Setting up a new web site

I would definitely start with the 10-minute Primer in the docs: https://docs.expressionengine.com/latest/getting-started/ten-minute-primer.html. Essentially you’ll create some templates and copy your HTML into the templates. Then you can start making your site dynamic by creating channels and moving your content from the templates into the CMS.

Once you understand the lay of the land. You should probably either read through Justin’s great intro to EE course here: https://u.expressionengine.com/course/introduction-to-building-an-expressionengine-site or watch Doug’s Video course here: https://u.expressionengine.com/course/getting-started-with-expressionengine-video-course.

Feel free to come back here and ask any questions along the way.

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Hello Andy,

many thanks for your recommendations. I already discovered the primer, and I will look into the other documents as well.

Thanks,

Claus

Once you have dug in, if you use Slack ,there is a great bunch of folks there that can help out with questions you have. Lots of good info to be found there & there are users of all experience levels.

Hi,

Justin writes:

When looking at design templates to figure out a content model, learn to ask yourself – “Is the content native to this page or visiting?” In other words, does this content live here? If I wanted to link someone to this content, would this be the page that I link them to? Or is the content just “visiting” this page and it lives somewhere else?

As someone whose native language is German, “Native vs.visiting” is somewhat hard to grasp. Can someone explain this to me?

Claus

P. S.: I do have a Slack account. Can anybody invite me to ‘EECMS’ on Slack? I can only login to CinePaint, where I used to be a member in 2021.

I have made some progress. A template (index.html) was displayed in the frontend. I also managed to upload a logo, but the logo is not being displayed because the directory /images/uploads/ has a 403 error (access forbidden). How do I fix this?

My code:

{base_url}/images/uploads/djangology_logo_transparent.png

Claus

Hi Claus…

Sorry for not getting back to this sooner….

EE Slack is ExpressionEngine Chat – eecms.slack.com

Regarding your image… Do you know the permissions of your images directory? For Apache, that would be 666 for files and 777 for directories. Also … and please don’t be offended by the question (it never hurts to ask the simple questions), but the code above is inside an image tag.. correct?

You might try this variation of it inside the src=”” parameter of an img tag: {site_url}images/uploads/djangology_logo_transparent.png

Regarding the wording you are asking about, where many (most) CMS’s are focused on “pages” within your site, EE takes the approach of focusing on content. In most of my own sites, I will have a channel of content for “Site Pages” … these would be the individual pages of my site, but then I have other channels of content for things like “Products” or “Testimonials” or “Clients” … just to name a couple. I think in the text you ask about above, within MY structure, “content native to this page” would be content in my ‘Site Pages” channel, because the majority of content is specific to that page… however, my other channel content … Testimonials, Clients, Products… COULD be used on ANY page… so while I might have a “Site page” for “About Us”. it could include a section that uses content from the “Testimonial” channel. so in that description above, the “Testimonial” content is just “visiting” that page.

I hope that helps a bit.

Russ

Hi Russ,

many thanks. I tried the img code you suggested, but to no avail. :-( I am getting ‘Directory access is forbidden.’, and I wonder what’s the matter here. There is no .htaccess file present. I have a XAMPP environment installed locally.

Thanks again,

Claus

P. S.: When I press ‘View Rendered’ in ‘Edit Template’; the logo is there alright. When I view the template in http://localhost/ExpressionEngine/, I am getting the 403 error. I have to add that I am very, very new to EE 7, and my install is most likely full of mistakes. I set up a date field, but I’m not certain on how to incorporate this in my page.

HI Claus… I responded to that on your other post.

R

Setting up a new website can be an exciting venture. To help you get started, here’s a step-by-step guide:

Define your goals and objectives: Determine the purpose of your website. Are you creating it for personal use, business, blogging, e-commerce, or something else? Clearly define your goals and objectives to guide the website development process.

Choose a domain name: Your domain name is the web address where people can find your website. It should be relevant to your brand or purpose and easy to remember. Use domain name search tools to check for availability and register your chosen domain name with a domain registrar.

Select a web hosting provider: Web hosting is a service that stores your website files and makes them accessible on the internet. Research and choose a reliable web hosting provider that offers suitable features, such as good uptime, security, customer support, and scalability.

Decide on a website platform: Select a website platform or content management system (CMS) to build your site. Popular options include WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, and Squarespace. Consider your technical skills, website requirements, and desired level of customization when making your choice.

Design your website: Choose a theme or template that aligns with your brand or website purpose. Customize the design by adding your logo, selecting colors, and arranging the layout. Most website platforms offer a variety of customization options to make your site seemingly appealing and user-friendly.

Create and organize content: Plan your website’s structure and create relevant content. Use a clear and logical navigation menu to help visitors find information easily. Ensure your content is well-written, engaging, and optimized for search engines (SEO) to improve your website’s visibility in search results.

Integrate essential features: Enhance your website’s functionality by adding essential features. These may include contact forms, social media integration, blog sections, e-commerce capabilities, image galleries, or any other features that align with your goals.

Optimize for mobile devices: With the increasing use of mobile devices, it’s crucial to ensure your website is mobile-friendly and responsive. Test your site on various devices and screen sizes to ensure it displays correctly and functions well across different platforms.

Implement SEO best practices: Improve your website’s visibility in search engine results by implementing SEO techniques. Use relevant keywords, optimize meta tags, create descriptive URLs, and build quality backlinks to enhance your website’s ranking and organic traffic.

Test and launch: Before launching your website, thoroughly test its functionality, compatibility, and performance across different browsers and devices. Check for broken links, spelling errors, and ensure all forms and interactive elements are working correctly. Once you’re satisfied with the testing, it’s time to launch your website and make it accessible to the public.

Monitor and maintain: Regularly monitor your website’s performance, security, and analytics. Install security plugins, update your website’s software, and backup your data regularly to protect against potential threats or data loss. Continuously improve your site by analyzing user behavior, tracking metrics, and making necessary updates based on feedback and performance data.

Remember, building a successful website takes time and effort. Be patient, iterate on your design and content, and always prioritize user experience. Good luck with your new website!

Hi Buster,

thanks for your detailed response. So far, my only problem are the URL’s. They have the format http://localhost/ExpressionEngine/index.php/home/biografie, and I don’t know how to get rid of the ExpressionEngine/index.php/home/ part. The URL of the final website will be https://djangology.info.

Claus