The index page

[KWH1515]

Hi,
This may sound dumb but do I need an index page as well as a masterpage. If so, what is the difference?
When I publish the site the masterpage is not displayed (no background or buttons). Could someone explain how to do this in simple terms please.
Thanks
Keith

[BaconFries]

this may sound dumb but do I need an index page as well as a masterpage

Yes you need a index page this is required. A masterpage is generally used for when you need to use a object more than once such as a menu/image etc. You also do not need to publish it.
See the following on how to use a Master Page
How to use Master Pages?
https://www.wysiwygwebbuilder.com/master_page.html

See also
How to use Embedded Pages
https://www.wysiwygwebbuilder.com/embedded_page.html

How to use Master Frames?
https://www.wysiwygwebbuilder.com/master_frame.html

[Pablo]

The 'index' page is the landing or home page of a website. It is required, otherwise the server will either show a blank home page or the contents of the folder on the server.

[alan_sh]

The index page is the default one offered by a web server when you just put in the server URL (and no ...pagename.html). for example if I type in https://penninescouts.org.uk, what will be passed back is https://penninescouts.org.uk/index.html. So you don't "need" it, but it is very useful. [And there are odd exceptions like php, but let's not get into that yet]. If you don't use one, you will need to explicitly type in the full url of the page you want. For example, I have a web site that is https://download.dprevived.com/home.html as its starting point. There is no index.html page.

A Master page is one that is not, in itself published. Instead, it is used by all the pages that ask for it (page properties -> Miscellaneous) and any code/layout stuff in the master page is copied over to the page that requests it. So, for example you can have a top level menu or a header that is used by app the pages. That top level menu and header would be in the Master page, so you only need edit it once and it will be used by all the pages that ask for it.

Does that make sense?

Alan

[KWH1515]

Thanks for your answers. It's all working, now I understand what to do.