> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Configure portal and website

> Set up shareable links, the customer app, marketplace, and your public facility page before inviting customers.

The **Website & customer app** settings control what customers see outside your staff dashboard: how the signed-in app looks, which links you share publicly, and how your facility page appears online.

Use this guide before you invite customers to sign in, add a booking widget to your website, or publish your public facility page.

## What you will accomplish

* Copy and test **Shareable links** (customer login, registration, public page, marketplace).
* Arrange the signed-in **Customer app** using the live preview.
* Choose **Marketplace** visibility if you list cars or products.
* Preview your **Public website** before you post the link.
* Turn on **Community** and the **Website schedule widget** only when you are ready.

<Note>
  **Related settings live on other pages**

  * **Logo and colors:** [Settings > General](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/settings/general) under **Facility profile**. The old [Settings > Branding](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/settings/branding) link opens the same place. See [Set up your facility name, logo, and colors](/docs/settings/set-up-facility-branding).
  * **Registration form and first-login steps:** [Settings > Customer onboarding](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/settings/customer-onboarding) — see [Configure customer onboarding](/docs/settings/configure-customer-onboarding).
  * **Custom domain:** [Settings > Custom domain](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/settings/custom-domain) — see [Connect a custom domain](/docs/facility-web-pages/connect-a-custom-domain).
</Note>

## Before you start

* Complete [Set up your facility name, logo, and colors](/docs/settings/set-up-facility-branding) so previews show your logo and colors.
* Review [Connect payment processing](/docs/settings/connect-payment-processing) before turning on paid signup or shop items.
* Review [Configure communications](/docs/settings/configure-communications) before sending portal invites or registration emails.
* If you plan to place code on your website, know who manages your website (WordPress, Squarespace, Wix, and similar).

## Open Website & customer app settings

Go to [Settings > Website & customer app](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/settings/website).

The page title is **Website & customer app**.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/carstoragesoftware/HrLVUvqKt7UkSq2X/images/settings/settings-website-customer-app-sep15.webp?fit=max&auto=format&n=HrLVUvqKt7UkSq2X&q=85&s=2800c981f314f9ab73304f459ac6d590" alt="Website and customer app settings showing Shareable links cards for Customer login, Main page, Registration, Marketplace, and Vendor invoices" width="1440" height="900" data-path="images/settings/settings-website-customer-app-sep15.webp" />
</Frame>

***Shareable links** sit at the top. Each card has **Copy** and **Open** so you can test a link before you send it.*

**Expected result:** You see **Shareable links** first, then **Customer app**, **Marketplace**, and **Public website** as you scroll down.

## Copy shareable links first

Most teams start here because you need these URLs for emails, your website, and text messages.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Find Shareable links">
    At the top of [Settings > Website & customer app](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/settings/website), find **Shareable links**.

    Common cards include:

    * **Customer login** — sign-in for existing customers
    * **Main page** — your public landing page
    * **Registration** — new customer storage inquiry form
    * **Marketplace** — cars for sale customers can browse
    * **Vendor invoices** — a link for vendors to submit invoices
  </Step>

  <Step title="Copy the customer login link">
    On the **Customer login** card, click **Copy**.

    **Why this matters:** This is the link you send when you invite someone to the portal. It is not the same as your staff dashboard link.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Test in a private browser window">
    Click **Open**, or paste the link into a private or incognito window.

    **Expected result:** You see a customer sign-in page with your facility name and logo — not the staff [Dashboard](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard).
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  **Do not share dashboard links**

  Staff dashboard links start with `/dashboard`. Those are for your team only. Always copy from **Shareable links**.
</Warning>

For a full guide on which link to share when, read [Choose the right public link to share](/docs/facility-web-pages/choose-the-right-public-link).

For printable QR codes that stay stable when you change destinations, read [Set up printable QR codes](/docs/settings/set-up-printable-qr-codes).

## Set up the customer app

The customer app is the first page customers see after they sign in.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Scroll to Customer app">
    Find **Customer app** under **Shareable links**.

    Use the **LIVE PREVIEW** and the page tabs (**Home**, **Events**, **Cars**, **Schedule**, **Shop**, and others) to switch pages.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Reorder sections on Home, Events, and Cars">
    Turn sections on or off, then drag them into the order customers should see.

    On **Cars**, you can also allow customers to add vehicles.

    On **Shop**, configure catalog display, pricing, and filter tags.

    Changes save automatically.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Watch the preview update">
    Tap the bottom tabs in the preview to confirm each page.

    **Expected result:** The preview matches the experience you want before you send invite emails.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  **Preview vs real customer view**

  The preview on this settings page shows layout and colors. After you save, sign in as a test customer using the **Customer login** link to confirm the live portal matches what you expect.
</Tip>

## Set Marketplace visibility

<Steps>
  <Step title="Find Marketplace">
    Scroll to **Marketplace**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose who can browse">
    Turn the marketplace on or off, then choose who can see cars and products.

    Choose **Public** only when you want guests (people who are not signed in) to browse.

    **Expected result:** The **Marketplace** shareable link matches the visibility you chose.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Configure the public website

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/carstoragesoftware/HrLVUvqKt7UkSq2X/images/settings/settings-website-public-pages-sep15.webp?fit=max&auto=format&n=HrLVUvqKt7UkSq2X&q=85&s=9d38f45db52629e32faf1d403c66e913" alt="Public website section on Website and customer app settings with a live preview of the facility page" width="1440" height="900" data-path="images/settings/settings-website-public-pages-sep15.webp" />
</Frame>

***Public website** includes a live preview. Change the slug, banner, or content blocks and watch the preview update.*

<Steps>
  <Step title="Scroll to Public website">
    Find **Public website** on [Settings > Website & customer app](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/settings/website).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Turn the page on and check the address">
    Enable the public page and confirm the page address (often called a **slug**).

    Keep it short and close to your facility name.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add public details">
    Add description, photos, services, and reviews your team wants customers to see. To reuse content from a previous website, add an **HTML** block (see [Add custom HTML](/docs/facility-web-pages/configure-the-facility-landing-page#add-custom-html)).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Preview before sharing">
    Open the public page in a new tab and confirm it looks correct.

    **Expected result:** A stranger can learn about your facility and find the right next step (register, browse cars, or sign in).
  </Step>
</Steps>

For a detailed landing page walkthrough, read [Configure the facility landing page](/docs/facility-web-pages/configure-the-facility-landing-page).

## Control what customers see on each car page

<Steps>
  <Step title="Scroll to Car page">
    Find **Car page**.

    This controls which blocks appear inside the **Vehicle Details** card when a customer opens one of their cars.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Turn sections on or off">
    Show or hide photos, service history, documents, and market data.

    Turn off anything that should stay internal to your team.

    **Why this matters:** Some facilities share condition photos with owners; others keep inspection notes staff-only.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Add a website schedule widget

The **Website schedule widget** is a small embed you paste into a website builder such as WordPress, Squarespace, Wix, or Webflow.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Scroll to Website schedule widget">
    On [Settings > Website & customer app](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/settings/website), scroll to **Website schedule widget**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Copy the embed code">
    Click **Copy** to copy the HTML embed code.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Paste on your website">
    Send the code to whoever manages your website, or paste it yourself into an HTML or embed block.

    **Expected result:** The schedule widget loads on your public website and lets customers book without calling first.
  </Step>
</Steps>

For step-by-step website instructions, read [Add a website embed](/docs/facility-web-pages/add-a-website-embed).

## Turn on Community chat (optional)

**Community** lets customers join chat channels your team manages in Marketing & Events.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Find Community">
    Scroll to **Community**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Turn Community on only when you are ready">
    Turn it on when you have at least one channel and staff who can monitor messages.

    Then create channels in [Marketing & Events > Community](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/marketing/community). See [Manage community channels](/docs/marketing-events/manage-community-channels).
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Set registration and onboarding (quick pointer)

Public registration and first-login steps live on their own Settings page:

* **Public registration form:** [Configure customer onboarding](/docs/settings/configure-customer-onboarding).
* **Steps after sign-in:** same guide, **Customer app onboarding** section.
* **Approve new registrations:** [Review and approve registration requests](/docs/facility-web-pages/review-and-approve-registration-requests).

## What success looks like

* You copied and tested the **Customer login** link in a private browser window.
* The customer app preview shows the sections and tabs your team wants customers to use.
* Marketplace visibility matches who should browse cars and products.
* Your public facility page looks ready before you share it.
* Community and the schedule widget are on only when staff can support them.

## Troubleshooting

<Warning>
  **The customer login link opens the staff dashboard**

  You may have copied the wrong URL. Copy again from **Shareable links** on [Settings > Website & customer app](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/settings/website).
</Warning>

<Warning>
  **The schedule widget does not appear on my website**

  Confirm the full embed code was pasted into an HTML or embed block. Some website builders require a "Custom HTML" element.
</Warning>

<Warning>
  **Customers see sections they should not see**

  Review **Car page** and the **Customer app** preview. Turn off staff-only sections until you are ready to share them.
</Warning>

<Warning>
  **Customers cannot pay during signup**

  Check [Settings > Billing](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/settings/billing) and [Configure customer onboarding](/docs/settings/configure-customer-onboarding). Payment processing and onboarding payment steps must both be configured.
</Warning>

## What to do next

* Set up registration and first-login steps in [Configure customer onboarding](/docs/settings/configure-customer-onboarding).
* Invite a test customer first, then follow [Invite a customer to the portal](/docs/contacts/invite-a-customer-to-the-portal).
* Use [Go-live checklist for public pages](/docs/facility-web-pages/go-live-checklist-for-public-pages) before marketing your public links widely.


## Related topics

- [Configure customer onboarding](/docs/settings/configure-customer-onboarding.md)
- [Configure communications](/docs/settings/configure-communications.md)
- [Configure operations settings](/docs/settings/configure-operations-settings.md)
- [Settings overview](/docs/settings/overview.md)
- [Set up your facility name, logo, and colors](/docs/settings/set-up-facility-branding.md)


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