Creating a Social Network with KickApps
- In This Quick Guide:
- Getting Started with a Free Trial
- KickApps Basics
- Customizing
Creating your own social network is easier than ever, with the invention of KickApps. In this guide, we will look at KickApps basics, how to set up your network, and the ways you can customize it.
Getting Started with a Free Trial
To try out this service free for 30 days, click Start Free Trial.
Get started at www.kickapps.com.
To create your network you’ll need to answer six questions on the sign-up form. These include:
- E-mail address
- User name
- Password
- Network name
- Captcha
- Agree to Terms of Service
Once you’ve completed the sign-up form, click Sign Me Up.
Complete the form to create a KickApps network.
And with that simple process you have created your KickApps network. There may be a brief pause while your network is created. You’ll see a message on the screen that says “We’re working …” during this time.
Pause while your KickApps network is created.
KickApps Basics
You will be automatically directed to an administrator’s view of your new community. The center of your screen will be filled with helpful information and links to get your network optimized as quickly as possible. I suggest you start with the video in the right column.
Helpful information to customize your KickApps community.
Next, explore the tabs at the top of your screen. They include:
- Home
- My Home
- Videos
- Audio
- Photos
- Blogs
- Sets
- Members
- Groups
- Message Board
These tabs represent the features that your members will have access to during their time within your network.
Navigate to network features using these tabs.
You’ll notice as you click on the various tabs that each reveals a submenu of options. In the following figure, I’ve clicked on the photos tab to reveal further links to the following:
- My photos
- Most recent (currently highlighted)
- Highest rated
- Most viewed
- Top favorites
- Most comments
- Add a photo
Look carefully for the “add a photo” tab as it’s tucked off to the right.
KickApps automatically adds sample content when a network is created. This is helpful to provide a sense of how the network works. Once you’ve got a handle on the basics, be sure to delete the sample content.
Example content is added to each new KickApps network.
You may notice that the Welcome line stays visible no matter what tab you are viewing. This line includes four links.
The first is your user name, in this case AngelaCrocker, with a link to your profile page. As with all networks, you can upload a profile picture, edit your biography, and leave a status update, called a comment on KickApps.
The second link reads “manage your site.” This takes you to the KickApps Affiliate Center, which is also referred to as the AC. This is the KickApps dashboard where you can access the tools and design functions you need to manage your network.
Next up is the site styler link. This is where you can change the appearance of your KickApps network. We’ll talk some more about that a bit later.
And, finally, we get to the sign-out link, which you can use when you are done for the day.
One more thing you’ll notice in the following figure is that there are five members to this example network. You already know me, and the other four are members of the KickApps team who you can contact for assistance. Each of their profiles includes ways to contact them for help.
Example KickApps members directory.
Customizing
Go ahead and click manage your site to visit the KickApps Affiliate Center (AC). Browse around the AC and you will discover links to help you configure and manage your community. You’ll also be able to shop the App Studio for useful widgets and view comprehensive reports. To help familiarize you with all that’s available in the AC, KickApps includes an introductory video. Once you’ve learned all you can from this clip, you can remove the module permanently.
Explore the KickApps Affiliate Center.
Now let’s return to your community page and click the Site Styler link in the Welcome line. In KickApps, Site Styler allows you to change the appearance of your social network. If you have no experience with web programming code, then you can use their what-you-see-is-what-you-get tool. Simply click on the desired theme from the Theme Gallery and see a preview on your site right away.
If you are comfortable with HTML, CSS, or Javascript, then click on the Global Page Template link and edit the header, body, and footer, as required. If you add CSS code, then you will no longer be able to use the Site Styler tool.
KickApps’ Site Styler allows you to change the appearance of your community.
Use the Global Page Template to edit the appearance code.
Explore and play with KickApps robust tools as much as you can during your 30-day free trial. A countdown clock at the top of your Affiliate Center dashboard will let you know how many days you have left. If you want to continue with your community, then select a plan before your trial ends. Good luck, and happy networking!
From The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Creating a Social Network by Angela Crocker
