Editing Appearance (section)

= How to Customize the Appearance of Your ActiveCampaign Account =

The '''Appearance''' feature in ActiveCampaign allows users to personalize the visual aspects of their account. This customization is essential for businesses looking to align their platform's look and feel with their branding. A cohesive visual identity supports effective communication with customers and enhances perceived professionalism. In this article, we will guide you through how to access these settings, step-by-step instructions for customization, configuration options available, best practices, troubleshooting tips, and frequently asked questions.

== Introduction ==
Customizing the appearance of your ActiveCampaign account lets you enhance your user experience while ensuring that your branding is consistent across different communications and platforms. This feature is beneficial for maintaining a professional image and making the software feel more personal and aligned with your company’s ethos. The customization options available through the Appearance feature span from basic branding adjustments to more in-depth modifications involving CSS and templates.

== How to Access Appearance Settings in Your ActiveCampaign Account ==
To access and customize your account's appearance, follow the steps below:

# Click '''Settings''' (gear icon).
# Click '''Appearance''' on the left menu.

This will take you to the Appearance page, where you can make various adjustments to the look of your ActiveCampaign account.

== Step-by-Step Instructions ==
Once you are on the Appearance page, you can utilize the available options as follows:

=== Update Your "Site Name" ===
Your site's name is displayed on default and notification emails and serves as the title of your application in your browser's tab.

1. Locate the '''Site Name''' field.
2. Enter your desired site name.
3. Click the '''Save''' button to apply your changes.

*Note*: Updating your site name is different from changing your account name.

=== Turn ActiveCampaign Branding On or Off ===
You can choose to hide or show ActiveCampaign branding within your account level.

1. Navigate to the branding section.
2. Toggle the setting to turn branding on or off.
3. If turning off branding, consider hiding in-app chat functionality as well.

=== Update Navigation Color ===
To select a specific color for the left-side navigation bar:

1. Choose your desired color from the options provided.
2. Changes will automatically reflect upon selection.

=== Upload Your Logos ===
You have the option to replace ActiveCampaign logos to better reflect your brand. 

1. Upload your new logo file to ActiveCampaign’s image manager or an external hosting platform.
2. Copy the image's URL and paste it into the appropriate field.
3. Click the '''Save''' button to finalize the upload.

Repeat this process for each logo you wish to replace, including those for the Login page and Sidebar.

=== Customize Template ===
Modify the layout of the admin panel and public pages to better fit your brand's needs.

1. Click into the '''Customize Template''' box.
2. Position your cursor where you want to add an item.
3. Use the '''Insert Tag''' dropdown to select items to add.
4. Click the '''Save''' button to confirm changes.
5. To revert to default settings, use the '''Reset to default''' option.

=== Customize CSS ===
Use custom CSS to change how elements within your ActiveCampaign account are displayed.

1. Click the '''Insert Property''' dropdown to select the style element you want to modify.
2. Enter your custom CSS code in the provided box.
3. Click '''Save''' when you are finished.
4. To clear your custom styles, use the '''Clear Styles''' option.

=== Public Site Customizations ===
Customizations made here apply to pages that contacts can access, like unsubscribes and subscription updates.

1. Navigate to the Public Site customization options.
2. Similarly, modify your template and CSS as described above for public pages.
3. Save all changes using the appropriate button.

=== Customize Email Headers and Footers ===
Create non-removable branding content applied across all your campaigns.

1. Add headers and footers that suit your branding strategy.
2. Custom email headers and footers will be used for every HTML and plain-text email sent.

For comprehensive instructions on email headers and footers' customization, refer to the relevant ActiveCampaign documentation.

== Configuration Options and Settings ==
The following are the key options available in the Appearance settings:

* '''Site Name''': This is the identifier for your application in emails and browser tabs.
* '''Branding Options''': Control the visibility of ActiveCampaign branding.
* '''Navigation Color''': Customize the left-side navigation bar color.
* '''Logos''': Upload and display your own logos for branding purposes.
* '''Template Customization''': Modify or rearrange elements on your admin panel and public site.
* '''Customize CSS''': Implement CSS changes to control the look of your platform.
* '''Public Site Customization''': Adjust the design of public-facing pages.
* '''Email Headers and Footers''': Define branding that appears consistently across all sent emails.

== Best Practices and Tips ==
To maximize the effectiveness of the customization feature, consider the following best practices:

* Ensure that your site name and logos consistently reflect your brand identity.
* Choose colors that align with your company's branding to enhance brand recognition.
* Regularly review public pages to ensure they are displaying the most relevant and up-to-date information.
* Test your customizations by logging in as a user to confirm changes are as intended.
* Back up any significant CSS changes, especially if you plan to experiment with styles.

== Common Use Cases with Examples ==
- **Branding for External Events**: If participating in industry conferences, consider customizing the logo to signify participation.
- **Seasonal Promotions**: Change the color scheme and templates for seasonal sales or promotions to align with holiday themes.
- **New Product Launches**: Use the header and footer customization for emails sent announcing a new product, reinforcing branding in the communication.

== Troubleshooting ==
If you encounter issues while trying to customize your appearance:

* Ensure that you have the appropriate permissions based on your ActiveCampaign plan.
* Double-check that the image URLs used for logos are valid and accessible.
* If changes do not appear as intended, try clearing your browser's cache or refresh the page.
* Don't hesitate to reach out to ActiveCampaign support if problems persist.

== Frequently Asked Questions ==
=== 1. Can I customize my account’s appearance if I am on the Starter plan? ===
Yes, customization features are available on all ActiveCampaign plans.

=== 2. How do I reset my customizations to default settings? ===
You can restore default settings by using the '''Reset to default''' option available in the customization areas.

=== 3. What types of files can I upload as logos? ===
You can upload images in standard formats like JPEG or PNG for your logos.

=== 4. Will my custom email headers and footers apply to all emails? ===
Yes, custom headers and footers will be applied to every HTML and plain-text email sent from your account.

=== 5. Is it possible to hide ActiveCampaign branding? ===
Yes, you can turn off ActiveCampaign branding and hide in-app chat functionalities if desired.

=== 6. Can I modify the CSS without any coding skills? ===
Basic CSS knowledge is helpful for customization. However, consult developers if you're looking for complex changes.

=== 7. How can I make sure my public pages are user-friendly? ===
Regularly review and update public pages to ensure content is relevant and user-friendly, testing them from a contact's perspective.

By following this guide, you can successfully customize the appearance of your ActiveCampaign account, ensuring it aligns with your branding and enhances your overall user experience.
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