Upgrading to the Modern Interface
Unlock new features, better mobile experience, and modern design by upgrading your market's interface
Choose Your Path
Overview
LocallyGrown offers two interface versions: the legacy interface (original design) and the modern interface (enhanced design with new features). The modern interface brings better mobile responsiveness, automation features, and a more polished experience.
Key Differences
Legacy Interface
- Original LocallyGrown design
- Basic weblog functionality
- Manual ordering window management
- Simple navigation
- Mobile-friendly but basic
Modern Interface ✨
- Updated, contemporary design
- Weblog scheduling & email templates
- Automated ordering schedules
- Enhanced mobile navigation
- Improved accessibility
What's New in the Modern Interface
📅 Weblog Scheduling
Schedule weblog entries to publish automatically at future dates and times. Great for planning newsletters ahead and keeping communication consistent.
Use Cases:
- Write Monday's newsletter on Friday and schedule it to publish automatically
- Plan a month of content in advance
- Coordinate newsletter publication with ordering window openings
📧 Email Newsletter Templates
Choose from 8 professionally designed email templates for your weblog newsletters. Each template is optimized for email clients and mobile devices.
Available Templates:
- Modern Newsletter - General announcements
- Product Highlight - Feature specific products
- Grower Spotlight - Tell grower stories
- Market Update - Weekly status updates
- Recipe Showcase - Share seasonal recipes
- And 3 more specialized templates
⏰ Automated Ordering Schedules
Set a weekly schedule to automatically open and close your market's ordering window. No more manual work every week!
Benefits:
- Opens Monday at 9 AM, closes Friday at 5 PM (or your custom schedule)
- Runs automatically every week
- Manual override available whenever you need it
- All changes logged for your records
🎨 Modern Design System
Clean, contemporary interface with improved typography, spacing, and visual hierarchy. Better accessibility and mobile responsiveness throughout.
Improvements:
- Responsive navigation that works great on phones
- Improved contrast and readability
- Better touch targets for mobile users
- Consistent design language throughout
📱 Enhanced Mobile Experience
Optimized navigation and layout for mobile devices. Market management tasks are easier than ever on phones and tablets.
Mobile Features:
- Collapsible navigation menu
- Touch-optimized buttons and controls
- Responsive tables and grids
- Better form layouts on small screens
🔔 Improved Notifications
Better toast notifications and feedback throughout the interface. Know exactly what's happening with clear, non-intrusive messages.
Notification Types:
- Success confirmations for completed actions
- Error messages with helpful guidance
- Warning alerts for important decisions
- Info messages with contextual tips
Check Your Current Interface
Not sure which interface you're using? Here are easy ways to tell:
Method 1: Check Market Settings (Most Reliable)
- Navigate to your Market Settings page (/markets/edit)
- Click the "Appearance" tab
- Scroll to "Interface Preferences by Role"
Modern Interface: You'll see "Modern Interface" selected for your user roles.
Legacy Interface: You'll see "Legacy Interface" selected for your user roles.
Note: If this section doesn't appear, your market was created after September 2025 and uses the modern interface by default.
Method 2: Look at Your Weblog Page
- Navigate to your market's weblog page
- Click "Add New Weblog Entry" or edit an existing entry
- Look at the publishing options
Modern Interface: You'll see three radio button options:
- Save as Draft
- Publish Now
- Schedule for Later ⏰
Legacy Interface: You'll see simpler options without scheduling.
Method 3: Check Your Market Dashboard
- Go to your market settings/edit page
- Look for the "Automated Ordering Schedule" section
Modern Interface: You'll see the automated scheduling feature with weekly schedule controls.
Legacy Interface: This section won't appear in your settings.
Method 4: Look at the Navigation
The navigation bar tells you immediately:
Modern Interface: Clean, contemporary navigation with better mobile responsiveness and improved styling.
Legacy Interface: Original LocallyGrown navigation design (still functional, just older styling).
Benefits of Upgrading
⏱️ Save Time
Automate repetitive tasks like opening/closing ordering and scheduling newsletters. What used to take manual work every week now runs automatically.
📱 Better Mobile
Improved mobile experience for both administrators and customers. Manage your market from your phone with ease.
✉️ Professional Emails
Send beautiful, professionally designed newsletter emails with pre-built templates. No design skills required.
📅 Plan Ahead
Write content in advance and schedule automatic publication. Great for vacations, holidays, and busy weeks.
♿ Accessibility
Better keyboard navigation, screen reader support, and contrast ratios. More accessible for all users.
🚀 Future Features
New features and improvements are developed for the modern interface. Stay current with the latest capabilities.
How to Upgrade
Self-Service Upgrade Steps
Navigate to Market Settings
Get to your market's settings page:
- Click "Your Account" in the navigation
- Select the "Market Manager" panel
- Click the "Market Settings" button
- You'll arrive at /markets/edit
Find the Appearance Tab
On the Market Settings page:
- Find the tabbed navigation at the top
- Click the "Appearance" tab (🎨 icon)
- Scroll to "Interface Preferences by Role"
Note: This section only appears for markets created before September 2025. Newer markets already use the modern interface.
Select Modern Interface for User Roles
Choose which user groups see the modern interface:
- Customer Interface - What shoppers see
- Grower Interface - What growers see
- Volunteer Interface - What volunteers see
- Admin Interface - What market managers see
For each role, select "Modern Interface" instead of "Legacy Interface". Upgrade all roles at once or start with one group to test the experience first.
Save and Explore
After selecting the modern interface:
- Click "Save Changes" at the bottom
- Changes take effect instantly - no logout needed!
- Explore new features at your own pace
- Set up automation when you're ready
Tip: You can switch back anytime by returning to this setting and selecting "Legacy Interface" for any role.
What Changes for Users
For Market Administrators
- Navigation: Updated navigation with modern styling and better mobile support
- Weblog: Scheduling options when creating or editing weblog entries
- Market Settings: "Automated Ordering Schedule" section in settings
- Forms & UI: Improved form layouts, buttons, and visual consistency
- Mobile: Much better experience managing your market from your phone
For Growers
- Visual Updates: Modern, cleaner interface design
- Mobile: Improved mobile experience for managing products and orders
- Functionality: All grower features work exactly the same
- Learning Curve: Minimal - the core workflows remain familiar
For Customers
- Shopping Experience: Same familiar shopping process
- Email Newsletters: Better designed, more readable emails
- Mobile Shopping: Enhanced mobile experience
- Visual Updates: Modern design that's easier to read and navigate
Troubleshooting
I don't see new features after upgrading
Solution:
- Log out completely
- Close all LocallyGrown browser tabs
- Clear your browser cache (or try private/incognito mode)
- Log back in and check again
The navigation looks different but I don't see scheduling features
Check:
- Go to your weblog and try creating a new entry
- Look for the "Schedule for Later" option in publishing
- If you don't see it, contact support to verify upgrade status
Can I switch back to the legacy interface?
Answer:
Yes! You can switch back at any time by going to Market Settings → Appearance tab and selecting "Legacy Interface" for whichever user roles you want to revert. The change is instant and completely self-service - no need to contact support.
Something isn't working after the upgrade
Get Help:
- Note what isn't working (screenshots help!)
- Record which browser and device you're using
- Contact support with these details
- We'll investigate and resolve issues promptly
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a cost to upgrade?
No, upgrading to the modern interface is completely free for all markets. It's included in your LocallyGrown subscription.
Do I need to contact support to upgrade?
No! Upgrade yourself through Market Settings. Just navigate to the Appearance tab and enable the modern interface for whichever user roles you want. Support is available if you need help or have questions.
Will I lose any data during the upgrade?
No, absolutely not. The upgrade only changes the interface - all your products, orders, growers, customers, weblog entries, and other data remain exactly the same.
How long does the upgrade take?
The upgrade is instant! Once you select "Modern Interface" in your settings and save, the change takes effect immediately. Users will see the new interface the next time they log in.
Can I upgrade some users and not others?
Yes! Choose modern or legacy interface separately for customers, growers, volunteers, and admins. Test the modern interface with just admins first, then gradually roll it out to other groups.
Will my growers and customers notice the change?
They'll notice visual improvements (modern design, better mobile experience), but the core functionality they're used to works the same way. Most users find the new interface easier and more pleasant to use.
Do I have to use all the new features?
No! The new features are optional. You can upgrade to get the modern design and better mobile experience without using scheduling or automation if you prefer manual management.
What if I have custom CSS or theming?
Custom market themes and CSS will need review after upgrading. Contact support before upgrading if you have custom styling, and we'll help ensure everything looks good in the modern interface.
Can I switch back if I don't like it?
Yes! You can return to the Market Settings Appearance tab and select "Legacy Interface" for any role at any time. The change is completely reversible.
Can I upgrade during busy season?
Yes, but we recommend upgrading during a slower period when you have time to explore new features. The upgrade causes zero downtime, but you'll want time to get comfortable with the changes.
Are there any features I'll lose?
No, the modern interface includes all legacy features plus new capabilities. Nothing is removed - it's purely additive improvements.