Contacts Quick Start

 

ShoutCMS Contacts are created by your staff or when a person completes a form or purchases an item from your store. Contacts can be added to Groups and Group Identifiers that have been configured for your site; these configurations should support you lead generation, order entry, email communications, and other customer relationship activities. Managing contacts is an important aspect of your business.

 

Contacts are added to Groups and Group Identifiers, collectively referred to as "groups" in this user guide. Groups are used to control access to site materials, and to interact with contacts through bulk emails and other list-management processes. Identifiers are similar to Groups - they allow exclusion by cross-filtering (include the contact only if they are a member of both group and identifier). Most sites only require Groups, Identifiers should only be configured when necessary.

Creating Groups and Identifiers

 Warning: Administrator access is often presented as an access option along with Groups and Identifiers. Administration Access allows access to all the features of ShoutCMS - including site administration (access to the Administration Console).

When a Contact Logs In

When an individual logs in, when returning to your site, they gain access to their Client Area which gives them access to previous transactions. Logging in also opens access to secured pages that are assigned to groups that the individual is a member of. Login is not automatic. In some configurations, the individual may be prompted to login before they can successfully navigate to a requested page (e.g. a secured page that was book-marked or sent via email).

 

Note: Use Site Settings to design the login landing-page can be configured with a welcome message and navigation links for your site. This page also provides a link to the individual's transaction area.

Sending Mass Email

The ShoutCMS Mass Email feature uses Contacts, Contact Groups, and Identifier Groups to control how email distributions are created. The Mass Email feature allows site owners to send personalized emails to contacts belonging to one or more groups (refer to the Mass Email user guide)

Creating Additional Site Administrators

Multiple site administrators can be created to manage your site. This is valuable to track individuals responsible for making changes to the site (pages)  or processing orders. Creating a Site Administrator starts by creating a Contact and then assigning 'Administrator Access' permissions. The next time the person logs in, they will have access to site management activities (refer to Contact Details).