Creating a New ZebraDots Website Online

From ZebraDots Support

[edit] Overview

You can create a new ZebraDots Website 2.0 account in just a few minutes online, without installing any software on your PC. This document will walk you through the steps of creating a new website account. By following these instructions, you should have a completely functional website online in about 10 to 15 minutes.

[edit] Opening the ZebraDots Hosting Start Page

1. First, open the ZebraDots Hosting page. (Right-click or Shift-click this link to open it in a new browser window.)
2. Click the Create a new website... link to proceed.

[edit] Website Setup

1. The Website Options tab collects basic information about your website. The values you enter here can always be changed later.
   • Domain Name: Your desired domain name. Don't worry if you haven't already registered one; enter what you wish here, and you can ask us to register the domain for you.
   • Website Title: A very brief title for your website. This should be limited to just a few words.
   • Admin Password: The admin user has the ability to access any area of the website and change any settings − so make sure the password you choose for this user is hard for others to guess, but easy for you to remember. No symbols or punctuation can be used.
   • Webpage Theme: Select from one of the many available themes to start from. You can always modify the templates in any way you wish to completely customize your new website.
2. Click Next to proceed.

[edit] Customer Information

1. Enter your name, address, and contact information in the spaces provided. Please note that the name and address information entered here must match what appears on your credit card statement.
2. Click Next to proceed.

[edit] Hosting Plan

1. Select a hosting plan that best suits your needs. For more detailed information, click the ? (question mark) that appears next to each plan.
2. Indicate how you discovered ZebraDots using the drop-down selection menu.
3. Click Next to proceed.

[edit] Save Settings and Activate Your Account

1. You will be presented with a summary of your order, detailing the total for your initial transaction (which includes domain name registrations, setup fees, and the first month of hosting) and any future monthly transactions. Sales tax may be applied to residents of certain states.
2. You must read and agree to the ZebraDots Hosting Terms of Service, and then click Next to continue to the securely encrypted credit card page.
3. Enter your billing information, including the card security code:
   • VISA: 4 digits on front
   • MasterCard and others: 3 digits on back
4. Be certain that the card number you are entering is associated with the billing address you entered previously; your order will fail if the address is not on file with the bank or institution the card was issued from.
5. Click Submit Securely once to submit your order.

[edit] Creating Your Account

1. Once your transaction is approved, you will be taken to a page with a progress bar that will refresh every 15 seconds until your account is created. Account creation usually takes between 30 and 120 seconds. If the page refreshes for over 5 minutes, please contact our technical support staff for assistance.
2. When your account has been created, the page will refresh and present a link to your account information page. Click this link to open the account details.

[edit] Your Account Information

1. When the account information page opens, immediately print it out.
2. Write your admin password on the printed sheet in the designated area.
3. Follow the link to open your website's temporary URL.

[edit] Finishing the Website Installation

1. When your website's temporary URL opens, you will see a license agreement, which you must read and accept before clicking Next.
2. The next page confirms your site details, such as the domain name, title, and theme. You can adjust these values if needed. Click Next.
3. Your website will be finalized and you will be presented with a link to the Website Manager. Click this link.

[edit] The Website Manager

1. You will be prompted for a password:
   • Enter admin in the username field
   • Enter your admin password in the password field
   • Click OK
2. If the above step fails, make sure CAPS LOCK is off!
3. The Website Manager menu will open, allowing you to view, change, and access all parts of your new website. Your new website is ready to go!

[edit] Closing the Application

1. After creating a new website, the ZebraDots Website 2.0 application provides helpful links and can be safely closed.
2. If you ever need to "start over" and reinstall your website, you can use the Backup and Restore functions of the Website Manager − there is no need to run the Website 2.0 application again.

[edit] Domain Name Changes

Your website is immediately accessible through a temporary URL (a subdomain of zebradots.com) so that you can begin editing right away. However, this URL is only temporary, and will eventually expire, so it is important that your domain name records be set up as soon as possible.

[edit] Domains Registered Through ZebraDots

If you requested that ZebraDots register your domain name for you, no action is required on your part. We will register and adjust your domain records properly; you can expect to be able to reach your website through its domain name in 24-72 hours.

[edit] Domains Not Registered Through ZebraDots

It is important that you alter your domain name records as soon as possible to point to our nameservers:

• ns1.zebradots.com
• ns2.zebradots.com

Until you do this, you will not be able to receive email for your domain, and visitors cannot reach your site by typing in your domain name. Even after these changes are made, it will take up to 72 hours for the change to take effect across the Internet.

[edit] Using Your New Website

Congratulations on creating a new website that you can control and edit! Refer to our Main Page for helpful information and links.