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Browser basics

  • Updated

In this article:

A web browser is a tool you use to access the Internet. It’s also the tool you use to access the GoFundMe Pro platform. To get the most out of your experience online and on GoFundMe Pro, it helps to review the basic features of using a browser.

Common web browsers

Modern web browsers each have their own look and feel, but all are designed to display websites. The most popular web browsers include:

  • Google Chrome
  • Firefox
  • Safari (Macs only)
  • Microsoft Edge

GoFundMe Pro supports all modern browsers, and the best choice is the browser you feel most comfortable with. That said, we do not recommend Internet Explorer, because many websites no longer support it and other browsers offer a better experience.

Common browser terms

Web Address or URL

The web address or URL appears in a web browser’s address bar. When you type a web address or URL into the address bar and press Enter, the browser takes you to the webpage that is connected to the address.

Common browser actions

Bookmark a page

Bookmarking a web address allows you to access your favorite webpages faster. Below, we’ll explain how to bookmark a page using a browser’s menu options. (Scroll to the FAQ at the end to learn how to bookmark with keyboard shortcuts).

To bookmark a webpage, open it in your browser and then use one of the following methods:

  • For Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge, select the Star icon at the end of the address bar
  • For Safari, select Bookmarks and then Add Bookmark at the top-left of your monitor

To access your bookmarks use the following methods:

  • Chrome - Select the 3 vertical dots at the top-right of the browser and then Bookmarks
  • Firefox - Select the Library icon at the top-right of the browser and then Bookmarks
  • Microsoft Edge - Select the Favorites icon to the right of the Bookmark star
  • Safari - Select Bookmarks and then Show Bookmarks at the top-left of the monitor screen

Try it out: Here are some helpful links to bookmark

Refresh

Sometimes you may need to refresh or reload a webpage for new information to display. For example, if you received a donation within the last few seconds, you may need to refresh your browser to see the new information in GoFundMe Pro.

To refresh a page, select the refresh icon (it looks like a circular arrow and is usually next to the address bar).  

Clear your cache

When someone visits a website, a browser will save pieces of the site so that it loads faster the next time. The collection of pieces is called a cache. Over time, updates to a website can make the files in the cache obsolete and cause technical difficulties. To fix this, you can clear your cache.

Chrome:

  1. Select the 3 vertical dots at the top-right of the browser
  2. Select More tools and Clear browsing data
  3. Make sure Cached images and files is selected
  4. Select Clear Data

Firefox:

  1. Select the Library icon near the top-right of the browser
  2. Select History and Clear Recent History
  3. Make sure Cache is selected
  4. Select Clear Now

Safari:

  1. Select Safari and Preferences in the top-left of your monitor screen
  2. Under Advanced, mark Show Develop menu in menu bar
  3. Select Develop in the menu bar and then Empty Caches

Microsoft Edge:

  1. Select the More menu (...) at the top-right of the browser
  2. Select History and Clear Browsing Data
  3. Make sure Cached images and files is selected
  4. Select Clear Now

Update your browser

Keeping your browser up-to-date ensures you get the most secure and enjoyable experience. Unless you turn the feature off, most browsers automatically update themselves. But if you need to manually update your browser or want to see if you’re up-to-date, you can use the following steps:

Chrome:

  1. Select the 3 vertical dots at the top-right of the browser
  2. Select Help and About Google Chrome
  3. If an update is available, Chrome will automatically update itself
  4. Select Relaunch if Chrome updates 

Firefox:

  1. Select the 3 horizontal lines at the top-right of the browser
  2. Select Preferences
  3. Scroll to the Firefox Updates section
  4. If an update is available select Check for Updates and then relaunch Firefox

Safari:

  1. Select the Apple icon at the top-left of your screen
  2. Select the App Store
  3. Select Updates in the menu
  4. The Updates screen will display any updates that are available. If you see a Software Update, that usually includes an update to Safari. If you want to update only Safari, select the More link and choose to update only Safari

Microsoft Edge:

  1. Select the More menu (...) at the top-right of the browser
  2. Select Help and Feedback
  3. Select About Microsoft Edge
  4. Microsoft Edge will automatically check for updates, and if one is available, it will update itself. Select Restart after the update is over to relaunch Microsoft Edge.

Turn on or off browser extensions

If you are having trouble donating to a campaign on GoFundMe Pro, you may need to disable an extension on your browser. Extensions can interfere with some webpages and prevent them from working properly. To disable extensions on your browser:

Chrome:

  1. Select the 3 vertical dots at the top-right of the browser
  2. Select More tools and Extensions
  3. Toggle off the extensions

Firefox:

  1. Select the 3 horizontal lines at the top-right of the browser
  2. Select Add-ons and Themes
  3. Select Extensions
  4. Toggle off the extensions

Safari:

  1. Select Safari at the top-left of your screen
  2. Select Preferences
  3. Select the Extensions tab
  4. Deselect checkbox to disable extensions

Microsoft Edge:

  1. Select the 3 horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser
  2. Select Extensions
  3. Toggle off the extensions

Once you disable your extensions, try donating again. You can repeat the steps above to enable your extensions later.

Other tips and tricks

Copy and paste

Copy and pasting allows you to copy text and place it in another text editor. To copy and paste text:

  1. Highlight the text you want to copy
  2. Right-click and select Copy
  3. Right-click where you want to place the text and select Paste

Keyboard shortcuts

You can perform most common browser actions using your keyboard. It's best to learn how to perform these actions using your browser's menu first. But once you have that mastered, keyboard shortcuts are a convenient option.

To bookmark a webpage:

  • Hold Command+D on a Mac
  • Hold Ctrl+D on a PC

To hide and display your bookmarks:

  • Hold Command+Shift+B on a Mac
  • Hold Ctrl+Shift+B on a PC

To copy text:

  • Highlight the text and hold Command+C on a Mac
  • Highlight the text and hold Ctrl+C on a PC

To paste text:

  • Hold Command+V on a Mac
  • Hold Ctrl+V on a PC

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