I haven’t posted in AGES. Sorry about that. Been busy lately and well, for whatever reason I never really have been able to get into the whole “blogging” scene.

However, I recently seen a post on membership scripts and their sales letters. Pointing out how they have way too much HYPE in pretty much ALL of them. I’d have to agree, if you asked me. I cannot remember the last time I seen a sales page for a membership script that was not hyped to the max. Also, aside from open source scripts, I cannot recall the last time I have seen a membership script work out of the box on all servers. In fact, even open source scripts may have issues on certain servers.

That said, let me explain to some of the non-techies who may be reading this why some scripts seem to be so HYPED up by other users when you cannot even get the damn thing installed yourself….

The easy answer is: Not ALL servers are created equally.

I have had scripts that will install just fine and seem to work right out of the box on some of my hosting accounts, just to find that I cannot even install the damn thing on yet another hosting account.

What the hell is going on?

Let me explain:

These hosting accounts are on different Servers, with different server configurations. In my case, I have several different hosts, so I was expecting this. However, in some cases even when you are using the SAME host for multiple hosting accounts, it is possible that not all of your accounts are on the same server.

These days, more and more server admins are trying to ensure that their servers are as secure as possible. That way, your sites are much harder to hack into, etc. Many of them are running what is called phpsuexec which basically means your php scripts are running as cgi (supposedly more secure).

In these cases setting ANY files/folders permissions to 777 simply IS NOT going to work. You WILL get errors and most likely the error will not give you any clue as to what could be causing the problem. Many of these membership scripts tell you that you MUST use 777 on certain files and folders in order for the script to work properly. This is nonsense. Very RARELY do you need anything to be set as 777 (unless the programmer intentionally made the script to only work this way).

In MOST cases, if your host is running php as cgi (phpsuexec), then you will not need to set ANY permissions at all. It does not matter what the script installation files tell you. So, if you are having problems with a script and you have followed ALL the install steps exactly … try to change everything you have set at 777 to 755. You will be amazed at what happens.

If you KNOW that your host uses phpsuexec, in the future just try uploading the scripts and running the installer w/o setting ANY permissions on ANY files (unless the installer itself requires you to do so). I have personally learned that in many, many cases, I no longer have to fool around with any permission settings at all when installing scripts to servers running phpsuexec.

If you MUST set permissions up (cannot install otherwise), then instead of using 777 use 755. Some installers will insist that you change permissions to 777 before you can complete your installation, in this case, change the permissions to 777 just to proceed further into the installer. Once the installer allows you to move on to the next step change them back to 755 (if your server is running phpsuexec). It sounds much more complicated and confusing than it really is.

The problem is, many developers do not think about the possibilities of different server configurations until after they start getting bug reports. Even then, some will argue and claim the problems are on your end and have nothing to do with their script. While in a way, that is actually true, the fact is that they need to start thinking about how their scripts might act on different server configurations and either write up an install/readme file specific to different hosts and/or server configuration or make their script more flexible when it comes to certain server configurations.

Alright, I will quit before this get too technical.

Now obviously the above info was meant for those who have decent scripts, but simply cannot install them correctly for whatever reason. I have seen this a million times, so I thought I would mention it here.

Ok. The other question brought up was this…

Why do marketers Hype up their products?

Marketers Hype up their products for the same reasons you Hype up your own products … to get SALES.

Here’s an example taken from a membership script sales page:

“This is the most advanced and comprehesive membership script that you will find. Imagine everything you ever wanted for a membership site or an affiliate site right in front of you without the need of any 3rd party plugins and unsecure coding. Imagine not having monthly fees to pay for a mail list system and no fees for joining an affiliate network as a merchant”

Ok. Let me see. I want a platform that allows me to offer several membership levels, ideally I would be able to add as many as I want, whenever I see fit. Say I want 5 different membership levels, each with its own price. I want to set different commissions for each of my membership levels and reward affiliates accordingly. The higher priced membership, the higher the commission payouts would be, etc.

Can the above script do this?

Not from what I can tell (from the online demo). You can run multiple membership sites from the one script (assuming you don’t mind using subdomains for each new membership site you create). But from what I could tell, there was no easy way to create multiple membership levels with different options and commission levels.

The script does have a built in bulk mailer, but nothing even close to a sequential auto-responder that most marketers need/want. Yes, I know it can integrate with other auto-responder systems, but why not build one right into the script?

On the sales page it says it is an: “All-In-One solution without the need of external plug-ins or external services”.

However, most marketers will need a fully functional auto-responder system that the above mentioned script does not address. Also, from what I can tell, there is no easy way to run a giveaway event allowing contributors to upload their product images, descriptions, etc. I also do not see a way for members to communicate with each other either. Another feature many people would like these days.

So, even though the above eluded to system does look extremely powerful and well thought out, it is still not exactly an “All-In-One” system to meet all needs. It may (or may not) meet all of YOUR needs, but not everyone has the same needs.

The script could definitely be used by a LOT of people and will be fine “as is” and “out of the box” for some of them (as far as I know, based on the online demo testing I did). But again, not everyone has the same needs. So even such a powerful script as this is not truly an “All-In-One” system.

For me, I do not think it will do what I want “out of the box”. But I do like how the developer managed to put together a Unique Membership Management CMS and I see a LOT of potential with said script.

Unfortunately, I do not think many people KNOW about it. So even though said script does look great and definitely better than many I have had the displeasure of using there’s still a LOT of work to be done before it will be a successful membership script.

If anyone would like to know what the hell script I am on about, feel free to post a comment and I will give you the inside scoop. It probably is not one you have heard of, seen or used yet. Though, I admit that it is possible you have seen it. I find it highly unlikely.

Peace & Prosperity,
Matt Fulger

P.S. I am NOT an affiliate of the above mentioned product and do not have any specific recommendations as to whether you should or should not use it. I am simply offering an honest review based on the online demo.

Tags: CMS, content management, member management, membership scripts