On your website there are two types of content: sitewide content, such as the homepage or privacy page; and content that is specific to a project, such as events or surveys.
Content can be easily added to a page by using content blocks and content groups.
| Type | Description |
| Content block | Content blocks allow you to add different types of content to your site or project. Content blocks include events, updates, html content, documents, pages, polls, surveys and questions. |
| Content group | With content groups, you can add related groups of content blocks together, and display the group as either an accordion, tab or container. |
Content blocks
Content blocks allow you to create and display unique content types for your site or project.
There are two different kinds of content blocks:
-
Content blocks that generate a unique page such as events, pages, updates, surveys, polls, questions and timelines.
-
Content blocks that add information to an existing page such as html content and documents.
| Content block name | Purpose | Unique page or content block? |
| ​​Pages | Create pages in addition to the main project page to split up information on larger projects | Pages are added under Content > Pages. A unique page is created. A card for that page is automatically added to the main project page. |
| ​Maps​ | Create maps to share geographical information with the public | Maps are added under Content > Maps. Creating a map item does not generate a unique page, a map can only be added to an existing page through clicking Add new block on the edit tab of that page. |
| ​Updates | Provide project updates to notify users of the latest project news | Updates are added under Content > Updates. A unique page is created to display the update, which can be accessed via a tab on the main project page. Cards for the last two updates are automatically displayed on the main project page. |
| ​Events​ | Information on events and meetings related to this project | Events are added under Content > Events. A unique page is created to display the update, which can be accessed via a tab on the main project page. Cards for the last two events are automatically added to the main project page. |
| ​Documents​ | Share one or more documents to provide extra information to a project. File (Document) formats must be: doc, docx, pdf, txt, xls, xlsx, csv |
Documents are added under Content > Documents. Creating a document item does not generate a unique page, a document can only be added to an existing page. Documents are displayed by default on the main project page. |
| ​HTML Content​ | Add HTML content to your project page | A HTML block is added to a project page through clicking Add new block on the edit tab of that page. No individual page is generated for this content type. |
| ​Image gallery​ | Upload some images and create a thumbnail or a carousel image gallery to your project page | An Image gallery block is added to a project through clicking Add new block on the edit tab of that page. No individual page is generated for this content type. |
| ​Regions | Add links to selected region pages to your project page | A region block is added to a project through clicking Add new block on the edit tab of that page. No individual page is generated for this content type. |
| ​Tags​ | Add links to selected tags pages to your project page | A tag block is added to a project through clicking Add new block on the edit tab of that page. No individual page is generated for this content type. |
| ​Idea boards​ | Add links to all the idea boards or a custom selection of the created idea boards for this project | Idea boards are added under Participation > Idea boards. A unique page that includes all participation tools is created: this page can be accessed via the tab Participate on the main project page. |
| Polls​ | Add links to all the polls or a custom selection of the created polls for this project | Polls are added under Participation > Polls. A unique page that includes all participation tools is created: this page can be accessed via the tab Participate on the main project page. |
| ​Surveys​ | Add links to all the surveys or a custom selection of the created surveys for this project | Surveys are added under Participation > Surveys. A unique page that includes all participation tools is created: this page can be accessed via the tab Participate on the main project page. |
Content Blocks for your home page
There are additional content blocks that are only available for pages on the Site content level, not within a project page. They are used for adding a project search bar and project lists to your home page.
| Content block name | Purpose | Unique page or content block only? |
| Projects list | Adds a list of projects. Can be filtered by consultation status. (e.g. only display projects that are open for feedback) | A project list block is added to a Page through clicking Add new block on the edit tab of that page. No individual page is generated for this content type. |
| Project search | Adds a project search block. | A project search block is added to a Page through clicking Add new block on the edit tab of that page. No individual page is generated for this content type. You can configure your project search bar preferences under site settings |
Adding a content block to a page
Content blocks can be added to a sitewide page, a project page or a project subpage.
Note*: to preview how a content block looks when added to a sitewide page, a project page, or a project subpage, the content block needs to be first published.*
The following instructions outline the steps to create a content block on a Projects page, The same logic also applies for content blocks on subpages or sitewide pages:
- Log in to your District Engage website.
- Click Projects in the left-hand menu bar. This will show you all projects you currently have access to.
- Click on a project to open it.
- Click on the Edit tab.
- Scroll down to click Add block.
- Select a block type, and follow the prompts to create the content block.
- Click Add [Block type] to save your changes.
- Drag and drop content blocks to change the display order.
- Click Publish.
Delete a content block from a page
To delete a content block from a specific page:
- Navigate to the page you want to edit, then click Edit.
- Click on the specific content block you want to delete.
- Click Remove. Note: if the content block is associated with a unique page such as Events or Updates, this won’t delete the content from the project, only this page.
- Once you’ve finished, click Save.
Content groups
If you’re adding a lot of content blocks to your project page, you can group them together to make it easier for participants to read and access.
Content group types
Content blocks will be sorted into either accordions, tabs or columns.
When the columns option is chosen, the group's content can be displayed in one of 6 Layout types: 1 column, 2 columns (50/50 split, 65/35 split, a 35/65 split), 3 columns or 4 columns. It is also possible to further customise the way columns appear by selecting a Minimal, Highlight or Full width highlight style from the Layout style menu.
Example of an accordion group
Example of a tab group
Example of a column group with 50/50 split, Minimal style
Example of a column group with 65/35 split, Minimal style
Example of a column group with Single column, Minimal style
Example of a column group with 50/50 split, Highlight style
Example of a 3 columns group with Full width background Layout style
Adding a content group to a page
The following instructions show you how to add a content group to your main project page. The same logic also applies for adding content groups to project subpages or sitewide pages:
- Log in to your District Engage website.
- Click Projects in the left-hand menu bar. This will show you all projects you currently have access to.
- Click on a project to open it.
- Click on the Edit tab.
- Scroll down and click Add Group.
- Give the group a Title. This will be publicly visible on the published website.
- Select a Group type to choose how you want this content to be displayed:
- Accordion will display the group vertically down the page
- Tabs will display horizontally across the page
-
Columns display a group of content blocks in columns. If you choose this option you can also customise the Layout type. Choose from:
- 50/50 split
- 65/35 split
- 35/65 split
- a single column (refer to the screenshots above to see how each layout looks).
- Drag and drop existing content blocks into the group.
- Glick on the grab dots to rearrange the order of content blocks.
- Click Publish.
Deleting a content group from a page
N.B: Deleting a content group will also delete all its content blocks from the page. However if the content block is associated with a unique page such as Events or Updates, this action won’t delete the content from the project, only this page.
To delete a content group from a page:
- Navigate to the page you want to edit, then click Edit.
- Click on the specific content group you want to delete.
- Click Remove.
- Once you’ve finished, click Publish.
Advanced settings for content blocks
For content blocks that can be displayed in grid form such as Documents, Events, Pages, Updates, and Participation tools, the advanced settings allow you to customise how the content is displayed.
- Sort order: Choose the order in which content is displayed (e.g., Newest first, Oldest first).
- Limit number of items: Set the maximum number of items to be displayed within the block.
- Items per row: Define how many items will appear in each row of the grid.
- Display a link to all content: Tick this option to add a link that directs users to view all content beyond the displayed limit.
To enhance the user experience, make sure to adjust these settings based on the volume and type of content you plan to display.