TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Getting Started
• Adding an area guide
• Adding Content
  • Basic Formatting
  • Adding images
  • Adding text links
  • Adding downloadable files 
  • Adding embedded content
    • Embedding photos
    • Embedding video
  • Adding an area to the map
• Editing a area
• Deleting a area

Introduction

A large part of SEO is location-focused text content so mentioning the areas you cover throughout your page copy is a great start but the Area Guide feature provides another excuse to really drive-home that you really are an expert when it comes to the towns / villages your brand covers. 

From a search engine perspective, it can provide rich locality data which will really demonstrate that you know what your talking about. 

In terms of content, we'd recommend having specific headings which are then replicated for each guide, so for example - History, Community, Local High Street, Schools / Universities, Transport Links. Essentially things that people care about! Notice we've not mentioned property in there (on purpose)! 

This feature is only available on our top-tier of subscription (along with a whole host of other features).

We hope this 'How To' guide is helpful but if you have any further questions, feel free to contact us at support@estateapps.co.uk.

Getting Started

When logging in for the first time, start with the “Category List” and ensure this meets with your requirements. We have a few default Categories listed but you can add as many as you like.

Once the Categories are sorted, you then need to add “Areas” in before moving onto Businesses. Within each Area, you have the ability to select which Categories are applicable – in this way, you could end up with different Categories for each Area.

Adding an area guide

To add an Area Guide:

1. Log in to the CMS as usual.
2. On the left hand side menu, click on 'Area Guide'.
3. Under 'Area Guide', click 'Areas'. This will lead to either a blank list (if you haven't yet added any areas) or your list of previously added areas.
4. To add a new Area, simply click the blue 'Create' button on the right side of the page.

From here, see the steps below to add the content to your Area Guide.

Adding Content

Basic Formatting

Be wary of using different fonts to signify header text etc. The problem is, changing the font from the default font of the site can cause the text to scramble and not look right on the site page. 

You may want to keep the default font / size throughout and use bold / underline if necessary. 

You will need to avoid copying/pasting text from a Word Doc as this includes hidden text formatting and code. 

Instead, copy the text into a simple notepad or text file then copy/paste it into the CMS.

We also have the options of different sized pre-set headings (shown as ‘Heading 1’, ‘Heading 2’, etc under 'Format') which can be used, but you may need to ensure that the headings are the same on each page (blogs as well as other site pages) if you’d like a consistent look on the site. 

Adding images

This image is shown on the main Area page, usually in a carousel format across the top of the page.

Any image should be in landscape format and around 2000px in width (the height won’t matter). You can use any image editing software for this. 

To add an image:

1. Under the 'Upload Images' field there is a space where you can drag and drop, or click to upload an image from your computer.
2. Click this area, and your files should pop up. Then select the image for your Area Guide.
3. Alternatively, drag and drop the image from your files or your screen. 
4. You should then see the image load and appear under the image field.

Before uploading the image, we recommend using this tool - https://tinypng.com/ 

This enables you to optimise the file to keep it lean and quick-loading.

Adding text links

1. You can make any text within the multi-line text field into a link by simply highlighting it and then clicking the “chain-link” icon in the toolbar. 
2. Then you can copy / paste the URL into the box (labelled URL!).
3.  Click the green 'OK' button.

Any links need to entered with the “Target” of “New Window (_blank)” which essentially means that when people click on the link, they are taken to the URL in a new browser window (thereby leaving them on your own website). 

This is hugely important because you don’t want users to be taken to another site and leave yours behind.

Tip: We recommend avoiding linking to external sites wherever possible because you don't have any control over whether or not they will remain active in future. Linking to dead pages can be bad for your website's SEO.

Adding downloadable files 

Before doing anything, we'd first recommend running your PDF through this site - https://www.ilovepdf.com/compress_pdf - which optimises the file making it quicker to load. 

1. You can make any text within the multi-line text field into a link that loads a PDF by simply highlighting it and then clicking the “chain-link” icon in the toolbar. 
2. Within the prompt, you’ll notice an “Upload” tab - this is the one you need
3. Use the “Choose file” field to select the PDF
4. Then click the “Send it to the server” button to upload it.
5. Click the green 'OK' button.

Any links need to be entered with the “Target” or “New Window (_blank)” which essentially means that when people click on the link, they are taken to the URL in a new browser window (thereby leaving them on your own Website).

Adding embedded content

Embedding photos

1. The "Embed Image" feature is the 3rd icon from the “chain-link” one mentioned above and has the word "Image" shown in tooltip text (i.e. when you hover over any of the icons, you will see tooltip text appear). 
2. First, ensure your mouse cursor is positioned in the text field where you want the image to appear. 
3. Then click the "Embed Image" icon. 
4. You'll see a prompt appear with 3 tabs. Just click the "Upload" tab, then click "Choose file" to select the image off your computer. 
5. When it's selected, click "Send it to the Server". 
6. Then click the green "OK" button at the bottom of the prompt.
   
   

You should see your embedded image appear as a placeholder inside the text field (you might need to adjust text above / below it to ensure its nicely spaced out).

Embedding video

This is a similar approach as above. The "Insert Media Embed" icon is directly next to “Embed Image” icon. 

1. First, ensure your mouse cursor is positioned in the text field where you want the video to be embedded. 
2. Then click the "Insert Media Embed" icon. 
3. You'll see a prompt appear with 1 text field. Just enter the URL to your video from either YouTube or Vimeo and click the green "OK" button at the bottom of the prompt. 

You should see your embedded video appear as a placeholder inside the text field (you might need to adjust text above / below it to ensure its nicely spaced out).

Adding an area to the map

One feature of the 'Area Guide' CMS is the map in which you can add a rough border around the area you are adding.

1. Type in the area and click the 'Search' button. This should make the map go to the area you are adding.
2. Next, you can click three or four points around the area on the map. Please note that this does not have to be exact, you simply need to make a rough shape to indicate the area in which you are operating.

Editing a area

If you need to edit one of your Areas that you have already added, this is the section for you!

To edit your Area(s):

1. Firstly, you will need to log in to the CMS using your login that you should have been able to set up with us already.
2. On the left hand side, there will be a menu bar. Click the 'Area Guide' menu.
3. Then, under 'Area Guide' will be 'Areas' which is where you will be able to access all of your Areas.
4. Next, click on the Area that you would like to edit - using the blue pencil icon on the right.
5. This will take you back in to where you add all of your content (Name, images, text, etc...). From here simply edit whichever field of your Area that you need to - using all the information above to guide you, if necessary.

Deleting a area

If you need to say goodbye to one of your Area Guides, follow the steps below to delete the Guide from your site:

1. Log in to the CMS.
2. Click 'Area Guides', then 'Areas' as you would usually to access your Area Guides.
3. Click the pencil icon on the right hand side of area you wish to delete.
4. Scroll to the bottom of the page where the 'Save', 'Delete' and 'Cancel' buttons are.
5. Click the 'Delete' button. 
6. Then when the pop up confirming the deletion appears, click yes.