Overview: Who Can See a Site?
Access to a site in ScreenSteps is determined by whether the site is set to be public or private. This distinction controls who can view the site's content and how users gain access.
- Sites can be either public (open to everyone) or private (restricted access).
- Access settings impact how users find and interact with site content.
Background
Public sites are commonly used for customer support, allowing anyone to find help articles via search engines or direct links. Private sites are used when content should only be available to specific users, such as employees or partners. In private sites, administrators can further customize what each user can see by adjusting permissions.
- Public sites are ideal for broad, unrestricted access.
- Private sites provide controlled, customizable access to sensitive or internal information.
- Permissions can be tailored to limit user access to only relevant content.
Why It Matters
Choosing between a public or private site affects how information is shared and who can benefit from it. Organizations must consider their audience and security needs when deciding on site visibility and permissions.
- Public sites increase discoverability and ease of access for customers.
- Private sites protect sensitive information and allow for detailed control over user access.
- Proper configuration ensures the right people see the right content.
Key Terms
Understanding the following terms is essential for grasping how site visibility works in ScreenSteps:
- Public Site: A site that anyone can access without logging in. Content can be indexed by search engines like Google.
- Private Site: A site that requires users to log in before viewing content. Access is restricted to approved users.
- Single Sign-On (SSO): A method that allows users to log in using credentials from another service, such as Microsoft, Google, or Salesforce.
- Permissions: Settings that control which parts of a private site a user can access, such as specific manuals, chapters, or articles.
- Public and private sites offer different levels of accessibility.
- Single sign-on can simplify access for users already using other business credentials.