# Go Join Joining Settings in Operator

HTML version: [Go Join Joining Settings in Operator](https://support.gladstonesoftware.cloud/gooperator/go-join-joining-settings-in-operator)

## Problem
Administrators need to configure how Go Join behaves while customers sign up: the abandoned-join prompt, sign-up forms, marketing consent, photo upload and how far ahead a membership can start.

## Resolution

1. **Open the settings**
   - In Operator go to `Configuration > Modules > Configure`.

2. **Set the abandoned join prompt (exit modal) (if applicable)**
   - An optional pop-up, like an online shop's "items waiting in your basket" reminder, shown to someone who stops part-way through joining. It appears only after that long without activity.
   - Set the delay in **milliseconds** (e.g. 30000 = 30 seconds, 90000 = 90 seconds, 300000 = 5 minutes) and supply the wording (a generic placeholder is fine until the final text is agreed); Gladstone sets the exit destination separately.
   - Very short values interrupt people still filling in the form. A value seen on a newly built site was 4000 (4 seconds), which is far too short.

3. **Check the form profiles**
   - *Guest sign-up form*: first-time customers.
   - *Member sign-up form*: existing members buying another membership from their account.
   - Extra questions can be added; see [Configuring User Fields for GoJoin and GoBook Sign-Up Forms](../goconsumer/configuring-user-fields-for-gojoin-and-gobook-sign-up-forms.md).

4. **Set the marketing consent wording**
   - The opt-in **must be optional**; terms and conditions acceptance is compulsory.
   - The wording, channels and marketing subscriptions are covered in [Member Marketing Preferences](member-marketing-preferences.md).

5. **Set the maximum start date**
   - The Join setting **maximum start date** is the number of days ahead a customer can choose to start.

6. **Set photo upload and join card images (if applicable)**
   - **Photo upload**: optional customer photo upload with automatic validation; you can limit how often a photo can be changed.
   - **Join card images**: stock images on membership cards; they can't be customised.

7. **Save and test**
   - Save, then check the effect in the customer journey on your **test** site, including that the exit prompt doesn't interrupt someone who is still filling in the form.

## Notes

- The maximum start date is a **blanket setting for all memberships**. It currently overrides the per-subscription start-date limits set in the GMC for online joins; those GMC limits still apply to sales at the desk in 360. If one product needs a longer window (e.g. 50 days for a course), raising it here raises it for everything.
- **Online user ID:** bookings made on Go Book show user ID **9991**, so staff can tell at a glance that a booking was made online.
- Other settings in the same screen are covered separately: [Direct Debit Mandate Details and Bank Validation in Go Operator](direct-debit-mandate-details-and-bank-validation-in-go-operator.md) (DD details, purchase breakdown, address lookup and bank validation) and [Go Branding, Links and Contact Details in Operator](go-branding-links-and-contact-details-in-operator.md).
- Related: [Go Account Age, Guardian and Shared-Email Settings](go-account-age-guardian-and-shared-email-settings.md); [Testing Gladstone Go Before Go-Live](testing-gladstone-go-before-go-live.md).