Content Management Guide¶

This comprehensive guide covers all aspects of content management in Coalition Builder, including using the Django admin interface, managing different content types, and best practices for maintaining your organization's digital presence.

Specialized Guides¶

For detailed instructions on specific content management tasks, see these focused guides:

Campaign Management - Create and manage policy advocacy campaigns
Stakeholder Management - Organize and engage with supporters and partners
Homepage Management - Configure organization branding and homepage content
Theme Management - Customize branding, colors, and visual appearance

Overview¶

Coalition Builder provides a powerful content management system that enables you to:

Manage dynamic homepage content with flexible content blocks
Create and organize policy campaigns with rich content
Handle stakeholder information and engagement data
Control user access and permissions across different content areas
Maintain media assets including images, documents, and resources
Ensure content quality through editorial workflows

Django Admin Interface¶

Accessing the Admin Interface¶

Login Process:
Navigate to http://your-domain.com/admin/
Enter your username and password
Click "Log in" to access the admin dashboard
Admin Dashboard Overview:
Homepage Management: Control site-wide homepage settings
Campaigns: Create and manage policy campaigns
Stakeholders: Manage organizations and individuals
Endorsements: Review and approve campaign endorsements
Content Blocks: Manage homepage content sections
User Management: Control user access and permissions

Main Navigation Sections:

Core: Homepage configuration and content blocks
Campaigns: Campaign and bill management
Stakeholders: Organization and individual management
Endorsements: Endorsement workflow management
Authentication: User and group management
Sites: Site configuration (advanced)

Interface Elements:

Add buttons: Create new content entries
Filter sidebar: Filter content by various criteria
Search bar: Find specific content quickly
Breadcrumb navigation: Track your location in the admin
Action dropdown: Perform bulk operations

Content Types and Management¶

Homepage Content Management¶

Homepage Configuration:

Organization Settings: Name, tagline, contact information
Hero Section: Main banner content and imagery
About Section: Organization description and mission
Call-to-Action: Buttons and links to encourage engagement
Social Media Links: Connect to external social platforms

Content Blocks:

Text Blocks: Rich formatted text content
Image Blocks: Photos, graphics, and visual elements
Mixed Blocks: Combination of text and images
Quote Blocks: Highlighted testimonials or statements
Statistics Blocks: Numerical data and metrics
Custom HTML: Advanced formatting and custom elements

Campaign Content Management¶

Campaign Information:

Basic Details: Title, description, and overview
Rich Content: Detailed campaign information with formatting
Status Management: Control campaign visibility and progression
Resource Attachment: Associate documents, links, and media

Associated Bills:

Bill Details: Number, title, and description
Legislative Status: Track progress through legislative process
Position Tracking: Support, oppose, or monitor stance
External Links: Connect to legislative websites and resources

Stakeholder Content Management¶

Organization Profiles:

Basic Information: Name, type, and contact details
Classification: Categorize by sector, size, and influence
Relationship Tracking: Note partnerships and connections
Communication History: Track interactions and engagement

Individual Profiles:

Personal Information: Name, title, and professional background
Expertise Areas: Policy knowledge and specializations
Contact Preferences: Communication methods and frequency
Engagement History: Track participation in campaigns and events

Endorsement Content Management¶

Endorsement Review:

Verification Status: Confirm email verification completion
Content Review: Assess endorsement statements and information
Approval Workflow: Approve, reject, or request modifications
Public Display: Control which endorsements appear publicly

Rich Text Editing¶

Using the Rich Text Editor¶

Formatting Options:

Basic Formatting: Bold, italic, underline, strikethrough
Lists: Bulleted and numbered lists
Links: Internal and external link creation
Images: Inline image insertion and positioning
Tables: Data tables with formatting options
Code: Code blocks and inline code formatting

Best Practices for Rich Text:

Use headings consistently to create clear content hierarchy
Keep paragraphs concise for better readability
Use lists to break up dense information
Add links strategically to provide additional context
Optimize images before insertion to maintain page speed

HTML and Advanced Formatting¶

When to Use Custom HTML:

Complex layouts that can't be achieved with rich text editor
Integration with external services or widgets
Custom styling for specific design requirements
Advanced interactive elements

HTML Best Practices:

Use semantic HTML elements for accessibility
Avoid inline styles when possible
Test across devices to ensure responsive behavior
Validate HTML to prevent display issues

Media Management¶

Image Management¶

Image Guidelines:

File Formats: JPEG, PNG, WebP for web compatibility
File Sizes: Keep under 2MB for optimal loading speeds
Dimensions: Use appropriate sizes for intended display
Compression: Optimize images without sacrificing quality

Image Organization:

Descriptive Filenames: Use clear, descriptive file names
Alt Text: Always include alt text for accessibility
Copyright Compliance: Ensure proper rights to use images
Consistent Style: Maintain visual consistency across site

Document Management¶

Document Types:

PDFs: Policy documents, fact sheets, reports
Word Documents: Editable templates and drafts
Spreadsheets: Data files and analysis
Presentations: Slide decks and visual materials

Document Best Practices:

Version Control: Use clear version numbering
Descriptive Names: Include date and content description
Regular Updates: Keep documents current and relevant
Access Control: Ensure appropriate viewing permissions

User Management and Permissions¶

User Roles and Permissions¶

Admin Roles:

Superuser: Full access to all admin functions
Staff User: Access to admin interface with specific permissions
Content Editor: Can edit content but not user management
Moderator: Can review and approve endorsements

Permission Levels:

View: Can see content but not edit
Add: Can create new content entries
Change: Can edit existing content
Delete: Can remove content (use carefully)

Managing User Access¶

Adding New Users:

Navigate to "Users" in the Authentication section
Click "Add user" and enter username and password
Set user details including name and email
Assign appropriate groups and permissions
Save the user account

User Groups:

Content Managers: Can edit campaigns, stakeholders, and homepage
Moderators: Can review and approve endorsements
Viewers: Read-only access to admin interface
Custom Groups: Create specific permission sets as needed

Content Workflows¶

Editorial Process¶

Content Creation Workflow:

Draft Creation: Initial content development
Internal Review: Review by team members or supervisors
Revision Process: Incorporate feedback and make improvements
Final Approval: Final sign-off from designated approver
Publication: Make content live on public website
Maintenance: Regular updates and quality checks

Quality Control:

Fact Checking: Verify accuracy of all information
Proofreading: Check for spelling, grammar, and formatting errors
Link Testing: Ensure all links work properly
Mobile Testing: Verify content displays well on mobile devices
Accessibility Review: Ensure content is accessible to all users

Publication Management¶

Content Visibility Control:

Draft Status: Keep content private during development
Publication Toggle: Control when content goes live
Featured Content: Highlight important content on homepage
Archive System: Manage old or outdated content

Scheduling and Planning:

Content Calendar: Plan content publication schedules
Campaign Coordination: Align content with campaign timelines
Event Integration: Coordinate content with events and activities
Regular Maintenance: Schedule periodic content reviews

SEO and Discoverability¶

Search Engine Optimization¶

On-Page SEO:

Page Titles: Descriptive, keyword-rich page titles
Meta Descriptions: Compelling descriptions for search results
Header Structure: Proper use of H1, H2, H3 tags
Internal Linking: Connect related content across the site
Image Alt Text: Descriptive alt text for all images

Accessibility Requirements¶

ADA Compliance

Organizations may be required to ensure their websites comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

Essential Accessibility Practices:

Alt Text: Provide descriptive alt text for all images
Heading Structure: Use proper heading hierarchy (H1, H2, H3)
Color Contrast: Ensure sufficient contrast between text and background colors
Keyboard Navigation: Ensure all functions work with keyboard-only navigation
Screen Reader Compatibility: Test content with screen reading software

Content Guidelines:

Use clear, simple language when possible
Provide captions or transcripts for video content
Ensure links have descriptive text (avoid "click here")
Structure content with proper headings and lists
Test with accessibility checking tools

Legal Considerations: ADA compliance requirements may vary by organization type and size. Consult legal counsel for specific compliance requirements.

Content Optimization:

Keyword Strategy: Use relevant keywords naturally in content
Content Quality: Create valuable, informative content
Regular Updates: Keep content fresh and current
User Experience: Ensure content is easy to read and navigate

Analytics and Performance¶

Content Performance Metrics:

Page Views: Track which content is most popular
Time on Page: Measure user engagement with content
Bounce Rate: Monitor whether users stay to read content
Conversion Rates: Track how content leads to desired actions

Backup and Security¶

Content Backup¶

Regular Backup Procedures:

Database Backups: Regular automated database backups
Media File Backups: Backup uploaded images and documents
Version Control: Maintain history of content changes
Testing Restores: Regularly test backup restoration procedures

Content Recovery:

Accidental Deletion: Procedures for recovering deleted content
Version History: Access to previous versions of content
Rollback Procedures: Steps to revert problematic changes
Emergency Procedures: Rapid response for critical issues

Security Best Practices¶

Access Security:

Strong Passwords: Require complex passwords for all users
Two-Factor Authentication: Enable 2FA where possible
Regular Password Updates: Periodically update passwords
Access Audits: Regularly review user access and permissions

Content Security:

Input Validation: Prevent malicious code injection
File Upload Security: Scan uploaded files for security threats
Regular Updates: Keep system software current with security patches
Activity Monitoring: Track user activity for suspicious behavior

Troubleshooting¶

Common Content Issues¶

Content Display Problems:

Formatting Issues: Check rich text editor output and HTML
Image Problems: Verify image file format and size
Link Errors: Test all internal and external links
Mobile Display: Check content on various screen sizes

Performance Issues:

Slow Loading: Optimize images and reduce content size
Database Issues: Check for content causing database problems
Memory Usage: Monitor system resources during content operations
Cache Problems: Clear cache if content updates aren't visible

Administrative Issues¶

User Access Problems:

Login Issues: Verify username, password, and account status
Permission Problems: Check user groups and individual permissions
Content Access: Ensure users have appropriate content permissions
System Errors: Check error logs for technical issues

Data Integrity Issues:

Content Corruption: Check for damaged or incomplete content
Relationship Problems: Verify links between related content items
Duplicate Content: Identify and resolve duplicate entries
Missing Content: Investigate and recover missing content

Advanced Features¶

Integration Capabilities¶

External System Integration:

Email Marketing: Connect with email marketing platforms
Social Media: Integrate with social media management tools
Analytics: Connect with web analytics services
CRM Systems: Integrate with customer relationship management tools

Customization Options¶

Template Customization:

Custom Content Types: Create specialized content types
Field Customization: Add custom fields to existing content types
Workflow Customization: Modify editorial and approval workflows
Interface Customization: Customize admin interface for organization needs

Automation Features¶

Automated Content Management:

Scheduled Publishing: Automatically publish content at specified times
Content Archiving: Automatically archive old content
Notification Systems: Alert users to content requiring attention
Backup Automation: Automated backup procedures and monitoring

Best Practices Summary¶

Content Strategy¶

Effective Content Management:

Plan Ahead: Develop content calendars and strategic plans
Stay Consistent: Maintain consistent voice, style, and quality
Monitor Performance: Regularly review content effectiveness
User Focus: Always consider the end user experience
Continuous Improvement: Regularly refine processes and procedures

Team Collaboration¶

Collaborative Content Management:

Clear Roles: Define clear responsibilities for team members
Communication: Maintain open communication about content needs
Training: Provide adequate training for all content contributors
Documentation: Document processes and procedures clearly
Regular Reviews: Conduct periodic reviews of content and processes

This comprehensive guide covers all major aspects of content management in Coalition Builder. For specific technical questions or advanced customization needs, consult your system administrator or development team.