Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)


Getting Started

Infrastructure

Service and Support

Pricing and Payment

Customization



Answers


What is a Groupsite?

Groupsites are collaboration websites for groups. Groupsites enable groups to communicate, share and network to make things happen. Groupsites bring together only the most useful features of listservs, collaboration software and social networks into a system (i.e., collaboration community) that empower groups to easily communicate, share and network.

Groupsites are fun and easy to use, and functional!

BACK TO TOP

How are Groupsites different than Facebook or Social Networks?

Groupsite.com is not a destination or social network like Facebook and Linkedin. We are not software that you buy and need your IT staff to maintain, like Sharepoint. We are not a listserv where emails sent back and forth live in your inbox like Yahoo! Groups.

Groupsites.com is a multi-purpose social collaboration platform. Groupsites are uncluttered with the needless distractions often found in Social Networks and are group-centric (as opposed to individual-centric, like Facebook). Groupsites are designed specifically to empower groups of all types and sizes to make things happen.

BACK TO TOP

How quickly can my group be up and running?

Your Groupsite can be up and running in a matter of minutes. First, create a FREE Groupsite. Then you can add premium features or contact us about a Groupsite Pro account from within your Groupsite's Manager area at any time.

BACK TO TOP

What is the job of a Groupsite manager?

The creator of the Groupsite is automatically the group's initial manager. Once the Groupsite has been created, Manager controls can be assigned to other group members. Group Managers may customize the Groupsite, set group permissions, invite and manage group members, upgrade to any premium feature and more. These tasks may be competed very quickly and easily from within the Manager area (visible only to group managers) of the Groupsite.

BACK TO TOP

Do I need an IT department to manage the system?

Absolutely not! You can create a Groupsite in a matter of minutes. After set-up, your site can be accessed through any computer anywhere in the world using a standard web browser and an Internet connection. Your members have real-time 24/7 access to each other, and you have 24/7 access to your members, all in a safe, secure, web-based environment.

There’s nothing to install and you don’t need an IT department to manage the service.

BACK TO TOP

Can we run Groupsite.com on our own servers?

Groupsite.com is a web-based, hosted platform. The service is not available for purchase to install on your own servers. We maintain the servers, the security, all the updates and improvements so you don’t have to worry about anything.

BACK TO TOP

What about privacy, security, and confidentiality?

Groupsite.com servers are hosted in a state-of-the art, Tier 1 datacenter under 24 hour surveillance. Each Groupsite.com account is password-protected. Groupsites can be upgraded to include 128-bit SSL encryption from within the Manager/Upgrade Groupsite area of your Groupsite.

We invite you to view our Privacy Policy.

BACK TO TOP

Can I get my data out if I want to discontinue using Groupsite.com?

Yes, you can easily export Groupsite data out of the system at any time from within your Groupsite's Manager area. Data can be exported in XML and CSV formats.

BACK TO TOP

Is data backed up in case of an emergency?

Data is backed up daily and written to multiple disks. We can perform full backup recovery in the event of a system-wide emergency. Our hardware is also fully redundant so even if one disk or server fails nothing will be lost.

BACK TO TOP

Is training required to learn how to use the Groupsite.com service?

Groupsites are designed to be easy to learn and can be used immediately. The service was built to be extremely intuitive and user-friendly. We offer online video tutorials, FAQs and a very active users group.

Links to training and support resources are found at the right of this page, and under the HELP tab on the main navigation bar of all Groupsites.

BACK TO TOP

What support resources are available?

The sidebar of this page offers links to a wealth of support including video tutorials, and FAQs about our features for both users and managers. We also have a very active users group, Groupsite.com Champions.

BACK TO TOP

How much does it cost?

Groupsites can be free. Depending on what you need you may never need more than our free offering. Start immediately with a free account and you can upgrade at any time. Also visit our pricing page.

BACK TO TOP

Do I have to make a long-term commitment?

Groupsites are FREE to set up and premium features are billed on a month-to-month or annual basis and charged to a credit card. You can cancel premium features or delete your Groupsite at any time from the Manager area within your Groupsite.

For Groupsite Pro plans of larger than 300 members, only annual plans are available.

BACK TO TOP

Can we pay for our Groupsite a year in advance? Do you accept POs or payment by check?

Once you’ve created a free Groupsite, you can subscribe to add-on premium services on a month-to-month or annual basis. Ad-free Groupsite Pro plans for up to 300 users are also available on a month-to-month or annual basis. We only accept credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover) and invoices are automatically available for download from right inside your Groupsite. You can access your invoices by clicking the “Past Invoices” link found in the Manager/Upgrade Groupsite area.

For Groupsite Pro plans over 300 members, billing will occur annually. In these cases, payment may be made by check or credit card and your invoices are emailed to you.

BACK TO TOP

Do I pay for individual users or blocks of users with Groupsite Pro?

Groupsite Pro services are priced per-user in bundles for up to 300 users. For groups larger than 300 users, service may be purchased in blocks of 150 through your account representative.

BACK TO TOP

What happens when we reach our user limit?
Will members still be able to log-in?

Members of your Groupsite will always be able to access your Groupsite, even if your account reaches your user limit. As a Groupsite Manager, you’ll receive email, system messages and/or a phone call to alert you when your account approaches and exceeds your current subscription level.

BACK TO TOP

Can we pay for unlimited Groupsites to be used throughout our enterprise or organization?

Yes. This is a great way to leverage Groupsites to make things happen. Unlimited plans can be purchased by contacting sales@groupsite.com.

BACK TO TOP

How customizable is a Groupsite?

You can customize your Groupsite with your company's name, colors and URL of your choice. As a premium option, you can upload your own custom header and background that incorporates your organization’s branding into your Groupsite. All Groupsites, even free ones, allow you to easily customize your summary page and the sidebar areas of most of your Groupsite’s pages. You can also add more, custom pages to your Groupsite as a premium feature.

BACK TO TOP

Can I use my own domain name?

Yes. We give you the option of selecting a sub-domain or using your own custom domain name. A sub-domain looks something like: http://yourgroupname.groupsite.com, and is free of charge. Or, use your own fully custom domain name by subscribing to our Custom Domain Name premium option, available as an add-on or included in annual bundles.

BACK TO TOP

Can I make a Groupsite look like anything a want?

No. You can make amazing things happen with a Groupsite but a Groupsite, by any other name, is still a Groupsite. Every Groupsite has our hallmark, simple user interface and main navigation that includes the core Communicate, Share and Network activities clearly visible and accessible to all.

While each Groupsite is its own secure sanctuary, all Groupsites are powered by the Groupsite.com platform. This allows you the simplicity of having a single log-in and password for all of your groups. You can easily switch between all the Groupsites to which you belong using the “Switch Groupsites” button at the top of every Groupsite page.

BACK TO TOP