Follow Up: I’ve tested the embedded code generated by MailChimp.com, and it addresses the bugs I reported in the WordPress plugin. Unfortunately, the embedded code has a couple of problems of its own:
- There is absolutely no confirmation of any kind after clicking on the Subscribe button!
- The check boxes and radio buttons do not completely cover the list bullets, which looks unprofessional.
Can you folks at MailChimp please provide one solution which does everything I need, all at the same time?
Thank you.
Prioritizing the Bug Fixes: I’ve spoken with my web project client, and we agree that we can make do without the choice of email format (plugin bug #1) or multiple fields of interest groups (plugin bug #3). What we need most is for the plugin to handle selected interest groups correctly. Could you please fix plugin bug #2 first, before you spend a lot of time fixing the other two plugin bugs?
That would help us a lot!
Thanks so much,
Fred Chapman
[ Signature moderated. ]
P.S. The embedded code needs some work too, but that’s not a priority for us. We’d much rather go back to using the plugin!
Hey Fred,
Thanks again for the details. The limitations of the WordPress plugin are something that we hope to have fixed by the time the next release rolls around. While I don’t have a specific ETA on that, it is something that we’re actively working on. In the meantime, the workaround for the groups field is to use either a radio button or dropbox. Those will carry over into the list when a subscriber signs up, as expected. If you’re looking for a little more, currently the best option is to use the embedded form for the most control over the signup process.
As far as the embedded form goes, that should function as expected within a WordPress site. If you’re not seeing any sort of confirmation popup, it could be that there’s other javascript running on the WordPress page. You can disable javascript in the embedded form and then you shoul be prompted with a “success” page. Here’s a screencap:
http://screencast.com/t/hgdFPxbIN <- How do disable javascript
http://screencast.com/t/pYwVNfYez7 <- Screencap of signup process after java disabled
As far as the checkboxes are concerned, while the embedded form isn’t super-fancy, you can style everything via CSS.
Let us know if we can further assist. We’re happy to help.
mc_nate,
Thanks very much for your prompt and helpful reply! I followed both of your suggestions to get the embedded form working better:
- I disabled JavaScript, and now the form opens a new web page with a confirmation message. This makes me really appreciate the plugin’s way of displaying a confirmation message within the form itself (a very nice feature), but any confirmation is much better than no confirmation at all!
- I modified the style.css file for my theme. Instead of using a PNG image for the bullets in unordered lists in the sidebar, I changed it to use the default disc bullet, and now the embedded form displays only check boxes with no bullets underneath. Yes, this changes the bullets for all unordered lists in the sidebar, but I never liked those stupid PNG bullets anyway. 🙂
With your two suggestions, the embedded form is now a very reasonable workaround and will serve us well until the WordPress plugin is fixed.
Thanks again!
Fred
P.S. MailChimp ROCKS!!!
Glad to hear it, Fred!
If you need anything else, feel free to give us a shout!
Nate,
I want you to know how much I appreciate your speedy and helpful technical support. I’m integrating MailChimp into my client’s website, and it makes all the difference to know that your company is serious about supporting its products and services. The high level of support you’ve provided inspires real confidence. I know I can count on you, and that’s why I plan to recommend MailChimp enthusiastically to all my clients!
Please forward this message to your supervisor. You deserve credit for a job well done!
Fred
