Quick Start: Beginner Mode
Make your profile look good fast—without needing a design degree (or a stress ball).
Beginner Mode shows the essential sections first and nudges you in the right order.
✅ What Beginner Mode does
Beginner Mode (inside Quick Start) is here to keep things simple.
Instead of staring at a giant wall of options, you follow a clean path:
Theme Selection → Background → Colors.
just organized so you can get a solid look before you go full custom.
📍 Where you’ll see this
On your SSS Settings screen under My Profile → Profile Info.
If you want a quick jump, open SSS and go to your settings page.
https://society.simplysoundadvice.com/members/me/settings/
This image should match the top Quick Start bar exactly (users use it as a map).
🧠 Understanding the Quick Start tools
-
Beginner mode: show essential sections first
Turn this on when you want the clean, guided setup. Turn it off later when you’re ready
for deeper styling. -
Search settings…
If you remember part of a setting name, use search to find it fast.
(This becomes even more useful after you graduate to full settings.) -
EXPAND ALL / COLLAPSE ALL
These open or close every section at once. Helpful for scanning.
But if you’re actually changing stuff, open one section at a time. -
Auto-save (the “did it stick?” answer)
Your changes save automatically after a few seconds. Watch for the
saving… → saved message before you move on.
This screenshot shows the on-screen save feedback so beginners trust the system.
⚡ Quick Guide Menu
Quick Start tools (toggle, search, expand)
The 3-step order (Theme → Background → Colors)
Common mistakes (and fast fixes)
3 starter looks (copy these)
When to turn off Quick Start
Back to top
Change one thing → wait for saved → then change the next thing.
This prevents “what did I just break?” moments.
🚀 The Three-Step Power Sequence
This is the exact order Quick Start recommends. It’s not a suggestion. It’s survival.
-
Theme Selection → Profile Style Preset
Pick a preset first. It gives you a clean base so you’re not inventing a palette from scratch.- If you want readability first: pick a clean / simple preset.
- If you plan a bright background image: pick a darker preset for contrast.
- After you pick a preset, then move on.
This screenshot shows the Theme Selection accordion expanded and the preset selector visible.
-
Background → set the vibe (and keep text readable)
Background is where your profile gets personality. It’s also where readability can fall off a cliff.- Profile Background Image: use a direct image URL (ends in .jpg/.png/.gif/.webp).
- Background Fit Mode:
Auto (Recommended)is the safest start. - Mobile Background Fit Mode: also
Auto (Recommended)(phones love to zoom). - Background Overlay Strength: raise this if your text is hard to read (try 40–70%).
- Profile Background Opacity: try 70% first, then adjust.
This screenshot shows the “direct image URL”.
-
Colors → make everything feel “on purpose”
Beginners don’t need 50 colors. You need one main color and one accent.- Profile Block Background Color: the color behind your content cards/blocks.
- Profile Sidebar Color: keep it close to your block color (same vibe, slightly darker works well).
- Hover colors: use your accent color (lightly) so it feels consistent.
This screenshot shows the color settings.
🛠 Common beginner mistakes (quick fixes)
-
“My background is cool but I can’t read anything.”
Raise Background Overlay Strength (try 40–70%), then save. -
“My profile looks like five different themes arguing.”
Use one accent color and reuse it. Keep block/sidebar backgrounds neutral. -
“Mobile looks zoomed in and weird.”
Keep Mobile Background Fit Mode onAuto (Recommended)first. Then adjust focus point if needed. -
“I added too much too fast.”
Go back to the 3-step order. Get the base look solid first. Then add extras (cursor, effects, etc.).
🎨 3 Fast Win starter looks (copy these)
These are beginner-safe setups that look good and stay readable.
You can tweak later—this is the “get a win today” section.
🧊 Clean Neon (modern + readable)
- Theme Selection → Profile Style Preset: choose a dark/clean preset
- Background Overlay Strength: 40–60%
- Profile Background Opacity: 70–85%
- Colors → Block Background: #0B0F14 or deep charcoal
- Colors → Sidebar: one shade darker than blocks
🕹️ Retro Badge Starter (MySpace energy, but polite)
- Theme Selection: pick a clean preset (readability first)
- Background: use a subtle pattern or muted image
- Overlay Strength: 20–40%
- Colors: keep blocks light-gray or soft tinted (avoid pure white glare)
- Accent: use one pop color for hover states
💚 Matrix Minimal (vibe-heavy, still readable)
- Theme Selection: choose a darker preset
- Background Overlay Strength: 50–70%
- Profile Background Opacity: 70–80%
- Optional later: add Special Effects once your base looks good
- Rule: keep intensity low-to-medium so phones don’t suffer
After you set a recipe, stop. Scroll your profile. If it looks good in two places—desktop and mobile—you win.
🎓 When to turn off Quick Start
Turn off Beginner Mode when:
- You like your base look and want deeper styling (widgets, borders, buttons, navigation, activity).
- You want to use advanced tools like HTML Slots, stickers, or custom CSS.
- You’re ready to build a “signature” look instead of a clean default.
why your layout suddenly looks like modern art.
