Quick start / First steps

Once these steps have been performed, the Web site is basically ready for use. However, there are many other options for optimising the Web site in respect of your own needs.
After completing the following steps, your Web site is ready for use:
1. Sign in
Details on how to access the Administration section of your web site are provided by your provider. Sign in to the Administration section using the username and password. This information has either been sent to you or you have already defined it yourself in the course of setting up the web site.
Caution: After running the Setup assistant, the first thing you should do is edit your password so that no unauthorised person can use the system. See Administrator data.
2. Run through the Setup assistant
The first time you sign in, the Setup assistant will automatically take you through the initial steps. The assistant will help you configure the main settings for your site. For more about this, see Setup assistant.
3. Check the site/pages
The site topic selected in the Setup assistant determines the basic structure of your Web site. To view this structure, select Content / Categories >> Preview.
This preview allows you to verify that the main pages with which you want to launch your site are in place. You can add, delete or move pages at this stage. Check the content on each page, and update it as required. You will find more detailed information on this in the section Content, et seq.
The most important aspect of this stage of the setup process is that you check the existing sample content for its appropriateness for your requirements, and make any modifications you need.
4. Check/place the main page elements
Page elements represent the functionality of the Web pages – they are the means by which your customers can operate the various functions and browse your site. These page elements include, for example:
Depending on the topic you have selected, the most important associated page elements will be displayed on each Web page. Check whether the necessary elements are correctly placed.
You can find information on the basic principles of design and working with page elements in DesignDesignbelow page 115Page elements and navigationPage elements and navigationbelow.
5. Modify the design
Your selection of a topic for the site determined the matching site design. If required, you now have many options for modifying the design. The section Design contains a detailed description of how to customise the layout and design.
6. Create Products/Services
If you want to operate an online shop, and sell products or services, you must now create some products and assign them to categories. You can create new products in the Products menu. Services can be created under Booking system.
The most important data you need to enter is a product number, product name, list price, and selecting a tax class. Set the status for Visible to Yes. If required, fill in additional fields.
Save your entries by clicking Save.
Assign the products to categories. To do this, click the Categories tab and select the correct categories.
For a complete description on how to best implement and use all the functions for products, see Products.
The booking system and services can be created using the assistant in the Booking system menu item. You can find all relevant information under Booking system, on below..
7. Check important system settings
All system parameters have a default setting and can be used immediately. Check the most important ones at this stage to optimise the settings. To do this, click Settings in the menu bar.
We recommend checking the following settings at this stage:
This completes the basic settings needed to operate your shop. An overview of all settings is available under Settings, on below.
8. Testing
Before publishing the Internet address of your web site, you should test it as a visitor. Doing this lets you check whether your settings and changes (for your logo, design, products, and so on) have been correctly applied and are displayed as planned.
It is also important to check whether e-mails such as registration confirmations or order confirmations are being sent. Sign in as a customer to provide a valid e-mail address for messages to be sent to.
Note: If e-mails are not being sent properly although you entered all the addresses correctly, have your provider check the system settings.
If the tests run to your satisfaction, delete all the test data (products, customers, etc.) and make the Internet address of your Web site available to your clientèle.
We wish you the best of success!