Site Builders are allowed to "customize" pages by changing the layout of a page, and adding different types of widgets in the layout regions, in order to organize and feature content. This layout and widget functionality is available on almost every page of an Open Berkeley site.
Layouts and Widgets on Landing Pages vs. Content Pages
On a Landing page, customizing the page and using layouts and widgets is REQUIRED. On Content pages, customizing the page is OPTIONAL, and the majority of the content is contained within the "Edit" tab of the Content page (in the "Body" field). Customizations to a Content page (i.e., widgets added to the page) should be minimal. For more details, see How do I know when to use a Content page, and when to use a Landing page?.
General Notes about Layouts and Widgets
- Home page: Your home page is a Landing page populated by widgets, so to edit your home page, you will need to follow the steps in this section to change the layout and edit the widgets.
- Responsive behavior on mobile devices and smaller displays: The Open Berkeley theme is responsive, and will "respond" based on how it is being viewed (via desktop, mobile, or tablet devices). The order in which widgets will stack on top of other widgets when on a smaller mobile/tablet display is pre-determined based on which layout is used. See Responsive Behavior of Widgets/Layouts.
- Hero widgets: "Hero" layouts and widgets are only available on Landing pages. See Hero Widget or Color Bands for more information.
- Editor and Contributor roles: Anyone with the role of Editor or Contributor on your site will not be able to change layouts or edit content added via widgets. To allow them to do so, you may assign them the Widget Editor add-on role (see below).
- Widget List: The Site Builder Dashboard includes a Widgets tab that lists many of the widgets that are placed on your site's pages.
The Widget Editor Role
Widget Editor is an add-on role that allows contributors or editors to customize layouts and widgets on any page they can edit. (Contributors can only edit content that they have created. Editors can edit any content.) Widget editors must also be assigned either the Editor or Contributor role. If you assign the Widget Editor role by itself, that user will not be able to edit any content.
To assign the Widget Editor role, follow the instructions for managing users. Remember, do not remove the Contributor or Editor role when you assign the Widget Editor add-on role!
We recommend that Widget Editors attend training in order to learn how to customize pages.
Best practices for using layouts and widgets
- Try not to add too many widgets if you are just getting started with building your site.
- Add some simple Content pages first (with no customizations), add them to your main menu, and then continue to build your site and enhance your content by adding Landing pages, and making minor customizations (e.g., one or two additional widgets) to Content pages as needed.
- When adding widgets to a Content page, the primary content of the page is accessed from the "Edit" button of the page (see Edit Content from the Editors Guide, and Create Content Pages). Any other widgets added to the Content pages will need to be edited and updated from the "Customize this Page" button at the bottom of the screen.