Content by Geo

[bamajr]

Before I get a bunch of responses about WordPress Plugins, let me say that I'm not looking for the traditional, change content by geography function.

I have purchased Genesis, for which to base my themes off of. I've built several themes, without a framework and I've built a couple child themes based off the Responsive Theme. I've done some custom work with Thesis, too. So far, I'm most impressed with Genesis, as a Framework (or Foundation) to build off of.

I have a client that has four specific telephone numbers, to be used with four specific regions of a single state. There is an additional 1-800 number for the remaining areas in the state, as well as the rest of the US.

This client wants this telephone number to be located right away, in the header (right side, most likely), and wants the telephone number to change, based on where the user is located.

I've seen quite a few GEO Plugins, for WordPress, which will regionalize the content in the body (I.E. POST/PAGE) and a couple that extend that functionality into the widgeted areas. However, I've yet to find anything, that will allow me to input a list of phone numbers and define a geographical area, for which those phone numbers should display.

Questions:

1. Does Genesis have anything to support this functionality?
2. Does anyone know of an existing WordPress Plugin, that will support this functionality?
3. Does anyone know of any API, outside of WordPress, that already supports this functionality?

[anitac]

I don't know of any plugin that will work in that manner - but what you describe would be a plugin that works with the end users IP address. The telephone number would correspond to the IP address of the person visiting the website. You may want to hire a coder to do this. You can use eLance.com to post this as a Plugin job.

[anitac]

I think this might be close to what you are looking for - http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wpgeocode/. Use their Forum to see if anyone has a shortcode for Telephone Number.

[bamajr]

Originally Posted by anitac

I don't know of any plugin that will work in that manner - but what you describe would be a plugin that works with the end users IP address. The telephone number would correspond to the IP address of the person visiting the website. You may want to hire a coder to do this. You can use eLance.com to post this as a Plugin job.

Yeah, I'm not finding many people who can attest to this functionality. I know the MaxMind API supplies most of the existing plugins with their data. It probably wouldn't be too tough to find a way to use that same API to build a plugin, to do this. I'm sure I could build it and if not, I know several people that could, but hitting up eLance may be a good start.

Originally Posted by anitac

I think this might be close to what you are looking for - http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wpgeocode/. Use their Forum to see if anyone has a shortcode for Telephone Number.

I've used this plugin on other projects. It does little more than a basic analytics tool, other than it has the ability to post the information back to the front-facing posts/pages. Most analytics tools do everything I'm looking for, but many don't work inside the WordPress Loop and those that do, can only be used on the administration side of WordPress.

Thanks though!

[anitac]

I don't think anyone's API works. When I log in to Google it picks my location up as being in an area that I do not live it, it's like 20 miles away. Even when I change my location manually, it doesn't stay. My own internet service producer has the wrong city for me as well.

[bamajr]

Originally Posted by anitac

I don't think anyone's API works. When I log in to Google it picks my location up as being in an area that I do not live it, it's like 20 miles away. Even when I change my location manually, it doesn't stay. My own internet service producer has the wrong city for me as well.

You are absolutely right about that. My location in Google is the same way. The city I live is large enough to have it's own local search, in Google, for just about everything. However it isn't large enough for Google to identify where I am.

Actually, if you've been following any of the "Geo" discussions, over the last several years, this is a big issue. On one hand, content providers can make content much more relevant, if the locations are more accurate. On the other hand, personal security is a big deal. Most people don't like the idea of any content provider, being able to locate them, within a few feet.

Right now, most Geo software is only accurate, to the city, an ISP lists as their registered location, for the IP Addresses, they distribute. Like for me, my ISP is Comcast. Comcast has a local office in my city, but that is not where their IP Addresses for the area are registered to. In my area, Comcast registered all the IP Addresses they distribute (for all of the South Eastern Metro Area) to St. Paul, MN. So, my location, in most Geo utilities, shows up as St. Paul.

Content providers know this and my client understands it, too. The problem is, my client lives in an area where local businesses are preferred, to larger, national corporations. So, when people are looking for the services he offers, they are looking for a local telephone number and not a 1-800 number.

Try out the Service Experts website. They are doing what I want to be able to do. They have several locations in the US. If you live near one of their local offices, and visit their website, you will get the telephone number to one of the local offices. If you live in an area where there is no local office, then you will get the telephone number to the closest local office or to the national headquarters.

This is exactly what I want to do.

[anitac]

They are using an ASP CMS program. But look at this, it's not the same but may appease your client until you find a solution - http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/store-locator/

[bamajr]

Originally Posted by anitac

They are using an ASP CMS program. But look at this, it's not the same but may appease your client until you find a solution - http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/store-locator/

I did notice the ASP system, but I'm pretty biased to PHP and WordPress. Can ASP really do that much more than PHP? Are Geo Tools something ASP has that PHP doesn't?

Maybe, but I wouldn't think so. The code they use to display the phone number is probably a custom thing, just like it would have to be, using PHP... Wouldn't you think?

[anitac]

I like PHP better. I think if you use the original plugin I shared with you as a starting point on eLance - someone will be able to configure it. You can also use LinkedIn. I see a lot of people posting on LinkedIn for modifications all the time and programmers respond. Try there because posting it on LinkedIn is free. There's a group I belong to called Wordpress Problem Solvers (https://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=...&trk=hb_side_g), maybe join that group or search other Wordpress groups of your liking.

[bamajr]

Originally Posted by anitac

I like PHP better. I think if you use the original plugin I shared with you as a starting point on eLance - someone will be able to configure it. You can also use LinkedIn. I see a lot of people posting on LinkedIn for modifications all the time and programmers respond. Try there because posting it on LinkedIn is free. There's a group I belong to called Wordpress Problem Solvers (https://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=...&trk=hb_side_g), maybe join that group or search other Wordpress groups of your liking.

Hey, Awesome! Thanks for the LinkedIn group.

I'll probably not go looking on eLance or LinkedIn, just yet. I only asked on here because I thought someone may know of something, that was pre-exisiting.

So far though, you are the only one who has provided any input.

I'll take a look at that WordPress Plugin you recommended. Maybe it will point me in another direction.