We know that sometimes new things can be daunting to try out. It may be overwhelming, you don’t know where to start, and you end up frustrated. This is why we compiled a quick start guide for you who are new to Universal App so you’ll know where to start.
We’ve compiled some big milestones for you to jump-start your Universal App journey. We’ve broken it down to the ideal chronological steps, but you don’t have to follow it to the T. It’s up to you!
Introduction
STEP 1: Book your fast-start training call with MagLoft.
This step is important for both of you and MagLoft. This is where we can get to know you better, know your expectations, and match them with our solution. This is where you can get a more complete picture of how Universal App can help you grow your publication and audience.
STEP 2: Launch the live preview of your Universal App
Experience Universal App from a reader’s perspective using Live Preview. After you sign up, you will be able to get into Universal App admin and launch Live Preview. We’ve already prepared some dummy content for you so you can have a clearer picture of what your Universal App may look like.
Convert your first PDF to HTML
STEP 1: Prepare your PDF
First things first, make sure your PDF file is following the guidelines as explained here.
Please make sure you follow this guide to avoid your PDF being stuck on conversion. At this point, you have a $10 conversion credit that you can use to convert up to 10 pages of PDF.
STEP 2: Upload a PDF to MagLoft
After you make sure your PDF file fits the requirements, you can upload it by going to Content > Import PDF and clicking on Upload New PDF.
STEP 3: Start the conversion process
After you upload, confirm the number of pages that you’d like to upload and click Purchase.
You can learn more about PDF to HTML conversion here. After you finish steps 2 & 3, you will get an email notification if your conversion is finished. When this happens, log in to UA admin and import the PDF.
Tada! You can now use your content in Universal App.
Complete Basic Branding
STEP 1: Upload a header graphic to customize your Universal App
Header graphics is an important part of your branding. It’s the first thing that your readers will see upon visiting your Universal App. That’s why we recommend uploading your header graphics as one of the first things that you need to set up.
It’s pretty easy! You can learn more about how to do it here.
We also compiled an asset guideline to make sure your image is optimized for header graphics which you can check out here.
STEP 2: Upload your logo and use it as your universal app icon
Just like header graphics, you need to upload your logo to establish your brand. You can upload your logo in two places: as your app icon and on the Top Menu. To upload your logo as your app icon, you can do it in the Branding > App menu. To change the icon on the Top Menu, you can check out the steps here.
STEP 3: Change any color in the Universal App designer
Colors are also a big part of your branding. They set the tone of your app and together with your header graphics and logo, they work in a harmony to present your brand. To change the default colors of your Universal App, you can check out this guide here.
If you’d like to override your default colors and set a different color for your Top or Footer Menu, you can do it by following these instructions:
Categories and Articles
After you’ve had some content to work with, you can organize your content by assigning categories to your collections and articles. This will make it easier for your readers to find specific content. To do this, all you have to do is follow this article.
Collecting Email Addresses
STEP 1: Create your first opt-in form
Opt-in Forms are simply sign-up forms. This is the tool your readers use to register for an account, promo, or subscription on your Universal App. The data they provide through the form will be available through the Universal App's CRM System.
We strongly recommend you to create an Opt-in Form and assign it to an article so it can become a lead magnet and collect your readers’ data.
This data can be very useful; you can keep track of subscribed readers or send them announcements, updates, and marketing emails.
Opt-in Forms are a tool that your readers can use to register for an account or sign up for a promotion/subscription on your Universal App. By signing up through these forms, they will provide you with some data that you can use to keep track of subscribers and send them updates, announcements, and marketing emails.
To create an Opt-in Form, simply follow this guide and you’ll be all set!
STEP 2: Assign your new opt-in form to any article
After you’ve created your Opt-in Form, all you need to do to start collecting email addresses is to assign them to your content. To do this, go to Content > Articles/Collections. Choose the article or collection that you would like to assign and then click Edit Form. From there, you can find the Unlock Type dropdown and you can choose Opt-In/Free Lead Magnet. Now you can start collecting email addresses! Easy-peasy, right?
STEP 3: Preview your article with the opt-in form
Curious about what your content will look like? With an Opt-in Form, simply click on the Live Preview button on the top right corner of your Universal App admin.
STEP 4: Register as your own first reader to experience the flow
We recommend you to register as a reader to your Universal App. Why?
So that you can experience the for yourself and know what to do if a reader is lost or confused. It will also be a bonus for us if you can suggest an improvement to the registration process itself! As a growing solution, your feedback is very valuable to us.
Add Your Custom Domain
The most important part of going live with your Universal App, besides your content, is adding your custom domain. Your custom domain is a part of your branding. It lets people find you and your content on the internet.
You can find a guide on how to connect your own domain here.
Advanced Features
Once you’ve set up your Universal App you can play around with some of our advanced features such as importing your existing subscribers to our CRM, setting up Stripe as your payment gateway, setting up Google Analytics for tracking your UA’s performance, and many more!
Get stuck? Feel free to reach out to our live chat at the bottom right corner of your Universal App dashboard or simply send an email to support@magloft.com