Frequently Asked Questions
Can I allow teachers to create their own schedules?
Absolutely. When you give a teacher a username or password from within their profile, they will have the ability to login and setup their own schedules, mark attendance for lessons they've taught, and write notes about how it went. If you do not want teachers to have this ability you can either not give them a username and password, or you can specify what you want them to be able to do under Settings - Permissions.
What do my students see when they login?
Your students will only see their own information, and cannot see information about other students in your studio. Students can see their own lesson schedule, lesson history, etc. Parents will see this information for all of their children, as well as billing information such as their own payment history. Teachers will see the schedules of the students they are teaching as well as lesson attendance. Staff members will see almost everything you see.
If you want a certain group to have different permissions than they currently do, you can customize who can see what, by clicking "Settings" - "Permissions"
How do I give others access to the website?
To allow your staff, teachers, students and their parents to login to your Studio Helper account, they will each need their own username and password. You can assign a username and password from within each user's profile, or you can have the system automatically generate a username and password for each student and e-mail it to them.
To choose their username yourself, click their name from the People List, and type a username and password for them in their profile. (Make sure you click the "Check Availability" button to make sure the username isn't already taken). Usernames must be unique system-wide.
To have the system generate usernames for your students, go to the People list, click "Students" to show all students (or you could do a search and select specific people). Check the box next to the names you want to generate a login for. To select all, just click the checkbox above the list. When you check a box, a "With selected" box will appear. From there, just choose "Reset Logins", and the students will be sent a new username and password.
Once the user has a username and password, they'll be able to login. They will also be able to change their username and password once they login. (Note: Students who you mark with a status of "Former" will not be able to login).
How safe is the information I put into Studio Helper?
Security is a big concern for many studios, as it should be whenever you're storing important information on the Internet. You'll be pleased to know that Studio Helper protects your information using SSL encryption, which is the same technology bank websites use to secure theiri data.
We also back up your information daily on separate servers in multiple states to ensure your information is protected. And your data is always yours - we don't hold it hostage. So you can export your studio data to save it as a file on your computer at any time for your own records.
Are there fees for accepting on-line payments from my students?
If you choose to allow your students to pay you on-line through Paypal (using their credit card or bank account), then Paypal does take a small percentage (usually 2.5%-2.9% + a USD $0.30/transaction fee). Many studios choose to pass this fee on to their students in an extra line item on the invoices. Most students are generally more than happy to pay a few extra bucks for the convenience on on-line payments. Or you may choose to foot yourself the bill since it's a convenience to you as well. The choice is yours.
To setup on-line payments, all you need to do is go to the "Settings" -> "Studio Info" page, and type in your Paypal email address where it asks for it. Then, Studio Helper will automatically put a link at the bottom of each invoice, allowing your students to pay you through Paypal. If you do not have a Paypal business account, you can get one for free from the Settings - Studio Info page.
How do I integrate my current website with Studio Helper?
If you have a studio website you'd like to integrate with Studio Helper, you have a few options.
- Simply link to the "Login" page of Studio Helper (https://www.studiohelper.com/login) from your existing website.
- Go to Settings -> Remote Access. There you will see some code you can place on your website to integrate with Studio Helper. For example, you can put a login form, or a registration form on your website. When students fill out the registration form, you will be notified via email, and the student's information will automatically be entered into Studio Helper.
What if my students don't have the Internet or Email?
No problem. Studio Helper was really made for studios, more than for students. It is nice if your students can login to see their schedules and amount owed, receive email reminders, etc., but Studio Helper can do so much for you even if your students never see it, and many studios choose not to have their students access the system at all.
As a studio administrator, you can track payments you've received, manage teaching schedules for multiple teachers, keep a student contact list, run financial reports and much more. You can also print invoices for your students to give them when they come to their lessons (for those who prefer the "paper" method). It's the easiest way to manage your studio and gives it a professional edge, whether or not your students participate.
Have questions of your own?
Hopefully this page has been valuable to you, and has answered some of your more pressing questions. If you have any questions of your own, feel free to email us at any time. We are eager to help you make the most of your studio.
