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ZIP Search Module

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ZIP Search Module

Installation

Upload the ZIP as a plugin via the MANUAL process*. From the WordPress admin panel

  • Go to Plugins->Add New,
  • Click on the “Upload” link, and then click on Browse Now to locate the ZIP file you just downloaded.
  • Click OK once you find it on your local computer
  • Click the Install Now button to start the process.
  • After the installation completes, click the “Activate Plugin” link to turn on the module

*NOTE: If you are using a Mac, the file may be automatically unzipped when you download it. You can change the default setting in Safari to only download the ZIP file and not unpack it. To do this: 1. Open Safari, 2. Click Preferences, 3. Under the General tab, uncheck the option Open “safe” files after downloading

Required Database Upload

ZIP search relies on a database to calculate the distance around a particular ZIP or postal code when doing radius searches (Like “Find all listings within 10mi of 90210”).  After installing the plugin, you will need to download and install the correct databases for the all of the countries you need to support. Database installation requires these instructions.

IMPORTANT:  You must install at least ONE database to use the module.

Administration Options

ZIP search supports a number of options under Directory Admin->Manage Options->Premium Modules->ZIP Search tab.  They are listed here.  First, we’ll discuss the top of the admin screen:

The link at the top (“Change the configuration here”) refers to how ZIP Search can be used as part of the “Quick Search” bar at the top of the directory.  You can click on it to take you to the General tab where you can manage ZIP search on that bar.

The remaining options control the following aspects of ZIP Search:

Use this field for postal code/ZIP code information:  This drop down contains a list of all fields in your directory.  Pick the ONE that maps to your notion of a Postal or ZIP code.  This is super important–without this field properly mapped, ZIP search will not work correctly at all.

IMPORTANT:  The field you map here cannot contain any other address information.  For example, do not use a full address field for this search such as “123 Oak Street, Beverly Hills, CA  90210”.  The ZIP search module cannot detect what part of that is the ZIP/postal code.  The field should contain ONLY the ZIP/Postal code, which in this example is “90210”

Units:  This drop down allows you to pick between “Miles” and “Kilometers” depending on what unit your country uses for calculation of distance.  ZIP search will use this to change the display of units appropriately.

Use these custom distance options for searches with postal codes:  Turning on this option allows you to specify a drop down with precise distances that you can use for search, instead of allowing users to type in any info they want.

Radius Options:  This field uses a comma-separated list of numbers (ONLY) to determine the search options you show the user for radius search.  Only valid when “Use these custom distance options for searches with postal codes” is checked.

Sort listings from closest to farthest in results:  Turning this option on means that for ZIP radius searches, your listings will be shown from the closest to the farthest in the results.  This only affects distance searches.

Default radius to use for Quick Search:  The number of miles or kilometers to use in Quick Search by default if they don’t pick anything.  Only valid if you have ZIP search active in the Quick Search bar.

Add ZIP search to Quick Search Bar?:  Turning this on will add the ZIP search field to the Quick Search bar available fields to use, like so:

You must still click the link at the top of this tab (“Change the configuration here”) and select it to activate it as a “searched field”.

Below the ZIP admin options, you will find the list of databases available:

You must manually install them following these instructions.

When you install a database, the option will become checked.  In the example above, the US database is installed.  The Cache Status at the bottom of the screen indicates the state of the cache used by ZIP search to improve performance.  Sometimes after upgrading the database you may need to rebuild it.  If you see a notice to do so, please follow it.

Note for users of both the Regions Module and the ZIP Search Module:

You can choose to enable the Regions Module on the Quick Search menu, which adds the Located at <City, State> search field OR you can choose to enable the ZIP Search Module on the Quick Search menu, which adds a ZIP code field to the Quick Search.

Here is what the ZIP Search Module looks like when it is enabled on the Quick Search Menu:

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Here is what the Regions Module looks like when it is enabled on the Quick Search Menu:

If you have enabled both modules in the Quick Search bar,  then the Regions Module will take precedence. Only one of those options can be added to the Quick Search bar, so you must make a choice between the two modules here.

 

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