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Option 1) Hidden Pages - A big advantage of hidden pages is that users cannot find them unless you give them the link to the page. This can be perfect for things like allowing targeted users to download a promotional coupon, instructional pages or newsletters. By utilizing hidden pages in this way you are able to have pages on your site that are hidden from the “general public”, yet easily accessible by your targeted audience. Option 2) Security Roles - Users familiar with the OneNet system have experienced the beauty of security roles for specifying who can view pages. With security roles you can ensure that only authorized users can view a specific page(s). This enables you to keep pages locked down and only visible to users that you want to see them. This is different from hidden pages in that anyone can view a hidden page if they know the URL or someone passes it on to them. Recommendation Hidden pages and security roles both offer distinct benefits but have different ways of achieving them. A hidden page can be setup quickly to have a coupon that your customers can download and print. Toss the link in your monthly newsletter and the job is done. If you choose to use security roles to accomplish this, it would require all of the people who wanted the coupon to be registered users on the site. For some users, this can be an inconvenience that might stop them from seeing the page in the first place. However, if you used security roles, you could setup a coupon page, change it whenever you have a new coupon and people could see if it has changed just by logging in to view the page. What it really boils down to is the content you are trying to share, your target audience and information gathering. If you are trying to share information simply for promotional purposes, a hidden page with a link to it is probably the best solution. If you are looking to gather information on your visitors, build a database of information on your users and have tighter security over who can see what then security roles would be your best solution.
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