One of the very first things webmasters may want to do with their new school website is select a design template, homepage layout, and color scheme. Log into your account and head for the Webmaster Center. Look for the “Manage” menu on the Navigation Manager. Select “Design Setup” from this menu
1. Site Design
Note that there are 3 steps to the design setup process. First you will select the design, then upload images, and finally complete the school and/or district profile.
Site Design
Click on the design thumbnails to see a full screen view in a new window. When you find the one you like, click the “Select” bar above your choice. Just in case you’re wondering, you may come back around later if you change your mind on any of your design choices.
Homepage Layout
After selecting the overall site design, select the layout for the homepage. Again, you may click on the thumbnails for a larger view. Click the “Select” bar when ready to make your choice.
Color Pallette
Now choose the color combination that best suits your school or district. The color on the left of each pair will be the dominate color for the design.
After making your color choice, you will see a “Preview Design” button on the screen. Use this button to see your design choices. If you’re not happy, click the “Select Design” button and go through these steps until you are satisfied. When ready, move on to step 2.
2. Upload Design Images
Click the blue “Upload Logos” button.
Based on your selected design template, you will be asked to upload images for the header and footer of each page. Some designs allow for larger images on the homepage header. If you are not ready to upload your images, you should take note of the size limits and recommended image formats for your design template. For optimal results, please adhere to these recommendations. As you upload your images, each one will be displayed in the gray areas on the left of the screen. A “Remove Image” button will also appear in case you change your mind about that image. Alternately, you may upload a new image, which will overwrite the previously uploaded image.
When finished, click the “Return” link. Your site is now fully designed and ready for content.
Advanced Design Options
For those with a good working knowledge of HTML, CSS, and Photoshop (or similar image editing software), we’ve placed the “Advanced Design Options” button on the image upload page. These options will give you a great deal of control over the look and feel of your site. It’s even possible to upload your own background images for the header, footer and body of the page. With this sort of control you can create a truly unique and customized look for your site.
3. School and District Profile
Once the design choices are finalized, make your way back to the Webmaster Center and select “School District Info” from the manage menu.
The information you enter in the form fields will appear in the footer of every page of your site. Only the School Name and School Short Name are required. All other fields are optional.
Special Note
Please keep in mind that all of these design choices take effect immediately. However, no one but webmasters, editors, and contributors can view the site and its design until after the site has been made live.
