Create a new Website (ALPS)

Overview

These notes provide information on creating a new website using the Web Engine content management system for how to create a new empty website from scratch. The following notes are for the ALPS or Adventist design but should cover aspects for other designs as well.

If you already have a website, then you will want to read an article on adding website pages, creating menus, or another topic that provides details on adding the content and elements to your website; see links at the bottom of the page.

How to

Create a new website

• Navigate to the Web Module and expand the module.
• Click on the Manage sites section title.
• Click on the Add website button on the upper-right.
• Click on the Add a new website option.
• Fill out the fields:
  • Name:  a name to identify in the backend of Web Engine
  • Title:  Official name of the website
  • Primary domain:
    • <your-website>.staging.web.adventist.cloud (<your-website> = your website name)
    • Use "a-z", "0-9", "-" characters only
  • Enable built-in analytics: Always set the checkmark, if someone needs website statistics
  • Design: Select the design for this website.
    • "Adventist design" (ALPS) for Division, Union, Conference, local churches
    • "Adventisten.de design" for entities in German speaking countries (only with approval)
    • "Base design" for special projects (only with approval)
    • "Hope design" for Media library or Courses module websites
  • Region: Select the closest region to the target audience (if field is visible).
  • Groups: Add a group if someone is supporting this website. If you add a group, you will see the option to add a user as well; skip Add user initially; add later after the website has been setup.
  • Click on Create button to create the website
  • The new website should open on the right side; if not look for the name under the Web module and click on the name of the newly created website.

Web > website > Pages

Homepage

• Click on the name of the website. (there should be a Home page already created)
• Click on the Home page.
• Select a preset page template for the Homepage
  • Some designs may have a preset for the homepage (Adventist design: ALPS - Homepage)
  • Otherwise, select a preset and build the homepage as the design requires.  Click the Save button.
  • See Additional information at the bottom of the page on how to add content to a page.
• Click button View online in the upper right corner of the backend. The website homepage should appear. 
• If an error occurs, review the steps above. (If a problem persists talk with your administrator)

Note:

When using the ALPS design for standard pages on the website, use the ALPS - Centered content page or ALPS - Content Page with sidebar. These pages are ready for displaying content in the proper padding across device sizes.

Web > Menus

• After pages are created, see the link at the bottom of the page to create menus.

Web > Layouts

• For most designs, no layouts are required

Web > Appearance

• Set logos, menus, etc. using the Appearance submodule; see link at the bottom of the page.

Additional Information

• To start building pages see Overview of developing webpages; Adding website pages
  
• Creating Menus on the website
• Adjust the website by using the Appearance submodule
• Website Template used for setting up automated websites (ex: a local church website)
• Transparent Headers allow page header backgrounds to be transparent

updated 2026-01-06