\n\n\n\n
Why Consistency Matters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Visitors should be able to move throughout your website without learning a new layout on every page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Consistent design helps visitors:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Find information more easily<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Navigate between related pages<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Understand page organization<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Focus on content rather than layout differences<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Consistency also reduces maintenance and helps ensure branding standards are followed throughout a site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nPage Templates<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Templates control the overall layout and structure of a page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When creating or editing a page, you may be able to choose from several standard templates. Each template is designed for a different content need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Standard Page Templates<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\nPage (Banner & Sidebar)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2705 Banner
\u2705 Sidebar<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nUsed for section pages<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"screenshot](\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/style-guide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/bannerside-1024x705.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\nPage (Banner Without Sidebar)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2705 Banner
\u274c Sidebar<\/p>\n\n\n\nUsed for landing pages<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"screenshot](\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/style-guide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/banner-1024x592.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\nPage (Sidebar Without Banner)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u274c Banner
\u2705 Sidebar<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nUsed for supporting content within a section<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"screenshot](\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/style-guide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/side-1024x423.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\nPage (Without Banner or Sidebar)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u274c Banner
\u274c Sidebar<\/p>\n\n\n\nUsed for simple content pages and special-purpose pages that do not require additional page elements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"screenshot](\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/style-guide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/none-1024x312.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nChoosing the Right Template<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
When selecting a template, consider:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Does this page need section navigation?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Does this page need introductory content at the top?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Will visitors benefit from additional context?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Does the page belong to an existing section of the site?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Choosing the appropriate template helps maintain consistency throughout the website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nTemplate Parts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Template parts are reusable sections that can appear across multiple pages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rather than recreating the same content on every page, template parts help maintain consistency throughout a section of a website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At MTSU, the most commonly used template parts are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Top Banner<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Sidebar<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Because template parts may appear on multiple pages, changes should be made carefully and reviewed before publishing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
Note:<\/strong> Some template parts are managed by the website theme and are not editable by Site Managers. This training focuses on the template parts commonly used when managing page content.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Accessing Template Parts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Template parts can be accessed through the Site Editor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To access editable template parts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Open Appearance \u2192 Design<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Select Patterns<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Choose All Template Parts<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Select the template part you want to edit.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Common template parts include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Top Banner<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Sidebar<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n
Note:<\/strong> Changes made to a template part may affect multiple pages across your website. Review updates carefully before publishing.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Top Banner Template Part<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Many MTSU websites use a Top Banner template part to provide visitors with context and orientation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Top Banner typically includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Page or section title<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Introductory information<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Section-specific messaging<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Best Practices<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2705 Keep messaging brief and focused<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2705 Clearly describe the purpose of the section<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2705 Use consistent language throughout related pages<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2705 Review content periodically for accuracy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\nAvoid<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u274c Writing lengthy introductions<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u274c Repeating information already found elsewhere on the page<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u274c Using inconsistent messaging between related sections<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
The banner should provide helpful context without distracting from the page content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sidebar Template Part<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Many MTSU websites use a Sidebar template part to display supporting information that should remain visible across multiple pages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The sidebar helps visitors:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Contact information<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Office hours<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Important links<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Related resources<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Calls to action<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Department-specific information<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Best Practices<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2705 Keep links consistent across related pages<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2705 Organize links logically<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2705 Review links regularly<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2705 Remove outdated resources<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\nAvoid<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u274c Creating different sidebar structures within the same section<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u274c Including unnecessary links<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u274c Allowing outdated links to remain visible<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
A consistent sidebar creates a more predictable and user-friendly experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nReusable Content<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Reusable content allows the same layout or structure to be used repeatedly throughout a website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Examples include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Call-to-action sections<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Contact information blocks<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Resource lists<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Frequently used page layouts<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Standard content sections<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Reusable content reduces duplication and makes updates easier to manage over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Patterns<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Patterns are predefined collections of blocks that can be inserted into pages and customized as needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Patterns help:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Speed up content creation<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Maintain consistent layouts<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Improve visual consistency<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Reduce formatting issues<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Common Uses<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Contact sections<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Resource grids<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Call-to-action blocks<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Content layouts<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Information cards<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Using patterns can help create a more consistent experience for visitors while reducing the amount of manual formatting required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nChoosing the Right Approach<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Use the following guidelines when deciding how content should be managed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Situation<\/th> Recommended Approach<\/th><\/tr> Building a new page within an existing section<\/td> Use the established template and sidebar<\/td><\/tr> Creating common page layouts<\/td> Use patterns whenever possible<\/td><\/tr> Update the sidebar template part<\/td> Update the sidebar template part<\/td><\/tr> Updating section-wide messaging<\/td> Update the top banner template part<\/td><\/tr> Creating one-time unique content<\/td> Use standard blocks<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nBest Practices for Consistent Content<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\nBenefits of Reusable Content<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2705 Improve consistency across pages<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2705 Reduce maintenance effort<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2705 Simplify future updates<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2705 Support branding standards<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2705 Create a more predictable user experience<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2705 Reduce repetitive content creation<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\nCommon Mistakes to Avoid<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u274c Creating different layouts for similar content<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u274c Rebuilding common sections from scratch<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u274c Using inconsistent navigation between pages<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u274c Duplicating content unnecessarily<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u274c Making one-off layout changes that create inconsistency<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
When possible, reuse existing structures rather than creating new versions of similar content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nSite Manager Checklist<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/i>\n\n\n\nVerify pages are using the appropriate template<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/i>\n\n\n\nReview top banner content for accuracy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/i>\n\n\n\nConfirm sidebar links remain current<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/i>\n\n\n\nUse established patterns when appropriate<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/i>\n\n\n\nMaintain consistency across related pages<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/i>\n\n\n\nRemove duplicate content where possible<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/i>\n\n\n\nReview reusable content for outdated information<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/i>\n\n\n\nFollow established site standards<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nRemember<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Templates provide page structure.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Template parts provide reusable site-wide or section-wide content.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Patterns help create consistent layouts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Reusable content reduces maintenance and duplication.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Consistency improves the visitor experience.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nBefore Moving On<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/i>\n\n\n\nExplain the purpose of templates and template parts<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/i>\n\n\n\nIdentify the standard page templates available on MTSU websites<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/i>\n\n\n\nUnderstand how reusable content supports consistency<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/i>\n\n\n\nRecognize when patterns and reusable layouts should be used<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/i>\n\n\n\nApply best practices for maintaining consistent page structures<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nNext Module: Forms & Data Collection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Learn how to:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Understand the purpose of online forms<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Create and manage Gravity Forms<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Configure form notifications and confirmations<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Apply accessibility best practices to forms<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Review and maintain forms over time<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Select Patterns<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Open Appearance \u2192 Design<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n