How to Build Your First Website with Estage: A Step-by-Step Guide

Building your first website might seem like a daunting task, but with Estage, it’s easier than ever. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, blogger, or small business owner, Estage offers a user-friendly platform with powerful tools to help you create a professional online presence.

In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know—from setting up your account to customizing your pages and hitting ‘publish.’ By the end, you’ll have a fully functional website ready to showcase your brand to the world.

Follow each step carefully, and feel free to refer back to this guide anytime you need help. Let’s get started!

1. Getting Started with Estage

Let’s jump straight into building your website with Estage. Follow these steps to access the builder and begin creating your site.

Step 1: Log into Estage

Start by logging into your Four Percent account and selecting "Estage" from the dashboard.

Step 2: Create a New Website

Click on "Create New Website" and give your site a name. This will open the website builder interface.

Step 3: Enter the Website Builder

Once your new website is created, click on "Edit Site" to launch the drag-and-drop editor.

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2. Choosing Your Website Template

Templates provide a starting point for your website design. Here’s how to pick the perfect one for your project.

Step 1: Browse Templates

Go to the "Templates" section in the builder and browse through the available designs.

Step 2: Preview Templates

Click on any template to preview how it looks on desktop and mobile devices.

Step 3: Apply a Template

Once you’ve selected the right template, click "Apply" to start customizing it.

3. Designing Your Homepage

Your homepage sets the first impression for visitors. Here’s how to design an engaging and professional homepage with Estage.

Step 1: Open the Drag-and-Drop Editor

Click on "Edit Page" from the homepage dashboard to access the drag-and-drop editor.

Step 2: Customize the Hero Section

Update the hero section by adding a compelling headline, description, and a call-to-action button or you can use one of their many pre built hero sections. You can do this by clicking on blocks in the top right, then clicking hero on the sidebar(left) then selecting the one you would like.

In the following example i will choose hero number 3 and drag it over into the content section.

Step 3: Add Key Content Blocks

Add essential sections like "About Us," "Services," or "Testimonials" using the block library.

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4. Building Essential Website Pages

A professional website typically includes a few key pages: Home, About, Services, and Contact. Each page serves a unique purpose and contributes to the overall user experience. Let’s break down how to create and customize these essential pages step by step.

Step 1: Add a New Page

From your Estage dashboard, click on the "Pages" tab located in the left sidebar. This will open the page management panel, where you can see all existing pages and add new ones.

Click on "Add/Manage Pages" at the top of the panel and then click the add new page tab. A window will pop up asking you to name your page and select a folder.

For this example, let's create an About Us page. Enter the page name in the field and click "Create."

Step 2: Customize the Content

With the layout applied, you’ll see editable blocks in the drag-and-drop editor. Here’s how to start customizing:

• Text Blocks: Click on any text area to update it with your business or personal details.
• Images: Replace placeholder images by clicking on them and uploading your own visuals.
• CTA Buttons: Update call-to-action buttons with custom text and links.

For example, in the hero section of the About Us page, I’ll update the headline to "Welcome to Our Story" and add a short description: "Learn more about who we are and what drives us."

You can also rearrange sections by clicking and dragging them to reorder the layout. If you want to add a new section, click on "Blocks" in the top-right corner, select a pre-designed block from the sidebar (left), and drag it into the content area.

In the following example, I’ll drag The Showcase block into the middle of the page.

Step 4: Save and Publish the Page

Once your content is customized and everything looks polished, it’s time to save your progress. Click on the "Save" button at the top-right corner of the editor.

To make the page live on your website, click on "Publish." Estage will notify you that the changes have been successfully applied.

Pro Tip: Always preview your page before publishing by clicking on "Preview" to ensure it looks great on both desktop and mobile devices.

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5. Designing Your Navigation Menu

Your website's navigation menu serves as a roadmap for visitors, helping them find important pages easily. Let’s create and customize your navigation menu in Estage.

Step 1: Access the Navigation Menu Settings

In the Estage editor, click on the "Header" section to reveal editing options. You’ll see an option for "Navigation Menu."

Step 2: Add Menu Items

Click on the "Edit Menu" option. You’ll see a list where you can add new menu items. - Click "Add Item" and enter the name of the page (e.g., Home, About, Services). - Link each item to its respective page using the dropdown menu.

Arrange the order of the menu items by dragging them up or down in the list.

Step 3: Style Your Navigation Menu

Customize the appearance of your menu by adjusting: - Font size and color - Background color - Hover effects

Once you’re satisfied with the layout, click "Save."

6. Adding Essential Widgets (Elements)

Widgets are powerful tools that add functionality to your website, such as contact forms, social media links, or newsletter sign-ups. Let’s explore how to add and customize widgets in Estage.

Step 1: Open the Widgets Panel

Click on the "Widgets" tab from the sidebar menu. You’ll see a variety of pre-built widgets ready for use.

Step 2: Drag and Drop Widgets

Select a widget (e.g., Contact Form, Newsletter Signup, or Social Media Links) and drag it to your desired section of the website.

For example, I’ll drag a "Contact Form Widget" into the footer section.

Step 3: Customize Widgets

Click on the widget to open its settings. Update fields such as: - Form Titles - Button Text - Success Messages

Once configured, click on "Save."

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7. Optimizing for Mobile Devices

Most visitors will view your website on mobile devices. Ensuring it looks and functions well on smaller screens is crucial. Let’s optimize your Estage website for mobile.

Step 1: Switch to Mobile View

In the editor, click on the "Mobile View" icon located at the top of the screen. This will adjust your preview to display how the site looks on smaller devices.

Step 2: Adjust Layouts for Mobile

Review each section to ensure content is properly aligned. Pay attention to: - Text readability - Button sizes > - Spacing between elements

If something looks off, click on the element and adjust its settings specifically for mobile.

Step 3: Test Mobile Navigation

Ensure that the navigation menu is functional on mobile. Check dropdowns and clickable buttons.

Once optimized, click on "Save."

Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve successfully built your first website with Estage. From creating essential pages like Home, About, and Contact to adding widgets and optimizing for mobile, you’ve taken the foundational steps toward a professional online presence.

Next Steps

- Regularly update your content to keep it fresh and engaging. - Monitor your website performance using analytics tools. - Continue exploring Estage’s advanced features to further enhance your site.

Building a website is an ongoing process, and with Estage’s intuitive tools, you have everything you need to succeed. Whether you're running a small business, personal blog, or online store, your website is your digital storefront—make it count.

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