WebSite X5 UPDATES
Discover all of the features and improvements introduced into new versions of the software.
Already a CUSTOMER?
If you have purchased a license during the last 12 months, you already have access to the updates, and you can find them here 
On the other hand, if you have an old WebSite X5 license, discover our special offer for you.
Remember: with the current version, you can import all the projects starting from version 11. Please find more information on "Project Conversion".
May 2023
WHAT'S NEW
MagicText only for ProWe added a new way to write contents: MagicText, the Artificial Intelligence-based text generation assistant. With MagicText you can write any kind of text you want to use on your website: titles, SEO titles, paragraphs, ideas and tags. All you have to do is ask: a text will be generated before your eyes. Literally!
Never run out of ideas again
Are you looking for inspiration? Do you need an efficient product sheet or a new blog post? Use MagicText and find new ideas. Choose the topic and start brainstorming.
No more writer's block
Often all you need is a good beginning. MagicText only needs few hints to create quality text. It's going to be a good starting point to quickly achieve the final draft.
Only quality texts
Improve your requests, change tone and language: MagicText will generate different texts, you will be free to use them as they are or to edit them. Enjoy the company of a helpful assistant to gain a spefic text in seconds.
UI Design
It's not just an aesthetic whim: updating the software design can actually improve user experience. WebSite X5 now has a new interface in line with the logic behind Windows 11, so now you can enjoy a more comfortable and neater environment that can help you improve your productivity by focusing on what you need.
Image list Preview
Think about Galleries: you need to import all the image files to set them up. We have now introduced a new option that allows you to work visually: working with thumbnails will be much easier and fun.
New Templates
Speaking of graphic design: we took the opportunity to substitute some of the Templates in the preset Template Gallery: 10 in the Pro and 5 in the Evo. Get inspired for your next projects.
SEO properties for the Galleries
Images too, play an important role for improving Web page SEO: now you can add Description, Title and Alt Text also to the images in your Galleries.
Edit on Preview mode
You are looking at the preview of the web page you are working on and realize you aren't happy with a text you've added. Now you can simply click on the page content you want to edit to open the corresponding Object in working mode. That's very convenient, isn't it?
Minimum Order only for Pro
Sometimes selling one single product unit isn't very convenient. Define a minimum order quantity for each product of your store: in this way, the checkout process will be even easier and effective.
Compatibility and Security
In order to guarantee the greatest possible level of performance, compatibility and security, we have added compatibility with servers using PHP v8.2.
SVG support
Not just bitmap images: we introduced the SVG support too, so you can now enrich your pages with illustrations as well as vector graphics.
Saving as WebP only for Pro
In order for you to better compress the images of your website and therefore improve your page loading performance, we have introduced the WebP conversion, which is a Google conversion format specifically conceived for the Web.
Images Lazy Loading
We have enhanced the Images Lazy Loading so to take advantage of the native support offered by the most modern browsers. With this function, you can delay the images loading so to improve the page performances and save bandwidth.
Optimization for a better CLS
The CLS (Cumulative Layout Shift) is one of the Core Web Vitals Google introduced as a ranking factor. We have optimized the page code so to guarantee better performances.
Page Grid with Preview
The Layout Table has been enriched with previews displayed directly within the cells. Now, only for the Objects you can use to add at least one image, a small preview is placed next to the icon in the cell: this will really help you find the Object you are looking for, especially on more complex pages with lots of contents.
File Selection Window
We added the necessary commands to update the content of the selected folder, to open the File Explorer window and access the file properties. The file name and size are now shown within tip that is displayed on mouseover.
Hidden Product only for Pro
Sometimes, a product of your catalog may not be available for a certain period of time. Don't remove it: simply hide it. In this way, it won't be visible on the store and you will be able to reactivate it with a simple click as soon as it is available again.
WebAnimator 4 integration
Did you create a wonderful HTML5 animation with WebAnimator 4? Now you can export it in a compressed proprietary format which you can easily import in WebSite X5. All the resources will be loaded at once: adding animations to your website has never been so fast and easy.
Compatibility and security
In order to guarantee the greatest possible level of performance, compatibility and security, we have:
updated the Chromium browser engine employed for the local preview to the latest version;
updated the graphic libraries for the image generation and the file compression;
updated the internal engine to ensure better compatibility, speed and security;
added compatibility with servers using PHP v8.1
MORE FEATURES
We have redesigned the toolbar you can use to search among the Optional Objects and open the Management window.
Improved some context menus by adding more often used commands.
Added emojis support on texts that are managed via database, for instance comments, orders and product descriptions.
New file management system
We developed a new system to manage all the files used inside a project. These files are all automatically saved into the Project Library and become easy to find. In a couple of clicks you will find the file you are looking for in the Library and you can use it in several pages.
Project Optimization
Now that you can manage files linked to the project, you can also optimize project size. In Step 5, we've added a new window you can use to analyze your project, create a backup copy of used resources - particularly handy if you need to move the project on a new computer - as well as delete files that are no longer connected to the website. This cleanup process, will reduce and optimize your project files.
File Selection window
A centralized file management system means a single system to select and import resources. You will then use the same File Selection window - completely redesigned from scratch - for any file you need to add on your pages.
- More specifically, you can use the File Selection window to:Import a local file from your PCchoose a Premium Imageselect an item from the Library of free imageschoose among over 28,000 free videos available in the new gallerypaste the URL of a YouTube/Vimeo videoadd your online file by reporting the URLimport a file you have already used in your project directly from the resource Library
MORE FEATURES
- Added new Hamburger Menu option: now you can decide whether to display the level menu entries on click or on mouseover.
New Portfolio Object
A new preinstalled Object is now available in the library. Use the Portfolio Object to create a list of elements which can be displayed in dedicated customizable cards, and give your visitors the possibility of using filters and categories to search or organize the entries. In short, it's perfect for presenting a portfolio of your best work and projects on your website.
Instalment payment via PayPal
Give your online shop customers the possibility of paying by installments without interest or additional costs. We've integrated the PayPal "Buy Now Pay Later" service and a single click will be enough for you to activate it on your store. PayPal will take charge of the installment credit, while you will receive the whole amount right away.
The Buy Now Pay Later service is currently active for the following countries: UK, France, Germany, US, Australia. It will soon be available in Italy, Spain and Canada too. To check countries and dates of actual availability, rates, terms and conditions consult the PayPal website (paypal.com)
Object Search
The Object library becomes more and more rich in tools for completing your pages. A useful search filed is now available for you to immediately find the Object you are looking for: just type in the name and you're ready to use it.
Videos for your Entry Page
The Entry Page is a sort of cover giving the visitors the possibility to access its home page after a set amount of time or by clicking on a link: for example, you can use it to ask them to choose the language they want to visit your website in. You can now set it up using a video you have on your computer, as well as a video available on a specific URL or even on YouTube and Vimeo.
Google Analytics 4
Google Analytics 4 is a new measurement and tracking platform launched by Big G. Its interface is completely different from the previous Universal Analytics, and it uses a monitoring system based on the users' behaviour more than on their profile. Do you want to use it? Thanks to the new integration, you can add the necessary tracking code in one single step.
SKU Code
We've introduced a new field: the SKU code can be used as a search key, both while working in WebSite X5 and in the online store. In addition, it will be included as structured data for page optimization.
Animated backgrounds for line styles
By adding effects to your line styles, you can create high-impact bands that are perfect for highlighting your most important content. Now you can take advantage of one more option and choose an eye-catching animated background for the line.
New Predefined Templates only for Pro
Templates are like chocolates: you just can't get enough. We've added 9 more to Pro's gallery of predefined templates, which now totals 150: which one will you use in your next project?
MORE FEATURES
- Added the ability to set the blur effect on the content background when opening the ShowBox window.
Social Commerce only for Pro
Social networks are no longer just for fun: they are becoming real storefronts through which to shop. That's why we've added the option of integrating WebSite X5's e-commerce with Facebook and Instagram. In just a few steps, your products will be for sale on Facebook Shops and through shoppable Instagram posts.
VAT management only for Pro
New European VAT rules for cross-border sales have recently come into force. In order to allow you to adapt your online shop, we have revised how VAT is managed by introducing different tax settings, which can be customized for different countries.
Shipment Tracking only for Pro
Customers love to be able to track the shipping status of products they have purchased online. Now you can offer the same service and make sure that your store's customers are notified when you send them a tracking link.
WebSite X5 Hosting
While you walk through your website creation, we want to hold your hand from the beginning till the end. This is why we've created WebSite X5 Hosting, the tailor-made hosting service for WebSite X5.
The service has been included into the software license, so you will get the associated hosting plan for 12 months:
Hosting Evo: 100 GB webspace, 1 mailbox and an automatic domain.
Hosting Pro: 500 GB webspace, 5 mailboxes, database plus an automatic domain.
Perfectly compatible, already integrated and without additional costs: in short, hosting has never been so simple!
Export online
We have of course updated the export window of the site online. If you choose to take advantage of the included WebSite X5 Hosting you don't have to do anything at all, not even worry about entering the connection parameters to the server and the database: we’ve already thought about it. Now you can be sure that you have no compatibility issues. Alternatively, you can always pick and use another Provider.
Control panel
To help you manage the Hosting included with your WebSite X5 license, we’ve developed an intuitive control panel: you will find it in your profile. Everything will always be at your fingertips.
Contact form
We’ve gathered several requests on the Contact Form Object and they have been fulfilled. Small but significant tricks that will improve your forms even more:
the possibility of providing a confirmation message, as well as a confirmation page, after sending the data;
a text editor to add Acceptance Conditions;
the calendar icon has a new place and a new style;
Text Field filters have been improved;
the text style of fields and labels can be customized;
the WebSite X5 captcha design has been reviewed.
User Interface - Site settings
There’s always something that can be improved. We have removed the division between general and advanced settings in Step 1. Thus, once you have defined your project's basic information for the first time, you will not have to go back to this window and, in addition, you can always see and find all the features you need to complete your work: e-commerce, blog, password protected areas, etc.
User Interface - Data management
With WebSite X5 Hosting, database management is easier, therefore the database management section in step 1 has been removed. You will have to add server and database activation parameters during the export phase, only if you choose to use another Provider.
New Database settings for Pro only
No matter how small a website is, it will almost always rely on a database in order to function properly. We have then simplified the way the database function is managed: it is now possible to connect a single database to the project and, moreover, it is WebSite X5 itself which now automatically creates and renames all the necessary tables for a correct and efficient data management. This makes everything easier.
Blog
The Blog settings window now completely focuses on the Post list display and management. Consequently, the Blog Title and Description can be set using the specific SEO section.
- Product Sheet Page for Pro only for Pro onlyHere's what was still missing for a top e-commerce. Now WebSite X5 creates automatically a product page for each product. The Product Sheets have image galleries, texts, prices, related products, reviews, social buttons and, of course, the Buy button. Quick to create, optimized for sales, responsive, complete with structured data: in short, perfect!Product sheet details:Image gallery: import not only images but also videos and present your product in the best possible way.Details: in addition to a short description, include longer texts to highlight the features and benefits of your product. Text can be organized in tabs to achieve a more efficient result.Related products: you have your customer's attention so grab the opportunity to present other products in the same category. Do it all with one click.Reviews: Customers trust the opinion of other customers. Invite them to leave a review of your product or rate it.Connection: the Product Sheet pages are connected to the cards of the Product Catalog Object or of the Search Page. With a new link, however, you can connect them as you like.Preview: by selecting a product and clicking on the Preview button, you will see the local preview of the related Product Sheet page. A small yet useful shortcut.Responsive: we know that many purchases are made from smartphones, so we have made sure that the Product Sheet pages are responsive and always allow the best shopping experience.Structured data: it's essential to allow Google to understand page content and enrich the SERP. Obviously we have also included them for the Product Data Sheet pages.
Control Panel and WebSite X5 Manager App only for Pro
As we said, you can ask customers that use your Product Sheet pages to leave a review or to express a vote: the power of word of mouth is always a great idea. We have updated the online Control Panel and the WebSite X5 Manager App to more conveniently moderate comments and manage conversations, including those relating to products.
User Interface
The information you can enter on a store product as well as for a blog post is a lot and the Product Settings and Article Settings windows were starting to get a bit to crowded. With the new interface, however, everything is tidier and now creating the catalog or writing a post is even more enjoyable.
Blog
As for store products, also for Blog articles we have added a new type of link to connect a specific post and the possibility of calling up the local preview of individual posts.
New PHP version, PHPMailer and JQuery
WebSite X5 is now compatible with PHP version 8, with PHPMailer version 6.3.0 and JQuery 3.6.0: your sites will be even safer and faster.
User Interface
Partly because trends change, partly because you never stop improving, it was time to make WebSite X5's graphical interface fresher. We have cleaned, finished, moved ... everything to create a harmonious and tidy environment, capable of making your work enjoyable. And here's the result!
Welcome Page
WebSite X5 is a wizard, a magician or, in other words he's your special helper made for you to enjoy website creation. He welcomes you in a redesigned and quicker start page, full of information and content that can be useful to you.
Project Preview
Sometimes an image is worth a thousand words: find what you are looking for at a glance. Here's why we've added previews for existing projects: it's easier now to find the project you are looking for.
Templates only for Pro
With the right Template half the work is done. In the preset Template gallery of WebSite X5 Pro you will find 5 new solution: do you want to find out how they look and how to use them for your next projects?
Search field Object
Give your user what he is looking for immediately, without inaccuracies or waste of time: it's everyone's goal on the web. From today you can count on an even more performing internal search engine, by setting the search on the whole site, only on e-commerce products or only on blog posts.
Row Formats
Working on row formats allows you to complete and to garnish your template by creating fancy full-width backgrounds. You asked us to add transition effects to the image list background and to allow image timing, so we did.
E-commerce - Personalized search filters for Pro
We've introduced the option to create new, personalized filters for the Shopping Cart Search page. All you need to do is add and customize the relevant product properties (e.g. "brand", "size", "power", etc.) so that Customers can find them and use them as search criteria within your online store. Read more.
E-commerce - Shipping costs by country for Pro
Site owners already had the option of offering different shipping costs based on the total value of an order, or the overall weight of the goods in the order. Now, you can also adjust shipping costs based on the destination Country of each order.
E-commerce - PayPal Commerce Platform payments
We've integrated the 3D Secure protocol to increase the level of security for Credit Card transactions, and we've activated new measures to ensure that returns are processed correctly, when it comes to shipping physical goods.
Comments & Ratings
Your readers' feedback is important: that's why we've completely overhauled how ratings and comments are appear, updating your blog or website pages to make them more contemporary and user-friendly.
Internal Anchors
In addition to using them for Objects, you can now also insert Anchors directly into the page's Rows. This makes it easier to create internal links, especially for one-page sites that use the Full Height feature to scroll through vertical "sheets".
Row Style
We've redesigned the graphic interface of the Row Style window to make it more user-friendly and more in line with the Object Grid.
We've Integrated the PayPal Commerce Platform
Thanks to this new integration, accepting all kinds of payment in your online store is easier than ever. The PayPal Commerce Platform allows you to manage all the most popular payment methods in each country from a single account: credit or debit cards, prepaid cards, PayPal accounts, and most importantly, countless other local payment methods (for example, MyBank, iDeal, Soford, Giropay, etc., to name just a few) used in over 190 countries around the world, with over 100 different currencies.
The launch of the PayPal Commerce Platform also means that the old PayPal payment system is now deprecated.
Structured Data for Pro
We've significantly enhanced the use of structured data to optimize pages for Search Engines. Structured data describes the pages' content in a way that's more easily comprehensible for Search Engines, who use it to enrich their SERP.
We've implemented the use of structured data for:
Article - To describe the information contained in Blog articles.
Breadcrumb - To describe the path that leads to Blog articles.
Carousel - To display posts from a Blog category or products available in a single page in a carousel.
Local Business - To connect a company's site with information about its physical location: address, opening hours, contact information, etc.
Logo - To define the organization's logo.
Product - To describe individual products in an online store.
Sitelinks searchbox - To define how to carry out a search within the site.
Speakable - To identify the parts of a blog post that can be read aloud by a Voice Assistant.
Video - To describe the videos present in a website.
SEO - UI for Pro
We've added a section that's entirely dedicated to SEO, separating it out from the section for activating the site's analytics services and inserting personalized code.
MORE FEATURES
- The settings for the Online Control Panel and WebSite X5 Manager App have been combined in one section. (for Pro)
