Composer left navigation

The left navigation bar lets admins access and edit site content, as well as open modules and files, configure site settings, and contact Finalsite Support.

Dashboard tab

The Dashboard tab provides easy access to the Finalsite Blog, Software Updates, site metrics, and quick links to Help & Support.

 

 Composer tab

The Composer tab is where site pages are created and edited. In addition to full pages, you can also edit the individual components of pages, including banners and page elements. Themes allow you to alter the appearance and behavior of your site using CSS and Javascript. Page Pops can be set to appear on any page to deliver important messages to site visitors. The Permissions section allows site admins to control which administrative users can edit the site, and what they're able to do.

Pages

Domains

Composer can be used to administer more than one website at once. When you first click on "Pages," you'll see all of the websites that Composer operates, called "Domains." To edit the pages on a website, click on its domain to view a list of all the site's pages.

The Domain Settings control, found by hovering over the domain in Composer and selecting the More Actions menu, has three tabs that allow admins to adjust settings that impact every page on the site collectively: General, Landing Pages, and SEO.

Page settings

Pages created in Composer are listed in an "expanding tree" format. If a page has sub-pages underneath it in the site hierarchy, click on the small triangle to the left of the name to view them.

Hover over a page name to bring up a More Actions menu, indicated by a three-dot icon. Clicking the icon brings up a series of options to administrate the current page as well as any "child" pages saved under it: New Page, Move to a New Parent, Bulk Style, Bulk Publish, Delete, and Clone Page.

Banners

Click on "Banners" under the Composer tab to open a list of banners that have been created for your site. Click on a banner to view/edit it.

Elements

When you save a custom element for re-use elsewhere on the site, it appears under the "Elements" section of the Composer tab. You can open a shared element here for further editing.

Note: When you edit a shared element from this menu, your changes will affect every instance of that element currently in use on the site. If you want to edit a single instance of a shared element, navigate to that specific instance in a site page or banner, select to "orphan" it, and edit it there.

Themes

Themes are collections of Javascript and CSS files that dictate the visual appearance and behavior of many aspects of your website. Edit existing themes or create new ones by clicking on the "Themes" button in the Composer tab.

Page Pops

Page Pops are message windows that pop up on a specific page or pages on your site. Use them to send messages to site visitors, to announce breaking news, or for any other communications that you want to draw attention to.

Permissions

Use the Permissions controls in the Composer tab to determine which admins on your site are able to edit site pages, banners, themes, and shared elements.

 

 Module menu

The Module menu contains links to individual Finalsite modules. The exact list of modules you see depends on your school's contract.

 

Click on any module to open it. Use the Site Administration menu item to access the "back end" of Composer to adjust certain settings.

Modules that display an arrow pointing to the upper-right when you hover over them will open in a new browser window. Modules that display a right arrow will open directly in Composer.

 

 People menu

The People menu has links to Constituent Manager, Group Manager, and the Admin Users settings.

 

 Resources

Resources is Finalsite's file-management solution. This is where you can upload files for use throughout your website, including media files, PDFs, or any other documents you want to link. 

 

Finalsite Help

The Finalsite Help menu brings together all of the various resources to learn about Finalsite, get answers to questions, share ideas, and contact Support for any help you might need.

 

Product Updates > See what's new

Stay up to date on all the latest software releases and bug fixes through this quick access menu. A number indicator will appear when a new update has been posted so you'll never miss out!

Knowledge Base > Search for articles

The Knowledge Base provides 24/7 access to thousands of help articles easily searchable for instant support. Expand the guide to get full access to Finalsite Support where you can access announcements, new features, available downloads, website status updates, and more!

Request Support > Need help?

The Submit a Request option will open the ticket-entry window (if you have permission to create tickets). Tickets are the primary way to communicate with Finalsite Support about any issues you might have with your site. If you don't have ticketing rights, you will see the option to Contact a Site Administrator.

Have an idea to share or an improvement to suggest? Use the Share an Idea option to log your request! This portal is a way to connect our developers and Product Managers with our clients, so that we can get first-hand information from clients about how the software is used and what features would make it even more effective.

Browse other user's ideas and vote to show your interest in their suggestion. Any idea you've submitted or voted on will appear in "My Priorities" so you'll always have an update on its status. Also check out the "What's Coming" section to see what our developers are planning and building next!

Use Finalsite Training to access the on-demand webinars and courses that will teach you how to use various Finalsite modules and features. While you're there, challenge yourself to join an elite group and become Finalsite Certified!

The Composer Sandbox is an open Finalsite website that you can log into as an admin to try out new features or experiment with new approaches to site design that you don't want to deploy on your own site. The sandbox is open to all site admins and is reset to its initial state every month or so, with all files and customizations deleted.

Finally, utilize the Status Page option to monitor your site's performance and stay informed of any posted incidents. Learn more about how to read status updates in the article Checking the status of your site.

Quick links to all of the support resources are also conveniently found on your dashboard.

 

Logout

Don't forget to logout at the end of the day!