Introduction to your online business

Welcome to your new online business.

This series of Getting Started guides will provide you with everything you need to set up your first online business and begin using the platform. The only software requirement is a browser with an Internet connection. The platform is independent of any operating system, so these setup instructions are the same for both Windows and Mac users.

Best of all, the content is separated from the appearance of the site, so you can use any combination of HTML, Javascript and CSS to control your site designs. You can even use Dreamweaver if you'd like, or import one of your existing designs from the web. The design direction is completely up to you.

The hosting is also included, so you'll be up and running in no time. You'll use the provided sample files (HTML, CSS and other site assets) as you follow along, so that you can take a tour of the getting started features. The following screenshot illustrates how your site will look after completing these instructions:

After completing the steps outlined in this Getting Started series, you will know how to:

  • Register your online business
  • Log in to the Admin Console to manage your site
  • Upload files and site assets (using both the File Manager and FTP)
  • Create a new template
  • Create a new web page and choose the template file
  • Add a link on the new web page to a CSS style sheet
  • Update the template page to link to an external CSS file
  • Apply styles from linked CSS rules to existing content
  • Build and edit a new page using the Editor toolbar
  • Create and add site navigation to a template
  • Edit site navigation to add a new menu item
  • Optional: Use Dreamweaver CS4 to build, edit and upload new pages

Once you are ready to get started, begin following along with the instructions outlined in this series. Since you are reading this article, you already have a browser with an Internet connection. No other software, files, programming or prior experience is required.

Continue on to the next installment of this Getting Started Guide to begin setting up your first online business.