Getting Started With SitePad

In this tutorial, we will cover the basics of setting up a new website with SitePad.

What Is SitePad?

SitePad is a WYSIWYG drag and drop website building and maintenance program. It creates everything needed for a website with a few clicks.

A site builder can’t create a particularly complex or “deep” website. But they make up for that shortcoming with their ease of use. For the site owner that requires only a simple one or two-page website, a program like SitePad can be the perfect tool.

How to Install and Set Up SitePad

SitePad is accessed through cPanel.

GreenGeeks customers can access it by logging in to GreenGeeks and going to cPanel by clicking the “cPanel Login” button in the “Quick Server Login” section.

1. Where to Find SitePad

In the “Software” section, click the “SitePad Website Builder” link or icon.

2. How to Create a Website

The first step is to select a theme. That can be done via search, choosing a category, or scrolling to browse all available themes.

Once you have decided on a theme, click the “Activate” button for the theme.

3. How to Edit Your Website

After installing all of the necessary files, you’ll be taken to the editing page for the home page of the site. Click any text to edit it, or use the drag-and-drop widgets in the left side navigation.

To change which page you’re editing, or to create a new page, choose from the “Pages” drop-down.

4. How to Save Changes to Your Website

When you have finished editing, click the “Update” button to save your work. When you are ready to make the page (or the site) live, click the “Publish” button.

5. Maintaining Your Website

When you need to come back to your site in the future, access it by logging in to cPanel, as described above, then in the “Software” section, click the “SitePad Website Builder” link or icon.

When the SitePad page loads, edit your site by clicking the “Pages” link or the “Sites” icon.

There’s More to See and Do

This has been a very general overview of getting started with SitePad. For further details on what it can do for you, consult their documentation. I mentioned the limitations inherent in site builders earlier, but that doesn’t mean they can’t create attractive useful sites.

Your SitePad site can include a blog, image, and video galleries, menus for navigation – you aren’t limited to a page or two. Advanced configuration, like connecting to a database server, has to be done manually. But as a tool to build a base, it can’t be beat.

Do you use a drag-and-drop or WYSIWYG website builder? What are your favorite website building and maintenance programs?

Author: Michael Phillips

Michael Phillips is a web hosting industry veteran, helping people make the most of their web presence since 1995.