Getting Started with Free Tools

If you're new to all this (Dreamweaver or extensions), you should know that Dreamweaver extensions come in the format of a mxp file. They can be installed in the Adobe Extension Manager (which we'll walk you through). Once installed, you have new menu items in the Dreamweaver menu to bring up step-by-step wizards and quick insert interfaces. These wizards and interfaces are designed to be very user-friendly and allow you to make selections that will automatically generate code for you. This gives you invaluable, additional functionality that Dreamweaver does not provide standard.

Many of our customers use our extensions to implement features on their websites they couldn't otherwise build themselves. Others are professional developers and use them to speed up their development time. Whichever you are looking to do - you have come to the right place.

Free Tools is a compilation of our FREE extensions we have developed over the years. Now that we have consolidated these tools, there is only one installer and one serial number, making installation of all of the tools much quicker. In the sections below, we'll provide you instruction on how to:

1. Add PayPal buttons and Bill Me Later to your website
   
2. Encourage your visitors to Skype you
   
3. Enhance your site with Google Search
   
4. Access Adobe Kuler in Dreamweaver

Required

1. Dreamweaver CS4 or newer
   
2. WebAssist Free Tools extension installed
   - Own it.
   - Download it.
   - Learn how to install a Dreamweaver extension.
   
3. Site defined in Dreamweaver - Watch video tutorial: Setting up a site in Dreamweaver

Optional - only if you want to use your PayPal buttons with a database

1. PHP/MySQL Testing Server
   For more information, see Setting up a Testing Server on Windows or Setting up a Testing Server on Mac OS X.
   
2. Dynamic Site defined in Dreamweaver
   For more information see Defining a dynamic site in Dreamweaver.

Which PayPal tool should I use?

PayPal provides 2 types of payment buttons. We have developed a tool for you to use either kind. Keep reading this section to decide which one is right for you...

Payment Buttons for PayPal

1. Support for Buy now, Add to cart and View cart buttons
   
2. You must have a PayPal Business or Premier account to use PayPal Toolkit buttons. View our tutorial on creating a PayPal business account.
   
3. These buttons are hosted on PayPal's site and are more secure because the button code is not in the web page source code, thus cannot be altered by a technically savvy but unethical customer.
   
4. These buttons are less customizable as PayPal only offers so many options for them.
   For example, you cannot use these buttons with database-driven products.
   
5. These buttons can be used on multiple websites without needing to be recreated since they are hosted on PayPal's site, not your own site.
   
   (If this is the right tool for you, see the Payment Buttons for PayPal Getting Started Guide.)

PayPal Standard Buttons

1. Support for Add to cart and View cart, Buy Now, Donation and Subscription buttons
   
2. Use with any type of PayPal account
   
3. You can also add Bill Me Later checkout buttons with your buy now or donation buttons - if you have a PayPal business account.
   Learn more about Bill Me Later.
   
4. These buttons are hosted on your site.
   
5. These buttons offer more customization options from the wizard.
   For example, your product details can all be database-driven, even product options (like colors, sizes, etc.)
   
6. You have the option to directly edit the button code in Dreamweaver (if you know what you're doing).
   
7. They are less secure than buttons hosted on PayPal's site because the button code is in the web page source code, thus could be altered by a technically savvy but unethical customer.
   
   (If this is the right tool for you, see the PayPal Standard Getting Started Guide.)

If you want to add PayPal's ready-made Bill Me Later banners to your website to communicate to your visitors that you offer the Bill Me Later customer financing service, view this tutorial to get started.

If you want to add an instant eCommerce experience to your website with Google checkout, view the Google Checkout Getting Started Guide.

Due to Google dropping support for Google Checkout as of Nov. 20, 2013, this tool is not available in the latest versions of Free Tools.

If you want to add a Skype Call Me button to your website so your website visitors can skype you or (optionally) see when you're online, view the Skype Call Me Button Getting Started Guide.

If you want to add a search feature to allow people to find what they are looking for on your website without dealing with Google's complicated API, view the Google Search Getting Started Guide.

If you want to color pick directly from Adobe Kuler's color themes in a Dreamweaver panel, view the PalettePicker Getting Started Guide.

The more you develop websites, the more likely you will run into hurdles or issues that you need a little assistance with. Here at WebAssist, we understand this, and want to do everything we can to make sure our extensions save you time and give you abilities that you might not have otherwise. For this reason, we offer free technical support.

Visit the Free Tools support page for more Free Tools tutorials and documentation.

If you're looking to expand into more robust eCommerce web development, you may be interested in eCart.

Comments will be sent to the author of this tutorial and may not be answered immediately. For general help from WebAssist, please visit technical support.

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