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Web Support Onboarding - New Hire

Updated

New hire onboarding web support   

 

 

The Web Support Team provides support for a variety of website, email, DNS and API/SSO related topics. The full list of what we support as well as basic operational info can be found at:

 

The Web Support Knowledge Base contains many helpful articles, guides and troubleshooting basics and is found at:

  • https://growthzonesupport.happyfox.com/staff/kb/browse/sections/28

The Knowledge Base in HappyFox is the primary reference resource for nearly everything relating to ChamberMaster and GrowthZone. You can search all articles at:

 

ChamberMaster vs. GrowthZone

We work with two different, separate databases that function differently, have different options, and work with websites differently. The procedures for making changes to the websites that use these two different databases can differ greatly, so it is important to get familiar with both in order to see this in action. Below we’ll cover the basic differences, and over time you’ll learn even more differences between the two through hands-on experience.

ChamberMaster

https://secure2.chambermaster.com/

The ChamberMaster database platform is older and can work with three different types of websites:

1. SmartCMS (SCMS)

This is a proprietary web design platform developed by ChamberMaster. When logged into a ChamberMaster database account, an SCMS site can be launched into editing mode by clicking on the ‘pencil’ icon in the upper right corner of the database window:

The basic guide to using SCMS can be found at: https://supportwiki.chambermaster.com/images/1/1a/Working_with_SmartCMS.pdf

2. GrowthZone CMS (GZCMS)

A GZCMS website is a newer, WordPress-based web design platform developed by GrowthZone which is very similar to most WordPress installations. In fact, GZCMS is based on Beaver Builder and functions in most of the same ways. Unlike most WordPress installs, GZCMS is not compatible with 3rd-party plugins, although 3rd-party widget code can be added for similar functionality in most cases. When logged into a ChamberMaster database account, a GZCMS site can be launched into editing mode by clicking on the ‘pencil in a box’ icon in the upper right corner of the database window:

Resources on how to use GZCMS, including training videos, can be found at: Home - GZCMS Training Resources (growthzonesites.com)

3. 3rd-party websites

ChamberMaster database module pages can be integrated into a third party website via the guide found at: https://integration.growthzone.com/chambermaster-quick-guide/

When logged into a ChamberMaster database account, you can tell if the customer is using a 3rd-party website and not a ChamberMaster/GrowthZone website because only the ‘globe’ icon will be available to click on in the upper right corner of the database window:

There are some CMS platforms that do not integrate well with the ChamberMaster database module pages. More info on this can be found at: https://integration.growthzone.com/cms-compatibility-list/

 

GrowthZone

https://growthzoneapp.com/

The GrowthZone database platform is newer and works with two different kinds of websites:

1. GrowthZoneCMS (GZCMS)

A GZCMS website is a newer, WordPress-based web design platform developed by GrowthZone which is very similar to most WordPress installations. In fact, GZCMS is based on Beaver Builder and functions in most of the same ways. Unlike most WordPress installs, GZCMS is not compatible with 3rd-party plugins, although 3rd-party widget code can be added for similar functionality in most cases. When logged into a ChamberMaster database account, a GZCMS site can be launched into editing mode by clicking on the ‘pencil in a box’ icon in the upper right corner of the database window:

Resources on how to use GZCMS, including training videos, can be found at: Home - GZCMS Training Resources (growthzonesites.com)

2. 3rd-party websites

GrowthZone database module pages can be integrated into a third-party website via the guide found at: https://integration.growthzone.com/growthzone-quick-guide/

When logged into a GrowthZone database account, you can tell if the customer is using a 3rd-party website and not a GrowthZone website because only the ‘globe’ icon will be available to click on in the upper right corner of the database window:

There are some CMS platforms that do not integrate well with the GrowthZone database module pages. More info on this can be found at: https://integration.growthzone.com/cms-compatibility-list/

Integration

For both the ChamberMaster and GrowthZone databases, Integration refers to the database populated public module pages that display content that is contained within the database. For example, a webpage of upcoming events, or a directory of all the members, or a list of job postings, among others.

All of the content for these pages is created in the database account, and this content is then ‘fed’ into the public module pages. These public module webpages can use a template to ‘wrap’ around the database-fed content, which will keep the styling of the website consistent. For example, the template will usually contain the navigation menu/header, as well as the footer. Other content can be added to the template as needed as well.

ChamberMaster and GrowthZone each use a slightly different method for integration:

For the ChamberMaster database, the integration guide can be found at: https://integration.growthzone.com/chambermaster-quick-guide/

Most of the settings and configurations for ChamberMaster module page integration takes place within the Integration Settings Control Panel (ISCP). Full guides for the ISCP can be found at: https://integration.growthzone.com/iscp-overview/ https://integration.growthzone.com/iscp-basics/

For the GrowthZone database, the integration guide can be found at: https://integration.growthzone.com/growthzone-quick-guide/

Most of the settings and configurations for GrowthZone module page integration takes place within the GrowthZone database in SETUP > GROWTHZONE PAGES.

 

DNS

Web support handles most DNS inquiries, whether it is to update DNS records, add or delete MX, SPF/TXT, CNAME records, or to troubleshoot when a website is down.

Although we no longer host email accounts, sometimes we receive ticket requests to change MX records and other email DNS records when a customer is changing their email service provider. Although customers may have their DNS records hosted anywhere they choose, we do host DNS for some of our customers on three different accounts that we manage: www.rackspace.com www.liquidweb.com www.cloudflare.com

When we host DNS for a customer on one of these three hosting accounts, it may be on their own account which they can log into and access, or more frequently, their DNS records are hosted on our account which only we can log into and access.

Usernames and passwords for these are found in our NordPass shared account at: www.nordpass.com

When troubleshooting a website, whether it is to determine if the site is down or if the module pages are not loading, or if they are having email delivery issues, often times it can be due to an error in the DNS records.

The first step in determining DNS errors is to check their various records through a free public lookup at: https://mxtoolbox.com/NetworkTools.aspx

You can find a lot of information by doing the various searches on specific DNS records there, or you can get historical DNS information to see when DNS changes were made by going to: https://securitytrails.com/

You can set up a free account with Security Trails and use it to log in to view historical DNS record data.

Check DNS propagation to see if there are problems at: https://www.whatsmydns.net/

 

Bookmark websites =

 

Quick Guides =

 

Escalation =

 

SSO/API Setup =

 

HappyFox =

  • https://app.happyfoxchat.com/b/home
  • Changing categories to GZ/CM:
    • Change the category, put a note on it as to why you're moving it over to them, and unassign yourself. I typically change it back to NEW status but IN PROGRESS would probably work as well. Unless you want the ticket back for information purposes.

 

Access Needed =

  • Api T1
  • Super Admin growthzonecites.com
  • Super Admin growthzonecms.com

 

Frequently Asked Questions – Solutions

 

 

  • Change Domain (ChamberMaster)
    • Login to CM CCID then go back to the CM Tenant overview list > other utilities > CMS administration