Tips, Best Practices, and Troubleshooting

This guide compiles expert tips, proven best practices, and solutions to common problems you might encounter while using Territory Wallet.

Table of Contents

• General Best Practices
• Power User Tips
• Performance Optimization
• Data Management
• Common Problems and Solutions
• Browser Issues
• Mobile Access
• Getting Support

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General Best Practices

For New Administrators

Start Small:

• Create 5-10 territories first to learn the workflow
• Test the full lifecycle (create → draft → publish → assign)
• Import a small batch of addresses to test CSV process
• Experiment with filters, visual layers, and reports

Plan Your System:

• Define reference ID conventions before creating territories
• Set up localities early (neighborhoods/zones)
• Establish territory types your congregation uses
• Document your system for future administrators

Build Incrementally:

• Don't try to create all territories in one session
• Work in batches (10-20 territories at a time)
• Save drafts frequently
• Publish in batches after verification

Get Feedback:

• Share with other administrators for review
• Show publishers sample territory cards
• Test assignment workflow
• Iterate based on feedback

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Ongoing Management

Daily/Weekly:

• Update for new construction or changes

Quarterly:

• Comprehensive territory review
• Verify all addresses are accurate
• Clean up unused localities/types
• Export backup of all data

Annually:

• Full system audit
• Retrain administrators
• Major updates and improvements

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Advanced Map Techniques

Precision Drawing:

1. Zoom to max level
2. Draw boundaries following visible property lines
3. Use street centerlines as logical boundaries

Multi Feature Territory:

1. Create one territory completely
2. Assign an existing reference ID
3. Properties will auto complete
4. Adjust boundaries as needed
5. Toggle between linked features with the stack dropdown

Filter Stacking:

• Combine type + locality filters for precision
• Example: "Apartment" + "Downtown" shows only downtown apartments
• Use to focus on specific subsets
• Clear filters when done to avoid confusion

Visual Layer Workflow:

• Use "Last Worked" layer to find gaps
• Switch to "Assignment Status" for assignment planning
• Use "Activity Heat" for coverage analysis
• Return to "Default" for general editing

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Bulk Operations Efficiency

CSV Import Mastery:

• Prepare data in an online spreadsheet (collaborative editing)
• Use data validation to ensure format consistency
• Test geocoding on small sample first
• Review geocoded locations immediately

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Performance Optimization

For Large Congregations (600+ Territories)

Managing Performance:

Load Times:

• Initial load may take 1-5 seconds for large datasets
• Use filters to reduce visible territories
• Work on one locality at a time
• Close other browser tabs to free memory

Map Rendering:

• Zoom in before editing (renders fewer features)
• Hide non-relevant territories with filters

Data Operations:

• Publish in groups (10-20 territories) vs. all at once
• Delete old/inactive territories to reduce dataset

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Connection and Bandwidth

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Data Management

Backup Strategy

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Data Quality Maintenance

Address Quality:

Regular Checks:

Cleaning Process:

1. Export address list to CSV
2. Review in spreadsheet software
3. Identify issues (sort, filter, search)
4. Fix in spreadsheet or in app
5. Re-import or bulk edit

Standardization:

• Consistent abbreviations (Street vs St)
• Consistent capitalization (Title Case)
• Standardized city names
• Proper postal code formatting
• Remove extra spaces

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Territory Boundary Maintenance

When to Update Boundaries:

• New construction in area
• Buildings demolished
• Street changes (closures, new roads)
• Territory too large/small for publishers
• Overlapping boundaries discovered
• Logical improvements to organization

Update Process:

1. Edit territory boundary in Map Builder
2. Adjust addresses if needed
3. Save draft
4. Verify coverage is correct
5. Publish update

Handling Overlaps:

• Intentional overlaps: Document reason (e.g., shared buildings)
• Unintentional overlaps: Adjust boundaries to eliminate
• Use visual layers to identify overlaps
• Check border territories regularly

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Common Problems and Solutions

Map and Display Issues

Problem: Map won't load or shows blank screen

Solutions:

1. Refresh the page (F5 or Ctrl+R)
2. Check internet connection
3. Clear browser cache
4. Disable browser extensions
5. Try different browser
6. Check if firewall/network blocking map tiles

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Problem: Territories not showing on map

Solutions:

1. Check if filters are hiding them
   • Clear all filters
   • Check type and locality filters
2. Verify territories are published (not just drafts)
3. Zoom out - may be off-screen
4. Use search to find specific territory
5. Check if visual layer is set correctly

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Problem: Map is slow or laggy

Solutions:

1. Close other browser tabs
2. Apply filters to reduce visible territories
3. Zoom in (renders fewer features)
4. Refresh the page
5. Use simpler visual layer (Default vs. Heat Map)
6. Clear browser cache
7. Restart browser

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Drawing and Editing Issues

Problem: Can't enter drawing mode (draw tool doesn't work)

Solutions:

1. Deselect any selected features first (click empty space or press Esc)
   • This is the most common cause
2. Click the draw tool again
3. Ensure map is fully loaded
4. Refresh page if persistent
5. Try different browser

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Problem: Drew wrong shape / made mistake

Solutions:

1. Immediately click the Undo button in the toolbar
2. Or delete the feature and start over (select it, use Delete button)
3. Or edit vertices to reshape (select, drag vertices)
4. Don't panic - undo history preserves recent changes

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Problem: Can't select territory

Solutions:

1. Click directly on the boundary or point
2. Zoom in closer
3. Check if another territory is on top (overlapping)
4. Use search bar to find and select
5. Check if filters are hiding it

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Problem: Changes disappeared

Solutions:

1. Check if you saved draft or published
2. Use Undo if just made change
3. Refresh page if browser crashed
4. Check last saved timestamp
5. If data loss occurred, restore from backup

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Save and Publish Issues

Problem: Save draft fails

Solutions:

1. Check internet connection
2. Verify required fields are complete (reference ID, title, type)
3. Try again (may be temporary network issue)
4. Check browser console for error messages
5. Copy territory data to clipboard as backup
6. Contact support with error details

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Problem: Publish fails or gets stuck

Solutions:

1. Wait 2-3 minutes (processing can take time)
2. Check error message for specific issue
3. Verify all required fields complete
4. Check address geocoding succeeded
5. Try publishing smaller batch
6. Refresh page and try again
7. Contact support if persistent

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Problem: Published but changes not visible

Solutions:

1. Verify publish status shows "Published" (not "Publishing...")
2. Refresh the publisher view
3. Check permissions (publishers may not have access yet)
4. Verify correct territory was published
5. Check if changes were in draft before publishing
6. Wait a few minutes for cache to clear

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Address and Geocoding Issues

Problem: Geocoding fails for addresses

Solutions:

1. Verify address spelling (street, city correct)
2. Check postal code is valid
3. Try adding more detail (unit, building name)
4. Manually place address on map instead
5. Check if address is too new (not in database yet)

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Problem: Geocoded location is wrong

Solutions:

1. Select the point on map
2. Drag to correct location
3. Or delete and manually place
4. Verify address data is correct

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Problem: Duplicate addresses after import

Solutions:

1. Export address list to CSV
2. Identify duplicates (sort by house + street)
3. Delete duplicates manually or in spreadsheet
4. Re-import cleaned data
5. Use duplicate detection in import settings

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Problem: Address ranges not working

Solutions:

1. Verify Range High > Range Low
2. Ensure both are numeric values
3. Check address has building name
4. Review how ranges display in publisher view
5. May need to enter ranges differently based on configuration

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Browser Issues

Cookies and Local Storage

Problem: Keep getting logged out

Solutions:

1. Check browser isn't clearing cookies on close
2. Disable private/incognito mode
3. Allow cookies for Territory Wallet domain
4. Check browser privacy settings
5. Update browser to latest version

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Browser Extensions Conflicts

Problem: Features not working correctly

Solutions:

1. Disable ad blockers temporarily
2. Disable privacy extensions (Privacy Badger, etc.)
3. Disable VPN if using
4. Test in private/incognito mode (extensions disabled)
5. Enable extensions one-by-one to identify culprit

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Cache and Storage Issues

Problem: Old data showing, changes not appearing

Solutions:

1. Hard refresh: Ctrl+Shift+R (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+R (Mac)
2. Clear browser cache:
   • Chrome: Settings → Privacy → Clear browsing data
   • Firefox: Settings → Privacy → Clear Data
   • Safari: Develop → Empty Caches
3. Clear local storage
4. Restart browser
5. Try different browser to verify

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Mobile Access

Mobile Browser Limitations

What Works:

• Viewing territories and maps
• Searching territories
• Basic navigation
• Publisher territory cards
• Viewing assignments

What's Limited:

• Drawing new territories (touch precision)
• Complex editing (small screen)
• Bulk operations
• CSV import

Recommendations:

• Use mobile for viewing
• Use desktop/laptop for creation and editing
• Mobile works for field reference
• Tablet better than phone for light editing

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Mobile Optimization Tips

For Best Mobile Experience:

1. Use latest iOS/Android version
2. Use Chrome or Safari browser
3. Enable location access for map centering
4. Use portrait mode for lists, landscape for maps
5. Pinch to zoom, two-finger pan
6. Use simplified visual layers
7. Filter to reduce visible territories

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Getting Support

Before Contacting Support

Gather Information:

1. What were you trying to do?
2. What happened instead?
3. Error messages (screenshot if possible)
4. Browser and version
5. Operating system
6. Steps to reproduce the issue

Try Basic Troubleshooting:

1. Refresh the page
2. Clear browser cache
3. Try different browser
4. Check internet connection
5. Review relevant documentation

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How to Contact Support

Support Channels:

• Email support team
• Contact congregation IT administrator
• Check online help documentation

Include in Support Request:

• Congregation ID / account info
• Detailed description of issue
• Screenshots or screen recording
• Browser console errors (F12 → Console tab)
• Steps to reproduce
• What you've tried already

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Feature Requests and Feedback

Suggesting Improvements:

• Email suggestions to development team
• Be specific about use case
• Explain problem being solved
• Suggest priority level

Reporting Bugs:

• Describe unexpected behavior
• Include steps to reproduce
• Note when it started happening
• Mention if it works for others
• Provide browser and system info

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Next: Return to the Documentation Index for quick navigation to specific topics.