Site Builder Hub
Install, configure, and deploy YMCA Website Services for your association.
Welcome, Site Builders! 🏗️
Configure and launch YMCA websites for your organization.
New here? Start with our Getting Started Guide for Site Builders.
Getting Started for Site Builders
Learn site builder fundamentals, understand installation options, and configure your first YMCA website.
You'll learn:- Site builder role and responsibilities
- Installation and deployment workflows
- Configuration management basics
- Best practices for YMCA sites
Installation
Install YMCA Website Services using Composer. Step-by-step guide for setting up your first YMCA website.
You'll learn:- System requirements
- Composer installation
- Database configuration
- Initial site setup
Small Y Template
RECOMMENDED
Lightweight solution designed for small YMCAs. Modern design system with essential features and simplified administration.
You'll learn:- What's included in Small Y
- Installation via Composer
- Key differences from full distribution
- Best use cases
Configuration
Configure modules, themes, menus, and integrations. Set up Activity Finder, branches, and other YMCA-specific features.
You'll learn:- Module configuration
- Theme customization
- Menu structure
- Activity Finder setup
Troubleshooting
Solve installation issues, deployment errors, and configuration problems. Get your site running smoothly.
You'll learn:- Installation troubleshooting
- Permission and ownership fixes
- Server configuration issues
- Database connection errors
1 - Getting Started for Site Builders
Install, configure, and launch your YMCA website from scratch.
Welcome! This guide will walk you through setting up a YMCA Website Services installation from start to finish.
What You’ll Learn
By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to:
- ✅ Choose the right installation path for your YMCA
- ✅ Install YMCA Website Services using Composer
- ✅ Configure site basics (name, logo, taxonomy)
- ✅ Create your first webform
- ✅ Set up user roles and permissions
Estimated time: 45-60 minutes
Step 1: Choose Your Installation Path
Before installing, decide which solution fits your YMCA best.
Small Y Template (Recommended for Most) ⭐
Recommended: The Small Y Template is our flagship solution for resource-conscious YMCAs. Modern design, essential features, simplified maintenance.
Best for:
- Small to medium YMCAs
- Limited technical resources
- Want modern design out-of-the-box
- Need simplified administration
What’s included:
- Modern Carnation design system
- Layout Builder (drag-and-drop page building)
- Essential content types only
- Streamlined configuration
- Better performance
→ Learn more about Small Y Template
Full Distribution
Best for:
- Large YMCAs with complex needs
- Multiple branches with different requirements
- Custom development resources
- Need maximum flexibility
What’s included:
- All YMCA Website Services features
- Multiple themes and colorways
- Legacy Paragraphs support
- Advanced customization options
Step 2: Install YMCA Website Services
Prerequisites
Before starting, ensure your server meets these requirements:
- Drupal: 11.1.x or higher
- PHP: 8.3 or higher
- Database: MySQL 8.0+ or MariaDB 10.6+
- Web Server: Apache 2.4+ or Nginx 1.18+
- Composer: 2.0 or higher
For detailed requirements, see
Server Requirements.
Installation Steps
For Small Y Template:
# 1. Create a new project
composer create-project ycloudyusa/yusaopeny-project MY_YMCA_SITE --no-interaction
# 2. Navigate to the directory
cd MY_YMCA_SITE
# 3. Install Drupal
drush site:install openy_lily \
--db-url='mysql://USER:PASS@localhost/DATABASE' \
--account-name=admin \
--account-pass=admin \
--site-name='My YMCA'
For Full Distribution:
# 1. Create a new project
composer create-project ycloudyusa/yusaopeny-project MY_YMCA_SITE --no-interaction
# 2. Navigate to the directory
cd MY_YMCA_SITE
# 3. Install Drupal
drush site:install openy \
--db-url='mysql://USER:PASS@localhost/DATABASE' \
--account-name=admin \
--account-pass=admin \
--site-name='My YMCA'
Replace:
USER
- Your database usernamePASS
- Your database passwordDATABASE
- Your database nameadmin
- Choose a secure admin password
First Login
- Navigate to your site URL
- Log in with username:
admin
- Use the password you set during installation
🎉 Congratulations! Your YMCA website is installed.
Now let’s configure your site’s essential settings.
Set Site Name and Logo
- Navigate to Configuration > System > Site information
- Update:
- Site name: “My YMCA Name”
- Slogan: Optional tagline
- Email address: Your admin email
- Click Save configuration
Upload Your Logo
- Go to Appearance > Your active theme > Settings
- Uncheck “Use the logo supplied by the theme”
- Upload your YMCA logo (recommended: PNG, 200px wide)
- Click Save configuration
Taxonomy helps organize your content. Set up these essential vocabularies:
Categories (for Articles/News)
- Go to Structure > Taxonomy > News Categories
- Click Add term
- Add categories like:
- Youth Programs
- Aquatics
- Wellness
- Community Events
- Click Save
Amenities (for Branches)
- Go to Structure > Taxonomy > Amenities
- Add amenities your branches offer:
- Indoor Pool
- Gymnasium
- Childcare
- Group Exercise Studio
Pro Tip: Set up your taxonomies before creating content - it makes categorization easier!
Webforms collect information from members and visitors. Let’s create a simple contact form.
drush en webform webform_ui -y
- Go to Structure > Webforms
- Click Add webform
- Fill in:
- Title: “Contact Us”
- Description: “Get in touch with our team”
- Click Save
- Click Build tab
- Add these fields:
Name Field:
- Click Add element > Text field
- Title: “Your Name”
- Check Required
- Click Save
Email Field:
- Click Add element > Email
- Title: “Email Address”
- Check Required
- Click Save
Message Field:
- Click Add element > Textarea
- Title: “Message”
- Check Required
- Rows: 5
- Click Save
- Click Emails/Handlers tab
- Click Add handler > Email
- Configure:
- To email:
your-team@ymca.org
- From email: [webform_submission:values:email]
- Subject: New Contact Form Submission
- Click Save
- Click View tab
- Fill out the form
- Submit and check your email!
🎉 Success! You’ve created your first webform.
Step 5: Set Up User Roles and Permissions
Control what different users can do on your site.
Common Roles
YMCA Website Services includes these default roles:
Role | Purpose | Common Permissions |
---|
Content Editor | Create and edit content | Create/edit articles, landing pages, events |
Site Administrator | Configure site settings | Manage users, configuration, modules |
Branch Manager | Manage branch content | Edit their branch page, create programs |
Create a Content Editor User
- Go to People > Add user
- Fill in:
- Email:
editor@yourymca.org
- Username: editor
- Password: Create secure password
- Roles: Check “Content Editor”
- Status: Check “Active”
- Click Create new account
Customize Permissions
- Go to People > Permissions > Roles
- Click Edit permissions next to “Content Editor”
- Grant permissions like:
- Create Landing Page (Layout Builder)
- Edit own Landing Page (Layout Builder)
- Use Layout Builder
- Access media library
- Click Save permissions
Security Tip: Follow the principle of least privilege - only grant permissions users actually need!
Next Steps
Now that you’ve set up the basics, explore these advanced topics:
Continue Configuring
Activity Finder
Connect to Daxko, ActiveNet, or Personify to display programs.
ConfigureSchedules
Display class schedules and group exercise programs.
Learn MoreLocations
Set up branches, camps, and facility pages.
Add LocationsEssential How-To Guides
Deployment & Updates
Quick Reference
Common Drush Commands
# Clear cache
drush cr
# Enable a module
drush en module_name -y
# Export configuration
drush config:export -y
# Import configuration
drush config:import -y
# Update database
drush updb -y
# Check for security updates
drush pm:security
# Create admin login link
drush uli
Essential URLs
Page | URL |
---|
Admin Dashboard | /admin |
Content List | /admin/content |
Webforms | /admin/structure/webform |
Users | /admin/people |
Configuration | /admin/config |
Reports | /admin/reports |
Modules | /admin/modules |
File Structure
MY_YMCA_SITE/
├── web/ # Drupal root
│ ├── modules/ # Contrib & custom modules
│ ├── themes/ # Themes
│ └── sites/default/ # Site-specific files
├── config/ # Configuration files
├── vendor/ # Composer dependencies
└── composer.json # Project dependencies
Need Help?
Troubleshooting
Get Support
Best Practices
Security
- ✅ Change default admin password immediately
- ✅ Enable Two-Factor Authentication
- ✅ Keep modules updated
- ✅ Regular security audits
- ✅ Limit admin access
- ✅ Enable caching (Production)
- ✅ Aggregate CSS/JS files
- ✅ Use Redis or Memcache
- ✅ Optimize images
- ✅ Monitor database size
Maintenance
- ✅ Regular backups (daily database, weekly files)
- ✅ Test updates on staging first
- ✅ Export configuration regularly
- ✅ Monitor error logs
- ✅ Document customizations
Workflow
- ✅ Use configuration management
- ✅ Version control your config
- ✅ Staging → Production deployment
- ✅ Never edit production directly
- ✅ Keep deployment notes
Ready to build? Start creating content with the
Content Editor Guide or configure advanced features! 🚀