Q: BD as a website
Hi Jason!
Glad to see BD back. I opted out of purchasing it years ago because I was so confused about what it actually was. LOL But, it looks like you've improved it quite a bit.
I saw your response to PaulVP but had a few more questions:
1) Can it be used solely as a website without activating members or subscriptions?
2) If someone opts in via a lead page or newsletter form, are they automatically considered a "member"?
3) Besides memberships, what else can be sold (e.g., digital products, services)? Specific examples appreciated.
4) How does the built-in email marketing compare to Mailchimp—can I segment, automate, or send campaigns?
5) Are there limits on subscribers, emails, campaigns, or lead pages?
If BD can truly replace some of the other tools I have, I'd love to go all in and buy at a higher tier. Thanks! :)
Jason_BrilliantDirectories
Apr 15, 2025A: Thanks so much for your thoughtful questions and for taking the time to check us out! 😊 We’re thrilled to be back on AppSumo and to hear the improvements caught your attention.
Here’s a quick rundown to help clarify everything:
1️⃣ Can BD be used solely as a website?
Absolutely! You can build and run a fully functional website without requiring logins, subscriptions, or member activity. Many use BD as a content hub or business site.
2️⃣ Are newsletter opt-ins counted as members?
No — subscribers who sign up via newsletter or lead forms are not counted toward your member limit unless you give them login credentials. You’re free to grow your list as big as you’d like.
3️⃣ What else can be sold?
• 📘 Digital Products – eBooks, guides, templates, etc.
• 🛠️ Services – Coaching, consultations, design packages
• 📝 Sponsored Content – Spotlight articles, featured listings
• 🔒 Access – Premium content, pay-per-post, or page restrictions
More details here:
https://www.brilliantdirectories.com/sell-digital-downloads-add-on
4️⃣ Built-in email marketing vs Mailchimp?
BD includes a built-in newsletter tool with templates and basic segmentation (by member type, status, etc). It’s great for campaigns and broadcasts — but if you need advanced automation flows, you can connect with platforms like Mailchimp, ConvertKit, and more using tools like Zapier or Pabbly.
5️⃣ Email & subscriber limits?
• ✅ Unlimited subscribers
• ✅ 1,500 emails/day forever free for life (45k/month, upgrade as needed)
• ✅ Upgrade options if you need more
• ✅ Unlimited lead forms and landing pages
Here’s our quick 15-minute setup video too:
https://www.brilliantdirectories.com/setup
If BD helps you replace a few tools and simplify things — awesome! Let us know if we can help you explore it further — we’re always here to help! 💬
Dina