Getting Started with OpenEntry (formerly CatGen.com)
The best way to understand the simplicity and power of OpenEntry is by taking 15 minutes to start "playing" a free account. Just follow these instructions to download & install the free authoring software and register for a limited free account. If you have any questions at any time, just click on "24/7 SUPPORT" above for free live chat with our User Support staff standing by 24/7.
- Watch the 8 minute introduction video
- Download the free software from http://www.openentry.com/install/openentry.exe and
register for your free account at http://openentry.com/catgen4-web/security/vendor/registration_vendor.jsf
- For now, don't get hung up on the details and just follow these simple steps to create your first "rough draft" OpenEntry catalog in just a few minutes on your own. Later you can enhance and expand it with rich feature set described in detail in the Help menu. Remember, if you need a little extra "hand holding" to create your catalog, our User Support staff is standing by 24/7 for free live chat help - just click on "24/7 SUPPORT" above.
- Open the OpenEntry program and on the opening Login screen, click on "Cancel", "Create new catalog", and "Ok"
- Fill in your Vendor Code and password (twice) but make absolutely sure that they match what you used in the registration in step 1) above.
- From the left of the screen, choose your Initial Master Template and Style for your Website by experimenting with combinations of Templates, Color Scheme, Font Scheme, and Background. However, don't spend too much time there for now (you can always go back and choose a new combination) - click "Ok" at the bottom left.
- The main OpenEntry screen contains a row of tabs accross the center top (Web Page Properties, Links, Meta Tags, Design, HTML, Preview) - click on "Design" and type in a few words (such as "Hello World, welcomed to my new web catalog!").
- On the top row of menus (File, Edit, View, Catalog, Web, Report, Help), click on Web > Publish Website to Online Server. Make sure that the drop down shows the server at http://openentry.com/catgen3/synch.jsp, then click "Continue". The program will display a box while it takes a couple of minutes to synchronize the data on your computer with our server that then publishes this first simplistic catalog to the web site http://OpenEntry.com/yourvendorcode as you can see on your browser (2 minutes later). Congratulations!!! You're on the air.
- Back on OpenEntry, turn your attention to the Web Tree on the left that describes the structure of your site. Click on "Home" and then click right above on the icon of the circle with the "+" to create a Product Line. Type in the name of the product line (or category) such as "Furniture" and then click on "Save" on the bottom left.
- Now click the "Add New Product" icon (the box above the Web Tree) and "Select" a product image from your hard disk by clicking on the box besides the "Picture file name". Just click "Ok" on the bottom left and then click on the "Product Info" tab. For now just input a "Product Code", "Product Name", and a short description, and maybe the retail price. Save at bottom left.
- On the Web Tree, click on the product line and then on the box icon again and input another product with the instructions in (9). Add a. couple more products into that line
- On the Web Tree, click on "Home" and then add another product line by following the instructions in (8, 9, 10).
- As you did in step (7), publish your catalog on-line by clicking on Web > Publish Website to Online Server > Continue.
- Anytime before your trial period of 30 days is up and you are ready for a full paid account, go to www.OpenEntry.com and click on "My Account" and at least pay for the minimum $100/yr hosting for 100 products (see www.openentry.com/oe/EN/services ) via credit card.
- Your permanent URL will then be www.OpenEntry.com/yourvendorcode in addition to whatever domain you might have chosen.
