Categoria: Wordpress

The Welo plugin was created to seamlessly integrate the Welo platform into your WordPress site, offering real-time customer support. With an easy-to-use interface, the plugin enables live chat and support features, enhancing user interaction and providing efficient customer service.

Welo is a startup based in Boston with a unique mission: to create virtual spaces that simulate physical environments, offering users the ability to connect and interact in more immersive and dynamic ways.

Technical Development Overview:

To build the Welo plugin, I used PHP, the primary programming language for WordPress plugin development, and employed key WordPress functions and hooks to ensure smooth integration with the WordPress environment.

1. Shortcodes and Widgets:
   To integrate the live chat functionality directly into the front-end of WordPress sites, I developed custom shortcodes using add_shortcode(). This made it simple for users to place the live chat interface on any page, post, or widget area. Additionally, I used WordPress widget functionality to enable dynamic placement options for the chat interface, ensuring flexibility for end-users.
2. WordPress Settings API:
   To provide an intuitive configuration interface for administrators, I utilized the Settings API (add_options_page(), register_setting(), and add_settings_section()) to create a user-friendly settings page within the WordPress dashboard. This allows users to easily configure the plugin’s behavior, such as enabling or disabling the live chat, setting up notifications, and managing other plugin-specific settings.
3. Security Measures:
   Given the real-time nature of the plugin, I incorporated security best practices such as nonce verification and sanitize functions to protect against malicious attacks and ensure that data was properly validated before being processed or stored in the database.
4. CSS and JavaScript Customization:
   For the front-end, I used custom CSS and JavaScript to ensure that the live chat interface was responsive and visually integrated with the website’s theme. The plugin was designed to be lightweight, ensuring minimal impact on the site’s performance. I used jQuery for smooth animations and interactions, such as opening and closing the chat window and sending messages.

Current Status and Open-Source Availability:

Currently, the Welo plugin is in the testing and validation phase with WordPress.org. However, the open-source code is available on GitHub for testing and evaluation. As an open-source project, developers and users are encouraged to contribute, test, and provide feedback to help improve the plugin’s functionality.

In my latest project, I had the privilege of designing and developing the official Pizza Prime Franchisee Portal — an all-in-one platform created to support franchisees, customers, and the Pizza Prime franchise team. The portal, hosted at meajuda.pizzaprime.com.br, serves as a hub for all franchise-related activities, providing easy access to essential resources, support systems, and tools that improve communication and efficiency across the entire franchise network.

Project Overview:

The Pizza Prime Franchisee Portal was built to streamline operations and offer a central place for franchisees to access important information, get help with troubleshooting, and collaborate with the brand’s internal team. The goal was to create a user-friendly and scalable platform that could evolve with the needs of the growing franchise network.

Key Features and Functionalities:

1. Support Center for Franchisees:
   The portal includes an integrated support center that allows franchisees to submit inquiries and receive assistance on a variety of topics — from technical issues to operational queries. The helpdesk is designed to facilitate quick problem resolution, with a robust ticketing system that assigns and tracks the status of each request.
2. Knowledge Base and Tutorials:
   A comprehensive knowledge base is available for franchisees to find answers to frequently asked questions, detailed tutorials, and step-by-step guides on various aspects of running a franchise. This feature empowers franchisees with the information they need to run their stores efficiently and autonomously.
3. Real-Time Communication with the Franchise Team:
   To enhance internal communication, the portal provides a real-time messaging system that allows franchisees to directly communicate with the Pizza Prime franchise team. Whether for day-to-day questions or urgent issues, the chat functionality makes it easy for franchisees to receive immediate support.
4. Access to Marketing Resources:
   A dedicated section of the portal offers marketing materials, promotions, and brand assets that franchisees can use to boost their store’s local marketing efforts. This feature ensures that franchisees are always in sync with the brand’s latest marketing campaigns and have the resources they need to promote their stores effectively.
5. Document Management System:
   The portal includes a document management system where franchisees can easily access, upload, and manage important documents related to their franchises. This centralized system makes it easy for both franchisees and the franchisor to keep track of compliance documents, contracts, and other essential records.
6. Training and Development Hub:
   To support the ongoing development of franchisees and their teams, the portal includes a training hub where users can access e-learning materials, video courses, and certifications. This feature ensures franchisees have access to the latest training resources to improve their operations and team management skills.
7. Customizable User Permissions:
   The portal’s user management system allows for different levels of access based on role and function. Franchisees, their staff, and the internal Pizza Prime team can all have tailored permissions, ensuring that each user has access to the information and tools they need, without unnecessary restrictions.
8. Reporting and Analytics:
   A robust set of reporting tools is included to allow franchisees to track their store’s performance, view sales data, and monitor operational metrics. These insights help franchisees make data-driven decisions to improve performance and profitability.

Technology Used:

The Pizza Prime Franchisee Portal was built using WordPress, which provided a highly flexible and scalable platform for creating the site’s various features. WordPress’ plugin architecture allowed for easy integration of helpdesk systems, chat functionalities, and document management tools, making it the perfect solution for this complex project.

Additionally, I implemented custom themes and plugins to meet the specific needs of the franchise network, ensuring that the portal was both functional and visually aligned with the Pizza Prime brand.

• WordPress: The foundation for building the portal, allowing for easy management and scalability.
• Custom Plugins: For functionality like support ticketing, messaging, and document management.
• Responsive Design: Ensuring that the portal is fully accessible on any device, from desktop to mobile.
• AWS Hosting: The portal is hosted on AWS, ensuring fast load times, scalability, and high availability to support the growing number of users.

Outcome:

The launch of the Pizza Prime Franchisee Portal has had an immediate positive impact on the franchise network. Franchisees now have a centralized hub to find information, access training, request support, and communicate directly with the franchise team. The platform has drastically improved internal efficiency, support response times, and overall satisfaction among franchisees.

By giving franchisees the tools they need to succeed, the portal has helped foster a more cohesive and productive franchise network, ensuring that Pizza Prime continues to grow and innovate in the competitive food service industry.

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Technologies Used:

Responsive Design: Optimized for all devices.

WordPress: CMS for creating and managing the portal’s content and functionalities.

Custom Plugins: For ticketing, messaging, document management, and more.

AWS Hosting: Scalable and high-performance cloud hosting.