Chapter II: Creating and Managing Pages

The page structure, or 'page tree', is the skeleton of your website. A logical and well-organised structure is not only essential for clear navigation for your visitors, but also crucial for good search engine visibility (SEO).

  1. Managing the Page Tree: Creating Structure Managing pages in the page tree is intuitive. You can create new pages by right-clicking on an existing page and choosing the desired action. Pages can be easily moved by drag-and-drop to a new position. Copying, pasting and deleting pages are also basic actions. Deleted pages end up in a recycle bin, from which they can be restored if necessary.
  2. Tip: Creating several pages simultaneously Via the contextual menu (right-click), you can also find the option to create multiple pages simultaneously, which saves time when setting up a larger site structure.
  3. Analysis of Page Types: The Right Tool for Every Task When creating a page, it is crucial to choose the right page type, as each type has a specific function:
  4. Standard Page : The most commonly used type, intended for a normal web page with content.
  5. Folder (SysFolder). : A special container that serves as a storage location for database records, such as news items, categories or frontend users. A Folder itself is not visible in the frontend navigation. By storing records such as news items in a separate Folder, you keep your page tree clean and uncluttered. Pages in the tree are for navigation; Folders are for structured data storage.
  6. Shortcut : Creates a menu item that links directly to another, existing page within your website.
  7. Link to External URL : Creates a menu item that links to an external website.
  8. Menu Separator : Adds a visual divider in the menu, without being a clickable page.
  9. Page Properties in Detail: Optimisation and Control Each page has a comprehensive set of properties that you can manage. These are divided into several tabs:
    • Basic Information: Here you define the Page Title (as it appears in the menu and page tree), select the Page Type and manage Visibility (hide/display page in menus and the frontend).
    • Time control: Publish Date (Start) and Expiry Date (Stop) allow you to schedule pages to automatically come online or go offline at a specific time.
    • SEO/Metadata: This is a crucial tab for search engine optimisation. Here you enter the Meta Title (the title that appears in the browser tab and search results) and the Meta Description (the short description in search results). Keywords can also be added here.
    • Social Media: Optimise how your page is displayed when shared on social media. You can set specific images, titles and descriptions for Facebook/Twitter Cards.
    • Backend Layout: This defines the visual framework of the page in the backend, usually in the form of columns (e.g. a main column and a right-hand column). This helps you place content in a structured way. Choosing the right Backend Layout is a strategic choice that determines how to present your content. For example, a layout with a wide main and narrow side column lends itself perfectly to a blog article with related links, while a layout with three equal columns is ideal for displaying product features.
  10. Working with the LIST module: efficient management The LIST module provides a list view of all pages and content elements. This is particularly useful for performing bulk operations. Imagine you want to temporarily hide ten subpages under 'Services'. Instead of opening the properties of each page individually, you can select all ten pages in the LIST module and hide them with a single click. This is the power of bulk editing.
  11. Practice Assignment 2 (P2): Setting up the Website Structure

Now that the structure is in place, it is time to fill it with actual content.

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