DocBeacon Documentation

Getting Started

Create an account, upload your first document, and share it with analytics enabled.

1. Sign up and verify email if prompted. Then sign in to your dashboard.
2. Click Upload and add a file (PDF, slides, images, or common office docs). We handle conversion for secure viewing.
3. Open the document and click Share to generate a trackable link. Optionally set an Access code, Expiration, and whether to Allow downloads.
4. Send the link to your audience. Engagement analytics will appear shortly after the first open.

Glossary

Document

Source file you upload (e.g., PDF). Rendered into a view‑only experience for consistent display and analytics.

Share

A trackable link for a document. Each share can define its own access rules (access code, expiration, download policy, watermark).

Audience

A group of recipients used to organize and distribute shares. Temporary audiences can be created during sharing.

Contact

An individual recipient. Creating per‑contact links helps attribute engagement and internal forwarding.

View

A recorded open of a document share, including captured context like device type and timing.

Analytics (core)

Views, Unique viewers, Time (total/per‑page), Completion, Scroll depth, Clicks. Availability may depend on role.

Heatmap

Composite visual overlay of attention, dwell, and scroll behaviors by page. Availability depends on role.

Access code

A passcode gate for a share. Viewers must enter the code before the document opens.

Expiration

A time window after which a share is no longer accessible. Duration can be limited by role.

Download policy

Per‑share setting that allows or disables downloads of the original file.

Watermark

An overlay applied in the viewer to discourage unauthorized redistribution.

Role

Your plan tier that controls quotas, file type support, and access to analytics/heatmaps.

Billing Portal

Account area where you manage subscription, payment methods, and invoices.

Core Concepts

Roles & Quotas

The following limits are derived from the current server configuration.

Values may be overridden by environment variables.

Uploading & Conversion

Supported formats depend on your role. PDF is always supported; higher tiers also allow common Word/PowerPoint documents and plain text (.txt).

• File types: PDF (all roles); DOC/DOCX, PPT/PPTX, and TXT (Pro and above).
• Viewer fidelity: Documents are rendered as view‑only in the browser for consistent display across devices.
• Size limits: Maximum file size is enforced by your role and global limits; oversized files are rejected.
• Non‑PDF conversion: Non‑PDF files are converted to a viewable format via a cloud converter in production or a local queue in development.

Sharing & Access Control

Best Practices

• Use per‑contact links to identify who viewed and forwarded internally.
• Disable downloads and enable watermarks for sensitive content (pricing, legal terms, investor materials).
• Set an expiration for time‑bound documents like proposals, RFPs, and diligence packets.
• Watch engagement signals (returns, time on key sections) to time follow‑ups more effectively.
• Segment audiences (e.g., investors vs. advisors) to compare engagement patterns and tailor outreach.

Viewer Experience

Recipients open links in a clean, branded viewer without needing extra software. You keep control at all times.

• Responsive UI with fast navigation and search (where supported).
• Watermarks and access gates are applied before viewing.
• All engagement is captured for analytics.

Analytics & Heatmaps

Understand how content performs and which sections attract attention.

Audiences & Contacts

Attribute engagement to specific people or groups by generating unique links and organizing recipients.

• Create per‑contact links to identify who viewed and forwarded internally.
• Use audiences to manage groups like investors, customers, or partners.
• Filter analytics by audience or contact to prioritize follow‑ups.

Best Practices

• Use per‑contact links to identify who viewed and forwarded internally.
• Disable downloads and enable watermarks for sensitive content (pricing, legal terms, investor materials).
• Set an expiration for time‑bound documents like proposals, RFPs, and diligence packets.
• Watch engagement signals (returns, time on key sections) to time follow‑ups more effectively.
• Segment audiences (e.g., investors vs. advisors) to compare engagement patterns and tailor outreach.

Billing & Plans

Choose a plan that fits your workflow. Upgrade anytime; links remain stable.

• Free plan to test core flows; upgrade to unlock higher quotas and advanced analytics.
• Upgrades apply to new uploads and shares going forward; existing links continue to work.
• Invoices and subscription management are available via the Billing Portal in your account settings.

API & Webhooks

Programmatic access is under development. Public endpoints and webhook events will be documented here when available.

Looking for early access? Contact us.

Security & Compliance

• View‑only rendering, access codes, expirations, and watermarking help protect sensitive files.
• Audit trails and analytics support accountability and internal reviews.
• See details in our Security page and Privacy Policy.

Troubleshooting & FAQ