Chapter 1 of 39 · Start
Getting around Winston
Everything in Winston is reached from the menu on the left of the screen. The menu is split into short groups (Start, Grow, Money, Protect, and Setup or Admin) so you can find a tab by the job you're doing. This chapter shows you how to move around, switch between businesses and keep Winston on your phone or desktop like an app.
How it works
What you can do here
- Open any tab from the menu on the left
- Collapse the menu to icons when you want more room
- Switch between Winston Butler and each of your businesses
- Open a business's public website in a new tab
- Start a new business at any time
- Install Winston as an app on your computer or phone
1. Reading the menu
The menu is the same shape everywhere, so once you learn it you can find your way in any business.
- 1
Find the groups
Small grey headings divide the menu. Start holds your home page, Winston AI and Assistants. Grow holds sales and marketing. Money holds finance and trading. Protect holds insurance, legal and trusts.
- 2
Open a tab
Click any name in the menu. The tab you're on is highlighted so you always know where you are.
- 3
Collapse the menu
Press the panel button at the top right of the menu to shrink it to icons. Hover over an icon to see its name. Press the button again to open it. Winston remembers your choice on this browser.
- 4
Use it on a phone
On a small screen the menu starts collapsed so pages have room. Tap the panel button to open it.
2. Switching between businesses
Each business has its own hub: its own home page, CRM, money, marketing and so on. Nothing from one business shows in another.
- 1
Open the switcher
Click the business name under the Winston logo at the top of the menu.
- 2
Pick where to go
Choose Winston Butler for the main hub, or one of the businesses listed under Your businesses.
- 3
Check you're in the right place
The switcher always shows the business you're in, and the menu changes to that business's tabs.
- 4
Visit the website
Under the switcher, the business's web address (for example acme.thewinstonbutler.com) opens its live website in a new tab.
If something seems to be missing, check the switcher first. You may be looking at a different business.
3. Starting a new business
- 1
Press New business
It's the copper button at the bottom of the menu, and also in the switcher.
- 2
Describe the idea
One or two sentences is enough, for example "a subscription box for small-batch hot sauce". Winston researches the market, competitors and pricing, then drafts the brand, website and first offerings.
- 3
Open the new hub
When Winston has finished, the new business appears in the switcher with its own tabs.
4. Installing Winston as an app
Winston works in any browser, but you can also install it so it opens in its own window like any other app.
- 1
Find Install app
On the main hub, the Install app button sits at the bottom of the menu.
- 2
Confirm
Your browser asks if you want to install it. Say yes.
- 3
Open it like any app
Winston now has an icon on your desktop, dock or home screen.
Try it yourself
Doing is the fastest way to learn. Open the tab and try these:
- Collapse the menu, then open it again.
- Use the switcher to visit one of your businesses, then come back to Winston Butler.
- Open a business's website from the link under the switcher.
Common questions
Why do I see different tabs in different businesses?
The main hub has extra Admin tabs for running Winston Butler itself. A business hub only has the tabs that business needs.
Can I break anything by clicking around?
No. Opening a tab never changes anything. Winston always asks before anything important is sent or saved.