What is Blipstar Server?

Blipstar Server allows you to install your own store locator, similar to Blipstar Plus, in the same place as your existing web site, rather than hosted on the Blipstar.com servers.

Why would I want to do that?

It's ideal if you want all the benefits of Blipstar but with total control of your data and where it is hosted. It's also ideal for anyone who wants to customize their locator in some way (so it does exactly what you need) and avoids having to design one from scratch. Furthermore, you can have any number of store locations.

How does it work?

You can install Blipstar Server on your own web server or, more commonly, one provided by a web hosting company (i.e. where your website is hosted). It guides you through the simple process of setting up your store locator and most users have been able to get the basic setup working in less than 30 minutes! And you are free to customize your application to meet your exact needs (the front end is standard HTML/Javascript) so you can stand out from the crowd!


In order to use Blipstar Server you need an Excel spreadsheet or simple CSV file of your store location data and the web server needs:

• PHP 4.2 or above (with MySQL extension installed)
• MySQL

Even if you don't own your own server, the vast majority of Shared Web Hosting companies support these common requirements, making Blipstar Server available to most users.

Sounds good - now what?

Blipstar Server is very cost-effective: a set-up fee of just $295 plus an annual support fee of $175. It requires some very basic knowledge of setting up MySQL databases. Naturally Javascript and HTML knowledge is beneficial if you want to customize the front-end. The support fee gives you priority support and access to new versions as and when they are released. A freelance customization service is also available (so you can get exactly what you want but don't actually have to develop it yourself!). For more information contact us.

Quick Overview of Setting Up Blipstar Server

Blipstar Server has been designed to be as easy to use as possible as illustrated here...

	Blipstar Server guides you through the set up process
	You upload your store location data
	You add it to your site (with one line of code) and customize as required
	That's it - you now have a store locator integrated in your site!

Example images courtesy of Best Buy.