ZenBusiness Website Builder Guide

Simple Editor

• AI generates your entire website from a short questionnaire (5–10 minutes)
• Best for quick, basic informational sites (About, Services, Contact)
• Limited customization options
• Does not support eCommerce
• Can move to Advanced later if you need more functionality

Advanced Editor

• 100+ industry-specific templates
• Drag-and-drop widgets (Popular, Basics, Media, Business, Social, Advanced)
• Custom HTML/CSS support
• eCommerce capability (requires add-on purchase)
• Automatic site backups
• 200GB+ storage (15,000 images at 15MB each; 100 videos at 200MB each)

If you are unsure: Start with Advanced if you may need eCommerce, custom HTML/CSS, detailed layout control, or many widgets. If you start with Simple and later need more functionality, contact support or use the available switch/upgrade path to move into Advanced.

Recommended setup order

1. Build your site in the editor
2. Click Publish to make it live
3. Connect your domain
4. Set up professional email (if using ZenBusiness email)

Save and publish changes

Your edits are not live until you click Publish. Changes auto-save in the editor, but publishing is a separate step. After making changes:

1. Review your edits using the preview (toggle between Desktop, Tablet, Mobile)
2. Click Publish in the toolbar to push changes to the live site

Make your site private

To hide your site from public view:

1. Open Settings in the editor sidebar.
2. Go to Site URL.
3. Click Unpublish.

The site is hidden until you publish it again. Use this when making major changes you do not want visitors to see mid-edit.

Advanced Editor sections

Note: If you edit design settings inside individual widgets, those will override your global Design settings. For the row, column, widget, and Theme Settings mental model, see How to Use Rows, Columns, Widgets, and Theme Settings in Website Builder.

Change template

You can switch your website template from the editor at any time. Select a new theme and your content carries over.

Change images

Click any image in the editor and upload a replacement. Use JPEG for photos and PNG for logos/graphics. Keep image files under 1MB for best page load performance.

Add social media links

Use the Social widget category in the widget panel to add links to your social profiles, display feed previews, or add share buttons to blog posts.

Manage pages

Use the Pages section to add new pages, reorder them, or delete pages you no longer need. Organize navigation carefully — menus become cluttered with more than 7–8 top-level items.

Connect your ZenBusiness domain

If you purchased a domain through ZenBusiness, connect it through your domain settings. See ZenBusiness Domain Guide.

Connect an external domain (GoDaddy, Namecheap, Squarespace, etc.)

1. Get the DNS records from your ZenBusiness dashboard under Domains → Account Details.
2. Log in to your domain registrar's DNS management panel.
3. Create the required CNAME or A record pointing to ZenBusiness.
4. DNS propagation takes up to 24–48 hours.

Common third-party DNS examples:
- GoDaddy: Log in → My Products → DNS → Add Record
- Namecheap: Dashboard → Manage → Advanced DNS → Add New Record
- Squarespace: Domains panel → DNS Settings → Custom Records

If you connect a third-party domain to your Website Builder site, you cannot use that domain for a ZenBusiness business email purchase. The domain must be registered through ZenBusiness for the email product.

My site is showing a subdomain instead of my domain

This means your domain is not fully configured yet. Check:

1. DNS records match exactly what ZenBusiness requires (no typos, correct record type)
2. Enough time has passed for propagation — up to 48 hours
3. Your site has been published (unpublished sites cannot resolve on a custom domain)

Contact the Web Services team if records look correct but the domain is still not resolving after 48 hours.

If a third-party domain was working and then disconnects repeatedly, or if the domain appears configured but visitors see a connection refused message, collect the domain name, registrar, current DNS records, Website Builder preview link, and screenshots before contacting support. Repeated disconnects after a successful connection may require Web Services to review both DNS and the Website Builder site binding. For the dedicated troubleshooting workflow, see Troubleshoot Website Builder Domain Publishing and DNS Issues.

View site stats

Click the house icon in the top-right of the editor to open your Site Overview. Select Stats in the left panel to see visitor metrics including impressions and page visits.

Connect Google Analytics

1. Create a Google Analytics account at analytics.google.com.
2. Set up a property for your website and copy the measurement ID.
3. In the editor, go to Settings.
4. Find the Google Analytics section and paste your measurement ID.
5. Save and republish.

Analytics data appears within 24–48 hours. Google Analytics is free for most small business needs.

Marketing Hub

Marketing Hub is accessible from your ZenBusiness dashboard under Website & Marketing. It gives you a broader view of your marketing activity and online performance alongside your site stats.

How to sell products

1. Purchase the eCommerce add-on (or Make Money Bundle — see pricing below).
2. Open your site in Advanced editor.
3. Add products with descriptions, images, pricing, and inventory counts.
4. Connect a payment processor (PayPal, Stripe, Square, Mollie, or others).
5. Configure shipping rates and tax calculation.
6. Test checkout before going live.

ZenBusiness does not process payments directly. You must set up your own account with a payment processor. Typical fees are 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction.

Product variant limit

Each product can have a maximum of 8 variants (for example, 2 sizes × 4 colors = 8 variants). This is a platform limitation.

If a product needs more than 8 variants:
- Split it into multiple listings (e.g., "T-Shirt Red/Blue/Green" and "T-Shirt Black/White/Gray")
- Reduce the number of options you offer
- Use order notes to collect customer preferences

This limit can be restrictive for apparel businesses. If you need unlimited variants, evaluate whether Website Builder eCommerce meets your needs before purchasing.

eCommerce pricing

• Make Money Bundle (first year): $319 — includes Website Builder, eCommerce, domain, domain privacy (20% discount)
• Standalone eCommerce add-on: Contact our support team for current pricing

Payment processor fees (2.9% + $0.30 per transaction) are separate and charged by the processor, not ZenBusiness.

I published my site but my changes are not showing up. What do I do?

Make sure you clicked Publish after making changes — saving in the editor does not push updates to the live site. If you published and changes still do not appear, clear your browser cache or try viewing the site in a private/incognito window. DNS-related changes (like connecting a new domain) can take up to 48 hours to propagate.

My site is showing a subdomain address instead of my custom domain. How do I fix it?

This means your domain is not connected yet or DNS has not propagated. Check that your DNS records exactly match what ZenBusiness specifies in your domain settings. Allow up to 48 hours after updating DNS. Also confirm your site is published — a custom domain will not resolve to an unpublished site. Contact the Web Services team if records look correct after 48 hours.

My external domain (GoDaddy, Namecheap, Squarespace, etc.) is not connecting. What should I do?

1. Log in to your domain registrar and go to DNS management.
2. Add the exact CNAME or A record values from your ZenBusiness domain settings.
3. Delete any conflicting records pointing to a different host.
4. Wait up to 48 hours for propagation.

If you connected a third-party domain and want business email on that domain, note that ZenBusiness email requires the domain to be registered through ZenBusiness. You cannot purchase ZenBusiness email for a domain registered elsewhere.

I built my site in Simple editor but now I need eCommerce. Can I switch?

Yes, Simple → Advanced is the supported direction when you need eCommerce, custom code, or deeper customization. Contact support or use the available switch/upgrade path in your Website Builder experience. Before switching, screenshot your Simple site and copy key text so you can confirm the Advanced version matches what you want.

Can I switch from Advanced editor back to Simple editor?

Not safely as a normal self-serve toggle. Reverting from Advanced back to Simple/basic can remove work completed in Advanced, including layouts, widgets, store setup, and custom styling. Contact support before attempting a revert, and save screenshots or copies of important content first.

Why does my contact form go to the wrong email address?

Contact form submissions go to the email address on file in your ZenBusiness account settings. Log in to your dashboard, go to account settings, and verify which email is listed. If you want submissions to go to a different address, update your account email or check if your contact form widget has a custom destination field in its settings.

I want to sell products but the 8-variant limit is a problem. What can I do?

The 8-variant limit per product is a platform limitation. Workarounds:
- Split the product into multiple listings (one per color group, for example)
- Reduce variant combinations offered
- Use customer order notes for preferences instead of variants

If your catalog requires many products with 10+ variants each (common in apparel), Website Builder eCommerce may not be the right fit. Consider whether your needs exceed what this platform supports before purchasing the add-on.

My payment processor is not working. Who do I contact?

Payment processing is handled entirely by the processor you set up (PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.) — not by ZenBusiness. For payment issues:
- Log in to your processor account directly
- Check your processor's support documentation
- Contact the processor's support team

ZenBusiness support cannot troubleshoot payment processor issues.

Can I use Shopify instead of ZenBusiness Website Builder?

Yes. You can use Shopify for your store and simply point your ZenBusiness domain to it using Shopify's DNS instructions. To connect a ZenBusiness domain to Shopify:

1. Get Shopify's required DNS records from Shopify's admin panel.
2. Log in to your ZenBusiness domain settings.
3. Add the records:
4. A record: 23.227.38.65 (Shopify's IP)
5. CNAME: shops.myshopify.com.
6. Wait up to 48 hours for DNS propagation.

Note: You cannot use a ZenBusiness-registered domain for ZenBusiness business email and point it fully to Shopify at the same time — DNS can only point one direction.

What's the recommended order for setting up my website, domain, and email?

1. Build your website in the editor
2. Publish the site
3. Connect your domain
4. Set up professional email using your ZenBusiness domain

Do not set up email before connecting your domain — email requires the domain to be active first.

Is eCommerce included in my Website Builder subscription?

No. eCommerce is a separate add-on and is not included in the base Website Builder price, the Online Tools Bundle, or the Premium formation plan. You must purchase it separately. The first-year Make Money Bundle ($319) includes eCommerce alongside Website Builder, domain, and domain privacy.

Does ZenBusiness process my eCommerce payments?

No. ZenBusiness does not handle or process payments. You set up your own account with a payment processor (PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.) and they deposit funds directly into your business bank account. ZenBusiness provides the storefront and tools — the processor handles all transactions.

Can I track inventory and prevent overselling?

Yes. Website Builder eCommerce lets you set stock quantities per product and variant. Inventory decreases automatically when orders are placed. You can set low-stock alerts and configure out-of-stock items to auto-hide from your store. You are responsible for manually updating inventory counts when you restock.

How much storage does ZenBusiness Website Builder provide?

The Advanced Editor includes 200GB+ of storage: up to 15,000 images (at up to 15MB each) and up to 100 videos (at up to 200MB each). The Simple Editor does not include standalone storage — it's a guided setup experience, not a full media library. For most small business websites, the Advanced Editor's storage is more than sufficient. If you're running a large media-heavy site with thousands of product photos or videos, confirm your usage stays within these limits.

Can I pause my Website Builder site without canceling my subscription?

Yes. Unpublishing takes your site offline without canceling your subscription — billing continues, and your site content, designs, and settings stay intact. Use this when you want to temporarily hide your site (during a brand refresh, seasonal closure, or before relaunch) without losing your work. To unpublish: open the editor → site settings → Unpublish. To bring it back, click Publish again. Canceling your subscription is different — it ends billing and, after your paid period ends, takes the site down permanently and removes editor access.

Will I get a refund if I cancel my Website Builder subscription?

Website Builder is refundable within 14 days of initial purchase. After 14 days, the subscription is non-refundable — billing stops at the end of your current term, but no partial or prorated refund is issued. Duplicate charges and billing after a confirmed cancellation are always refundable, regardless of timing. To request a refund, contact our support team with your account email and the charge date. See the ZenBusiness Support Terms for the canonical refund policy.

How many Website Builder sites can I have for one business?

Each Website Builder subscription includes one site. If you need additional sites for the same business — for example, separate sites for distinct product lines, locations, or campaigns — you'll need a separate Website Builder subscription for each. Confirm the per-account limit and any bundle implications in your dashboard before purchasing additional Website Builder products. If you have multiple business entities, each one needs its own Website Builder subscription.

Can I give my web designer or virtual assistant access to edit my Website Builder site?

ZenBusiness Website Builder does not currently support role-based access — anyone you give credentials to has access to your full ZenBusiness dashboard, not just the website editor. That means a designer or VA with your login can also see your formation documents, billing, and compliance services. If you need a third party to edit your site, the safest options are: (1) make the changes yourself based on their input, (2) screen-share so they direct your edits, or (3) generate temporary credentials with a password manager and reset the password after the work is done. For a fully delegated build, ZenBusiness's Fixate one-on-one support is the recommended path.

How do I get help if I'm stuck building my site?

• Weekly webinars: ZenBusiness offers live website assistance webinars
• Web Services team: For technical issues (domain configuration, DNS, account-level problems)
• Fixate: Third-party one-on-one website support partner available through ZenBusiness
• Customer Care: For general account and billing questions