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First Steps: Setting Up Your New Website

Last updated on May 17, 2026 23:07

Congratulations on successfully installing and logging into PolyCMS! Before you start driving traffic to your site, there are a few essential configuration steps you should take to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Follow this quick checklist to get your website fully operational.

Step 1: Configure General Settings

The very first thing you should do is tell the system about your website.

  • Navigate to Settings > General in the left sidebar.

  • Site Title: Enter the name of your business or blog. This appears in browser tabs and search engine results.

  • Tagline: Write a short, catchy description of what your site is about.

  • Site Language & Timezone: Ensure these match your target audience to guarantee that scheduled posts and order dates display correctly.

  • Click Save Changes.

Step 2: Set Up Permalinks (SEO URLs)

Permalinks are the permanent URLs to your individual pages and blog posts. Setting these up correctly is critical for Search Engine Optimization (SEO).

  • Go to Settings > Permalinks.

  • Choose a URL structure that works best for you. For most blogs and business sites, the Post name (/sample-post/) structure is highly recommended as it is the most SEO-friendly.

  • Click Save Changes.

Step 3: Choose and Activate a Theme

By default, PolyCMS comes with a powerful core, but you need a Theme to control how it looks to your visitors.

  • Go to Appearance > Themes.

  • You will see a list of installed themes (like FlexiWhite or FlexiBlog).

  • Find the theme that suits your brand and click Activate.

  • Note: PolyCMS supports multiple active themes simultaneously! You can have one "Main Theme" for your overall layout, and assign "Sub Themes" to specific landing pages.

Step 4: Publish Your First Post

It's time to share your voice with the world. PolyCMS features a modern, block-based editor that makes content creation a breeze.

  • Navigate to Content > Posts and click the Add New button.

  • Give your post a Title.

  • Click into the main content area and start typing. You can use the / command to quickly insert images, headings, or lists using the Block Editor.

  • On the right sidebar, assign a Category (e.g., 'News' or 'Announcements').

  • Set a Featured Image to make your post stand out on social media.

  • Once you are happy with the content, hit the Publish button in the top right corner.

That's it! Your website is now configured and your first piece of content is live.

Ready to sell online? Check out the E-Commerce Guide to start adding products to your catalog.