Dog Blog

An update on the programming development of Breeder Retriever

On November 20^th I posted a list of things we’d finished and a list of things that were on our to-do list. The items we were expecting to add “soon or in the future” were:

1. A zip code search that will show you the X number of nearest breeders (maybe 5 or 10) for that specific breed and your zipcode.
2. A thorough approval process that ensures quality breeders are the ones listed.
3. A hosting service for breeds who don’t have or can’t afford their own website. Currently we want to offer this service for free, if we can afford it.
4. A new forum template (expect this within the next few days) that is more user friendly and customized.
5. New fun tools like the breed selector.
6. Connect this blog with the main site once it has a few more posts.
7. Improve the photo sharing platform so it is as user friendly as possible.

Today is December 20th. Which of these have we attacked over the past month?

1. No progress made on the zip code searches, but it’s on the calendar and we haven’t forgotten.
2. The breeder approval process has been vastly improved. We are now able to include breed clubs in the approval process—a partnership we hope will help maintain the integrity of our breeder directory.
3. Hosting: we have made advancements on the logistical end—that is, we have researched how we could best implement a useful breeder hosting platform. With Chris and I composing the entire support team, however, we are a little nervous about releasing a free service that people would undoubtedly need a lot of help with.
4. The new forum template is online. We like it, but it doesn’t seem to work well with our photo sections (at least in my opinion), so we are considering alternatives.
5. New fuin tools are still in the works. We have ideas, though, so keep your eyes peeled!
6. This blog has been connected to the main site.
7. I feel the photo sharing platform still needs a lot of work. Right now it is a bit intimidating / cumbersome for new users. We want it to be as straight forward and easy to use as possible.

Other improvements (these are the improvements we’ve implemented that I didn’t mention before):

1. Log in system for breeders—you can now log in using the e-mail address and password you entered when submitting breeder information.
2. New options for logged in breeders—“View My Listing,” which displays a user’s listing as it appears in the directory, and “Edit My Listing,” which allows users to make some changes to their information.
3. These are internal but important: We developed some new scripts that help us effectively contact breeders to encourage registration.
4. Added about 10 new banners in the Link to Us section (if you haven’t already, please do!).
5. Customized the Link to Us page so that logged in breeders will get links specific to their breed(s).
6. Upgraded our version of PHP.
7. Upgraded our server administration platform.
8. Added the “Help Us Improve” form and included a link to it in all the breed write-ups.
9. We are 75% done developing a “ticketing” system that will help us keep track of inquiries, comments, etc. so that we can be as effective as possible in replying to our visitors.
10. About 50% done setting up a fairly advanced sitemaps generator to help the search engines index our site better.
11. Added a brief disclaimer to the directory.
12. Added Canadian provinces to the submit breeder info page to accommodate our Canadian audience.
13. Completely changed the way directory listings are displayed—adopted a “business card” format.
14. Added a help page explaining how to share pictures using our photo platform.
15. Removed the poll from the site
16. Added a little paw image that now shows in the address bar on modern browsers
17. Programmed a backend that allows us to incorporate breed clubs in the approval process.
18. Improved security of the site.
19. Changed the markers next to each sub section in the dog breed information area.
20. I feel like there must be more we’ve done, but I can’t think of it at the moment. Good thing I can always come back and edit
21. As always, if any readers have suggestions or requests for new changes / improvements, just post a comment letting us know and we will do our best.