14 Quick ShortStack Hacks to Make Campaign-Building Easier

Do you have some favorite tips and tricks you use when building your ShortStack Campaigns? We do!Here are 14 of our team's favorite hacks, plus links to support resources that will explain "how to" in detail.

1. Grouping Widgets

Grouping widgets in a Container Widget can make bulk actions a breeze. Let's say you want to make certain widgets visible on only desktops or only mobile devices, you'd use the Container Widget to accomplish this. This is a huge time saver because it prevents you from having to modify individual widgets.

2. Set Up Activity Triggers

Use the Action Widget to create "if this, then that" situations that are triggered with the click of a button. You can set up unique triggers that reveal prizes, deals, etc. based on your requirements. For example, you can ask users to give you an email address in exchange for access to your contest.

3. Use the Container Widget to Hide or Display Multiple Widgets

Use the Container Widget to schedule multiple widgets to display and/or hide at a future date/time. Let's say you want to have an entry phase and a separate voting phase for your giveaway, you can schedule the date and time each component is visible to your users.

4. Utilize our Library of Code Snippets

Check out the Code Widget for a library of useful Code Snippets. We have an extensive library of code we created to make it easy to add some popular ShortStack functions to your Campaigns. You can also create and save your own.

5. Add Background Image

Add a background image or color via the button in the ruler of your Campaign Builder; the image/color will display beneath your Campaign or your widgets. This simple design feature lets you quickly customize the look of your Campaign.

6. Copy and Paste Widgets from One Campaign to the Next

Copy and paste widgets and their settings by highlighting them, then clicking the Copy and Paste buttons at the bottom of the Edit Widgets Panel.  You can also paste widgets into your other Campaigns. This is a huge time-saver for people who build new Campaigns frequently but want to use the same functions from one Campaign to the next.

7. Style Widgets

Apply individual widget styling to the entire container (if using a theme) by typing “container_bg” (without the quotes) in the Styling tab of a Container Widget.  If you want to style widgets when they're in a container, then you don't have to do them individually.

8. Remove the Background and Border of a Theme

If you're using a ShortStack theme but would prefer to see it without a background or border, you can remove the background and borders. Just type “transparent_bg” (without the quotes) in the Styling tab of a widget.

9.  Change the Background Color

To apply a  different background color that is built into the theme, just type “alternate_bg” (without the quotes) in the Styling tab of a widget.

10. Copy, Move or Delete a Group of Widgets

Shift-click multiple widgets or containers in the Edit Widget Panel to copy, delete or move them. You no longer have to move or delete widgets one by one.

11. Test how Campaigns Look on Mobile Devices

Easily adjust your canvas size on the ruler at the top of the Campaign Builder so you can see what your Campaign will look like on smart phones, tablets (and desktops, of course).

12. Rearrange Widgets

Rearrange the order of your widgets by hovering over the title and clicking and dragging to re-position.

13. Remove Visibility Settings from Multiple Widgets

Remove visibility settings from multiple widgets by shift-clicking and then clicking the eye at the bottom of the Edit Widget Panel.

14. Before Embedding, Test the Width of a Campaign

When embedding your Campaign, first use the ruler to make your Campaign the correct width to get accurate numbers in your embed code.Do you have any favorite ShortStack hacks? Let us know on our Facebook Page, or on Twitter!