Is it possible to place help documents online, instead of inside the pack?

I’m wondering when I finished a new theme, whether it would be better or not if I place the hyperlinked url document of the help document online, instead of placing the document itself inside the pack.

Since right after theme releases, there are a lot of questions coming about them and help document needs getting improved to get these questions answered to get rid of same things asked many times. So any new buyer will see the updated help with any questions in mind answered already.

Anyways, is that possible? Would that effect the approval of my file?

Thanks

This is what we’ve done for our calendar script and PHP contact form as it seems a more sensible way of managing installation instructions / readmes. It also means you can assist users with images / screengrabs and update your docs instantly rather than waiting for them to be reviewed.

Another bonus is that it shows potential buyers how good your documentation and/or how straight-forward your theme/script is to set up.

We just made sure it was clear in the readme file which users receive after purchase that all the docs they need are hosted online.

Great for you jigowatt! I guess that’s pretty possible then and I’ll do the same for my next items.

Thanks man.

I’ve done this many times. It seems to work great!

but would TF reject your template because it does not contain any help documentation – should we include something that is a help file that directs people to online help – but then if the reviewer doesn’t have the time to view it online then the side bar would list your help docs as something like minimal help or not present or something?

Just concerned that splitting the help from the download files would hurt upload chances or produce a poor listing. I only ask as it’s part of the requirements for a file upload and part of your download file specs to include help inside the downloadable files people buy.

Don’t get me wrong – I think it’s an awesome idea to have our own support desks for our own products – maybe this is something in the new rebuild here at TF – for each author to have online support area for customers and to be able to have help docs for each product?

OK I ’ll stop typing

A little OT but I cant wait for the day we have FAQ ’s on the item pages, would cut my time spent on support in half

@xmdsys but if we only provide a basic help file directing to a more in-depth online version would this effect the rating given by the reviewer for our included help file documentation – thanks

I create a shorcut in my themes. (on a PC, right click, and choose new > shortcut) and then type in the address of the file, and then name it “Help File” so when they click on it, it goes to the help file.