Content Modules
Content modules allow you to do a variety of things on a single page. While we discourage placing too many content modules on a page, we do want your webpage to be engaging. The first thing you should think about is content: Content is king.
You should choose your content module based on the sustainability of that module. For example, a slideshow may not be useful if you cannot change out the information periodically with updated news that has photography to go along with it.
Need help deciding which content module to choose? Here are some things to consider:
- I just need a place for text!
- Tall Aside Feature Panel (recommended)
- Rotating Aside Feature Panel (if supporting multiple photos with calls-to-action as well)
- Button Panel (if supporting buttons as well)
- Video Block Panel (if supporting a video as well)
If you have tabular content in your message, contact Web Services for placement. Tables may require reorganizing to fit a responsive layout well.
- I have photos to go with my message!
- Tall Aside Feature Panel (recommended)
- Photo Feature Panel (if the photo is as important as the message)
- Rotating Aside Feature Panel (if supporting multiple photos with calls-to-action as well)
- Regular News Panel (if options are needed and allowed to wrap down on the page)
- Rotating News Panel (if options are needed and can't wrap on the page)
- Slideshow (if these are important or timely calls-to-action)
- Testimonials (if there is a short quote from a testimonial)
- Where can I put videos?
You will need to contact Web Services to embed a video into your webpage, making sure you follow all video requirements. Some content modules allow animation and others do not.
- Tall Aside Feature Panel (recommended)
- Photo Feature Panel (if the video is as important as the message)
- Slideshow (if using Vimeo and less than 10 seconds long with no sound)
- Testimonials (if there is a short quote from a testimonial)
- Video Block Panel (if it needs to really stand out)
- I have facts and figures!
- Statistics (recommended)
- Testimonials (if there is a picture with the quoted fact or statement)
- Special News Panel (if these facts are stated in the form of our press releases)
- Special Calendar Panel (if these are deadline-related facts)
Contact Web Services regarding inclusion of infographics. Web Services will adjust all images with text on them to fit in the content modules accessibly. Only photography may be placed in the content modules by Basic Content Editors, per the image dimensions for the content module in the specific template.
- Where do I place my form?
You will need to contact Web Services to embed a form or any other special code on your webpage. These need to be vetted for security, privacy, accessibility, copyright, and web standards. Some are already vetted, such as Wufoo forms and Target X forms. However, these also need to be adjusted before placing in the responsive template.
- Admin Block Panel (admin only module) (recommended)
- Tall Aside Feature Panel (if it helps with the reading flow of the page)
- Rotating Aside Feature Panel (if supporting multiple photos with calls-to-action as well)
- Button Panel (if supporting buttons as well)
- Video Block Panel (if supporting a video as well)
Just be cautious regarding placement outside of requesting Web Services put your code in the Admin Block Panel. You don't want to accidentally edit over the form because you can't see it in Edit.
- I use social media!
Social media accounts will need to be vetted by the Social Media Coordinator. Once that is done, Web Services will add it into your web page depending on the template:
- Right Navigation Template: Social Media Panel appears below the right navigation and above the Expanding Contact Information (if it exists). It does not appear anywhere else on the page.
- Stacked Template: The Special Social Media Panel or Social Media Panel can be used on this page and are typically placed towards the bottom of the page, similar to where they appear on a Right Navigation template when viewed on a mobile device.
Proprietary social media widgets will not be placed on the webpage without approval from Web Services. The only currently vetted solution is Tagboard. Contact Web Services regarding usage.
Getting assistance placing content in modules
While we want you to be able to update your information on your own, there are some elements of responsive design that will need our expertise in the standards and coding to make your website function elegantly and professionally. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Cropping/resizing and embedding graphics or images (i.e. anything not strictly photography)
- Embedding videos
- Embedding tabular data
- Embedding forms (e.g. Wufoo, Target X)
- Embedding code (e.g. widgets, plugins, tracking code)
Some panels have very limited usage, such as the Emergency Panel, and may not be encouraged for various usage. Web Services will contact you if an alternative solution is needed.
Some panels can only be edited by Web Services:
Other modules include feeds, such as the Special Calendar Panel and Special News Panel which you may need assistance on to update, especially if a category or calendar group is missing.
