Guestbooks provide a simple way to allow the public to leave messages on your site and allow you to respond to their comments. The syntax for adding a guestbook is: *guest23*. Here is an actual example *guest28* click on the link to see a guestbook.
To start a guestbook:
- Click on the 'Guestbook' icon on your Dashboard.
- Click on the 'Start Guestbook' button.
- Complete the form with the following information:
- Guestbook Name - This will be used when an automatic link is created using the *guestXX* code.
- Guestbook Password - Allows administrator to edit messages on the guestbook when clicking on links in Email. Password is not used each time, but it can be changed to block unauthorized people from modifying messages.
- Email Messages - When this box is checked, every message left by a user will be sent to the administrator, with a link to the administrative functions. This allows you to closely monitor activity on your guestbook form. It is highly recommended that this box is checked.
- Guestbook Email - Email address where messages will be sent.
- Introduction Text - text that will be displayed on the top of the guestbook form. Typically this would describe the purpose of the guestbook form and invite the public to leave a message.
When the screen returns to a list of your guestbooks, with the new one added, you will see the guestbook code. Enter this code into a text area on your site.
When the program is published, the result will be a link to your guestbook.
This sample guestbook has one entry, and on top is a section for other users to add their comments.
Each time a message is left, the administrator (set up when the guestbook is created) receives an Email. This Email will contain the message they left, as well as a link to the guestbook administration page.
The Site Builder guestbook feature will allow you to:
- Reply to messages in the guestbook (e-mail and on the site)
- Remove messages from the guestbook
- Edit messages from the guestbook
When the link is clicked on from the e-mail, you will see a list of the messages in the guestbook. Each message has a 'reply/edit' button. Clicking on this button will let you edit this message. Here is a sample of the list.
When you click on the 'reply', you'll see the following screen.
You can edit their message, or add a reply.
Editing the information in the 'their message' box allows you to make the original message more concise. Your reply will go in the 'your message' box, under the pink line. Your reply will be visible to everyone who views the guestbook!
If you click the "Email reply to sender' the person who left the original message will also recieve your reply via e-mail. This means they will not need to return to your site to get the answer.
If you click the 'delete message' box, the original message, as well as your reply will be deleted. The e-mail will not be sent out. Once you hit the 'save changes' button, this is irreversible!
If you add a reply, it will show up in the guestbook in bold print, as seen in the example above.