Add A New Item Tutorial  

Learn how to:

1. Add A New Item To The Database
2. Edit A Product Description
3. Add A New Image To A Product Page
4. Edit Specs
5. Edit Links
6. Edit A Product Wiki

Add A New Product To The Database

We do our best to add a good number of products to each category, but undoubtedly we've missed a few.  Thank you for your help in making the listings more complete!

1. Navigate to the right product category.  Start of by heading to the main "Products" tab at the top.  This will take you to the Products main page.  From there, select the appropriate product category (for example, Organic Coffee, Tea & Hot Cocoa).
2. Click the "Add Item" Button.  Once you're in your desired category, first check to make sure the product you want to add isn't there.  If it's missing, look over at the top-right hand corner.  You'll see "About Coffee, Tea & Hot Cocoa" (or About ___ for whatever category you're in).  This module has a bit of information about which products are appropriate for that category.  Finally, below that you'll see "Something missing? Add a new product to this category."  Click "Add Item." 
3. From here, you will see the Find Products tool.  In the search field, enter a name of the desired piece of HT equipment or movie.  You may also search based on UPC, ASIN, or ISBN to find the item you are looking for.  Click "Search" when you are ready.
4. Look through your search results to see if your desired item is there.  If you see the item you're looking for, click its name to select.
5. After you select the desired item, we may need your help to figure out where it should go.  Let's say you're adding an organic beverage.  Should it go in the Coffee, Tea & Hot Cocoa category?  Or the Juice category?  Occasionally, you may see the category selector to pick the right place for the item to go.  Simply select the right category.  When you have selected a final category, you will see a big green check mark.  Click save and you will be directed to the new product page.

If the item you are looking for is not listed, feel free to add a product manually.  Just scroll down to the bottom of the search results and click the link that says "Can't find what you're looking for? You can always add it manually."

Add Products Manually

1. Navigate to the right product category.  Start of by heading to the main Products tab at the top.  This will take you to the Products main page.  From there, select the appropriate product category (for example, "Coffee, Tea & Hot Cocoa").
   

   

2. Click the "Add Item" Button.  If you cannot find the item you are looking for after searching, you can manually add it.  Just click the link that says "Can't find what you're looking for?  You can always add it manually."
   
3. In the category selector, double check the the appropriate category is selected (it should be, but it's always good to check twice).
4. Select a manufacturer (or brand or author) and type in a display name. Start typing and all of the fitting manufacturer names will appear.  If the manufacturer you want isn't there, don't worry.  You can add one (but we'll get to that in a minute).  After you type in/select the manufacturer, head down to the display name.
   
5. Add the appropriate display name.  This should be a descriptive title that isn't too long.  This is how the product will be named.  So for example, a good display name is "Cafe Altura Organic Coffee Espresso Roasted Coffee"  A bad display name is "Cafe Altura Organic Coffee has the best espresso roasted coffee that you'll ever drink in your whole life" (that's a little too long).  Another display name you'll want to avoid is "Cafe Altura 32456987897" - people won't know what that is at first glance.  When you are satisfied with your display name, hit "Continue to Step 2."
6. Occasionally, you will need to add a new Manufacturer.  When you hit the "Continue to Step 2" button, that will open the "Add Manufacturer" window.  Double check to make sure another alias isn't there for your manufacturer (for example, Cafe Altura Organic Coffee is an alias for Cafe Altura).  If it's a new manufacturer, click the "Not here! Add My Manufacturer" button at the bottom right.
7. Add an image.  This step allows you to add an image to your product page.  You have two options.  You can select a photo that you have saved on your computer: just hit the "Browse" button, find the file, and select it.  You can also use an image URL from another website.  For example, "http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41qdzG2iH1L._SL500_AA280_.jpg" is the image URL for Cafe Altura coffee.  Make sure that the URL includes http:// at the beginning and ends in either .jpg, .gif, or another image file ending.
8. Add a description of the product.  This can always be edited later.  Below that, you have the option to enter a model number.
9. Verify your product is not already in the system.
10. Hit "Continue to Step 3."  After that, the page is created!
11. Next you'll have the option to add some specs or links.  It's not required, but it's helpful if you add some specs to the product page.  Again, those are always editable, so feel free to come back and update stuff any time.  Again, adding links is certainly not required, but if you know the manufacturer or product website off hand, it's helpful to add that in.
    
12. Finally, click the "Finished!" button.  From this last page you've got a few options.  You can view the page you just created, you can add another product from the same manufacturer, you can add the product to your Product Profile to say you own it, had it, or want it, or you can write a review.  The world is your oyster.

Edit A Product Description

Every product is editable by a registered member of the community.  This way, you can make sure your favorite products stay up to date.

1. Navigate to the product you would like to edit.
2. Toward the middle of the page, you will see the Product Description.  Above the Description, there is an "Edit" button.
   
3. Click "Edit" and alter the text as you see fit.
   
4. Click "Save" to save your changes.

Add A New Image To A Product Page

It's always fun to look at pictures.  You have the option of adding additional photos.

1. Navigate to the Product Page you would like to add images to.
2. If the Product Page already has images, you will see a "Share Your Own Images" button underneath the Product Image thumbnails.  If the Product Page has no images, you will see a button that says "No additional images for this product.  Upload your own."  Click one of those buttons.
   
3. The Image Tool will open.  From here, you have a few choices.  You can browse for images on your computer by clicking the "Browse" button.  You can also edit the save name of the image in the field below.  You can also choose to add an existing EcoHuddle image by entering the name of the image file into the bottom blank field. 
   
4. Click "Add" at the bottom of the tool to upload or add the image to the page.

Edit Specs

1. Navigate to the Product Page you would like to edit.
   
2. Click on the Specs tab.
3. To add a new row, click the "New Row" button at the top.  This will add a row to the spec table where you can click to see all the Specs available and enter a new value.
4. To edit an existing spec, simply click to the "Value" field, edit the text or select something new from a drop down, and click Save.
5. To delete a Spec, click the X at the right of the Spec row.

Edit Links

1. Navigate to the Product Page you would like to edit.
   
2. Click on the Links tab.
3. To add a new row, click the "New Row" button at the top.  This will add a row to the links table.
   
4. Select the Type of link you are adding (e.g. Product or Manufacturer link).  In the Link field, click the "Edit Link" button to enter the full URL.  Make sure to add the "http://" before the URL.
   
5. To delete a link, click the X at the right hand side of the link.
6. When you are finished, click "Save Changes."

Edit A Product Wiki

The Product Wiki is a great place to add additional factual information about a Product, such as "How To's," videos, links to relevant blog posts, and more.

1. Navigate to the Product Page you would like to edit.
2. Scroll to the bottom of the page to find the Product Wiki.
3. Click the Edit button at the right hand side.
   
4. After you click edit, the Wiki Editor will open.  Feel free to add images or add YouTube videos.  You can edit your post similarly to a Word document, with bold, underlined, or italicized text, embedded links, bullet points, and tables.
   
5. Click "Save" when you're done editing.