Getting Started: Your First Steps in PlaceChangers

Overview

Welcome to PlaceChangers! This guide will help you get started with the platform and understand the key concepts you'll need to create successful consultations.

What is PlaceChangers?

PlaceChangers is a community engagement platform that enables you to create interactive, map-based consultations. The platform allows you to gather feedback from participants through maps, forms, and interactive features.

Your First Steps

1. Complete Your Profile

Before creating consultations, ensure your profile is complete:

Navigate to Account → Profile → General
Add your name, email, and any other required information
Upload a profile photo if desired

2. Set Up Your Organisation

If you're working within an organisation:

Go to Account → Profile → Organisation
Create or join an existing organisation
Add team members if needed
Configure organisation branding (logo, colours)

3. Understand the Onboarding Checklist

When you first log in, you'll see an onboarding checklist that tracks your progress:

Profile Complete: Ensure your profile information is filled in
Organisation Setup and Team: Set up your organisation and add team members
Site Created: Create at least one site (geographic boundary)
Site Team Complete: Add team members to your site
Consultation Created: Create your first consultation project

4. Navigate the Dashboard

The Account Overview provides quick access to:

My Consultations: View all your consultation projects
My Sites: Manage your geographic sites
My Layouts: View and manage consultation layouts
My Appraisals: Access appraisal features (if enabled)
My Site Visits: Manage site visit records (if enabled)

Key Concepts

Sites

A Site represents a geographic area or boundary. Sites can contain multiple consultations and layouts. Think of a site as the physical location where your consultations take place.

Layouts (Versions)

A Layout (also called a Version) is a specific configuration of map features, areas, and content within a site. You can create multiple layouts for the same site to test different consultation approaches.

Consultations (Projects)

A Consultation (also called a Project) is the actual engagement activity you're running. Each consultation is built on a layout and can be customised with branding, forms, and interactive features.

Next Steps

Once you've completed your profile and understand the basics:

Create your first site (if you haven't already)
Review the article on "Understanding Sites, Layouts, and Consultations"
Create your first consultation project
Explore the customisation options

Getting Help

If you need assistance at any point:

Check the other articles in the Getting Started collection
Use the in-app support features
Contact our support team through HelpScout