DestinationCore CMS - Full Client Training Guide
Introduction
Welcome to your new DestinationCore website! This guide is specifically designed for first-time users who have never used Craft CMS before. It will walk you through everything from logging in to publishing content, helping you build confidence in managing your site.
1. Getting Started
Logging In
- Go to your unique admin login URL (e.g., yourtown.dc-website.com/admin)
- Enter your credentials provided by your DestinationCore project manager
- Once logged in, you'll land on the Dashboard – your central hub for content editing
Dashboard Overview
- Recent entries: Shows your latest changes and additions
- Quick links: Jump straight to key content areas
- Search bar: Note that search only works within the section you currently have selected (e.g., if you're in News, it won’t find Events)
2. Content Management (Entries)
Craft CMS organises content into "Entries." These are divided into sections depending on content type.
Pages (Singles)
These are one-off pages like "About Us" or "Contact."
- Found under Entries > Singles
- Actions: Preview, Save as Draft, Duplicate, Enable/Disable, or Delete an entry
- Preview lets you see the page as it would appear on desktop, tablet, and mobile
2.2 News / Blog (Structure)
Ideal for articles, stories, or announcements.
- Navigate to Entries > News
- Use the Content Builder to add blocks like text, images, quotes, buttons, and more
- You can feature a post by ticking the Featured checkbox, which highlights it on the homepage or elsewhere
2.3 Events
For promoting what's happening locally
- Includes fields for date, time, venue, and category
- You can link to external booking platforms
- Use recurring event settings for repeated events (e.g., every weekend)
2.4 Business Directory
A central listing of local venues, shops, or partners
- Navigate to Entries > Business Directory
- Add core info: name, address, map location, logo, contact links
- Optional: mark as Featured, add Opening Times, and Special Offers
- Link related entries like blogs, events, or campaigns
2.5 Campaign Pages (Miscellaneous Section)
Used for promotional or seasonal content (e.g., Summer in the City)
- Built in the "Miscellaneous" section
- Uses full Content Builder for custom layouts
- Can include embedded videos (paste YouTube/Vimeo URL into the embed field – no iframes needed)
3. Content Blocks (Matrix Fields)
Matrix blocks give you flexibility when building pages.
Common Blocks:
- Image & Text (with side-by-side layout)
- Banner (full-width image with overlay text)
- Quote/Testimonial
- Gallery Slider
- Accordion (expand/collapse sections for FAQs)
- CTA Blocks (buttons with headings)
- Video Embed (paste the link to automatically generate a video)
4. Categories
Categories help group entries by topic and allow users to filter content on the site.
Creating and Using Categories:
- Go to Categories > [Group] (e.g., Business Type, Event Type)
- Add new category items (e.g., Cafes, Attractions)
- Each category has a landing page auto-generated by the CMS, where all linked content appears
5. Assets (Media Library)
All site files, images, PDFs, videos are stored in the Assets area.
Best Practices:
- Use folders to keep organised (e.g., Blog Images, Event Banners)
- Use recommended image dimensions shown in upload fields (they appear as helper text)
- Image title becomes its alt text (important for accessibility & SEO)
- Use the focal point tool to control how images are cropped on different screen sizes
6. Globals
Globals are used for content that appears in multiple places.
Example Uses:
- Footer contact info or social links
- Top-of-site alerts or banners
- Header logos or utility links
Edit under Globals in the main nav. Changes apply instantly wherever those items appear.
7. SEO Settings
Craft uses SEOmatic to help you optimise each page.
Fields:
- Meta Title: Shows in browser tab and Google
- Meta Description: Short preview shown in search results
- Social Media Image: Used when sharing links on Facebook/Twitter
Each entry and category page has its own SEO settings tab.
8. Users & Roles
Only Admins can add or manage users.
Adding a New User:
- Go to Users > New User
- Set email, display name, and temporary password
- Assign a role and permissions.
9. Forms
Used for contact forms, competition entries, feedback, etc.
10. Redirects & 404 Pages
Redirects:
- Use Redirects plugin (admin only) to redirect broken/old URLs
- Choose 301 (permanent) or 302 (temporary) status
Custom Error Pages:
- Found under Singles > 404 Page
- You can edit the content, imagery, and links shown to users who hit a dead end
11. Best Practices
- Preview every entry on desktop, tablet, and mobile before publishing
- Use Drafts to work on content without pushing it live
- Check image sizes and follow the helper text guidelines
- Use descriptive image titles for built-in alt text
- Use the Featured toggle to highlight content site-wide
- Keep entries tidy by archiving old or irrelevant items
- Always fill out SEO fields for better visibility
12. Support
Need help?
- Review the Content Builder Guide
- Learn more in the DCMS Overview
- Contact us: support@destinationcore.com
