Preview and Publish
This guide explains New Salon's workflow for editing, previewing, and publishing your site and pages.
How New Salon Works
New Salon uses an auto-save system combined with publishing controls:
Edit → Auto-Save → Published Sites Go Live
- Edit - Make changes in the editor
- Auto-Save - Changes save automatically as you work
- Published - If your site is published, changes appear live
Key Concepts
- Site Publishing - Controls whether your entire site is visible to visitors
- Page Publishing - Controls whether individual pages are visible
- Changes are auto-saved, but only visible if both site AND page are published
Editing Your Site
Entering Edit Mode
From your dashboard, click on a site to enter the editor. You'll see the editing interface with panels and tools.
Exiting Edit Mode
Click the pen icon in the toolbar to stop editing. This returns you to the normal view of your site.
- The pen icon toggles between edit and view mode
- Changes are automatically saved while editing
- No separate "publish" action needed for content changes
Automatic Saving
How Auto-Save Works
New Salon continuously preserves your work:
- Changes save automatically while you edit
- Saving... indicator appears during saves
- Saved confirmation shows when complete
- No manual save action required
What Gets Auto-Saved
All changes are automatically saved:
- Text content and formatting
- Layout modifications
- Image uploads and adjustments
- Navigation changes
- Theme and styling updates
- Page settings and metadata
Save Status Indicators
| Indicator | Meaning | Action Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Saved | All changes preserved | None |
| Saving... | Currently saving changes | Wait for completion |
| Connection Lost | Unable to save | Check internet connection |
Publishing Your Site
Site Published vs Unpublished
Your entire site has a publishing status:
| Status | Visibility | Who Can See |
|---|---|---|
| Published | Public | Anyone with the URL |
| Unpublished | Private | Only you (logged in) |
How to Publish Your Site
- Go to Site Settings
- Find the publishing or visibility toggle
- Set to Published to make your site live
Unpublished Sites
When your site is unpublished:
- Only you can view it when logged in
- Visitors see a "site not found" or similar message
- All content remains saved but hidden
Publishing Individual Pages
Page Published vs Unpublished
Each page can be independently published or unpublished:
| Status | Navigation | Direct Link |
|---|---|---|
| Published | Appears in navigation | Accessible to visitors |
| Unpublished | Hidden from navigation | Not accessible |
How to Publish/Unpublish a Page
- Select the page in the editor
- Open Page Settings panel
- Toggle the Published setting
Use Cases for Unpublished Pages
- Work in Progress - Build pages before making them live
- Seasonal Content - Hide pages when not relevant
- Restricted Access - Keep pages private until ready
Important Note
For a page to be visible to visitors:
- The site must be published, AND
- The page must be published
An unpublished site hides all pages regardless of their individual status.
Previewing Your Site
Viewing as a Visitor
To see how visitors experience your site:
- Exit edit mode by clicking the pen icon
- Your site displays without the editing interface
- Navigation, links, and interactions work as on live site
Device Testing
Test your design across different screen sizes:
- Resize your browser window to test responsive layouts
- Use browser developer tools for specific device sizes
- Check navigation and content on mobile widths
Testing Live Changes
To verify changes are live:
- Make your edits in the editor
- Wait for the "Saved" indicator
- Open your site in a new browser tab or incognito window
- Refresh to see the latest changes
Testing and Quality Assurance
Pre-Launch Checklist
Before making your site public:
- Check all pages display correctly
- Test all navigation links
- Verify images load properly
- Review text for errors
- Confirm SEO titles and descriptions
- Test on mobile devices
Cross-Browser Testing
Test your site across different browsers:
- Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
- Mobile browsers (iOS Safari, Chrome Mobile)
- Check for consistent appearance
Common Issues and Solutions
Auto-Save Problems
Changes not saving:
- Check your internet connection
- Refresh the page and try again
- Look for the "Connection Lost" indicator
- Contact support if issues persist
Changes not appearing on live site:
- Verify your site is published
- Verify the page is published
- Clear your browser cache
- Test in an incognito/private window
Performance Tips
Slow saving:
- Reduce large image file sizes before uploading
- Check internet connection speed
- Close unnecessary browser tabs
Getting Help
If problems continue:
- Check the community forum for solutions
- Submit an issue with specific details
- Provide steps to reproduce the problem
Summary
| Action | How To |
|---|---|
| Edit your site | Click on site from dashboard |
| Stop editing | Click the pen icon |
| Save changes | Automatic - just edit |
| Publish site | Site Settings → Published |
| Publish page | Page Settings → Published |
| Preview as visitor | Exit edit mode (pen icon) |
Next Steps
- Custom Domains - Use your own web address
- SEO Settings - Optimize for search engines
- Page Settings - Configure individual pages