This is the content architecture talk for WordCamp Minneapolis 2013

1. CONTENT
ARCHITECTURE
AKA. PAGES VS. POSTS & CATEGORIES VS. TAGS
WORDCAMP MINNEAPOLIS 2016
#WCMPLSINTRO
Shanta R. Nathwani - @WebWeapons - http://webweapons.com
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2. MAIN IDEA
Posts 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 - @WebWeapons - http://webweapons.com
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3. AGENDA
Introduction
Pages & Posts
Categories & Tags
Live Demo
Q & A’s
Shanta R. Nathwani - @WebWeapons - http://webweapons.com
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4. FIND ME!
Tweet Me:
@ShantaDotCa
Email:
shanta@shanta.ca
My Web Site:
http://shanta.ca
Shanta R. Nathwani - @WebWeapons - http://webweapons.com
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5. 1. WRITE DOWN ON POST IT NOTES ALL THE MAIN TOPICS
THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE ON YOUR WEBSITE.
Shanta R. Nathwani - @WebWeapons - http://webweapons.com
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About Us
Events
ServicesRecipes
Contact
Products
Portfolio
Blog

6. • 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 - @WebWeapons - http://webweapons.com
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POST-IT NOTES

7. AN EXAMPLE
CATEGORIES AND PAGES MENU STRUCTURE
Shanta R. Nathwani - @WebWeapons - http://webweapons.com
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8. FOLLOW ALONG!
We are going to put together our menu based on content we’ve
already got. Follow along at:
http://wcmpls.samuraiwp.com
Shanta R. Nathwani - @WebWeapons - http://webweapons.com
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9. 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 - @WebWeapons - http://webweapons.com
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10. PAGES VS POSTS
PAGES
Static information for the most
part
“About Us” is a great example
Does not use Categories
Can have sub-pages
POSTS
Dynamic information
Time sensitive
Uses Categories & Tags
“Upcoming Events” or “Events
Attended” are good examples
Shanta R. Nathwani - @WebWeapons - http://webweapons.com
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11. 2. FIGURE OUT WHICH ONES WILL BE CATEGORIES AND WHICH
ONES WILL BE PAGES
Pages Categories
Shanta R. Nathwani - @WebWeapons - http://webweapons.com
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About Us Events
Services
Recipes
Contact
Products Portfolio

12. Pages Categories
3. CHANGE THE COLOUR OF EITHER ONE OR THE OTHER SO
THAT YOU CAN TELL THE DIFFERENCE
Shanta R. Nathwani - @WebWeapons - http://webweapons.com
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About Us
Events
Services Recipes
Contact
Products Portfolio

13. CATEGORIES VS. TAGS
CATEGORIES
Major classifications for
information
“Events” is a great example
Can have sub-categories (much
like pages)
TAGS
Describes the content using
keywords
WordPress recommends 5-7 per
post
Shanta R. Nathwani - @WebWeapons - http://webweapons.com
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14. WORDPRESS MENUS
Menus can contain:
Categories (sometimes called “Category Archives”)
Pages
External Links
The 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.
Shanta R. Nathwani - @WebWeapons - http://webweapons.com
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15. 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.
Shanta R. Nathwani - @WebWeapons - http://webweapons.com
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About Us EventsServices Contact
Products
Recipes
Portfolio

16. 5. CREATE YOUR MENU IN WORDPRESS USING PAGES AND
CATEGORIES!
Shanta R. Nathwani - @WebWeapons - http://webweapons.com
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17. GO LIVE!
http://wcmpls.samuraiwp.com/wp-admin (For Me)
http://wcmpls.samuraiwp.com (For You)
Shanta R. Nathwani - @WebWeapons - http://webweapons.com
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18. RESOURCES
How 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)
Shanta R. Nathwani - @WebWeapons - http://webweapons.com
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19. Questions?
Tweet Me:
@ShantaDotCa
Email:
shanta@shanta.ca
My Web Site:
http://shanta.ca
Shanta R. Nathwani - @WebWeapons - http://webweapons.com
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