X-Cart Facebook automation module
 

Features

• Automate Facebook Posts:
  Whenever a product/category/manufacturer is added/modified to the store, the details will be queued to the facebook wall updates & will be published automatically into your facebook profile.
• Single Profile:
  The updates will be posted into single profile. No Multiple facebook accounts/profiles.
• Spam Control:
  The system allows you to control when your updates are sent to facebook wall. So they'll have more impact... all without the need to resort to spamming. By allowing time intervals between wall updates, maximum updates per hour will lead you to be safe from spamming & banning from Facebook.
• Manage Facebook posts:
  You can manage (add/edit/remove) the wall updates posted from x-cart admin panel itself.
• URL shortening:
  The product/category URLs are shortened automatically using bit.ly API. You can track the clicks, visitors statistics at bit.ly account which is free easily.

Module Details & Screen shots:

http://www.mercuryminds.com/product/xcart-facebook-automation-module.html

Price: just 65$, a worth investment.
http://www.mercuryminds.com/product/xcart-facebook-automation-module.html

Please feel free to PM me here or contact us at sales@mercuryminds.com for any queries/help. We are glad to assist you.

- Reva

Re: X-Cart Facebook automation module
 

Hi,

I have 3 questions:


1.) Does this have any conflict with your twitter updater?

2.) Is it very resource intensive for the server?

3.) Has anyone tried it? If so, what were your results?

Re: X-Cart Facebook automation module
 

Hi James,

Answer #1: No conflicts. Both modules are separate.

Answer #2: No resource intensive. The updates are in queue initially. Only approved messages will be posted. Also, every 60 seconds, a post is written automatically picked up from the queue table. It is a simple query fetching and writing to your wall.

Answer #3: It is working well in live sites. PM me her or contact us at sales@mercuryminds.com for references.

Thank you.

-Reva

Re: X-Cart Facebook automation module
 

You're not shortening the URLs? No bit.ly or ow.ly or even tinyurl integration?

Your demo doesn't actually seem to be publishing your updates (or not in real time,) so I can't tell whether or not the addition of a new product marked "Hidden" will be tweeted (which would be bad.)

Configuration options in the admin panel seem to be lacking - how do you control the text that is tweeted, etc? I don't see any config options around timing, are the tweets run from a scheduled job?

Looks like a terrific idea, but I can't really tell if the implementation meets my needs based on the demo and available docs.

Re: X-Cart Facebook automation module
 

Hi,

All the messages will be queued before publish it. Even, you can add your own using "add option" button.

The messages will not be published instantly. Rather than they will be published automatically using cron job with limitations (one update in every 2 minutes) to avoid blocking our account & meeting their spam policy.

Regarding URL shorten, we will implement using bit.ly API in the next version. At the moment, not. They have to be done manually if it is needed.

Please let us know if you have anyother queries.

-Reva

Re: X-Cart Facebook automation module
 

This one is pretty important, if I have to manually shorten the URLs, I might as well send it manually too. You might want to make this a priority and... if you expect me to buy it sooner rather than later... I would offer that those that buy now will get to upgrade at no further cost.

Re: X-Cart Facebook automation module
 

The next version will have the feature "URL shortning automatically", you can expect the release in 10 days time. All our customers are eligible for "free one year warranty and 6 months upgrade free". You can find the details at our website http://www.mercuryminds.com/product/xcart-facebook-automation-module.html

If you order it immediately, you will be the updated files in 10 days time when the next release is made.

Please feel free to contact us at sales@mercuryminds.com for any queries.

-Reva

Re: X-Cart Facebook automation module
 

Hi Everybody, just an update. The next version will be released by Monday.

-Reva

Re: X-Cart Facebook automation module
 

Well Everybody: Another great news to share with everyone. Today, we released the updated version, 1.1. What's new:

-> Auto URL shortening for the product/category URLs using bit.ly API.
-> You can manage (add/edit/delete) from the backend.

All our existing customers are requested to contact us for upgrade patches which is free totally.

-Reva

Re: X-Cart Facebook automation module
 

X-Cart Facebook automation module, version 1.1 does support x-cart version 4.0.x too.

-Reva

Re: X-Cart Facebook automation module
 

HI guys, what a great idea, this and the Twitter automater! I can get on with more important things if I implement these.

Question: I see in the news today that the registrar for .ly has taken down a .ly service as it does not comply with Libia's local laws. Also in future .ly registrations all need to be in Lybia.

So, my question is, can these modules be set to a different URL shortening service at all or is it hard wired to bit.ly?

Thank you. Very keen to go on this.

Guy

Re: X-Cart Facebook automation module
 

Hi Guy,

We are closely monitoring that news. At the moment, there is no issue with bit.ly service. Libya closed down only vb.ly (pornagraphic oriented shortening service).

However, we have added google shortening services (goo.gl) in our plan. Depending on one web service is not good enough. We are waiting their API release shortly.

You can continue enjoying the services until then. You will be supplied the upgrade patches at free of cost.

Re: X-Cart Facebook automation module
 

Thanks Dongan. Sounds great, will get this organized for two domains.

Guy

Re: X-Cart Facebook automation module
 

Hi guys (and everyone reading),

My Twitter and Facebook mods got installed and working pretty soon after my last post. The main challenge for me was in my opinion the overly complicated set up at Facebook and Twitter. Both had to be new 'applications with a whole list of serial numbers all called different odd things that mostly made little sense to me.

Right now I have two sites with the Facebook and Twitter mods on. The Twitter mods point to two different twitter accounts (different markets) whilst I have chosen to use the same Facebook account for both the websites.

My main issue still is with Facebook. My understanding is that an 'application' can not be pushed to the directory of 'applications' until a certain amount of regular use is clocked up... but how do you get that regular use clocked up? I am adding the link to all my mails and the site of course. The Facebook widget for the application sits in my credit card TPL on the left hand column and looks good too.

Where I am now however is a bit confused about the Facebook way of seeing things: why is this an application? why cant I add it to my account page somewhere? why is this an application instead of a page? and if not, why cant I add it to my page? I a have tried but it never gets there even if I press a button to do so if I actually find it.

Its all a bit odd this Facebook stuff IMO so any advice from someone that has figured it out would be gratefully appreciated, thank you.


Guy

Re: X-Cart Facebook automation module
 

Hi Guy,

The reason is "unless it is developed as an application,

a) Session alive: automation is not possible. You need to login to facebook everytime from admin panel before posting to keep the facebook session alive

b) Statistics: Fans statistics can be gathered like age group, sex easily. We can develop custom reports.

c) We are adding more features to this module now. You mean you can manage products (a mini store in Facebook) from x-cart admin panel. This products will have its own pages and it will appear in facebook global search."

I hope this is clear now. Please let us know if you have any other queries.

Re: X-Cart Facebook automation module
 

To answer this question, we have our fans network that can be used to make your application eligible at the time of installation. You can contact our support team in case of help in this regard. You no longer need to wait to have 10 fans.

Re: X-Cart Facebook automation module
 

Hi Dongan, ok so

1) I need to log in to then keep the session alive, and then be able to publish? if yes I understand now, thank you.

2) I now have 17 fans so does that mean I can go back in and get it published to the apps directory? I thought it was more complicated than that, i.e. needing x amount of regular fans and y amount of total fans or some complicated issue like that. Why Facebook makes it so complicated I dont know. But let me know, if I had another 10 that would be good anyway, my kids are on there so it would be good to have a few more anyway :-)

3) so it is definitely not a page then. Do you know if I can add it to my account page, or even a business page I have also running which has a lot more activity currently? Thanks

Thanks Dongan, I appreciate your help.

Guy

Re: X-Cart Facebook automation module
 

With the latest version, you do not need to login everytime.

Either you can contact your existing contacts to become fan, or just contact our support team. We will have it from our network for you quickly.

Yes. We highly recommend business profile/page, not individual for your business. You can configure it for your business page too. It works.

Re: X-Cart Facebook automation module
 

Dongan, thanks, how do I know if I have the latest version?

Guy

Re: X-Cart Facebook automation module
 

Create a ticket at support.mercuryminds.com. They can tell you.

Re: X-Cart Facebook automation module
 

Hello,

Is it also possible to add a thumbnail into the facebook post? As far as i can see there's only a text message with link?

Thanks,

Digiscrap.nl
Vincent Volmer

Re: X-Cart Facebook automation module
 

currently, that feature is not available. We have added this nice to have feature in the next version. If you want it before, email us at sales@mercuryminds.com. We will come up with a solution. Thank you.

Re: X-Cart Facebook automation module
 

That sounds great!! Yes, we would like to have it before the release of the next version if possible. :lol:

One question before buying: Does this post on a Facebook Official Page? (Facebook: Communicate with your customers and fans by creating and maintaining an official Facebook Page.)
This is where we want to post on.
Link to the sign-up page : http://www.facebook.com/pages/create.php?campaign_id=372931622610&placement=pghm &extra_1=0
On the right you see the Official Page sign-up form.

So this is not a private profile but a "Fan" Page.

Thanks for your answer!

Digiscrap.nl
Vincent Volmer

Re: X-Cart Facebook automation module
 

Yes. It does work well in business profile too.

Re: X-Cart Facebook automation module
 

Has anyone managed to set up this module on a business profile.

We seem to be stuck, we can't add a new app without adding a profile.

But adding a profile is not allowed on this type of account :?

Re: X-Cart Facebook automation module
 

I think it's been sorted out. If you still need a help, pls open a ticket with us. Thank you.

Re: X-Cart Facebook automation module
 

Hello Dongan, yes managed to work it out eventually thanks.

In case anyone else gets stuck with this,

log in/make a personal account.
create the app in that one
Like your business page

Log into business profile, and make your personal account an admin.

You can add then add the app using your personal account.

What a rigmarole, if anyone knows an easier way please share :D

Re: X-Cart Facebook automation module
 

We still dont have this MOD up & running.

Has anyone actually got it working on a business profile?

We are getting "file access" errors generating the access token.

Re: X-Cart Facebook automation module
 

Hi,

I can see that your request is handled by our support team already. Thanks.

Re: X-Cart Facebook automation module
 

Hi,

Yes that is all sorted thanks.

We still can't get this to work, although it seems you got it to work ok on your test account :?

I still can't see how this mod can work on a fan/business page at all, you must have a profile attached for the app to work.

It is probably just a setting, but struggling here.

Re: X-Cart Facebook automation module
 

Ok. our team will assist you and provide updates in the ticket. Thank you.

Re: X-Cart Facebook automation module
 

Thankyou Dongan

Re: X-Cart Facebook automation module
 

Well it works, I needed to redo the token as well, that sorted it :D

Bad news is we are back to the business page problem.

To have the app, you must have a profile. You cannot have a profile on a business page apparently.

So I have added a personal account as admin to the page to get round this.

You cannot use the app when logged into facebook on the business account.

You must sign out, then sign in again on the personal account.

The app will then work, but it posts to the wall of the personal account, not the fan page.

Dongan, you do state it will work in a business page, can you, or anyone tell me how this can be done :D

Thanks

Re: X-Cart Facebook automation module
 

Hi Guy,

Let me try to explain in detail.


Yes. You need to create an app using your business profile (Login) one time and Configure it. Yes. You can post the updates in your wall of a business page, not on the wall of an app page.

The reason why we allow to create an individual app for every user is "in future when we add more features, it is easier + these updates will appear in Facebook Global search results that will increase your product visibility".

Re: X-Cart Facebook automation module
 

Hi Everybody,

We have released the next major release, Version 2.0.

Here are the changes list/improvements:


How the upgrade works?

Since it is a major release, there is no direct upgrade option/patches. You need to uninstall the older version & install the latest version

Were previous posts/history removed from Facebook Wall if we upgrade?

No. They will NOT be lost. They remain in Facebook wall. But, the current history in x-cart admin panel will be lost.

How much the upgrade cost?

• If you have bought the module with installation services after July'2011, please drop an email to support@mercuryminds.com. We will perform this upgrade at free of cost for you.
• If you have bought the module only after July'2011, please drop an email to support@mercuryminds.com along with your x-cart version & Website name. The updated files will be emailed to you. No cost for this.
• If you have bought the module with installation services before July'2011, please drop an email to support@mercuryminds.com. We will perform the upgrade for you. It will cost 25$ only for performing upgrade and latest version.
• If you have bought the module only before July'2011, please drop an email to support@mercuryminds.com along with your x-cart version & Website name. The updated files will be emailed to you. This will cost 25$ only for latest version files.

Thank you for your continual support.

Re: X-Cart Facebook automation module
 

Hi Dongan, good to see the new release and am keen to get my two sites working again with this mod but your explanation still confuses me & I have some concerns. I see that you are saying I an publish to a page but it has to be a new page configured with app details, not an existing page.

Also, the way I see Facebook being presented to me is that an 'app' is listed with apps whilst 'page's are listed with other pages, they are different things.

Since I last approached the use of this mod I have seen an increasing amount of news and concern about security issues with apps gathering profile data from people so I dont see marketing on FaceBook with an app is going to gather as many followers as a safe, straight forward page.

Can I not point this publishing mod to publish to my existing page? I have seen a number of site or device apps out there which simply allow you to post to a profile or better still, a page.


Essentially what I am asking is, if I have existing pages that have lots of likes, this is where I would want to publish all my x-cart store news to, not have to create a new 'app' / 'page' thing to then have to start again gathering 'likes' from everyone.

Thanks

Guy

Re: X-Cart Facebook automation module
 

Hi,

Please write your queries to support@mercuryminds.com. The team will provide a detailed explanation. Thanks.