What do you like or dislike or wish Homestead would add to the new sitebuilder?
susan2829, Champion
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42,860 Points
Posted 2 years ago
Drew N, Community Manager
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258,538 Points
susan2829, Champion
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42,860 Points
Like: Drop down menu
Dislike: the form
Dislike: the form
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306 Points
I've never actually posted on here before, just read posts from time to time if I needed help or to check up on developments.
I have to say Drew I think the new Builder is spot on pretty much. Very intuitive I think. Opens up a whole new world of creativity along with such ease too. Ive only played around with the new software so for but when I find time I will redo my webpages.
I've been with Homestead for around 15 years now. I have always just created our web-pages from scratch as I'm half decent at creative graphics and this was the best way for me to create the look and feet of what I wanted within the Homestead Builders capabilities. I didn't really get on with the Sitebuilder Plus software but had to use it from time to time in order to get transparent PNG files working and a few other things. Long story short over the last few years everything has taken double the time because I was always chopping and changing between the different Software. I was even just about to go down the route of creating a secondary sub site to act as my Mobile version with a redirect code. But then a few weeks ago I saw the announcement about the new update and was over the moon.
Just one thing I've come across with the new builder, I can't seem to be able to create a Nav menu which consists of your own button/graphic and mouse over effect graphic. Basically importing an Image of your own for the button and mouseover button instead of just choosing a background colour or gradient. I've tried the add image option to see if that had a mouse over effect as workaround but I don't think it does. It's not the end of the world but I'm just surprised it's not in there anymore. Probably because not many people needed it but I found it really useful if you wanted to get a little creative with your Nav buttons and incorporate your own feel to the design.
Anyways top work otherwise Homestead. I could go on for ages about all the benefits the new builder brings. Cheers
I have to say Drew I think the new Builder is spot on pretty much. Very intuitive I think. Opens up a whole new world of creativity along with such ease too. Ive only played around with the new software so for but when I find time I will redo my webpages.
I've been with Homestead for around 15 years now. I have always just created our web-pages from scratch as I'm half decent at creative graphics and this was the best way for me to create the look and feet of what I wanted within the Homestead Builders capabilities. I didn't really get on with the Sitebuilder Plus software but had to use it from time to time in order to get transparent PNG files working and a few other things. Long story short over the last few years everything has taken double the time because I was always chopping and changing between the different Software. I was even just about to go down the route of creating a secondary sub site to act as my Mobile version with a redirect code. But then a few weeks ago I saw the announcement about the new update and was over the moon.
Just one thing I've come across with the new builder, I can't seem to be able to create a Nav menu which consists of your own button/graphic and mouse over effect graphic. Basically importing an Image of your own for the button and mouseover button instead of just choosing a background colour or gradient. I've tried the add image option to see if that had a mouse over effect as workaround but I don't think it does. It's not the end of the world but I'm just surprised it's not in there anymore. Probably because not many people needed it but I found it really useful if you wanted to get a little creative with your Nav buttons and incorporate your own feel to the design.
Anyways top work otherwise Homestead. I could go on for ages about all the benefits the new builder brings. Cheers
Brian4612, Champion
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32,244 Points
Sorry for the late catch up Kirk but I agree with you about not having the mouseover effect.. The "behaviours" are not what I would like to see on a professional website, IMHO a little childish, great for kids fun websites but not really for a Company website promoting a professional image. The mouseover effect however is widely used and I am very surprised it is no longer an option. Taking a "reasonable" attitude, its new, so I guess the developers put in what they think would be of interest, Maybe eventually,effects that never get used will be withdrawn and effects the community suggest may well be put in... fingers crossed as the list grows..
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306 Points
Yes I can see how those various effects that are currently available in the new builder could be useful for a playful design. Or even for a much younger person to looking to create their first website. Not really seen such effects used in most professional websites these days. I have to admit I really do miss the mouse over option, hoping they bring it back sometime in the future though.
Brian4612, Champion
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32,244 Points
I must admit though kirk, much as I lament the loss of the roll over I was inspired by Ken to take a longer look at the glow, shadow, pressed, activated etc in the navigation ( pages menu) and after playing around with the settings and trying different combinations I have come up with one that looks pretty cool. OK not a roll over but a good nav bar regardless.
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306 Points
Still really miss the ability to add your own design Nav buttons with roll over effect. Hopefully going to spend some dedicated time working on re-doing my website soon so will have a look at those effects.
Brian4612, Champion
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32,244 Points
Just had a day starting to recreate my website... a lot of head scratching and the odd Gaelic word crept out but ended up with a pretty decent home page ( for a first attempt) but two things quickly became annoying. Master page switch buried in the various menu's to stop affecting every page. I would prefer that icon front and center on the tool bar so I could switch it off and on as I worked. The other thing was, after I had typed a full article I wanted to change from the default font and size and colour. went to Edit text and started to highlight the text only to come to a stop halfway down so I had to change half the text, scroll down to see the second half and then highlight and change that.. In previous versions the highlighter continued to the bottom of the text. Is it me or the programme?
(Edited)
susan2829, Champion
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42,860 Points
Brian I can't speak to the Master page switch 'cuz I don't know for sure what you are referring to. Could be we are going to have to learn the nomenclature so we all know what we're referring to.
As for highlighting. Double click the box where your text is then place your cursor at the beginning of where you want to start highlighting. Press and hold Select and then click on the text where you want the highlight to end. Hope that makes sense!
As for highlighting. Double click the box where your text is then place your cursor at the beginning of where you want to start highlighting. Press and hold Select and then click on the text where you want the highlight to end. Hope that makes sense!
Brian4612, Champion
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32,244 Points
Thank you Susan, I have a lot of text to transfer over so will give that a go.( not got a select button but shift or ctrl may work, I have'nt quite figured it out myself yet but "sometimes" in the editor box if you scroll down you get the option to put the update on all pages, ( like master page in SB+) I had copied the text onto the home page, made all the changes and then found it on all the other pages as well. I deleted on the othe pages only to find it had been deleted on the home page as well... bit of a pain but on the second occasion I found this button and moved it to off, BUT its not an option on graphics and some text boxes etc. not quite sure why?
BTW tried clicking on first letter of the block of text, down the the end, held shift and clicked again.. all highlighted.. See, I didn't forget.... I just forgot to remember...:) but it needed a nudge so thank you
BTW tried clicking on first letter of the block of text, down the the end, held shift and clicked again.. all highlighted.. See, I didn't forget.... I just forgot to remember...:) but it needed a nudge so thank you
(Edited)
susan2829, Champion
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42,860 Points
Duh on me - I meant Shift not Select. sorry
Brian if you are copying text to move to the new builder it's easier if you just open the site in your browser and copy from that.
Brian if you are copying text to move to the new builder it's easier if you just open the site in your browser and copy from that.
Brian4612, Champion
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32,244 Points
Yep, I was starting to copy/pasting the text from the page and saved them to a word doc on my computer. becuase I didn't think to copy from the live page open in a separate tab...Dhoo..... Thank you Susan, just saved me a lot of to and fro between builders. Now I am really starting to worry about my memory, like I haven't done that a hundred times over the years Sigh.....I just need to remember to disable the" on all page button" before I save or it will be replicated. :)
susan2829, Champion
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42,860 Points
Glad that will help - tedious trying to go between programs to do it.
I'm curious about the "on all page" button - the default for me is off so no issue there. I wonder why yours seems to be on for all your pages.
I'm curious about the "on all page" button - the default for me is off so no issue there. I wonder why yours seems to be on for all your pages.
Brian4612, Champion
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32,244 Points
Not been back to the builder yet but will check, last time i looked it was off but maybe it was because I had done some work in the header section ( which would be on by default) Don't know but will keep a check to see if it goes back to on.
susan2829, Champion
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42,860 Points
REALLY LIKE the fact that this builder stays open for a long time before closing and requiring you to log in again. Having to rebuild sites makes this a real plus. It's one of the things I really disliked about the Plus site builder.
DISLIKE: I was previewing a page and got an annoying pop up wanting me to upgrade for unlimited pages, domain name and something else that I don't remember, all things I already have. Pop ups were relegated to the "not viewer friendly pile" ages ago. I realize it was just in the preview, but still ...
DISLIKE: I was previewing a page and got an annoying pop up wanting me to upgrade for unlimited pages, domain name and something else that I don't remember, all things I already have. Pop ups were relegated to the "not viewer friendly pile" ages ago. I realize it was just in the preview, but still ...
Brian4612, Champion
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32,244 Points
Yes, I have noticed that the delay was a lot longer, I found SB+ a little annoying, although editing, if I moved a way to answer the phone / the door when I got back I had to log in again... (ok I know its security) Not seen any pop ups.. as yet Hmm wouldn't be very happy if I do to be honest...Other than that enjoying ( well mostly) the new learning experience. and Spell checker working brilliantly Yay... :)
susan2829, Champion
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42,860 Points
The pop-up really startled me - I guess it's the only way they could come up with to try and 'up sell' services. Pathetic if you ask me. :)
Brian4612, Champion
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32,244 Points
Wholeheartedly agree Susan.. its bad enough with pop ups in every day surfing the web. I looked at a new bedspread for our spare room. Since then every website I visit has a pop up or side bar directing me to bedspread adverts..Much as I admire and have enjoy Homestead site builders I truly hope they remove such poor/ annoying advertising gimmicks. The product sells itself and if anyone wanted to upgrade to more pages, more space etc ( not like there is a premium builder to upgrade to) they would make enquiries I am sure.. Please Homestead don't be like the "other" website building Companies who suck customers in with cheap start deals and then bombard them with the need to upgrade. Homestead, IMHO, is way better than that.
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5,752 Points
I've noticed the drop down menu has a minor gliche issue when its being used. i feel sometimes when you click on a main page when the drop down is shown, nothing takes place. Isn't a huge deal but is a little annoying. I also noticed some of the photo editing options fail to work. I was getting errors with my forms too, is that fixed yet? Overall love it though!
susan2829, Champion
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42,860 Points
Hot doggy, we're making progress! Onward ....
Drew N, Community Manager
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258,538 Points
Jonathan T and all, the issue of the main link on a drop down not going to a page sometimes should be resolved. When clicking the main link now, it should always redirect to the main page.
Brian4612, Champion
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32,244 Points
Many thanks for the update Drew, As Susan suggested, will there be an option to turn the parent link off..? By way of an example. I have several DIY projects, each on a page of its own with instructions and step by step photographs. I wanted to put DIY projects on the navigation bar and the drop down would list the various projects. I do not want the actual DIY tab on the navigation to go to any page.
Drew N, Community Manager
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258,538 Points
Brian, I have thrown it in the ideas bin, but there is not a word on it yet. I will let you know as soon as I know.
Brian4612, Champion
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32,244 Points
I know you will Drew but they have a long list so we shall have to be patient.. Appreciate you are doing all you can.
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5,752 Points
Also, the mobile version, love to be able to alter text size and what not. For example, my header shows it looks fine in the mobile view, but on my iphone the last 2 letters go to the next line. If i could edit the text size on the mobile view , this would be fixed.
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1,708 Points
Hey all, just checking in to see if these issues have been addressed, i.e., 'view desktop version' option appears to have no affect, and whether the parameters set for text that was directly manipulated through highlighting it was meant to not be reflected in the large 'Text' menu for the element in which the text is located.
Thanks!
Thanks!
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1,708 Points
Hey all, just checking in to see if these issues have been addressed, i.e., 'view desktop version' option appears to have no affect, and whether the parameters set for text that was directly manipulated through highlighting it was meant to not be reflected in the large 'Text' menu for the element in which the text is located.
Thanks!
Thanks!
susan2829, Champion
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42,860 Points
Not totally sure what you are saying, but pretty sure the answer is no. lol I'm having issues with the mobile version not changing when I make changes on the desktop version and it also isn't rendering anywhere near correctly. So it kind of sounds like an issue similar to what I think you are asking about.
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5,752 Points
Its definitely not working yet.
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1,708 Points
Hey folks, thanks for the replies. I just gave up and have restarted essentially replacing all of my non-responsive text . . . which of course is almost everything . . . sigh. Oh well, about half way through it, and I have to admit that my mobile version is starting to look pretty good now.
Drew, if this "glitch" can't be corrected, you may want to suggest to the devs to maybe put in a popup warning or tooltip when text is directly highlighted/manipulated that it was not be responsive in the mobile view. Just a thought. Cheers :)
Drew, if this "glitch" can't be corrected, you may want to suggest to the devs to maybe put in a popup warning or tooltip when text is directly highlighted/manipulated that it was not be responsive in the mobile view. Just a thought. Cheers :)
Brian4612, Champion
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32,244 Points
Maybe we should have a separate Websitebuilder How DO I forum. OK problem is, I don't like any of the default navigation bars on offer ( or page menu bar ahem) so decided to create my own but would also like to have a mouseover effect Grey on the Nav bar and the green on mouseover and would then have the green button on the selected page.
but could not find any way to achieve this... any ideas anyone.
but could not find any way to achieve this... any ideas anyone.susan2829, Champion
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42,860 Points
Brian4612, Champion
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32,244 Points
susan2829, Champion
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42,860 Points
Brian4612, Champion
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32,244 Points
susan2829, Champion
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42,860 Points
I concur Brian - I've lost enthusiasm and am a bit miffed about this being released before things were thoroughly tested. HTML is extremely important (think Pay Pal buttons, etc.), a flawless navigation is critical. How could they not know these things weren't working? No Beta testing? Or perhaps we are the test dummies and doing the beta testing for them. I'm just going to sideline this for now I think and wait until the bugs are fixed (hopefully).
susan2829, Champion
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42,860 Points
Oh Drew I would never ............ especially since you've already had your chain saw experience. Yikes!
Not sure how you're keeping track of all this stuff, but glad that you are. The devs will benefit I'm sure hearing from those who use.
Not sure how you're keeping track of all this stuff, but glad that you are. The devs will benefit I'm sure hearing from those who use.
Drew N, Community Manager
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258,538 Points
I can save notes and link back to posts so I can get everything together and make it look pretty for the developers later.
susan2829, Champion
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42,860 Points
You get a garbled mess and they get a pretty list. sumptin wrong with that picture.
Drew N, Community Manager
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258,538 Points
Soldier on.
susan2829, Champion
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42,860 Points
Roger that
susan2829, Champion
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42,860 Points
hahaha Brian
susan2829, Champion
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42,860 Points
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560 Points
susan2829, Champion
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42,860 Points
Brian4612, Champion
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32,244 Points
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3,296 Points
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3,296 Points
Brian4612, Champion
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32,244 Points
susan2829, Champion
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42,860 Points
I believe that our 'go to guy', Drew has been listing, copying posts and organizing everything into a neat package for the developers.
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3,296 Points
I think it would be good if he made the list public, then we would not waste everyone's time posting a glitch if it is already being worked on.
Drew N, Community Manager
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258,538 Points
Yes I am providing the details to the developers, but an efficient method for them to get back to me is not yet in place. I am trying.
susan2829, Champion
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42,860 Points
Drew, I know you have plenty of time on your hands (tongue in cheek again) but would it be possible for you to start a new conversation and lock it so no one can post except you and then post a list as Gloria suggested above?
Brian4612, Champion
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32,244 Points
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260 Points
Generally I like the site and think it is an improvement on the previous sites.
Likes - the speed of adding pages, and the ease of copy and paste.
Likes - the ease of setting up new pages
Likes - the ease and speed of adding pictures
Dislikes - text formatting box does not follow you around the screen, so you have to remember to drag it to where you are working.
Dislikes - Copying pages - if you have ticked not to be shown in the pages menu, when you copy the page it loses the instructions. I would prefer it if it kept the choice from the original page.
Dislikes - Text colours - feels difficult to use - could we have the last choices as a go to option.
Generally more positives that negatives at the moment.
Likes - the speed of adding pages, and the ease of copy and paste.
Likes - the ease of setting up new pages
Likes - the ease and speed of adding pictures
Dislikes - text formatting box does not follow you around the screen, so you have to remember to drag it to where you are working.
Dislikes - Copying pages - if you have ticked not to be shown in the pages menu, when you copy the page it loses the instructions. I would prefer it if it kept the choice from the original page.
Dislikes - Text colours - feels difficult to use - could we have the last choices as a go to option.
Generally more positives that negatives at the moment.
Brian4612, Champion
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32,244 Points
I think that's a fair critique Steve..I agree the text format box floating with scroll, especially if you have a long page, would be a help. It would only be a small piece of code, Previous colour of text would make it a little easier..
susan2829, Champion
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42,860 Points
Brian4612, Champion
Gloria2691
1. When you add a page it automatically adds it to the menu bar...unless I am missing something here. That takes extra time to eliminate it.
2. The default color for links in the text boxes is an orange color, and I have to change each link individually to blue, which is the color I want. Since they have set a default color, there ought to be a way to allow the users to set a default. Hopefully they are working on this.
susan2829, Champion
#2 - go to Design > Colors and you'll see what the presets are and can edit them.
Gloria2691
susan2829, Champion