EWisoft Instructions

Ewisoft Website Builder
http://www.ewisoft.com/

Ewisoft Website Builder is the easiest, most powerful website builder software that you can use to create a website! This sitebuilder comes in a paid and a free version. The paid version removes the "Website Builder" links off your website. If you use the free version a link will appear at the bottom of your website that says "Powered by Ewisoft Website Builder & eCommerce Website Design Software"...which I believe is fine to have. Or, if that link bothers you, you can pay a one time fee of $39 to remove it. Ewisoft is NOT affiliated with BigBirds.com or its owners in ANY way. We just love the ease of use of this great software.

• How do I get the Ewisoft Website Builder software?

The software is free to download. Go to the following URL:

http://www.ewisoft.com/free-website-maker.htm . Once there, you will see a bunch of files. You only need to download two of these .exe files to your desktop.

• Ewisoft eCommerce Builder
• Offline User Guide

Once you have downloaded the two .exe files you need to go to your desktop and click on the Ewisoft eCommerce Builder icon. This will install the program on your computer. Follow the instructions. Once finished, go to your desktop and click on the Offline User Guide icon. This will install the user guide into Ewisoft Website Builder for using the help offline feature.

• How do I use the program?
  
  Start the Ewisoft website builder and follow the instructions.

Step 1. Type the name of your website. Can be anything so you recognize it when opening the site.
Step 2. Select the type of website from the left box which will automatically put premade pages in the right box. You can change the names of these pages later so don't worry if it says something you don't want. I would select Personal.

When asked to register click "Remind Me Later"

Step 3. Click on the templates on the left to see what they look like. You can change colors on the free ones so just select the basic design you like the best. You can click on them and the design will change so you can see what it will look like.NOTE: The premium templates cost money!

When you find the template you like click next then click OK. Your new site will display.

The left box will show your website site map. Click on the + to the left of Home and you will see all pages. To edit a page just click on the page name in this left box and it will change the page in the right box. To edit the page once you get it in the right box just click on the text and it will open to edit mode. Change the text or add to it just like you are using a word processor. To see what your changes look like click the view tab at the bottom. To edit the image click on it and the editor will open. Click on the image and then click on the yellow square in the top menu which is insert image. Browse to the image on your computer and insert. Click the view tab at the bottom to see your site with the new image. Continue this with all pages until your site is the way you want it.

Review the help guide for great instructions on how to do things.

• Once I finish designing my site how to I publish it to the server?

After you have previewed your website and tested all the links, you can publish the website to the internet.

EWB has smart FTP functionality built-in so you do not need an external FTP program to upload your files to the internet. Also, EWB has enough intelligence to only upload pages that have been changed or added. You do not need to know where you put your images or download attachment files. EWB remembers all of that for you.

 

	To configure your publish settings, click the little arrow beside the Publish button and select Publish Setup. Note: You only have to set this up the first time. Next time you are ready to publish, you can just click the Publish button.
	Select I already have a web hosting account and click Next.
	Enter your domain name or subdomain name and click Next.
	Fill in the fields and click Test.   FTP server – domain name or subdomain name FTP username – enter your ftp account username FTP password – enter your ftp account password Web folder – you can leave this blank and the Test this account button will find it. Note: If you are not sure what your ftp settings are, please look at your hosting account email or ask us for the information. Click Test this account. EWB will go through some tests to make sure you have the proper settings and connection. If the connection is successful, click OK. If you get any message asking you to block or allow access it is important that you select allow. A block from windows firewall will keep the program from uploading files to our server. If you continue to get errors publishing, turn windows firewall off temporarily. (Start, control panel, Windows firewall)
	Now that you are ready to publish to the internet, click the Publish button on the toolbar. The first time you publish you will be asked if you would like to save a backup of your website on your server. Note: It is highly recommended to select YES so that in the event you have a system crash, you will be able to download your website after your system is back up and running. Click OK when you are prompted “Are you sure you want to publish”. You will see a status bar showing you that the upload is in progress. Note: The first time you publish, it may take a few minutes or more to complete (on high speed connection). The next time you publish, EWB will upload only the pages that were updated or added since the last publish. Therefore, the publish will take less time. Enjoy your website. After every update you simply publish and it updates the files on the server.