{"id":18706,"date":"2021-08-30T08:37:40","date_gmt":"2021-08-30T08:37:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hivepress.io\/?p=18706"},"modified":"2023-06-26T11:47:15","modified_gmt":"2023-06-26T11:47:15","slug":"enable-messages-on-wordpress-freelance-marketplace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hivepress.io\/blog\/enable-messages-on-wordpress-freelance-marketplace\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Enable Messages on a Freelance Marketplace"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The ability to communicate directly through the website is crucial for any site since potential clients may have some pre-purchase questions or need a consultation about products and services, or simply need to send some notes. That\u2019s why it\u2019s necessary to provide website visitors with an option to communicate with each other through your website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve already built a website using HivePress, and want to enable private messages, then this guide will be useful to you. We\u2019ll show you step-by-step how to install and set up the HivePress Messages extension<\/a> in order to allow users to send private messages and exchange attachments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the sake of this tutorial, we\u2019ll use our service marketplace WordPress theme, TaskHive<\/a>, with its demo content imported. However, if you are using any other of the HivePress themes, it\u2019s not an issue at all since all HivePress products are fully compatible with each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please note that this tutorial is only suitable for HivePress-built websites and won’t be helpful if your website is built with a different directory plugin<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s start and move to the first step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, you may want to check our tutorial<\/a> on how to create a website like Fiverr with WordPress.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Installing the Messages Add-on<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First of all, you need to install the Messages extension. To do that, navigate to the WP Dashboard > HivePress > Extensions<\/strong> section. You\u2019ll see the whole list of the available extensions that you can add to your website if you want to extend its functionality. You need to locate the Messages extension, click on the Install<\/strong> button and proceed by activating it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"HivePress<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Similarly, you can install any HivePress extension that is necessary for your website. All of them are lightweight, easy to use and fully compatible with each other, so no tech issues will take place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Setting up the Messages Feature<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once you install the add-on, you can adjust its settings in the WP Dashboard ><\/strong> HivePress > Settings > Messages <\/strong>section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, you can enable the \u201cAttachments\u201d feature if you want to allow users to attach files to their messages. It\u2019s a useful option since users often need to send bills, different samples, images, etc., during their communication. Also, bear in mind that you can set allowed file types that can be attached to messages. Simply choose the file types from the drop-down list and save changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, you may specify the blocked keywords and messages containing these keywords will be blocked (you need to enter each keyword on a new line)<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the last two fields (Storage & Storage Period)<\/em>, you can set up whether you want to store messages in the database, rather than sending them via email and indicate the storage period in days after which messages will be deleted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Setting<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When finished, don\u2019t forget to save changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Testing the Messages Functionality<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Okay, we\u2019ve just installed and set up the Messages extension, but let\u2019s also check how it\u2019s gonna work for users. Since we are using the TaskHive demo content in this guide, we\u2019ll simply create a new account and try to send a message to any of the pre-made vendors. To do that, we need to log out from the admin account and register as \u0430 regular user. Then select any of the listings on the website and click on the Send Message<\/strong> button.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"An<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In the message window, users can enter the text and attach some fields if allowed. Also, if the admin restricted some keywords and a user tries to send a message containing such keywords, there will be a notice like on the screenshot below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"An<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Once you enter the message and attach the file, simply click on the Send Message<\/strong> button. Now, let\u2019s switch back to the admin\u2019s account and check the received message in the My Account > Messages<\/strong> section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As you can see on the screenshot below, users can easily download the received attachments and send a reply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Also, users receive email notifications about new messages and can follow the link to check them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"An<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s it! As you can see, you don\u2019t have to be computer-savvy in order to install and set up the Messages extension. Also, feel free to check the whole list of the available HivePress add-ons that you can install to extend your website’s core functionality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, you may want to check our overviews of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n