Have you wondered how to build a "website builder" like yola.com, ning.com, etc, which allows registered users to build their own website with a simple click of a button. Well, with drupal and its following modules, it is possible. However to accomplish this task, it is recommended that you have basic knowledge of the following modules functionality.
Modules :
Drupal 6.x
Organic groups 6.x
OG menu 6.x
Pathauto 6.x
Blogtheme 6.x
Friendlist 6.x
Logintobogan 6.x
Rules 6.x
Simpletest 6.x with D6 patch
Notifications 6.x
Node limit 6.x
Token 6.x
Onepage profile 6.x
Private message 6.x
PMgrowl 6.x
Unique Field 6.x
Username check 6.x
User delete 6.x
These modules are installed via admin/modules (select checkbox). -> Save Configuration . Go to user permissions and enable the permission for the respective roles. With the modules installed we are ready to get started with configuration.
Go to administration -> Organic groups configuration -> Content types -> Group -> Edit. Now we rename the 'Group' content type to 'Website'. Then scroll below to the organic groups section and select the group node option. This will make the 'Website' content type as the group node. Scroll to Unique field settings and select TITLE and Content type and Each of the specified fields must have a unique value and Enabled. Save
Next edit the 'Page' content type and scroll below to the organic groups section and select the Standard group post option. This will make the 'Page' content type as the page content to create more pages for each user's new website. If you like you can add more content types to the users's website in the simliar way. For example Blogs.
Next scroll below to Group Details and select New groups always appear in the groups directory. and New groups don't appear on the registration form. Administrators control the form exclusively. and Audience checkboxes and Required and None.
Next scroll below to Messaging & Notifications and select Autosubscribe users to any groups that they join. -> Save configuration.
Goto administration page -> Organic groups access configuration and select Visibility chosen by author/editor using a checkbox on the posting form. Checkbox defaults to public. and New group home pages and default audience are always public. -> Save Configuration.
Goto admistration page -> Node limit. The node limit restricts the number of content types that can be created by a registered user. So every user should have 1 website content type and 2-5 page content types, depending to your website design. Add the following :
Website -> Limit :1 -> Applies to -> Registered users -> Save
Repeat the same for the page or other, content type(s).
For example you need every registered user to have 1 website with 3 pages.
Goto Administration page -> Blogtheme settings. This module is useful in a way that it enables the user to change their themes of their website and pages.
Goto Which theme to use on the user profile page?: and select Use the users selected theme. and select Website and Page. and save.
Got to administration -> Private messages and configure the pmgrowl as you wish.
Goto administration -> Url aliases -> Automated aliases settings and select the apporpriate settings. Note that clean urls should be enabled and working.
Goto administration -> Blocks. Make sure the following blocks are in visible regions of your theme an also renamed as.
LoginToboggan logged in block
OG Menu : multiple (Do not use OG menu : single block)
Group details (Rename block as Menu or navigation or anything you prefer)
My groups (Rename as My website)
New groups (Rename as new websites)
Group notifications (Views enhanced) (Rename as website notifications)
Friends
Mutual friends
New message indication
Group members (Rename as website members)
Group admin (Rename as Website owner or webadmin or anything)
Goto adminstration ->permission .
Now test your setup by signing up and create a website with pages.
At the end we have setup a website builder tool that can create a website at the click of the button. This is a very basic setup of a networking / website builder tool. To customize and enhance the features, you can play around with :
Mobile tools
Advanced forums
Chat modules
Frontpage
Facebook intergration
Twitter
Rss feeds
Also you can theme your page.tpl.php and blocks to allow individual registered users to upload banners to their website header.
Visit http://www.vine-branches.x10.mx for a demo of this build. Although the design is simple, the workflow of this project should be interesting.
If this worked well for you, do recommend me. :-). I am available for hire :-)
Daniel Footman
http://danielfootman.x10.mx/
