Keep WordPress messaging on the front end
Front End PM PRO provides a private messaging system that works through a WordPress page rather than the Dashboard. It is designed for sites where users need to communicate without being directed into the administrative area. Conversations, message controls, and related user interactions can therefore be presented as part of the front-end experience.
The system supports private communication between users, along with threaded and individual messages. It also allows message content to include embedded material such as YouTube, Photobucket, Flickr, and WordPress TV content.
Support different conversation formats
PRO features include multiple recipients, group messages, and an option for admin-only messaging. These capabilities can support direct conversations as well as messages intended for more than one recipient. Email piping is also listed among the PRO features, together with read receipts and email templates.
- Send private messages between users.
- Use threaded messages or individual messages.
- Address multiple recipients.
- Create group messages.
- Use email piping.
- Enable read receipts.
- Work with email templates and an email queue.
- Use role-to-role messaging and blocking controls.
Announcements and notifications
Administrators can publish public announcements for all users or for particular roles. Announcement settings include whether an email should be sent when a new announcement is published and which address or addresses are used in the announcement’s “to” field.
Users can choose whether to receive messages and whether to receive email notifications when a new message arrives. They can also choose whether to receive email notifications for new announcements. Notification sound and desktop notification options are available for the messaging experience.
Administrative controls
Front End PM PRO includes settings for managing message volume, visibility, and access. Administrators can set the maximum number of messages a user may keep in their box on a per-role basis. They can also choose how many messages appear per page in the message box and how many users appear per page in the front-end directory.
The directory can be configured to show to all users or not. Administrators can block a user from sending private messages, set a time delay between messages sent by a user, and view other users’ private messages. There is also an option to block users from starting new messages while still allowing replies to their existing messages. Administrators can hide user autosuggestions when needed.
Users can block other users, and three types of sidebar widget are available. These controls can help shape how members discover contacts, manage conversations, and receive updates.
Set up the front-end workflow
Place the messaging system on a WordPress page so users can access it from the site’s front end. Configure the available administrative settings for recipients, announcements, directories, notifications, message limits, and access rules. Users can then communicate, manage their notification preferences, and use the available conversation features from that page.
Installation and maintenance
Install Front End PM and configure its messaging page and settings from the WordPress environment. Before updating, the provided guidance recommends testing on a staging site first and making a full backup so the site can be recovered if something goes wrong.
The plugin is translation-ready. Translation work can be handled through WordPress translation tools if the required language is not already available. Paid support is also referenced for users who need assistance.
