readme.txt

=== Testimonials Widget ===

Contributors: comprock,saurabhd,subharanjan,riteshtailor,kare903,viralmehta
Tags: axelerant, client, customer, portfolio, quote, quotes, random, recommendation, reference, review, reviews, slider, testimonial, testimonials, wpml
Requires at least: 3.9.2
Tested up to: 5.9.3
Stable tag: 4.0.4RC1
License: GPLv2 or later
License URI: http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html

WordPress' most easy fully-featured testimonials widget plugin demonstrates social proof via forms, lists, ratings, shortcodes, sliders, widgets, etc.


== Description ==

Our famous Testimonials Widget Premium plugin is now part of the Testimonials Widget plugin. All the premium features are included in this plugin.

Let others prove you're a credible business through their own words to help you improve your conversion rates and increase lead generation. Testimonials Widget Premium is the most incredibly full-featured WordPress testimonials plugin with forms, lists, ratings, shortcodes, sliders, widgets, & more.

Testimonials Widget Premium lets you randomly slide or list selected portfolios, quotes, reviews, or text with images or videos on your WordPress site. You can insert Testimonials content via shortcode, theme functions, or widgets with category and tag selections and having multiple display options such as random or specific ordering.

Additionally, Testimonials Widget Premium offers caching, excerpts, ratings, read more links, more selection options, and advanced capabilities like using custom post types as testimonials. Additionally, testimonials support ratings and users can submit their own testimonials via a front-end form shortcode or widget.

= Testimonials Widget Premium is Beyond a Simple WordPress Testimonials Slider! =

* Carousel, fade, and slide transitions
* Filter slideshow content by WordPress' categories, tags, or post ID
* Random display
* Read more and single view compatible
* Shortcode compatible - slide content that is rendered using shortcodes. e.g. Worpdress Galleries and Gravity Forms
* Simply styled for easy theme adaption
* Slide images - responsive image slideshow
* Slide mixed content - responsively slide images, text, and video together
* Slide text - useful for rotating testimonials
* Slide videos - video slideshow
* User submitted content compatible
* Widget and shortcode ready

**View a [Live Testimonials Demo](https://store.axelerant.com/testimonials-examples/)**

= General Information =

More than one testimonials shortcode or widget instance can be displayed at a time on a page. Additionally, with shortcodes and theme functions, you can display a short or long list or rotation of testimonials anywhere you need. 

Through categories and tagging, you can create organizational structures. Using categories for products, projects and services you can then apply tagging for further classification.

As an example, create a **Portfolio** category and then use tags to identify _web_, _magazine_, _media_, _public_, _enterprise_, or other niches. Then configure the Testimonial instance to show only **Portfolio** testimonials with the _public_ and _enterprise_ tags. In another Testimonial instance, you can also select only **Portfolio** testimonials, but then allow _web_ and _media_ tags.

For easy custom styling, each testimonial widget has its own CSS class identifier.

Widgets display content sans `wpautop` formatting. This means there's no forced paragraph breaks unless the content specifically contains them. If needed, you can enable `wpautop` via the "Keep whitespace?" option.

The single testimonial view supports image, author, title, location, email, company and URL details.

User submitted testimonials are marked as "Pending" in WordPress Admin > Testimonials listing. Testimonials are saved to the `testimonials-widget` custom post type.
Introduction to Testimonials Widget Premium plugin for WordPress
As per Google's quality guidelines, marking up irrelevant or misleading content, such as fake reviews or content unrelated to the focus of a page may lead to review stars removed.

= Premium Shortcodes =

* `[[testimonials]]` - Testimonials listing with paging
* `[[testimonials_archives]]` - A monthly archive of your site's testimonials
* `[[testimonials_categories]]` - A list or dropdown of testimonials' categories
* `[[testimonials_count]]` - Count of testimonials
* `[[testimonials_form]]` - Testimonials entry form
* `[[testimonials_links]]` - List of testimonial author and title linking to full entry
* `[[testimonials_recent]]` - Your site's most recent testimonials
* `[[testimonials_slider]]` - Displays rotating testimonials or statically
* `[[testimonials_tag_cloud]]` - A cloud of your most used testimonials' tags

= Premium Theme Functions =

* `<?php echo testimonials()` // Testimonials listing with paging  ?>
* `<?php echo testimonials_archives()` // A monthly archive of your site's testimonials ?>
* `<?php echo testimonials_categories()` // A list or dropdown of testimonials' categories ?>
* `<?php echo testimonials_count(); // Count of testimonials ?>`
* `<?php echo testimonials_form(); // Testimonials entry form ?>`
* `<?php echo testimonials_links(); // List of testimonial author and title linking to full entry ?>`
* `<?php echo testimonials_recent()` // Your site's most recent testimonials ?>
* `<?php echo testimonials_slider()` // Displays rotating testimonials or statically ?>
* `<?php echo testimonials_tag_cloud()` // A cloud of your most used testimonials' tags ?>

= Shortcode Examples =

* Read [EXAMPLES](https://store.axelerant.com/best-wordpress-testimonials-plugin/shortcode-examples/).
* View [Testimonials Widget demo](https://store.axelerant.com/testimonials-examples/).

= Shortcode and Widget Options =

Please keep in mind that inheritance affects options. This means that changes made to Testimonials > Settings will not affect current widget instance options. You must change the widget instance manually. However, if you create a new widget instance, then the global settings will apply.

Further, global settings are the baseline for shortcodes. If you want to alter the shortcode appearance, then alter the shortcode options directly.

Details on the Shortcode Attributes tab at WordPress Admin > Testimonials > Settings. Alternately, read [OPTIONS](https://store.axelerant.com/best-wordpress-testimonials-plugin/shortcode-widget-options/).

= Testimonials RSS Feed URLs =

URL slug 'testimonials' is the default, but is customizable otherwise.

* http://example.com/?feed=testimonials
* http://example.com/feed/testimonials
* http://example.com/testimonials.xml

= Testimonials Widget Premium Migration Helpers =

* Testimonials Widget pre 2.0.0 - Install and activate Testimonials Widget 2.19.0 before installing the latest Testimonials Widget for automatic upgrading.
* [GC Testimonials](http://wordpress.org/plugins/gc-testimonials-to-testimonials/)
* [Testimonials by WooThemes](http://wordpress.org/plugins/wootheme-testimonials-to-testimonials/)

= 100+ Premium Features =

* "Read more" link column on testimonial posts admin page
* **Email-based support** with responses and resolution within 1- and 3-business days respectively
* Adjustable animation speed
* Admin interface to add, edit and manage testimonials
* Admin mode only anti-spam debug help text
* Akismet, math-based CAPTCHA, and many anti-spam traps
* Alternate destinations for "Read more" links
* Alternating `.even` and `.odd` CSS classes for styling testimonial list entries
* API to manipulate testimonials output and selection
* Archive Page URL and Testimonial Page URL are prevented from being the same or matching existing pages.
* Author field can override testimonial title
* Auto rotate testimonials by page
* Auto-suggest for category and tag options
* Automatic linking of email and URL fields via author or company fields
* Built-in update notification
* Cache per page when you use custom testimonials instance per page
* Caching of testimonials queries and content to decrease server load time improve page loading speed by 1/10 to 1/2 a second
* Capable of handling multiple widgets per page or post
* Carousel mode for rotating multiple testimonials at the same time
* Clear cache when WP Super Cache, FlexiCache, Hyper Cache, DB Cache Reloaded Fix does
* Clickable widget titles
* Collapse and expand long testimonials using [Readmore.js](http://jedfoster.com/Readmore.js/) “Read more” and “Close” links.
* Commenting on testimonial single-view pages
* Compatible with WordPress multisite
* Configuration based validation for easy extending or overriding
* Content truncation respects HTML tags
* CSS based testimonials submissions form layout
* Custom CSS in footer for HTML validation
* Custom text or HTML for bottom of widgets
* Custom widget bottom text
* Customizable archive and testimonial URLs
* Customizable testimonial data field `testimonial_extra`
* Default post author, category, and status options for user testimonial submissions
* Deletes old and related testimonial cache entries automatically
* Deletes testimonials-widget custom post type entries and settings on uninstall
* Disable caching for widget, shortcode or theme functions
* Disable donate and purchase related text and links
* Disable self-generated quotation marks
* Displays ratings to grant testimonials more emphasis!
* Easy to configure Next and Previous page indicators
* Edit page columns are sortable for custom fields
* Editors and admins can edit testimonial publisher
* Email notification for user submitted testimonials
* Excerpts for widget view, with read more link to complete testimonial
* Fields for author, testimonial, image, title, location, email, company and URL details
* Fields for rating, item reviewed, and item URL per testimonial
* Filters for caching and more link control, text replacement, and more
* Flush URLs on deactivation 
* Form "Testimonial" header text is customizable to "Specials" or other terms
* Front-end entry form for user supplied testimonials. **[Live form demo](https://axelerant.com/about-axelerant/testimonials/add-testimonial/)**
* Gravatars saved as featured images
* IDs column shown in testimonials edit page
* IE7 CSS hacks for quotes and join parts
* Image, email based Gravatar, category and tag enabled
* Internal version tracking for compatibility checks and automatic settings update
* Localizable via `languages/testimonials-widget.pot`
* Minimalist CSS styling for easier theming
* Multiple paging options for testimonials listings
* Multiple user-entry forms on same page are allowed
* On testimonial submission error, focus on first required field
* Optional commenting on testimonial single-view pages
* Performance optimizations
* Plugin version tracking to ensure compatibility
* Premium tab on settings screen for site-wide option defaults
* Ratings can be set to no, minimal, or maximal values
* Read more links for testimonials exceeding the character limit
* Require minimumal testimonial rating for display
* Respects meta capabilities
* Right Now Dashboard widget displays "Pending Testimonials" counts
* Rotation JavaScript in footer than body
* Search for testimonials by title, excerpt, content, or meta fields
* Select only testimonials with excerpts, images or of arbitrary maximum and minimum length
* Select post, page and other custom post types for content rotations slider
* Settings and URL based cache clearing
* Settings export/import
* Settings page contextual help
* Settings screen for site-wide option defaults
* Shortcode helpers on category and tag admin screens
* Shortcodes allowed inside of testimonials content
* Shortcodes and theme functions for listings and rotation
* Shortcodes and theme functions for testimonials count and testimonial link list
* Shortcodes, theme functions, and widget user testimonial submission form
* Show excerpts with list and single views
* Show unique testimonials when displaying multiple testimonial instances
* Simple, single rating per testimonials
* Single testimonial view includes image, author, title, location, email, company and URL details
* Sticky testimonials for implied importance in listings
* Supports [WP-PageNavi](http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wp-pagenavi/)
* Testimonial content supports HTML
* Testimonial links listing with image, author, title, location, company, and URL fields
* Testimonial, email, and URL fields are clickable – URL requires `http://` or `https://` prefix
* Testimonials archive view
* Testimonials output is completely customizable via filters
* Testimonials specific RSS feed via customizable URL slug
* Testimonials support styling based upon CSS classes for category, tags and post id
* Testimonials widget displays static and rotating testimonials 
* Unique CSS class per widget
* Upload images by browsing or URL
* URLs can be opened in new windows
* Use custom taxonomy or WordPress's own for categories and tags
* Uses [bxSlider](http://bxslider.com) for transitions
* WordPress Admin > Testimonials > Clear Cache menu link
* WordPress Multilingual enabled [WPML](http://wpml.org/)
* WPML compatible

= Testimonials Widget Premium Doesn't Work For You? =

Our 30 day money back guarantee gives you time to make sure your purchase is perfect. If you need to return it for any reason, we’ll happily provide you with an exchange or full refund. No questions asked.

Your license for support and updates will be revoked though.


== Installation ==

= Requirements =

* PHP 5.3+ [Read notice](https://axelerant.atlassian.net/wiki/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=12845151) – Since 2.16.0
* WordPress 3.6+
* [jQuery 1.10+](https://axelerant.atlassian.net/wiki/display/WPFAQ/Testimonials+widget+is+not+rotating)

= Install Methods =

* Through WordPress Admin > Plugins > Add New, Search for "Testimonials Widget"
	* Find "Testimonials Widget"
	* Click "Install Now" of "Testimonials Widget"
* Download [`testimonials-widget.zip`](http://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/testimonials-widget.zip) locally
	* Through WordPress Admin > Plugins > Add New
	* Click Upload
	* "Choose File" `testimonials-widget.zip`
	* Click "Install Now"
* Download and unzip [`testimonials-widget.zip`](http://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/testimonials-widget.zip) locally
	* Using FTP, upload directory `testimonials-widget` to your website's `/wp-content/plugins/` directory

= Activation =

* Click the "Activate" link for "Testimonials Widget" at WordPress Admin > Plugins

= Usage =

1. Watch [Testimonial Widget](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDz1igmRK2g)
1. Read [How do I create a testimonial record?](https://axelerant.atlassian.net/wiki/display/WPFAQ/Testimonials+widget+is+not+rotating)
1. Add and manage testimonials through the **Testimonials** menu in the WordPress admin area
1. To display testimonials or a submission form as a widget, go to the **Appearance** > **Widgets** menu and drag the **Testimonials** or **Testimonials Submission Form** widget into the desired widget area. Then configure the widget to select options and display as desired.
1. Use the following shortcodes to display testimonials on a page, post, etc.
	* `[[testimonials]]` - Testimonials listings with paging 
	* `[[testimonials_archives]]` - A monthly archive of your site's testimonials
	* `[[testimonials_categories]]` - A list or dropdown of testimonials' categories
	* `[[testimonials_count]]` - Count of testimonials
	* `[[testimonials_examples]]` - Displays examples of commonly used testimonials' shortcodes with attributes
	* `[[testimonials_form]]` - Testimonials entry form
	* `[[testimonials_links]]` - List of testimonial author and title linking to full entry
	* `[[testimonials_options]]` - Displays summary of testimonials' settings for use with shortcodes and theme functions
	* `[[testimonials_recent]]` - Your site's most recent testimonials
	* `[[testimonials_slider]]` - Displays rotating testimonials or statically
	* `[[testimonials_tag_cloud]]` - A cloud of your most used testimonials' tags
1. Read [theme functions usage](https://axelerant.atlassian.net/wiki/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=16259701) for using the following theme helpers.
	* `<?php echo testimonials()` // Testimonials listing with paging  ?>
	* `<?php echo testimonials_archives()` // A monthly archive of your site's testimonials ?>
	* `<?php echo testimonials_categories()` // A list or dropdown of testimonials' categories ?>
	* `<?php echo testimonials_count(); // Count of testimonials ?>`
	* `<?php echo testimonials_form(); // Testimonials entry form ?>`
	* `<?php echo testimonials_examples(); // Displays examples of commonly used testimonials' shortcodes with attributes ?>`
	* `<?php echo testimonials_links(); // List of testimonial author and title linking to full entry ?>`
	* `<?php echo testimonials_options(); // Displays summary of testimonials' settings for use with shortcodes and theme functions ?>`
	* `<?php echo testimonials_recent()` // Your site's most recent testimonials ?>
	* `<?php echo testimonials_slider()` // Displays rotating testimonials or statically ?>
	* `<?php echo testimonials_tag_cloud()` // A cloud of your most used testimonials' tags ?>
1. See the **Shortcode and Widget Options** section for configuring shortcode and theme function attributes.

= Tutorials =

* [Adding or Editing Testimonial Widget on Your WordPress Website](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaXCJppYOUM)
* [Adding Rotating Testimonials to WordPress Tutorial](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoFCZgLAUSE)
* [Testimonials Widget - WordPress Training Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybV5mKZlegA)
* [Testimonials Widget for WordPress](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqZ-vcZD8E0)
* [WordPress Testimonial Plugin Update](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b81oz7k1wbM)

= Upgrading =

* Through WordPress
	* Via WordPress Admin > Dashboard > Updates, click "Check Again"
	* Select plugins for update, click "Update Plugins"
* Using FTP
	* Download and unzip [`testimonials-widget.zip`](http://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/testimonials-widget.zip) locally
	* Upload directory `testimonials-widget` to your website's `/wp-content/plugins/` directory
	* Be sure to overwrite your existing `testimonials-widget` folder contents

= Deactivation =

* Click the "Deactivate" link for "Testimonials Widget" at WordPress Admin > Plugins

= Deletion =

* Click the "Delete" link for "Testimonials Widget" at WordPress Admin > Plugins
* Click the "Yes, Delete these files and data" button to confirm "Testimonials Widget" plugin removal

= Documentation =

* [Installation Guide](https://wordpress.org/plugins/testimonials-widget/installation/)
* [Frequently Asked Questions](https://wordpress.org/plugins/testimonials-widget/faq/)
* [Options](https://store.axelerant.com/best-wordpress-testimonials-plugin/shortcode-widget-options/)
* [API](https://github.com/michael-cannon/testimonials-widget/blob/master/API.md)
* [Benefits and Features](https://wordpress.org/plugins/testimonials-widget/)
* [CHANGELOG](https://github.com/michael-cannon/testimonials-widget/blob/master/CHANGELOG.md)
* [CONTRIBUTING](https://github.com/michael-cannon/testimonials-widget/blob/master/CONTRIBUTING.md)
* [DEPRECATED](https://github.com/michael-cannon/testimonials-widget/blob/master/DEPRECATED.md)
* [EXAMPLES](https://store.axelerant.com/best-wordpress-testimonials-plugin/shortcode-examples/)
* [UPGRADING](https://github.com/michael-cannon/testimonials-widget/blob/master/UPGRADING.md)


== Frequently Asked Questions ==

= Testimonials Widget 3.0 Upgrading =

This is a major overhaul *without* backwards compliance of over 80 changes. Please read the [Testimonials Widget 3.0 and Testimonials Widget Premium 2.0 Upgrade Notice](https://axelerant.atlassian.net/wiki/display/WPFAQ/Testimonials+Widget+3.0+and+Testimonials+Widget+Premium+2.0+Upgrade+Notice) for more help. 

= Most Common Issues =

* Got `Parse error: syntax error, unexpected T_STATIC…`? See [Most Axelerant Plugins Require PHP 5.3+](https://axelerant.atlassian.net/wiki/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=12845151)
* Got `The plugin does not have a valid header` error? See [Error: The plugin does not have a valid header](https://axelerant.atlassian.net/wiki/display/WPFAQ/Error%3A+The+plugin+does+not+have+a+valid+header)
* Shortcode not working? Read about [enabling shortcodes in widgets](https://axelerant.atlassian.net/wiki/display/WPFAQ/How+do+you+enable+shortcodes+in+widgets) and make sure your theme isn't using the same shortcode.
* [404 - Page not found](https://axelerant.atlassian.net/wiki/display/WPFAQ/My+testimonials+URL+says+404+-+Page+not+found)
* [Add testimonials using Gravity Forms](http://webtrainingwheels.com/how-to-collect-user-submitted-testimonials-wordpress/)
* [Change styling or debug CSS](https://axelerant.atlassian.net/wiki/display/WPFAQ/How+to+Debug+and+Correct+CSS+Issues+in+Your+Browser)
* [Customize bxSlider](http://bxslider.com/examples)
* [Debug theme and plugin conflicts](https://axelerant.atlassian.net/wiki/display/WPFAQ/How+to+Debug+common+issues)
* [How do I create a testimonial record?](https://axelerant.atlassian.net/wiki/display/WPFAQ/How+do+I+create+a+testimonial+record)
* [How do I reset options?](https://axelerant.atlassian.net/wiki/display/WPFAQ/My+options+don%27t+work%2C+no+matter+what+I+do)
* [How to change testimonials layout](https://axelerant.atlassian.net/wiki/display/WPFAQ/How+to+change+testimonials+layout)
* [My options don't work](https://axelerant.atlassian.net/wiki/display/WPFAQ/My+options+don%27t+work%2C+no+matter+what+I+do)
* [Pagination is broken](https://axelerant.atlassian.net/wiki/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=14024846)
* [Testimonials slider doesn't rotate](https://axelerant.atlassian.net/wiki/display/WPFAQ/Testimonials+widget+is+not+rotating)

= Still Stuck or Want Something Done? Get Support! =

1. [Knowledge Base](https://axelerant.atlassian.net/wiki/display/WPFAQ) - read and comment upon 125+ frequently asked questions
1. [Open Issues](https://github.com/michael-cannon/testimonials-widget/issues) - review and submit bug reports and enhancement requests
1. [Support on WordPress](http://wordpress.org/support/plugin/testimonials-widget) - ask questions and review responses
1. [Contribute Code](https://github.com/michael-cannon/testimonials-widget/blob/master/CONTRIBUTING.md)
1. [Beta Testers Needed](https://store.axelerant.com/become-beta-tester/) - provide feedback and direction to plugin development
1. [Old Plugin Versions](http://wordpress.org/plugins/testimonials-widget/developers/)


== Screenshots ==

1. Testimonials Slider widget in use
2. [testimonials_slider] demo
3. [testimonials] demo
4. [testimonials_archives] demo
5. [testimonials_categories] demo
6. [testimonials_tag_cloud] demo
7. [testimonials_recent] demo
8. Single page testimonial view
9. Testimonials edit page
10. Testimonials Settings page
11. Testimonials Categories page
12. Poedit Catalog properties

[gallery]


== Changelog ==

Read [CHANGELOG](https://github.com/michael-cannon/testimonials-widget/blob/master/CHANGELOG.md).

Read [UPGRADING](https://github.com/michael-cannon/testimonials-widget/blob/master/UPGRADING.md).


== Upgrade Notice ==

= 3.0.0 =

This is a major overhaul *without* backwards compliance of over 80 changes. Please read the [Testimonials Widget 3.0 and Testimonials Widget Premium 2.0 Upgrade Notice](https://axelerant.atlassian.net/wiki/display/WPFAQ/Testimonials+Widget+3.0+and+Testimonials+Widget+Premium+2.0+Upgrade+Notice) for more help. 

If you use custom CSS, actions, or filters to modify Testimonials Widget and Testimonials Widget Premium actions or output, this upgrade will not be compatible with those modifications until corrections are made.

= Older Versions =

Read [UPGRADING](https://github.com/michael-cannon/testimonials-widget/blob/master/UPGRADING.md).


== API ==

* Read [API](https://github.com/michael-cannon/testimonials-widget/blob/master/API.md).


== Conflicts ==

* [ReOrder Post Within Categories](http://wordpress.org/plugins/reorder-post-within-categories/) – Uses custom ordering table


== Deprecation Notices ==

Read [DEPRECATED](https://github.com/michael-cannon/testimonials-widget/blob/master/DEPRECATED.md).


== Localization ==

* Dutch by Bjorn Robijns
* [Hebrew by Ahrale](http://atar4u.com/)

You can translate this plugin into your own language if it's not done so already. The localization file `testimonials-widget.pot` can be found in the `languages` folder of this plugin. After translation, please [send the localized file](https://www.axelerant.com/contact-axelerant/) for plugin inclusion.

**[How do I localize?](https://axelerant.atlassian.net/wiki/display/WPFAQ/How+do+I+change+Testimonials+Widget+text+labels)**


== Notes ==

* Default and Gravatar image size is based upon Thumbnail size in Media Settings
* When plugin is uninstalled, all data and settings are deleted if "Remove Plugin Data on Deletion" is checked in Settings


== Recommendation ==

* Use Jonathan Lundström's [Drag & Drop Featured Image](http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/drag-drop-featured-image/) to speed up loading of the featured image


== Thank You ==

A big, special thank you to [Joe Weber](https://plus.google.com/100063271269277312276/posts) of [12 Star Creative](http://www.12starcreative.com/) for creating the Testimonials Widget banner. It's fantastic.

A cool thanks to RedRokk Library for the [redrokk_metabox_class](https://gist.github.com/1880770). It makes configuring meta boxes for your posts, pages or custom post types a snap.

Current development by [Axelerant](https://www.axelerant.com/about-axelerant/).