How much HTML do I need to know?

[MikeSpear]

I'm using version 9 and working on a website that uses the Smart theme.

I would like to place a box on the right side bar that contains a link and also if possible an image to direct the user to another page

I'm a complete novice. I've done the beginner tutorials that are supplied. I've used Dreamweaver in the past to produce websites but know little or no HTML

Is it possible to do this without resorting to changing HTML code?

If so how do I do it?

Regards

Mike.

[Rich Brady]

Search Smart theme in here and have a read. Most people would recommend against it, especially if you're at the early stages of you design.

If you don't want to get involved in html and aren't thinking of using the marketing lists you could use the Best sellers or new products to link through, or a fragment at the top of a page rather than in the side bar.

Alternatively:

<a href="InsertURL"><img src="InsertImgPath" alt="InsertText" border="0"></a>

Type that code into your layout and replace the bold text. Remember to back up.

[Fairyglass]

Mike- I've done what you want to do, and I don't know html either. It's perfectly possible- as Rich says take some time and read up on here, as all the information you need is either here, or in the Knowledge Base, or the Advanced User Guide.

Once you think you know what to do, take several snapshots of your site, and work methodically. It's not hard, I promise.

[MikeSpear]

Thanks for the quick response.

Ben, the posts I've seen so far refer to adding in lumps of HTML code. I've tried one that was on an entry in the knowledge base. I added the code and got the box displayed in the right side box.

I'm not sure how to insert an image and url into this box. I've not generated the page (brochure?) yet that its going to be diverted to either.

I've got a colleague who knows HTML well and produces web pages just using Notepad and he's equally clueless.

WebD suggested using Best Sellers or New Products are these a type of Layout?

Mike

[Fairyglass]

Hi Mike,

Firstly, I'm no expert, so if someone else say's I'm wrong, they're probably right! This works for me though. Before you do this, you'll need to generate the destination page and image you want to use.

Firstly I assume you have inserted the code like this from the KB:

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0" width="100%">
   <tr>
      <td valign="top" width="8%" bgcolor="<actinic:variable name="Palette2" />"><img src="theme_tab2_left.gif" /></td>
      <td bgcolor="<actinic:variable name="Palette2" />" width="84%" height="20"><span class="boxheading">MY HEADING</span></td>
      <td valign="top" width="8%" align="right" bgcolor="<actinic:variable name="Palette2" />"><img src="theme_tab2_right.gif" /></td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
      <td colspan="3" class="thinborder2">
   <div style="padding: 2px">
         MY TEXT
         </div>
      </td>
   </tr>
</table>

This will give you the box. You need to replace the "MY TEXT" field with the following code:

<DIV ALIGN=CENTER> <a href="ADDRESS OF THE WEBPAGE I WANT TO POINT TO"><img src="/IMAGE I WANT TO SHOW" border="0"></div>

The image you want to show has to be uploaded in Design/Additional Files and the source above must point to where it is on your server- for example, if you store your images in a directory called Images, the source will be /images/whateveryourimageiscalled.jpg

You can see it working on makeitnow.co.uk- I use it for links to our blog and our brochure page about payment security.

Good luck!
Ben

[MikeSpear]

Thanks for your replies.