The default template when creating a new website with eWrite
When we meet new customers for the first time they often have existing websites that they would like to improve upon. In this case, we can import their existing website pages into a database and install eWrite behind their existing website where they can log in and edit their pages when ever they like.
However, up til now, for new customers with no existing websites we have had no default website structure to provide a user to begin creating their website. We have found it is useful for a user to have a plain website to start from. The idea is that a user would use this default structure and become familiar with using eWrite while we or some other designer works with them to create a professional looking website.
The image below shows the new default web page template that a user begins with when they have set up a brand new website with eWrite Lite. Almost everything on that page can be edited by the user. When installing eWrite Lite, the user is asked a few questions such as business name, website address, website description, business keywords, website owner and so on. This information is used to install eWrite Lite and create the default website.
eWrite Lite default template
The user can then log into eWrite Lite and begin creating new pages. Links to these new pages are automatically added to navigation panel on the left. Other items on that page can easily be turned on or off by the user. For example if the user would prefer not to show the page created / modified date they can simply disable them.
Behind the scenes, eWrite lite also creates an XML sitemap for search engines like Google to index your site. A RSS feed is also created for those who would like to keep up with changes to a site using their favourite RSS reader.
Search engine optimisation is also catered for by ensuring users fill in proper page names, page descriptions and keywords when creating or editing pages.
The aim is to provide a new user with a solid base to start their new site. I would love some feedback from web developers on this default template approach. Do you use something similar?
Tags: default template, ewrite, ewrite lite, rss feed, sitemap