/symbol to show off their higher membership to other members.  What's the point a member having a higher membership and his/her status can't be viewed by other members?

Easton

  That's a GREAT mod to have... I know that Emil's company is trying to make a profit (as all good companies are) but I wonder if this "VERIFIED MEMBER" mod is available for purchase?

  So Scallywags, does your membership show an ICON for your "GOLD" members and then another icon for the "VERIFIED" members?

  The overal "HIGHLIGHT" for a supporting "GOLD" members SHOULD really be part of the basic package. Emil is this something that you've schedulded for the April release?

No we just have an ICON for verified members ... 

The way to do it as I see it is adding ability to upload a custom icon for a membership type that you add. Thus you control membership titles (gold vs premium) and have an arbitrary image icon corresponding to the title. Do you think it's reasonable guys?

PREFECT!

Topic MOVED.

Let me sum up how it will work:

1) Admin will be able to upload a custom icon for membership or disable it.
2) Upload icon will be displayed on Member's area in Profile View and Profile list pages.