Whats the best way to crate train a puppy?

I'm struggling to crate train my puppy, maybe I'm just asking too much too soon. Anyway we put her in the crate lastnight (which is at the bottom of the stairs to our room) and she cried, howled constantly so we opened the door, she managed to make her way up the stairs and came to say hello then went to sleep on the floor and only cried once at about 6am to go for a wee. Is this bad, as i know people say your dog should never sleep in your room but she wasn't on the bed but on the floor and settled really well, but now I'm worried when we have to leave her to go to the shops to get food she's going to cry continuously. Is there anything i can do to make her feel safe and secure in her crate when left for short periods 1hr max! Thanks. Sorry to keep asking questions but this site really helps lol.