d2

Content modules at a glance

Site Genre: Pattern Group d

magnify image Figure D2.1 Content modules make it easy to update and display content. On the My Monster homepage, visitors can select which content modules they wish to display. Not all sites will need this level of personalization, though.

Background

In BROWSABLE CONTENT (B2) we provided a solution for finding content on a site, and in PAGE TEMPLATES (D1) we described how to present page elements in a consistent and easy-to-use manner. This pattern describes content modules, a key component of every page template and a way of managing the publishing process.

Close

PROBLEM

Without a good system, publishing and managing large volumes of content are time-consuming and error-prone processes.

buy the book to find out more

SOLUTION

magnify image Figure D2.6 The customer’s location in a site is used to target content to content modules in a page template.

Define content locations in page templates. Organize all content into the file system or into a content database. Manage content from an administration page.

Other Patterns to Consider

Define locations where content is targeted on each PAGE TEMPLATE (D1). These content modules can be articles, CONSISTENT SIDEBARS OF RELATED CONTENT (I6), or EXTERNAL LINKS (K8). Give visitors a hook into related articles by defining HEADLINES AND BLURBS (D3) for each piece of content, and put those headlines and blurbs on related pages. Organize content in a content database, and use it to publish general visitor content, as well as PERSONALIZED CONTENT (D4) if personalization is part of the site. Sites with personalization can also offer visitors DIRECT MANIPULATION (H9) capability to define which content modules they want to see and where the modules should appear on the page.

Close

 

Pattern Resources

PATTERN COMMENTS

POST A COMMENT and/or EXAMPLE WEB SITE

Sign in Form

(required)

(required, but not displayed)

Have a idea for a new pattern group? Join our disscussion on new pattern ideas.