Social Toddler is a site specifically made for parenting your preschoolers (toddlers) and bring them out into social atmospheres. You can search, and run your own playgroup, find activites to do. Unfortunetly, I am not very impressed.
Besides having a very limited system in comparison with other website I've used for organizing playgroup, social toddler does not compete well with search engine optimization. Plain an simple; for you non-geeky moms, that means when your search for 'playgroups' with your local area will not come up high in the list-- you are not going to get as much traffic as cafemom or meetup.com.
I have hopes. If it grows successfully, it will add in new features, and find new things to do in other local areas. Social Toddler does not cover my area; Spokane.
OK. Perhaps I'm bias. Check it our for yourself it may be what you are looking for!
Showing posts with label websites. Show all posts
Showing posts with label websites. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
A Closer Look: Meetup.com
A quick Internet search anywhere for "moms groups" will bring you to meetup.com website; usually within the top three. Meetup is where I got my start, it is safe to say, I'm bias. But not blind. So I thought I would review the website I use today!
First Look
At first look the website appears fairly simple. I assure you, it's not that simple. Once you create a an account and join a group it looks like a normal 'group' website. However, once you take on an organizer (Organizers pay $19 a month, or less with other payment plans) role it becomes complicated.
The best part about meetup is the search engine optimization. If a moms were to google "Moms group in Chicago, IL" or the like, one of the first links would be to meetup.com. This feature alone makes it worth it to me to pay for the use. I usually get two-three new members a month just from this alone.
Calendar Features
The calendar allows members to veiw events in a list, or on a monthly calendar. Organizers can add the address, notes, pictures, maps, links, set specific to RSVPs and noticfications (like not allowing maybe RSVPs, and emailing the organizer when someone rsvps), ask questions when members RSVP, and even has options for payment if the event costs money. There is even manual and automatic waiting lists if you select RSVP limit is filled. Organizers can edit, copy, and email members related to that event (those who have rsvpd yes and/or no, and/or those who have not RSVPd.).
The calendar also allows you add notes, and make draft events.
Adminstration Tools
The organizer has the ability to select privacy levels, and how members join (automatially join, request permission, etc.). There is so much to go over, but the group has it's own 'webaddress' or you can use your own domain. The webiste also has a group forum, which the organizer can organize into folders, and adjust prviacy levels. There is also a photo section, mailing list, polls section, and the about page (for non members to learn about the group).
The organizer can also appoint other admintstrators to the group. The options are as follows:
co-organizer- can adjust everything the organizer does, except for the payment for the subscription.
assistant organizer- can do everything the organizer does, with the exception of group settings (privacy levels, welcome letter, etc.)
Event Organizers can only control events. They cannot set up polls, or edit the message board forums.
Member Even Organizers- members who are select to take of one event. They cannot touch any other events on the calendar.
Support
There are many vitual support groups in the 'organizer category' that are happy to offer support and guidence. A quick search in the website's search bar under "Organizer" will pull up many groups for this. Meetup headquarters is stationed in New York, so techinical support is available eastern time. The email for support is support@meetup.com
The downside is it can be complicated to figure out. Even with the weath of features I mentioned, the site has a lot more available. It also has a fee for organizing. With that fee you can run three groups, if you choose, but believe me, three is a lot to handle. Meetup does have a 30 day money back garentee. So there is no risk in trying it out.
Happy organizing!
First Look
At first look the website appears fairly simple. I assure you, it's not that simple. Once you create a an account and join a group it looks like a normal 'group' website. However, once you take on an organizer (Organizers pay $19 a month, or less with other payment plans) role it becomes complicated.
The best part about meetup is the search engine optimization. If a moms were to google "Moms group in Chicago, IL" or the like, one of the first links would be to meetup.com. This feature alone makes it worth it to me to pay for the use. I usually get two-three new members a month just from this alone.
Calendar Features
The calendar allows members to veiw events in a list, or on a monthly calendar. Organizers can add the address, notes, pictures, maps, links, set specific to RSVPs and noticfications (like not allowing maybe RSVPs, and emailing the organizer when someone rsvps), ask questions when members RSVP, and even has options for payment if the event costs money. There is even manual and automatic waiting lists if you select RSVP limit is filled. Organizers can edit, copy, and email members related to that event (those who have rsvpd yes and/or no, and/or those who have not RSVPd.).
The calendar also allows you add notes, and make draft events.
Adminstration Tools
The organizer has the ability to select privacy levels, and how members join (automatially join, request permission, etc.). There is so much to go over, but the group has it's own 'webaddress' or you can use your own domain. The webiste also has a group forum, which the organizer can organize into folders, and adjust prviacy levels. There is also a photo section, mailing list, polls section, and the about page (for non members to learn about the group).
The organizer can also appoint other admintstrators to the group. The options are as follows:
co-organizer- can adjust everything the organizer does, except for the payment for the subscription.
assistant organizer- can do everything the organizer does, with the exception of group settings (privacy levels, welcome letter, etc.)
Event Organizers can only control events. They cannot set up polls, or edit the message board forums.
Member Even Organizers- members who are select to take of one event. They cannot touch any other events on the calendar.
Support
There are many vitual support groups in the 'organizer category' that are happy to offer support and guidence. A quick search in the website's search bar under "Organizer" will pull up many groups for this. Meetup headquarters is stationed in New York, so techinical support is available eastern time. The email for support is support@meetup.com
The downside is it can be complicated to figure out. Even with the weath of features I mentioned, the site has a lot more available. It also has a fee for organizing. With that fee you can run three groups, if you choose, but believe me, three is a lot to handle. Meetup does have a 30 day money back garentee. So there is no risk in trying it out.
Happy organizing!
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Closer Look; Cafe Mom
Cafe Mom is a website bringing moms together. It's main purpose is not to support groups; however this is the part I would like to write about. Cafe mom allows it's members to create groups for free. They can be local, or virtual. The nice thing is they can be made private so there is no risk there.
Setting up a group event is easy. One thing I like is the category it will list for your event. You can set it to 'virtual' or 'in person' or 'playdate', etc. It allows you to set the date, and start and end time and address. Once posted, an RSVP and comment tracker is on the event page. I personally do not like the fact that members can RSVP maybe.
The site will also have forums, chat, photos albums, and a member list. Administration tools allow the organizer to select privacy, invite people via friend's email, and members of cafe mom that you have already befriended.
The one thing that I LOVE about cafe mom is the support group they have for administers. You have to join the group, but they have topics about getting your group to grow, and how to handle certain situations. Support is the number one thing that keeps the organizer going. It is such a valuable thing to have.
The main reason why I don't organize religiously on cafemom is because it is a free website. I know, sounds like I'm backward. Since the website is free the website's income in generated from advertisements. It really clogs up the screen page, and plenty of them are animated at that!
Another thing is cafemom's groups do not have high visibility on search engines. While cafemom does come up frequently in searches, there is still a difficultly for new members to find your group. Like I said before, cafemom is not just about groups. If one makes their way to the group section, I don't think they will spend enough time on the section to find the group.
OK. Let's wrap this up. Here is a list of pros and cons.
PROS
Setting up a group event is easy. One thing I like is the category it will list for your event. You can set it to 'virtual' or 'in person' or 'playdate', etc. It allows you to set the date, and start and end time and address. Once posted, an RSVP and comment tracker is on the event page. I personally do not like the fact that members can RSVP maybe.
The site will also have forums, chat, photos albums, and a member list. Administration tools allow the organizer to select privacy, invite people via friend's email, and members of cafe mom that you have already befriended.
The one thing that I LOVE about cafe mom is the support group they have for administers. You have to join the group, but they have topics about getting your group to grow, and how to handle certain situations. Support is the number one thing that keeps the organizer going. It is such a valuable thing to have.
The main reason why I don't organize religiously on cafemom is because it is a free website. I know, sounds like I'm backward. Since the website is free the website's income in generated from advertisements. It really clogs up the screen page, and plenty of them are animated at that!
Another thing is cafemom's groups do not have high visibility on search engines. While cafemom does come up frequently in searches, there is still a difficultly for new members to find your group. Like I said before, cafemom is not just about groups. If one makes their way to the group section, I don't think they will spend enough time on the section to find the group.
OK. Let's wrap this up. Here is a list of pros and cons.
PROS
- It's free
- Easy event management
- has online communication abilities
- ads
- low visibility
- not specifically met for groups
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Party in the House!
Yesterday I received an email from house party notifying me of my chance to enter the fisher price play date house party!
My jaw dropped when I saw the hostess receives
5 new Fisher-Price toys:
Go Baby Go! Stride-to-Ride Dino
Laugh & Learn Learn & Move Music Station
Laugh & Learn Learning Kitchen
Lil' Zoomers Spinnin' Sounds Speedway
Fisher-Price Stack ‘n Surprise Blocks Musical Croc Block Wagon
10 Brillant Basics Rock-a-Stack® Toys
10 Fisher-Price Day and Night Diapers sample packs
Apply for this House Party and if you are chosen, please share your event stories with us!!!!!!!!!! Happy Playing!
My jaw dropped when I saw the hostess receives
5 new Fisher-Price toys:
Go Baby Go! Stride-to-Ride Dino
Laugh & Learn Learn & Move Music Station
Laugh & Learn Learning Kitchen
Lil' Zoomers Spinnin' Sounds Speedway
Fisher-Price Stack ‘n Surprise Blocks Musical Croc Block Wagon
10 Brillant Basics Rock-a-Stack® Toys
10 Fisher-Price Day and Night Diapers sample packs
Apply for this House Party and if you are chosen, please share your event stories with us!!!!!!!!!! Happy Playing!
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