Quick Start Reference Guide

Logging In
The Control Panel
Getting Help
The Site Map
Adding eCommerce
Enjoy!

Quick Start Reference Guide

By subscribing to aplusgarages.com, you now have one of the most powerful web publishing tools at your fingertips. This article has been written to introduce you to the aplusgarages.com system and familiarize you with some basic functions/features. You may also want to visit our online Reference Section, which covers all aspects of the software in complete detail (including screen shots and examples).

Step 1 - Log In To Your Website

During the aplusgarages.com signup process, you chose a username, password, and a temporary name for your account. To access your account, please visit the link received in your Welcome email.

Note: The software currently supports Microsoft's Internet Explorer 5.01 and higher. If you do not meet this browser requirement, please visit Microsoft's Internet Explorer Website ( http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie) before continuing.

From your login page, enter your username and password in the appropriate fields and click Logon to access your Control Panel.

Step 2 - Welcome to your Control Panel

Once you have successfully logged into your account, you are first presented with your site's Control Panel. This window acts as a main portal to all aspects of your account -- from eCommerce to Account Information, Site Content to Website Statistics, the Control Panel allows you to fully manage your account.

Some of the sections available to you from the control panel include:

The Site Map - This section will most likely be the most visited area of the control panel. From the site map, you have the ability to add new web pages (or categories), organize categories, create templates for eCommerce, change the look and feel of your site, and virtually anything else dealing with the display of information.

Catalog Database - The Catalog Database allows you to turn your aplusgarages.com system into a powerful eCommerce tool. Whether you wish to sell self-published books, merchandise, or anything else for that matter, the Catalog Database allows you to enter product information for display on a catalog or shopping cart page.

Event Calendar - This area is especially useful for the writer who makes public appearances, teaches classes, or does anything in which a group of people is likely to attend. The Event Calendar allows you to create and post an online schedule of events or appointments so that your desired audience can keep track of your latest happenings.

Account & User Information - An essential part of making the most out of your website is to keep your personal information up to date. Whether it's your address, contact information, or payment data, having your account information updated will ensure that your website will function at its best.

Reference Section - An online user manual has been included with the aplusgarages.com solution. Chock full of screen images, step by step instructions, and background information, the Reference Section allows you to use all features (including the advanced ones) to make your website a powerful publishing tool.

Support Center - If while working on your website, a problem should arise, help is only a click away. Our experienced staff will answer questions via email so that the answer will always be available for you.

Step 3 - Getting Help

With aplusgarages.com, help is only a click away!

From the Control Panel, simply click the Reference Section link to display our detailed help files. The Reference Section explains, in step-by-step detail, how to handle every function of the aplusgarages.com system.

Remember, "Rome wasn't built in a day." Before you leap into an aspect of the software that you may not completely understand, glance to see what our Reference Section has to say about the task at hand.

Step 4 - Working with the Site Map

The Site Map is a powerful tool that allows you to view and modify your entire site from one location.

On one side of the screen, the Site Tree displays your Categories (or separate web pages). This section allows you to easily view, rename, add, or delete the Categories (web pages) within your site. One of the nice features of the aplusgarages.com solution is that you are not limited by the amount of categories that can be created.

The other side of the screen contains Template information, such as the Header & Footer (content that is displayed on the top and bottom of your web site) and eCommerce Templates.

Detailed information on working with the Site Map can be obtained from the Reference Section (see Site Map and Web Editor).

Step 5 - Editing Category Content (Web Page Content)

With aplusgarages.com, editing your web page is as simple as using a Word Processor! To begin editing your web content, you must first open the aplusgarages.com Web Content Editor.

From the Site Map (Step 4), click the icon of the category you would like to edit. A pop-up screen will open that will provide details of how this category appears to your web visitors. Simply press the Edit Page Contents button to launch the Content Editor.

Once the Content Manager has been opened, you simple type the text that you would like to display and adjust the appearance using the provided formatting and editing tools. Standard icons allow you to save your work, open other categories, or even view the properties of a category page.

Additional detailed information on working with the Content Editor can be obtained from the online Reference Section.

Step 6 - Adding eCommerce

When you are ready to start selling items, simply open the Catalog Database module (from the Control Panel) and you can be up and running in minutes!

The concept of the Catalog Database is simple: First, create sections to categorize future products. Secondly, create items to sell and add them to your sections. Finally, tell the software when to display an eCommerce section and WALA!- you're ready to make money with your website.

Detailed information on working with the Catalog Database can be obtained from the online Reference Section.

Final Step - Enjoy!

The final step is to take your time and learn the aplusgarages.com system. It has been designed to work similarly to technology you are already familiar with - such as Microsoft Word.

If you have any questions while working with your site, please use the Support Center feature from your control panel to have any of your questions answered.

Happy Developing!

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