Providing Feedback and Feature Requests with SharpIdeas

SharpIdeas is SharpSpring's product feedback site, giving you a direct line to SharpSpring. With SharpIdeas, you can submit new feature requests or suggest improvements to current features. This article will detail how to join in the conversation to help shape the future of the SharpSpring application. Article Contents Benefits of SharpIdeas Accessing SharpIdeas Accessing User Settings User Settings: Changing Email Notifications User Settings: Setting Avatars User Settings: Account Information User Settings: Changing Passwords User Settings: Deleting Profiles User Settings: Exporting Data Searching Content Feature Requests Submitting Ideas Supporting Ideas Commenting on Ideas			Available with:
			Marketing Automation	✓
			CRM Ultimate	✓
			CRM PRO	✓
			CRM Free	✓
			Toolbar:
			Users:
			Administrators	✓
			Company Managers	✓
			Marketing Managers	✓
			Sales Managers	✓
			Salespersons	✓
			Jr. Salespersons	✓

Benefits of SharpIdeas

If you have an idea on how to improve the SharpSpring application, then SharpSpring wants to hear from you. SharpIdeas is a way for you to submit overall feedback and application feature requests.

With SharpIdeas, you can:

• Suggest ideas for new features. Marketing automation is always changing, and SharpSpring intends on remaining an industry leader. Updates, improvements, and new features are always being added to provide you with more options when creating marketing content. If you have an idea on what features SharpSpring should add to the application, then provide a request on how best to implement them.
  
  
• Request improvements to existing features. SharpSpring wants to provide the best user experience possible and is always improving the application. If a feature is not performing up to task, then submit feedback and say how the application can be improved.
  
  
• See and vote on ideas other users have posted. Every SharpSpring user has input on which features SharpSpring could implement. You can view other users' ideas and vote on whether or not you think those ideas would benefit the application as a whole.
  
  
• Stay updated on SharpSpring's latest features and product roadmap. If you want to see how SharpSpring is developing features, upvote requests to subscribe to them. This will keep you informed of all the progress being made on that feature.

Accessing SharpIdeas

SharpIdeas is located at ideas.sharpspring.com. Log in to SharpIdeas with the same login credentials that you use to log in to SharpSpring. Once logged in to SharpIdeas, you can begin to: Customize your account settings Search for available ideas and feature requests Post your own ideas and feature requests Comment on other ideas and feature requests

Click to enlarge.

Accessing User Settings

While many of your settings are carried over from the SharpSpring application, you may find that you need to customize certain user settings for SharpIdeas. To modify user settings in SharpIdeas, click Settings from any page in SharpIdeas. The available settings are as follows:

Click to enlarge.

When modifying settings, be aware that all changes are saved automatically. Changes will be reflected when you refresh or exit the Settings page.

In addition, the User Settings page displays all of the ideas you have supported or commented on.

User Settings: Changing Email Notifications

You can determine when you receive emails on supported ideas. To modify notification settings, do the following: Log in to SharpIdeas. Click Settings. Click the desired checkboxes in the Email Notifications for Ideas You Support section:

Click to enlarge.

User Settings: Setting Avatars

SharpSpring utilizes Gravatar for avatar services. For example, uploaded Gravatar images are displayed as the    User Menu icon in the SharpSpring application.

Gravatar services require that you sign up for or use a Wordpress account. To access Gravatar, do the following: Log in to SharpIdeas. Click Settings. Click the Gravatar.com link in the Avatar section. Click Sign In. Create a Wordpress account, or sign in with an existing Wordpress account. Upload an avatar to your email address. For more information on uploading and modifying avatars, refer to Setting Avatars.		Click to enlarge.
		Note: If you are already logged in to Gravatar.com, click My Gravatars in Gravatar's top toolbar to access avatar settings.

User Settings: Account Information

You can modify certain account information settings at any time. To modify a username, account password, or default language, do the following:

Log in to SharpIdeas. Click Settings. Click Edit Name in the Username field. Enter a new username. Click Edit Email in the Email field. Enter a new email address. Click Edit Language in the Language field. Click    List. Select the desired default language.		Click to enlarge.
		Note: Clicking outside of the field will deselect the field and retain entered changes.

User Settings: Changing Passwords

For security purposes, SharpSpring recommends that you periodically change your password. To change password settings, do the following:

Log in to SharpIdeas. Click Settings. Click Set Password. Enter a new password in the Enter Your New Password text field. Enter the new password again in the Confirm Your New Password text field. Click Submit.

Click to enlarge.

Be aware that passwords must contain the following:

Password changes are immediate. You will need to use your new password the next time you log in.

User Settings: Deleting Profiles

If you would prefer to disassociate your ideas from your SharpSpring account, you can delete your SharpIdeas profile. Be aware that deleting your profile cannot be undone.

To delete your profile, do the following: Log in to SharpIdeas. Click Settings. Click Delete My Profile. Click OK in the modal window that appears.

Click to enlarge.

After deleting your profile, the following will occur:

• Your posted comments and submitted ideas with support will be attributed to Anonymous.
• Your ideas without support will be deleted.
• Your email address and personal data will be removed from existing tickets.

User Settings: Exporting Data

If you would like to export an external data file all of the content you have submitted to SharpIdeas, do the following:

Log in to SharpIdeas. Click Settings. Click Export My Data. Navigate your web browser to the email service associated with your SharpIdeas email address. Locate the email sent from SharpSpring. Save or download the attached data.

Click to enlarge.

Exported data will be attached as .CSV files.

Searching Content

You can search for submitted ideas and other content at any time and from any page within SharpIdeas. To search for content, do the following: Log in to SharpIdeas. Locate the    Search Bar. Enter the desired term or phrase into the text field. Click the applicable result in the Search Results list.		Click to enlarge.
		Note: To clear search results, click Clear Search Results.

Feature Requests

If you have an idea for a feature improvement or a new feature, you can submit a feature request. Every feature request goes through the SharpSpring team, where requests are researched, vetted, and may be grouped in with other existing projects in the development roadmap.

The team looks closely at every feature request to evaluate the current behavior of the related application areas and your proposed solution. If your proposed solution fits with SharpSpring's development roadmap, it will be added to the backlog. Be aware that certain feature requests may not be actionable or fit into SharpSpring's vision for the application.

Similar to the categorization of support issues, feature requests are organized as follows:

Once an idea has been submitted, the SharpSpring team will evaluate it and determine how best to proceed. Be aware that it can take some time for ideas to move along in the process. Additionally, there is no time frame for completing an idea review. Typically, the team will review ideas when able, or when the team is working on a feature similar to the idea in review. If an idea is declined, the SharpSpring team will inform the subscribers of that idea as to why.

The evaluation and development process is as follows:

Submitting Ideas

SharpSpring values your input and wants to hear from you on how to make the application better. You can submit feature requests and other ideas at any time. To submit ideas and feature requests, do the following:

Log in to SharpIdeas. Click the desired section in the Feedback Forums list. Enter a title for your idea into the Enter Your Idea text field. Select the category your idea best applies to in the Category drop-down menu. Optionally, enter details about your idea in the Describe Your Idea field. Optionally, click Attach a File to upload an associated file. Click Post Idea.		Click to enlarge.
		Note: To delete an idea after submitting it, click the Delete option under the idea.

Be aware that similar ideas will populate below the Enter Your Idea text field as you type in your idea. If you see a similar idea already posted, consider instead supporting the existing idea and adding your insight as a comment.

Special Considerations and General Etiquette for Submitting Ideas

How you draft and format of an idea is important. This is because your idea needs to be understood by both the SharpSpring team and other SharpIdeas users. The more understandable the idea, the more likely it is that other users will vote or comment on the idea. More than that, well-reasoned and properly formatted information will help the SharpSpring team to understand your need, which will increase the odds that they will have in successfully solving your problem. When submitting ideas, consider the following: 

• Consider what it is that you are submitting. SharpIdeas should be used for feedback that relates to an idea regarding the functionality or value of the application. For anything support-related, contact SharpSpring Support instead. Similarly, you should review the many articles in the Help Center for questions about how the application works or how to use a specific feature.
  
  
• Use the platform’s search engine to your advantage. Votes and comments help an idea make it into the application. Taking advantage of the search engine will help more people see your idea, as your idea may already be out there. You can see ideas similar to yours by using the SharpIdeas search engine. Vote on any ideas that represent yours, or on ideas that you would like to see in the application.
  
  
• Write concise and descriptive idea titles. The more concise and descriptive the title, the easier it will be for others to find and vote on. Describe existing features as they are described in the application within the title.
  
  
• Use the description box to provide any further context. Good descriptions go a long way to helping the SharpSpring team evaluate the feature request. The more accurate, detailed, and comprehensive the description, the more help it will be. In addition, be sure to provide information on how the idea relates to your specific role or how it would help you perform your work. 
  
  
• Include the problem you are having within the idea. The problem helps the SharpSpring team to understand why you are sharing the idea. It is perhaps the most crucial part of the entire submission process, and leaving it out can prevent you from receiving a satisfactory answer. Also, other users may have had the same problem and come up with different solutions. SharpIdea’s search engine will help other users with the same problem find your idea and vote on it.
  
  
• Categorize the idea whenever possible. Categories make it easier for others to find your idea and enable you to advocate for improvements to a specific feature category, even if you do not have a specific idea of your own.

Supporting Ideas

You can offer votes of support for other ideas. To support an idea, do the following:

Log in to SharpIdeas. Click the desired section in the Feedback Forums list. Click Vote next to the desired idea. Optionally, click Vote again to withdraw your support.

Click to enlarge.

Commenting on Ideas

You can offer insight or comments on other ideas. To comment on ideas, do the following: Log in to SharpIdeas. Click the desired section in the Feedback Forums list. Click the name of the desired idea. Enter your comment into the Add a Comment text field. Click Post Comment. Practice polite and professional commenting etiquette when interacting with other ideas, comments, or users.		Click to enlarge.
		Note: If a submitted idea is rude, off-topic, or inappropriate, click Flag Idea as Inappropriate.
		Note: To delete your submitted comment, click Delete next to the comment.