Introduction

Milestone Site Studio gives teams more control over a website before it is deployed by allowing the website and its page structure to be set up in advance. Users can select the required profile, initiate the website setup, define the design and pages, and review the configuration before the site moves toward deployment. This helps teams establish the website experience earlier, reduce downstream setup work, and make sure the right pages are included from the start.

Step 1: Access Site Studio

1. Log in to the Milestone platform.

2. Select the appropriate business from the business selector at the top of the page.

3. From the left navigation menu, select CMS.

4. The Profiles page displays the profiles available for the selected business.

5. Use the Search field if you need to locate a specific profile.

Each profile displays information such as the profile name, Site ID, website URL where available, address, and website management actions.

Step 2: Select the Profile for the Website

Locate the profile for which you want to create or configure a website.

From the profile row, you can use the available website actions:

1. Select Manage Website when a website is already associated with the profile and you want to access its website management experience.

2. Use the + option when initiating an additional website setup from the selected profile, where applicable.

3. Confirm that you are working with the correct profile before continuing.

Starting from the profile ensures that the website is associated with the correct business or location.

Step 3: Start the Website Setup

Once the website creation workflow is opened, Site Studio guides you through the initial website configuration.

The website can be defined before deployment, allowing you to establish the site's design and structure without waiting for the finished website to be live.

Use the guided workflow to move through each stage of website setup.

Step 4: Select a Website Theme

Choose the theme that will form the visual foundation of the website.

1. Review the available themes.

2. Select a theme that best matches the intended website experience.

3. Use Preview to inspect the design before making your selection.

4. Review the website in the available desktop and mobile previews.

5. Continue once you are satisfied with the selected theme.

The selected theme is used as the design basis for the pages created for the website, helping maintain a consistent experience across the site.

Step 5: Configure the Website's Brand

Next, configure the visual elements that align the site with the business's brand.

1. Open the Brand Selection section.

2. Select the appropriate font options.

3. Select the colors that correspond with the brand.

4. Review the changes using the preview.

5. Select Next Step when the website appearance is ready.

This allows the site's visual identity to be established before the website is deployed.

Step 6: Define the Pages Before Deployment

In Page Selection, choose the pages that should be included in the website.

1. Review the available page types.

2. Select the pages required for the website.

3. Add any optional pages that are relevant to the business.

4. Review the selected page structure before proceeding.

5. Continue to the next step when the required pages have been selected.

Site Studio supports standard and add-on page types, while required footer pages such as accessibility, sitemap, and privacy-policy pages are included as part of the website setup.

The important advantage of this workflow is that the site's page structure can be established before deployment. Teams therefore have visibility into what the website will contain before the final site is built and launched.

Step 7: Review the Planned Website Structure

Before moving forward, review the pages selected for the site.

Check that:

• All required customer-facing pages are included.

• Unnecessary pages have not been added.

• Important business sections are represented.

• The page selection matches the intended website experience.

• Any required add-on pages have been included.

Making these decisions during setup reduces the need to restructure the website later.

Step 8: Select Website Add-Ons

Site Studio also allows additional website capabilities to be selected as part of the setup process.

1. Review the available website add-ons.

2. Select the add-ons required for the site.

3. Confirm the selected options.

4. Select Next Step to continue.

Website add-ons can extend the site's functionality and support additional visibility and performance requirements.

Step 9: Review the Website Before Deployment

At the final review stage, check the complete website configuration before proceeding.

Review:

1. The selected theme.

2. Brand settings.

3. Pages included in the website.

4. Selected add-ons.

5. The business or profile associated with the site.

6. Any other configuration displayed in the review.

Use this stage to make sure the planned website matches the intended requirements before it proceeds toward deployment.

Step 10: Submit the Website Setup

Once the configuration has been reviewed:

1. Confirm that all website details are correct.

2. Complete the final action shown in the Site Studio workflow to submit the website setup.

3. The configured website can then proceed through the remaining build and deployment process.

The existing Site Studio workflow provides a final review followed by Place Order, after which users receive information about managing the site.

Step 11: Manage the Website After It Has Been Created

After the website has been created, return to CMS > Profiles.

1. Locate the profile associated with the website.

2. Select Manage Website.

3. Continue managing the website and its pages from the available CMS tools.

This provides a consistent path from initial website planning through ongoing website management.

Why This Matters

Previously, important website decisions could depend on later stages of the build process. Site Studio gives teams greater control earlier by allowing the website structure, pages, design, and supporting options to be defined before deployment.

This helps teams:

• Plan the complete website experience earlier.

• Confirm which pages are required before development progresses.

• Reduce rework caused by late changes to site structure.

• Maintain greater consistency across multi-location websites.

• Move from website request to deployment with clearer requirements and fewer manual handoffs.

The result is a more predictable website creation process, with greater visibility and control before the site goes live.