Website Template

What a website template is:

• A "template website" is used to allow entities to have an internet presence without having a backend to update the website.
• A template website uses entity data (from ACMS) and fills the website with data dynamically.
• A use case could be several local churches with no web master, who want an internet presence and agree to use a common design. Usually, a Conference would make a design for these churches to use and then assign the churches to the template. The local church would not have any access for updates as there is no backend. They would simply keep their entity data up to date in ACMS.
• A template website does not have a website listed under Manage sites, because it is not a full website. It is found in the sub-module "Manage automated sites".
• Altering the template website for one entity, alters the website template for all entities that are using that template. (Be Careful!)

Creating a website template

In order to create a website, using a website template, the website template has to be created first. Using one of the other options in this document create a website.

Next steps:

• Once a website has been fully created, it can be set as a template by the following:
  • Go to the website settings
  • Go to the Advanced tab. Then scroll down to the section "Template"
  • Set a Checkmark in the box "This is a template site"
  • Set a checkmark in the box "Expose public entity data field"
  • Click on the "Update" button
• Place the "Exposed fields" in the text areas of the website, where an entity's information should be displayed.
  • e.g. on the homepage, there may be a text field where the name of the entity should be displayed.
  • e.g. change "Name of Local church" to {Entity.name}. (after the template is matched with a local church, and viewed in the frontend, the real name is displayed)
  • Use the "Exposed fields" in any text area where you want that piece of information to come through.
• When all changes are made, you can use the "Managed automated sites" module to connect the template to the entity(ies).

Using the website template

1. Under the web module, click on the sub-module "Manage automated sites".
   1. Click on "Add automated site"
   2. Entity: Select the entity
   3. Domain: Check the domain
   4. Template: Select the template to use for the website
   5. Click "Save" button
2. Go to the domain name for the automated website and make sure that it is working properly.

If changes to the website template are requested

Note: Any changes made to a website template will be displayed on all entities that are using that template. If the template is removed, all websites will be broken.

If an entity using a website template needs special changes, then they need to have their own website.