Four things you didn’t know about Toolset Reference Sites

   Dario

How to

January 26, 2016
14

You probably know that Toolset Reference Sites are like WordPress themes, which give you infinite customization ability. But do you know that you can use them as the starting point for your own or your client projects?

Here we summarize four important things you should know about Toolset Reference Sites:

#1 – You have 6 sites to choose from

There are reference sites for travel destinations, magazines, companies, classifieds, real estate, e-commerce and more so you don’t need to start your project from the scratch.

Listing site – Travel Destinations

Travel Destinations is a listing/directory site that allows users to submit new content via front-end forms. Other visitors can search through this content. The search results are displayed on a Google map.

more »

Directory website

In a directory website, visitors can submit free and premium ad. The ads are classified by categories, which buyers can view as a category tree. The site also includes a search and features the premium ads prominently.

more »

Real estate site

This is an example of a typical site a real estate agency would need. It includes a slider featuring some properties and provides a search function that allows visitors to look for properties meeting their criteria.

more »

#2 – You can install the reference sites locally

You can install all Toolset Reference sites locally with Toolset Framework Installer and fully customize them from inside the WordPress admin.

Watch the video:

See detailed steps.

#3 – They are super easy to customize

All Toolset Reference Sites were built with Layouts. You just delete unwanted cells. One click and the unnecessary cell disappears. Another move of your mouse and you swap your homepage sections. Add a few Views cells and you have a project ready for your customer.

#4 – You can use them as the basis of your client projects

Toolset Reference Sites are included in your Toolset account! What’s even better, you can use them as the basis of your client projects. This means, you start from a complete, working design, which you can edit, customize, replace the content and deliver as your work.

Toolset Reference Sites

 

Comments 14 Responses

    • Hi Diane,
      We are gathering feedback related to the reference sites to see what we should do next. Directory/membership site is definitely on our radar.

  2. That’s terrific news Peter that there will be some new reference sites, particularly a Directory/Membership site. Can I ask what the time line is for the release of these new reference sites?

    • Hi Chris. As I mentioned earlier we are in the research phase what we should do next with the reference sites, so no definite road map for now. What I can say is that we will be releasing a brand new real estate reference site in the coming weeks.

  4. It’s great having the reference sites available. Obviously the Types team have put a lot of work into making them available.

    However, it could just be me, but I feel like reference sites and the tutorials that go with them don’t really replace the value of having good written tutorials.

    Maybe it’s just my learning style. But I’d prefer to have written tutorials on how to use the toolset components. I’d prefer the tuts not to be in video form and not tied to sites that are already built.

    Following written tutorials puts me in a better position to experiment and learn from mistakes as I go. And explore particular features without using the whole shebang. Especially when the tutorials are supported by lots of links to clear documentation.

    Just my two cents.

      • Hi Amir.

        I have indeed seen the Views training course.

        The structure of these courses doesn’t work for me: pre-built sites with accompanying video tutorials. Again, it might just be me but being put in front of a site that’s near to feature-complete slows down my learning process rather then speeding it up.

        I’d much prefer to have written tutorials that guide me through how to use Views from the ground up.

        Also, you can’t really scan a video the same way that you can scan the text of a written tutorial. Videos make for poorer reference matter than does text.

        I’ll work through the training courses thoroughly in the near future. But still, at some point I’d love to see official written tutorial material on Toolset components that aren’t tied to existing sites. This would give me a lot more control of the learning experience. And more freedom to learn the components on my own testbed hosts.

        However, I don’t mean to be negative. The approach that Toolset is taking probably works well for the majority of Toolset users. I’m just used to my own way of learning.

        Thanks Amir.

        • Hi Robert, this is Agnes Bury. I’m responsible for the two training courses Amir shared with you.

          Thank you for your feedback.

          A few comments

          And more freedom to learn the components on my own testbed hosts.

          You can quickly install the training site your WordPress (please use the “Framework Installer” plugin)

          But still, at some point I’d love to see official written tutorial material (…)

          You are looking for text materials. These two training courses have both video and text versions.

          (…) that aren’t tied to existing sites

          It would be extremely difficult for me to prepare a tutorial that is abstract (not based on a particular example). But if you have any tips and hints how to do this, please share.

          (…) on Toolset components (…)

          Please note that the course from the first link is the introduction to the Views plugin only. What other Toolset components you would like us to cover?

          Thank you very much for your feedback again.

  6. I’m having a look at the Classified Reference site and I can’t locate the “Toolset Layouts” component. Can I ask if it is actually included in the reference site or not? And if it is not there, how is one supposed to move features around on a page or site?

    I also find the video tutorials to be essential for my learning.

    Thanks
    Chris

    • A big thank you to Agnus, she explained what I had overlooked in the download. My mistake.
      Cheers
      Chris