(Prefer to watch the tutorial instead? Click here)
1. Create a new project:
If you haven’t done so already, make a free account with us and login. You’ll be taken to a dashboard from which you can create projects.
You can initiate the process directly from the middle of the homepage under Audio Guide. Alternatively, on the left side menu, simply select the first option under the + symbol - New Project menu item and then click on .
- Choose if the project will be indoor or outdoor
- Choose your primary language; additional languages can be added later.
- Determine your preferred method for activating the tour's content.
2. Main Information:
The Main Information section contains the core details for your project. There you can find the information your players will see or hear when they first access your tour in the SmartGuide app. It consists of 4 tabs:
- Insert an image, like a logo or a photo
- Add more languages if you want (just remember to provide translations at all points and challenges)
- Add audio or video in your game introduction (to reduce download time for your players, keep any video files uploaded under 30 seconds).
- Add a Location Name/Subtitle
- Add a description
The visual elements will show in the preview on the right side of the screen.
b) Location: Set your project’s location automatically or manually.
c) Start Instructions:
This is where you give instructions and additional guidance on how to begin the tour.
d) Custom Pins: Default pin or upload your own custom pin
- Tour: This pin will be shown in the main app map (SmartGuide or Branded App Map), one pin to locate the whole game.
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Destination:
- Default: Pin not opened.
- Active: Pin currently opened.
- Used: Pin already opened.
- Future: Next Pin if you create a specific path.
Note: You can also apply unique custom pins for each points.
More info: How do I add a custom pin? – Locatify
3. Map Points:
In the ‘Map Points’ sections, you can include your location points (pins), establish connections between them to define the visiting order, create user-friendly paths to follow, or even upload your custom map.
Map Points features:
Pan mode: Default mode. Navigation on the map
Connect Pins: Establish the order of visiting locations by connecting pins. Using this feature, the location pins will be hidden from the map and will be revealed when within the designated radius with the aid of provided instructions or clues.
More in our help center: What is the "Connect Pins" tool? – Locatify
Draw Path: How do I create a path between points on the map? – Locatify
Custom map: How to upload a custom map? – Locatify
4. Add Point (Location Point/Tour Point):
- To edit the point name, simply click on the pencil icon.
- To add content to the point, you can either click ‘Open’ or directly press on the point to access its page. The green area around the point visualizes the triggering radius.
5. Add content to Points:
a) Point Content and Popup Page:
Point Content:
Here, you can find the content your users will see and/or hear when the point opens. In the section:
- Insert a thumb image, it can be a logo or a photo
- Add more languages if you want (just remember to provide translations at all points and challenges)
- Add audio or video. This will play when this point is activated
Popup Page:
Here you add a title to the point location/point tour and some description text.
If you have a Premium license, you can use content templates to further customize your point. For example, you can embed web content such as a YouTube video, showing store opening hours, and social media sharing.
Under the ‘Activation’ tab you can choose to enable the content activation through GPS or iBeacons.
- Longitude and Latitude: When adding a point, the coordinates of the point will automatically be set. Alternatively, you can add those coordinates yourself if you have them, you can find those coordinates using Google Maps.
- Activation radius: The radius is the triggering distance set around the location point. When the user is within that set radius, the points’ information will trigger. More info: How do I configure the GPS triggering radius of a point?
iBeacons: Small wireless “beacon” devices which use minimal power and send frequent Bluetooth signals.
What are BLE Beacons?
What is UUID, major and minor number on Beacons?
6. Settings:
a) General Settings:
Under the General Settings, you can find different sections. Some features are only accessible for customers who have a premium account or for customers who have their own branded apps. Amongst those options, you can find the Author information and the Move Project options, handy feature if for example you want to assign your project to a member of your team (premium feature).
b) Rewards:
Let’s move on to the 2nd tab of the settings section: Rewards. With this feature, you can reward players for completing the tour.
c) Publish Settings:
Under the Publish Settings you can specify how will the user find the published tour. Tours created on the free plan will always be accessible via the app’s home page (listed in the app), but with a premium license you can restrict access if you want, so that the users need an invitation code or QR code to join the project.
To create unique codes/QR codes, simply click on "Vouchers" tab on the main panel (1), then "Issue Voucher" tab (2) and follow the instructions.
Finally, the Point Activation settings. Here you can configure how will the location point be activated, either automatically when the user is in range or manually by pressing the pin on the map, we could also call it “virtually”, meaning you can play the tour at home, you don’t have to go on the location.
7. Testing and Publishing
Now we’re ready to test our tour. Select the Go Live button at the bottom of the left side panel.
First, you will want to make sure everything is set correctly in the publishing setting then click on Next in the right hand bottom corner. You will see the option to generate a test, so click on Generate Test. In this test mode you can test the tour's content without the need for going on location. But if you want to test the accuracy of the challenge locations it is recommended to test the game on location as well.
Keep in mind that test tours can only be used once, so if you making any edits or need to test the game on multiple devices, you will need to republish for testing again.
a) Create Test Version
Now, download the Locatify SmartGuide app to your mobile device from the App Store or Play store if you haven’t already. Select Create Test version.
From within the Locatify SmartGuide app, you can redeem your test project with either the QR code or the invitation code displayed.
b) Publishing
When you’re done with testing and ready to publish, select Publish to app on the right. Now you select the app for publishing (SmartGuide or your branded app). You can always cancel if you need to make some edits, and when you’re ready press Publish.
You are now live!
Congratulations, you're all set! Enjoy the creation process and have fun with your tour!