Solution Templates are pre-built account configurations created by Yext that can be installed into a Yext account in a few clicks. They provide a structural starting point based on learnings from clients with similar business needs, and can include Knowledge Graph configuration, Pages templates, Search experiences, and platform settings.
Think of a Solution Template as another way to configure your account — similar to making changes via the UI or the API, but delivered as a set of pre-built files. Templates are a great starting point, not a final state. You can extend and customize them as much as needed.
When to Use Solution Templates
Starting a new account: Rather than building from scratch, apply a Solution Template to get a working configuration up and running quickly. It will also surface ideas for things you can do with the platform.
Adding a new product: Just starting to add Pages or Search to an existing account? A template gives you a solid starting point and saves setup time.
What a Solution Template Contains
Solution Templates can include configuration across any part of a Yext account. Common resources include:
| Area | Examples |
|---|---|
| Knowledge Graph | Custom entity types, custom fields, extensions to built-in entity types |
| Pages | Pages sites |
| Search | Search backend configuration, Search frontend sites |
| Platform Settings | Account features required by the template |
Example: The Food Solution
The Food Solution template is designed for restaurant businesses. It adds:
- Knowledge Graph: Custom fields (Allergens, Calories, Price, Primary CTA, Related FAQs), custom entity types (Menu Item, Offer), and extensions to the built-in Restaurant, Job, and FAQ entity types. This data model supports per-location menus where locations can share menu items, and each menu item can list caloric content and allergen information.
- Pages: The Food Solution adds a Pages Site for Search, as well as a few Page Builder templates. It is possible that you will not want to add both a Page Site and Page Builder Templates into your account, so you can remove whichever you choose not to use before installing it in your account – or, you can install it on your account and choose to use it later if you’d like.
- Search: The Food Solution contains a Search experience with a Search Configuration and a Search site. It sets up a basic search for Offers, FAQs, Jobs, Menu Items, Restaurants and Links. You can customize the Search experience to be more robust, but this basic setup will give you the core functionality as soon as you install it. This includes both the backend Search Configuration as well as the frontend site and repository.
- Platform: The Food Solution requires the Page Builder account feature to be enabled. So, it includes the setting to enable this particular feature. With all of this configuration installed into an account, you have a basic functioning Yext account for a restaurant. You can see how you can extend the solution to add even more functionality.
Install a Solution Template
Navigate to Apps > Solutions.
- Browse through the solutions to see what might be most applicable to you. In this example, we’re going to install the Healthcare Primary Care Solution, but you can read the descriptions to help make this decision – or you can click in to see the configuration files themselves to help decide. For now, click into the Healthcare Primary Care Solution. This will take you to the Healthcare Primary Care Solution Screen.
Click View Solution on the left side of the template page.
This opens the Admin Console loaded with the template's configuration files. To install the template as-is, click Apply in the top right. For additional background on the Admin Console, see the Admin Console doc.
Note: In later steps, you can review exactly what changes will be made before confirming. You can also remove files you don't want to apply before clicking Apply.
Enter your account ID and click Continue. Your account ID can be found in the URL path of your account or in Account Settings > Personal Settings > Account ID.
Click Start authorization flow. A new tab will open, which you can close once it fully loads. This is checking to make sure you have the right authentication to update the account ID you just entered. Click Continue.
Enter your business ID (same as your account ID) and click Continue.
Review the Diffs — the changes that will be made to your account if you proceed. Click into individual files to inspect them. When you are satisfied, click Continue.
Review the final confirmation screen and click Confirm.
The template will be installed within a few moments.