Content Architecture - WordPress Rochester Meetup - November 2016

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CONTENT ARCHITECTURE

aka. Pages vs. Posts & Categories vs. Tags

Shanta R. Nathwani - @ShantaDotCa - http://shanta.ca

Shanta R. Nathwani - @ShantaDotCa - http://shanta.ca

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Main IdeaPosts vs. Pages & Categories vs. Tags. There is so much confusion about what types of things should be put on a page and what should be in a post. Static vs. Dynamic content is the best way to tackle this. When creating a website, you can edit a menu to include not only pages, but also category archives that can create a more complete experience.

Shanta R. Nathwani - @ShantaDotCa - http://shanta.ca

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AgendaIntroductionPages & PostsCategories & TagsLive DemoQ & A’s

Shanta R. Nathwani - @ShantaDotCa - http://shanta.ca

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Find Me!Tweet Me:

@ShantaDotCa

Email:shanta@shanta.ca

My Web Site:http://shanta.ca

Shanta R. Nathwani - @ShantaDotCa - http://shanta.ca

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1. Write down on post it notes all the main topics that you would like to see on your website.

About Us Events

ServicesRecipes

Contact Products

PortfolioBlog

6Shanta R. Nathwani - @ShantaDotCa - http://shanta.ca

Post-It Notes

• Used to put down all the pieces of information that you want to put on your website• Later on, you may want to colour code them into

categories and pages• During the presentation today, start filling in those

post-its with your ideas of what you want on the site. You may not finish it today, but it will give you a start.

Shanta R. Nathwani - @ShantaDotCa - http://shanta.ca

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An ExampleCATEGORIES AND PAGES MENU STRUCTURE

Shanta R. Nathwani - @ShantaDotCa - http://shanta.ca

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Follow Along!We are going to put together our menu based on content

we’ve already got. Follow along at:http://tantienhime.com

Shanta R. Nathwani - @ShantaDotCa - http://shanta.ca

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3-5-7 Principle• 3 Clicks to

where you need to be.

• Few (very few) exceptions

• No more than 5-7 items in a list.

• This includes menus and lists

Shanta R. Nathwani - @ShantaDotCa - http://shanta.ca

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Pages vs PostsPAGESStatic information for the most part“About Us” is a great exampleDoes not use CategoriesCan have sub-pages

POSTSDynamic informationTime sensitive Uses Categories & Tags“Upcoming Events” or “Events Attended” are good examples

Shanta R. Nathwani - @ShantaDotCa - http://shanta.ca

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2. Figure out which ones will be Categories and which ones will be Pages

PA G E S C AT E G O R I E S

About Us Events

Services Recipes

Contact

Products Portfolio

Shanta R. Nathwani - @ShantaDotCa - http://shanta.ca

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PA G E S C AT E G O R I E S

3. Change the colour of either one or the other so that you can tell the difference

About Us Events

Services Recipes

Contact

Products Portfolio

Shanta R. Nathwani - @ShantaDotCa - http://shanta.ca

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Categories vs. TagsCATEGORIES

Major classifications for information“Events” is a great example Can have sub-categories (much like pages)

TAGS

Describes the content using keywordsWordPress recommends 5-7 per post

Shanta R. Nathwani - @ShantaDotCa - http://shanta.ca

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WordPress MenusMenus can contain:Categories (sometimes called “Category Archives”)PagesExternal LinksThe number of menus that are supported depend on the theme you choose, so do that first!Since 3.6, you can now choose what menu goes where (main, sidebars). Again, dependant on the theme.

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4. Keeping the 3-5-7 Rule, start to structure your menus according to the topic, not whether or not

your content is a post or a page.

About Us

EventsServices Contact Products

Recipes

Portfolio

Shanta R. Nathwani - @ShantaDotCa - http://shanta.ca

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5. Create your menu in WordPress using pages and categories!

Shanta R. Nathwani - @ShantaDotCa - http://shanta.ca

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Go Live!http://tantienhime.com/wp-admin (For Me)http://tantienhime.com (For You)

Shanta R. Nathwani - @ShantaDotCa - http://shanta.ca

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ResourcesHow to create your menu: https://learn.wordpress.com/get-published-30/#lecustommenu (Created for .com, but still applicable)Information Architecture: Blueprints for the Web: http://www.amazon.com/Information-Architecture-Blueprints-Christina-Wodtke/dp/0735712506 (until last year, used by our course)Don’t Make Me Think: http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Make-Think-Revisited-Usability/dp/0321965515 (one of the books that replaced IA)Evil By Design: http://evilbydesign.info/book/ (the other new book)WordPress.tv: http://shanta.ca/posts-vs-pages-and-categories-vs-tags-video-at-wordcamp-montreal-2015/ (my earlier talk, including creating the menu)

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Questions?

Tweet Me:@ShantaDotCa

Email:shanta@shanta.ca

My Web Site:http://shanta.ca