From Weebly to Zenler: Complete Website Migration Workshop - A Day with Zenler

David Zenler Author

Jul 11, 2025 |

Transform Your Course Creation Platform with Professional Design and Powerful Features.

Part 1: Planning Your Website Migration - Foundation and Design Strategy

Introduction: Why Migrate from Weebly to Zenler?

When Ness Jones, a dog trainer specializing in separation anxiety, reached out for help migrating her Weebly site to Zenler, she had one clear goal: create a better-looking, more functional website while maintaining her existing content structure. Her story represents thousands of entrepreneurs who've outgrown template-based platforms and need more flexibility.

The Challenge: Weebly's template restrictions were limiting her design choices. She couldn't customize button colors, had limited layout options, and felt her site looked "generic."

The Solution: A complete rebuild on Zenler using custom blocks, professional design principles, and responsive layouts.

See the Full Playlist on our YouTube Channel

Step 1: Analyze Your Existing Site

Before touching any code or design elements, we performed a comprehensive site analysis:

Content Audit:

• Homepage with hero section and call-to-action
• Services page (Guardians program)
• Trainers page with pricing tiers
• About page with personal branding
• Blog/Podcast section
• Contact page with booking system

Design Elements to Preserve:

• Brand colors (green from logo, black, gray)
• Paw print graphics
• Professional photography
• Clear value propositions

Elements to Improve:

• Inconsistent text sizes
• Poor mobile responsiveness
• Generic button styling
• Cluttered layouts

Step 2: Create a Brand Style Guide

Using Canva, we created a comprehensive brand guide including:

Color Palette:

• Primary green: #[hex code from logo]
• Secondary black: #000000
• Accent gray: #818181
• Background colors for sections

Typography Hierarchy:

• H1 headings: 48px (homepage titles)
• H2 headings: 31px (section headers)
• Body text: 18px (consistent throughout)
• Button text: 16px

Design Principles:

• Consistent spacing and alignment
• Professional rounded corners (10px radius)
• Subtle animations for engagement
• Clean, modern aesthetic

Step 3: Extract and Optimize Images

Copyright Considerations: Before using any existing images, we verified their licensing. Weebly and other platforms often use proprietary stock images that can't be transferred. We used:

• Original brand assets (logo, personal photos)
• Pixabay free images (available in Zenler)
• Custom Canva graphics

Image Optimization Techniques:

• Background removal for hero images
• Consistent sizing for gallery elements
• Mobile-responsive image placement
• AI-generated supplementary graphics

Step 4: Plan Your Page Structure

SEO-Optimized Page Names: Instead of generic URLs like /about, we created keyword-rich pages:

• Homepage: /separation-anxiety-in-dogs
• Services: /guardian-anxiety-dogs-program
• Training: /education-dog-professionals
• About: /about-ness-jones-certified-separation-anxiety

This approach improves search engine visibility and clearly communicates page content.

Key Takeaways from Part 1:

1. Always start with analysis - understand what works before changing anything
2. Create a style guide - consistency is key to professional appearance
3. Respect copyright - verify image licensing before transfer
4. Think SEO first - optimize page structure from the beginning
5. Plan for mobile - responsive design isn't optional

Part 2: Major Platform Updates & Building Professional Pages with Zenler

Breaking News: Zenler's Game-Changing Platform Evolution

See the Full Playlist on our YouTube Channel

Before diving into the technical website build, it's crucial to understand the massive changes happening at Zenler that make this migration even more valuable. Kevin Arrow, Zenler's education lead, announced several groundbreaking updates that transform how entrepreneurs can leverage the platform.

🚀 The End of Free Accounts - A Strategic Business Move

What's Changing (July 1st, 2025):

• Free accounts will no longer be available for new signups
• Existing free users get a 60-day Pro trial opportunity
• New users can access a comprehensive 60-day free trial with Pro features

Why This Matters for Your Business: This isn't just a pricing change—it's a quality upgrade for the entire platform. As Kevin explained: "We're going to see many more course creators, people using the platform and making money from it rather than collecting it like another piece of software that sort of dips in dips out but doesn't really have an impactful meaning on your daily weekly monthly work lives."

What You Get in the 60-Day Trial:

• 0% transaction fees (vs. fees on old free plan)
• 1 site (perfect for focused business building)
• 10 courses (more than enough for most businesses)
• 1 community access
• 25 live sessions with unlimited attendees
• 10 marketing funnels
• 50 video uploads
• 1,000 contacts
• 2,000 emails per month
• Custom domain capability
• White label options
• Full affiliate program access
• Complete blogging platform
• Coupons, quizzes, surveys, and assignments
• Zenler AI access

📚 The Accelerator Program - Your Business Launchpad

An Unprecedented Opportunity: Zenler is launching an 8-week intensive program specifically for free trial users, personally led by David and Kevin. This isn't just another course—it's a complete business transformation system.

What Makes This Special:

• 16 live sessions over 8 weeks
• Micro-chunk learning - each session delivers tangible results
• Week 1 Achievement: Complete lead generator and community setup
• Week 2 Achievement: First course ready to sell
• Hand-holding approach - no overwhelm, just results

Week-by-Week Breakdown:

• Week 1: Create homepage lead generator + build public community
• Week 2: Community engagement strategies + rapid course creation
• Weeks 3-8: Complete business system buildout

As Kevin emphasized: "By the end of the eight weeks, 16 live sessions, you're going to be absolutely beaming from here to here going 'why didn't I do this before' and the foundation it will build you is going to really propel you going forward."

💰 Enhanced Partner Program - Your Revenue Opportunity

Revolutionary Affiliate System: Zenler's revamped partner program offers serious earning potential:

Commission Structure:

• 40% recurring commission on all referrals
• 5% tier-2 commission on sub-affiliates
• 365-day cookie duration (industry-leading)
• Monthly payments on the 1st of each month

Why This Timing is Perfect: With the accelerator program creating successful users, your referrals are more likely to convert and stick around. As Kevin noted: "All you need is three people to actually sign up and pay for Zenler through your partner link for it to pay for your membership as a pro member."

Partner Program Support:

• 60-day email training series
• Professional marketing templates
• Social media graphics and scripts
• Live Q&A sessions
• Private community access
• White-labeled resources (no Zenler branding)

🎯 Strategic Implications for Your Business

For Existing Pro/Premium Users:

• Exclusive advanced workshops coming (focusing on live features)
• Higher-level training beyond accelerator basics
• Continued office hours and support
• Access to partner program for additional revenue

For Free Users:

• Act now - upgrade to 60-day trial starting July 1st
• Join accelerator program for complete business setup
• Leverage partner program alongside business building
• Deadline awareness: Free accounts expire August 31st

The Perfect Storm for Success

Why This Timing Matters:

1. Quality user base - only serious entrepreneurs remain
2. Comprehensive training - accelerator program guides every step
3. Revenue opportunities - partner program provides immediate income potential
4. Platform maturity - Zenler's features are more robust than ever
5. Support system - unprecedented level of official guidance

Building Professional Pages: Technical Implementation

Now, with this context of Zenler's evolution, let's dive into the technical aspects of building professional pages that leverage these new opportunities.

Understanding Zenler's Row and Column Structure

Zenler's page builder operates on a grid system that gives you pixel-perfect control. The key concept: rows within rows.

Basic Structure:

• Main container (full width)
• Three-column row for content control
• Individual rows for specific elements
• Nested rows for advanced layouts

Why This Matters: Unlike template platforms, this system lets you create any layout while maintaining responsiveness across all devices.

Creating the Homepage Hero Section

The Challenge: Transform a static Weebly header into an engaging, mobile-responsive hero section.

The Solution:

1. Background Image Setup:
   • Used background removal in Canva to separate dog image
   • Created gradient background for better text readability
   • Applied overlay for optimal contrast
2. Text Positioning:
   • Three-column layout for precise text placement
   • H1 heading with proper hierarchy
   • Strategic use of negative spacing for pixel-perfect alignment
3. Call-to-Action Button:
   • Custom styled with brand colors
   • Subtle pulse animation (2-second intervals)
   • Rounded corners matching brand aesthetic

Code Approach:

<pre><code>Row (Full Width)
├── Column 1 (Spacer)
├── Column 2 (Content)
│   ├── H1 Heading
│   ├── Body Text
│   └── CTA Button
└── Column 3 (Spacer)</code></pre>

Building Service Blocks

The Evolution from Weebly: Original site had plain text lists. We transformed these into professional service blocks:

Design Elements:

• Colored background containers
• Consistent spacing and typography
• Icon integration (paw prints)
• Clear pricing presentation

Technical Implementation:

• Row-within-row structure for border control
• Custom background colors
• Responsive image sizing
• Vertical alignment optimization

Advanced Layout Techniques

Two-Column Content Blocks: For services requiring side-by-side comparison:

• Custom border styling (2px solid)
• Corner radius (10px) for modern appearance
• Background color variations for distinction
• Mobile-responsive stacking

FAQ Section: Replaced long text blocks with Zenler's collapsible FAQ component:

• Better user experience
• Reduced page length
• Professional appearance
• Easy content management

Navigation and Internal Linking

Menu System Setup:

• Relative URLs for flexibility (/guardians vs full URLs)
• Consistent naming convention
• Logical page hierarchy
• Mobile-friendly navigation

Internal Link Strategy: Connected related pages naturally:

• Service pages link to About page
• Contact forms connect to booking systems
• Blog posts reference relevant services

Mobile Optimization Strategies

The Problem with Background Images: Static background images often fail on mobile devices, causing text readability issues.

The Solution:

• Separate foreground elements from backgrounds
• Use transparent PNG overlays
• Implement responsive text sizing
• Test across multiple device sizes

Performance Considerations

Image Optimization:

• Proper file formats (PNG for transparency, JPEG for photos)
• Consistent sizing to avoid browser scaling
• Optimized file sizes for faster loading

Clean Code Practices:

• Minimal custom CSS
• Efficient block structure
• Consistent naming conventions
• Regular testing and optimization

Key Takeaways from Part 2:

1. Platform Evolution Advantage - Zenler's strategic changes create better opportunities for serious entrepreneurs
2. Accelerator Program Value - Take advantage of unprecedented free training and support
3. Partner Program Potential - Build revenue streams while building your business
4. Technical Mastery - Understanding Zenler's structure unlocks unlimited design possibilities
5. Quality Focus - The new user base will be more engaged and serious about success
6. Timing is Everything - Act now to leverage the 60-day trial and accelerator program

Part 3: Advanced Features, Integrations, and Launch Strategy

Integrating Third-Party Service

See the Full Playlist on our YouTube Channel

Acuity Scheduling Integration: Ness used Acuity for client bookings. Integration process:

1. Obtain embed code from Acuity dashboard
2. Create HTML block in Zenler
3. Paste code into custom HTML area
4. Test booking functionality
5. Style container to match site design

Podcast Platform Integration: For her separation anxiety podcast:

• Embed code from podcast hosting platform
• Custom styling to match site aesthetic
• Chapter marking for SEO benefits
• Responsive audio player implementation

Creating Marketing Funnels

Lead Generation Strategy: Transformed simple "download" buttons into professional lead magnets:

Funnel Components:

• Compelling headline and description
• Professional graphics and branding
• Clear value proposition
• Seamless user experience

Technical Setup:

• Marketing funnel creation in Zenler
• Email automation sequences
• Lead tracking and analytics
• A/B testing capabilities

Advanced Styling Techniques

Custom Favicon Creation: Using Canva to create professional site icon:

• 512x512 pixel dimensions
• PNG format for transparency
• Brand-consistent design
• Cross-browser compatibility

Color Psychology and Branding: Strategic use of color throughout the site:

• Green for trust and growth (primary brand color)
• Black for sophistication and authority
• Gray for balance and professionalism
• White space for clarity and focus

SEO Optimization Throughout

Page-Level SEO:

• Keyword-rich page titles
• Meta descriptions for each page
• Proper heading hierarchy (H1, H2, H3)
• Alt text for all images

Content Strategy:

• FAQ sections for long-tail keywords
• Service descriptions with local SEO focus
• Blog content planning for ongoing traffic
• Internal linking for page authority distribution

Analytics and Tracking Setup

Performance Monitoring:

• Zenler's built-in analytics
• Video engagement tracking
• Course completion rates
• Email marketing metrics

Conversion Tracking:

• Button click analytics
• Funnel performance monitoring
• A/B testing results
• User behavior analysis

Launch Strategy and Testing

Pre-Launch Checklist:

• All internal links tested
• Mobile responsiveness verified
• Contact forms functional
• Third-party integrations working
• SEO elements in place
• Analytics tracking active

Soft Launch Approach:

1. Test with small audience
2. Gather feedback and iterate
3. Fix any technical issues
4. Optimize based on user behavior
5. Full public launch

Post-Launch Optimization

Ongoing Improvements:

• Regular content updates
• Performance monitoring
• User feedback incorporation
• Continuous A/B testing
• SEO ranking monitoring

Content Strategy:

• Regular blog posting schedule
• Video content optimization
• Email marketing campaigns
• Social media integration
• Community building initiatives

Results and ROI

Immediate Improvements:

• Professional appearance increase
• Better mobile experience
• Improved conversion rates
• Enhanced user engagement
• Consolidated platform benefits

Long-term Benefits:

• Reduced platform costs (eliminated Weebly subscription)
• Integrated business management
• Scalable growth platform
• Enhanced brand credibility
• Improved search rankings

Lessons Learned and Best Practices

What Worked Well:

1. Comprehensive planning phase - taking time upfront saved hours later
2. Block-based design system - created consistency and efficiency
3. Mobile-first approach - ensured optimal user experience
4. Gradual migration - reduced risk and allowed for testing
5. Professional design principles - elevated brand perception

Common Pitfalls to Avoid:

1. Rushing the design phase - proper planning prevents poor performance
2. Ignoring mobile optimization - majority of traffic is mobile
3. Overcomplicating layouts - simplicity often performs better
4. Neglecting SEO basics - technical setup impacts long-term success
5. Skipping testing phases - thorough testing prevents launch issues

Conclusion: The Perfect Time for Platform Migration and Business Growth

Ness Jones's website transformation demonstrates that moving from a template-based platform to a professional solution like Zenler isn't just about changing technology—it's about positioning yourself for the future of online business.

The Convergence of Opportunity:

• Platform Evolution: Zenler's strategic changes create a more valuable, focused environment
• Educational Support: Unprecedented access to training through the accelerator program
• Revenue Potential: Partner program provides immediate monetization opportunities
• Technical Excellence: Advanced page building capabilities without limitations
• Community Quality: Higher caliber of users creates better networking and collaboration

Why Now is the Perfect Time:

1. 60-day free trial provides risk-free exploration of Pro features
2. Accelerator program offers $10,000+ worth of training and support
3. Partner program can offset platform costs through referrals
4. First-mover advantage in the new, more focused Zenler ecosystem
5. Platform maturity means stable, feature-rich environment

Key Success Factors:

• Strategic planning over rushed execution
• Brand consistency throughout the design process
• User experience focus in every decision
• Technical excellence in implementation
• Platform opportunity leverage through accelerator and partner programs

The Bottom Line: In approximately 4 hours of focused work, we transformed a template-restricted website into a professional, branded platform. But more importantly, we positioned Ness to take advantage of Zenler's evolution—from the accelerator program for business growth to the partner program for additional revenue streams.

Your Action Plan:

1. Immediate (Before July 1st): If you're on a free plan, prepare for the 60-day trial upgrade
2. Week 1: Join the accelerator program and begin systematic business building
3. Ongoing: Implement partner program strategies for additional revenue
4. Long-term: Build on the solid foundation with advanced features and strategies

The Future is Now: As Kevin emphasized, this represents "probably the best education scene possible for this type of business." Combined with Zenler's technical capabilities and the real-world migration strategies demonstrated in this series, you have everything needed for online business success.

Remember: great businesses aren't built overnight, but with the right strategy, tools, and timing, they can be built efficiently and effectively. Zenler's evolution provides the platform, the accelerator program provides the guidance, and this migration guide provides the technical blueprint.

The question isn't whether you can succeed—it's whether you'll take advantage of this unique convergence of opportunity.

This comprehensive guide demonstrates both the technical process of professional website migration and the strategic advantages of Zenler's platform evolution. For access to the accelerator program, partner opportunities, and ongoing support, visit Zenler's official channels and join the community of serious entrepreneurs building successful online businesses.

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