Mobile Site Upgrade Requests
As a manager of several Groupsites, I've recently received messages generated from users attempting to access Groupsites from mobile devices. I'd like to request that you soften this revenue generation tactic.
Currently when Groupsite member loads the site on their mobile device, they are "teased" by viewing the new mobile interface. Upon engaging with the interface, they are taken to a "No Mobil Access" page that announces that your the site is not mobile enabled with a prominent button to notify the manager (and thereby induce an upgrade discussion).
I suggest an equally prominent button that allows members to access the normal web view.
My perception is that you (groupsite.com) are taking our mobile member users down a torturous path to access the site for the sake of driving upgrade revenues. I wonder if this manipulative tactic really necessary? Should the members be the first to know about mobile upgrades? I wish you had provided managers with a heads-up on how this manager notification process would roll out.
Our not-for-profit board may consider an upgrade but in our case, a mobile upgrade is a 300% increase over our current cost for an ad-free site. That is tough to sell as we don't have use for the other features like storage space. All these things considered, it is difficult for me to "champion" the cause of upgrading.
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Hi Tom,
We appreciate your feedback! We also received similar feedback from our Champions Community during testing prior to releasing the Mobile Ap feature. Based on that feedback, we came up with a compromise. Unfortunately, this change did not make it in prior to the release of the Mobile Ap, but here is what you will see:
A link that will allow managers to opt out of future similar Emails.
Also, in the future, this type of information will come first to Groupsite Managers via an Email from us. Previously our method of speaking with all Groupsite Managers was through a system message that you would receive once you logged into your Groupsite. We recently made this internal enhancement to our platform.
Sincerely,
Celeste
I think it's a big mistake not to offer mobile access for the free account. In today's world mobile access is a requirement for any application like this. If you make the free version of the application not usable you will lose business. I think it would be much better to give mobile access to everyone and use other features as incentives to upgrade to the paid version. My group isn't at a point yet where it makes sense to have a paid account, but we would probably grow into that need in the future. However, without mobile access we won't be able to stay with groupsite at all. Please reconsider.
Also, agree with Tom's suggestion to allow users be able to access the site in the normal way if mobile access isn't turned on. Right now mobile users can't access the site at all.
Hi Ester,
Thank you for your feedback regarding offering mobile for the "freemium" accounts. Your comments have been forwarded to the appropriate folks.
Regarding accessing the site from a mobile phone: Depending on your phone, you can access your full Groupsite "view full site" from a mobile phone without the mobile feature turned on. It is much slower than the more optimized, condensed new mobile version, but it works. Think of enabling the mobile feature as a way to quickly stay in touch with what is happening with your group.
The initial version of Groupsite Mobile enables you to:
Have you tried accessing your Groupsite from your mobile phone?
Celeste
It is possible to access the site. But not without what I consider a tease (glimpse of he mobile interface) and then the member must look beyond the obvious request to contact a manager and look below to find the link to full site view. You are frustrating visitors for the purpose of promoting upgrades. When you "sell" you repel.
At the risk of being redundant, I believe this tactic makes it more difficult for me as the organization's tech advisor to be a "champion" for Groupsite.com. I suggest...
As it is, I feel extorted by the manipulative tactics. You're putting your goodwill at risk.
I tried accessing my site from a BlackBerry and just saw the big "no mobile access" and didn't notice the link to the full site view. Now that I know it's there I tried it but it isn't very usable.
Again, I think mobile access should be part of the free version since increasingly a mobile view is considered a basic feature of any modern web application, not something you would have to pay extra for. Even so, I would consider paying something for the mobile access if it were more affordable, but I don't need any the other premium features yet so I'm not willing to upgrade at this time.
Thanks,
Esther
Hi,
I've upgraded my groupsite to include the mobile access.
Now how do I enable that feature (I don't see it anywhere) so I can announce it and it's features to my group?
Thanks,
Karin
Hi Guys,
We appreciate your feedback and are considering alternative pricing options to enable mobile as a feature for Groups who do not require all of the bells and whistles. We will keep you posted.
Sincerely,
Celeste
Thanks. I hope to hear some good news soon.
Esther
Hi Karin
Sorry I missed you in my earlier response! Mobile is enabled for your Groupsite. You can use Groupsite Mobile Web to stay in-the-loop with your groupt via your mobile device. Access your group's activity, discussions, calendar and members from your iPhone, Blackberry, Android or Palm.
Visit http://
wellpronetcommunity.org from your mobile phone's web browser for full access!
Stay on top of Activity
Participate in Discussions
Access your group's calendar
Instantly connect with members
Celeste
Celeste,
Are saying that there's nothing I need to do other than say they can join the community from their web enabled phone?
Thanks,
Karin
Hi Karin,
Yes, since the mobile feature is already enabled for your group, all your members have to do is from their mobile phone web browser, go to your groupsite URL, login and the fun begins. Keep in mind that this is version 1.0, so you and your members will not have all of the same functionality as with your regular non-mobile version.
Here is a copy of a letter placed in Champions by our CEO on July 22, 2010, that explains what you can do in our Mobile 1.0 version:
Dear Champions,
Groupsite.com is preparing to launch Groupsite Mobile Web. We've enabled the mobile feature for this Champions Groupsite. Please help us test it!
To test and provide feedback, visit:
http://champions.groupsite.com from your mobile phone.
At present, we support modern mobile devices with web browsers such as: iPhones, Blackberry (Bold, Curve, Pearl & Storm), Palm Pre and Android phones.
If you have a specific phone that you'd like to know more about, let us know here.
The initial version of Groupsite Mobile enables you to:
Between now and early August when we go live with Groupsite Mobile, we will be adding the ability to add and edit calendar events and search member profiles.
In advance, we appreciate your feedback and continued support.
Sincerely,
Clarence Wooten
Founder & CEO
Groupsite.com
Here is the link to the full blog post:
http://champions.groupsite.com/discussion/topic/show/362666?lpx=1&lastpost=1
Sincerely,
Celeste
Can I bump the request to have the mobile access feature available as a single upgrade. I do not want to upgrade all of my site to get the mobile feature - frankly I can't afford to.
Hi Gareth,
I will pass on your feedback, however, I do not believe that this is currently the direction in which Groupsite.com is moving.
Sincerely,
Celeste
No problems - thanks Celeste. Any additional details on "the direction in which groupsite.com is moving"?
Hi Gareth,
We are making similar changes that others in our space have already made. We are redesigning and restructuring our paid plans and are also working on a 30 Day Free Trial for each of the paid plans. In addition we have plans to reduce the available options and allowable users in our basic plan.
Like any other business, we have to focus more on the drivers of revenue, and take the appropriate steps to minimize what does not "move the needle" in the right direction.
Celeste