Common SGEN first-timer questions
The Sandbox is free with no time limit — you only pay when you go live. You do not need to know code. SGEN has no plugin layer; features like forms, SEO, and ecommerce are built in. You bring your own domain and point it at SGEN when you are ready. Every plan includes the full platform — the only variable is how many live sites you run.
Free to build, pay when you go live
The Sandbox has no time limit and no cost. You only commit to a plan at the moment you take a site public — and you choose the tier then.
No plugins, no installs
Forms, SEO, ecommerce, redirects, consent — all built in. You do not install anything. You just use them.
14 plain answers
Each question gets a direct answer and a link to the full guide if you need it. Skim or read in order — both work.
Getting started
The first questions most new users have — before they have touched anything.
Is the sandbox free?
Yes. Every account starts with a free Sandbox — a complete SGEN workspace where you build and test privately. There is no time limit and no cost. You only pay when you take a site live, and you choose the plan at that point. See SGEN sandbox walkthrough.
Do I need an account to start?
Yes — you create an account to get your Sandbox. Signing up is what gives you the workspace. See Account setup and first login.
Do I need to know how to code?
No. You build pages visually in SG-Builder by dragging components and editing in place. There are surfaces for custom code if you want them, but you do not need them to build a complete site. If you have never built a site before, start with Building your first site ever.
How long does it take to get something on screen?
About an hour to build and preview your first page. Follow Your first-hour checklist.
| What costs money and what does not? | Answer |
|---|---|
| Building and editing in the Sandbox | Free — no time limit, no payment needed |
| Previewing your site before publishing | Free — preview is always available |
| Taking a site live on your own domain | Requires a plan — you choose the tier when you're ready |
| Adding team members | Included in every plan — no per-seat charge |
You only commit to a plan at the moment you go live. Everything before that is free.
The first session in plain terms — four steps, no code.
1
Sign up
Create your account — this opens your free Sandbox immediately.
2
Open SG-Builder
Go to Pages and open any page in the visual editor.
3
Add sections
Place a hero, a text block, and a button — your first page takes shape.
4
Preview
See exactly what visitors will see, including on mobile — before anything is public.
Understanding the platform
What SGEN is, how it's structured, and what replaces plugins.
What's a module?
A module is a built-in feature — the kind of thing other platforms sell as a plugin. Forms, SEO, redirects, tracking and consent, and ecommerce are all modules, and they are already part of SGEN. You do not install them; you just use them. See Key concepts in 10 minutes and SG-Modules: first-class features across SGEN.
What's the difference between Sandbox and Live?
The Sandbox is your private workspace — nothing in it is public. Live is your site published on a real domain, serving visitors. You build in the Sandbox, then promote to Live when you are ready. See Environments and site states.
Do I need to install plugins?
No. SGEN has no plugin layer. The features are built in. See How SGEN is different.
Private
Sandbox
Free. Nothing here is visible to the public — build and test for as long as you like.
Public
Live
Requires a plan. Your site is published on a real domain and visitors can see it.
| Where does my feature live? | Answer |
|---|---|
| I want a contact form | Forms — built in. See the forms guides |
| I want to set page titles and search previews | SEO — built in. See SEO in SGEN |
| I want to sell products | Ecommerce — built in. See Launch your store |
| I want to redirect an old URL | Redirects — built in. See Manage redirects |
| I want a cookie consent banner | Tracking Consent — built in. See Tracking Consent |
None of these require an install. They are part of the platform.
Domains and going live
How to get a domain, connect it, and take your site public.
How do I get a domain?
You buy a domain from a domain registrar (a service that sells web addresses), then point it at SGEN. SGEN does not sell you the domain — you bring your own — but it walks you through connecting it. See Connect your domain to SGEN.
Can I launch without a custom domain?
You build and preview entirely without one. When you are ready for the public to find you at your own address, you connect a domain. See Set up a custom domain for your site.
How do I publish my site?
Run the pre-launch checklist, connect your domain, then promote your sandbox to live. The launch guide threads all three: Go live: publish your first site.
Connecting your domain — what you need ready.
1
Own a domain
From any registrar — Namecheap, GoDaddy, Cloudflare, and similar services all work.
2
Get into your DNS settings
Usually found in the registrar's own control panel.
3
Open the domain connection screen
Dashboard / Settings / Domain, inside your SGEN account.
4
Copy the DNS records across
Paste the records SGEN gives you into your registrar's DNS settings.
5
Wait for propagation
Up to 48 hours, though most connections update within a few hours.
Plans and billing
What plans cost, what they include, and how they scale.
How much does it cost?
Building in the Sandbox is free. When you go live, you choose a plan — every plan includes the whole platform, and they differ only by how many live sites they cover. For the actual prices and live-site counts, see Choose your SGEN plan.
Do I lose features on a cheaper plan?
No. Every plan includes everything. The only thing a plan caps is how many live sites you run. See The all-in-one model.
Can I change plans later?
Yes — you move up when you need more live sites, and your existing site is untouched. See Plans, billing, and what every plan includes and FAQ — billing and account.
Team and access
How to add team members and manage their roles.
Can I invite other people to help?
Yes. Invite team members and give each one a role that matches their job. See Invite your first team member.
Sending an invitation — found at Dashboard / Team / Invite Member.
Email address
Required. The invitation is sent to this address. The recipient creates their own password on first login.
Role
Choose Admin, Editor, Author, or Viewer. Editor is the right default for most team members — they can create and publish content but cannot change settings.
Sending the invitation emails the recipient a link to set up their own access.
Heads up The Sandbox has no time limit — there is no pressure to go live before you are ready. Build, preview, and iterate at your own pace. The plan decision only comes when you choose to publish.
Where to go next
For the complete question set, see the SGEN FAQ and FAQ — setup and onboarding.