Individuals reading path
This page is for individuals who want to know what to read and in what order. It is split into four stages. Read the common pages of each stage, then the pages for your kind of site. Skip what does not apply to you.
Contents
- Stage 1: decide
- Stage 2: install and learn
- Stage 3: build your kind of site
- Stage 4: launch and keep it running
- After the first year
Stage 1: decide
An evening. At the end you know whether Exponential fits and what your site is for.
| # | Page | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Individuals: start here | The map of this section |
| 2 | Is Exponential right for you? | Honest fit questions |
| 3 | What exists and what does not | No surprises later |
| 4 | Site plan worksheet | Your purpose, readers and privacy needs on one page |
| 5 | Individuals FAQ | The quick answers |
Stage 2: install and learn
A weekend. At the end you have Exponential running on your own computer and know your way around.
| # | Page | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Choosing an install method | Wizard, console or kickstarter |
| 7 | Choosing a site package and theme | Full or clean, which design |
| 8 | Getting started | Signing in and the first steps |
| 9 | Admin tour | Where everything is |
| 10 | Editing content | Writing and publishing |
| 11 | Publishing and versions | Drafts and undo |
| 12 | Media and uploads | Images and files |
| 13 | Individuals glossary | The words |
Stage 3: build your kind of site
One to four weekends, depending on the site. Read the column that fits you.
Stage 4: launch and keep it running
A day to launch, then an hour a month.
| # | Page | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | Running on a small budget | Where the site lives and what it costs |
| 15 | Shared hosting or a small server | What works where |
| 16 | Domain names and HTTPS | Your address and the lock |
| 17 | Two-factor sign-in | Protect your account |
| 18 | Spam and security basics | Forms, comments and sign-ups attract bots |
| 19 | Backups for one person | Copies you can restore |
| 20 | Launch checklist for individuals | The day you go live |
| 21 | Updates for one person | Staying current |
| 22 | Monthly upkeep checklist | An hour a month |
| 23 | The writing assistant | Only if you want help with drafts |
Family sites also go through the family privacy checklist before launch.
After the first year
| Page | When |
|---|---|
| When to hire help | The site grows, or a task is beyond you |
| Learning with the Student level | You want to learn Exponential properly, or teach it |
| Website creators: start here | You want to change templates and classes yourself |
| Customers: start here | Someone else now builds or hosts the site for you |
Related pages
- Individuals: start here
- Website creators reading path
- Customers reading path
- Blog reading path (customers)
- Free documentation: this page is free to copy, translate and improve under the GNU FDL 1.3.
Become an Exponential Partner
Partners share their information, provide funding, contribute back and develop the products with us, and that is how Exponential grows. A partner website and dashboard are planned for mid-2027: please become a partner today to speed up our growth rate and land new features faster.