yPHPLista WordPress Plugin Integrates PHPlist and WordPress seamlessly

UPDATE: Happy to announce yPHPLista 1.2 1.1.1 has been released! The newest version adds the following fun stuff:

  • Widget – drag and drop yPHPLista into any widgetized area!
  • Multiple lists – use comma separated values either in your default backend or in the individual posts to add users to multiple lists!
  • Backend PHP function
  • Thorough bug testing 😉

yPHPlista integrates PHPlist, the famous open-source, free and powerful mailing list software, with wordpress smoothly and now with AJAX! Other plugins haven’t been updated in a while, or they don’t work with the latest versions of phplist. importantly, this plugin does all of that but allows you to keep your user on the same page, not send them to an ugly “thank you for subscribing” page.

Please note that yPHPlista DOES NOT handle any part of mailing list, or modify phplist. it simply acts as a conduit between wordpress and an already-functioning phplist install.

How it looks:

Go here, kid!

Usage instructions

1. Upload `yphplista` directory to your ‘/wp-content/plugins/’ directory
2. Activate the yPHPlista plugin through the ‘Plugins’ page in WordPress
3. Set it up with your PHPlist settings.
4. Add a new page or post to your wordpress and type in the [yphplista] shortcode wherever you want the signup box to appear.
5. You can now also add yPHPLista as a widget if your theme is widgetized through your backend.
6. NEW: if you’re keen on editing your theme, use the function <? yphplista() ?> alone (for use with default backend options) or <? yphplista(template id,list name,string with comma delimited list numbers) ?> (eg <? echo yphplista(1,’hello’,’4,5′) ?>)
7. That’s all – yPHPlista will take care of the rest.

Screenshot of the options page:

[ycyclista]


FAQ

Can I choose different names, ids, subscribe pages?

You can always enter the defaults in the backend (including multiple comma-separated lists), but now you can also overwrite it for each individual post: To use an alternate subscribe “page” use the shortcode with temple_id, like [yphplista template_id=3]. To use an alternate list use the shortcode with listname AND listnum, like [yphplista listname=”secondlist” listnum=”3″]. To use multiple lists, there’s no need to enter in the names, just use [yphplista listnum=”2,3″]

What about validation/authorization/spam prevention

At the current time yPHPLista does not validate email addresses, nor does it employ any spam prevention techniques like reCAPTCHA, etc. If you need this functionality, be in touch for personalized support. note: PHPList has some built in validation (eg it won’t accept .ocm domains for example) but again that’s not part of the plugin.

It’s not working!

Wow, that’s broad. Have you correctly set up PHPList, created a list, and a subscribe page? All of these things are NOT under the purview of this plugin; basically make sure everything’s running well on that side before you attempt to use this.

I have PHPList setup but it’s still not working!

Have you created a subscribe page, and entered the correct settings in the plugin settings page? Remember, each subscribe page has an “id” (the default is 1) and we need to make sure they’re created in order to use this plugin.

Also note two major caveats: WP doesn’t allow you to use AJAX cross-server; that is, you can’t have your wp install at “http://mywp.com” and your newsletter at “http://mynews.com/newsletter” and expect it to work flawlessly. this is for security reasons. also note that if there are two instances of phplist on the same page, one MIGHT fail (not sure), so make sure to triple test multiple loops or queries. this is because phplist requires certain naming conventions for its form elements that sometimes won’t interact perfectly with jquery…

But seriously, it isn’t working, even if i get a green successful box…

That green box (success) and red box (failure) can report false results. Try disabling javascript on your browser and navigating to your page, and subscribing. Does it take you to the “subscribe” page that you set up through phplist? if so, the problem is with the plugin and i’d love if you commented below. if it doesnt work, then you entered your settings incorrectly or have set up phplist incorrectly.

Can I change how things look?

Certainly. CSS is your best friend. everything is id’d and class’d

How do I make it go to eleven?

Please donate and contact me – I can customize this for your specific site in any way you want!

TODO:

multiple lists (checkbox). other things.


yPHPlista by Yonatan Reinberg has been tested on all the latest versions of FireFox, Chrome, and, why not, Internet Explorer. It also validates 100% as HTML5, etc. Note too, as with every plugin or theme modification, you should do a backup of your files beforehand. Although we’ve tested this across many installs, we are not responsible for anything it does to your system and do not guarantee support.