Understanding Block Patterns

Advanced Training Module 6: Patterns

Patterns are reusable collections of blocks that help you create content more efficiently and consistently across your website.

Rather than rebuilding the same layout over and over again, you can save a collection of blocks as a pattern and insert it whenever needed. Patterns can consist of a single block or an entire page section containing text, images, buttons, layouts, and more.

Patterns are particularly useful when creating content that follows a consistent structure, appearance, or workflow.

What Is a Pattern?

A pattern is a pre-designed collection of blocks that can be inserted into pages and posts.

For example, a pattern might include:

Heading
Introduction Text
Button

Or a more complex layout such as:

Image
Heading
Paragraph
Call to Action Button

Instead of building these layouts repeatedly, they can be saved and reused throughout your site.

Why Use Patterns?

Patterns help:

Save time
Maintain consistency
Reduce repetitive work
Improve content quality
Standardize layouts across a site

If you find yourself recreating the same section more than once, it may be a good candidate for a pattern.

Types of Patterns

There are two different types of patterns:

Synced Patterns
Non-Synced Patterns

While both allow you to reuse content and layouts, they behave very differently.

Understanding the difference is one of the most important aspects of working with patterns.

Synced Patterns

A synced pattern creates a shared version of content that remains connected wherever it is used.

When the pattern is updated:

✅ Every instance updates automatically.

This makes synced patterns ideal for content that should remain identical across the website.

When to Use Synced Patterns

A synced pattern works best when:

Content should be the same everywhere.
Updates should occur site-wide.
Consistency is important.
The content changes infrequently.

Examples include:

Contact information
Feedback forms
Newsletter signup sections
Standard calls to action
Social media follow sections
Seasonal announcements
Site-wide promotional banners

Important: Editing Synced Patterns

Because synced patterns are connected site-wide:

Any changes made to a synced pattern will automatically appear everywhere that pattern is used.

This is extremely powerful, but it also requires caution.

Before editing a synced pattern, ask yourself:

How many pages use this pattern?
Should the change be applied everywhere?
Could the change have unintended consequences?

Always verify updates after saving.

Non-Synced Patterns

A non-synced pattern acts as a reusable starting point or template.

When inserted:

✅ The blocks become independent.
✅ Changes remain local to that page.
✅ Other instances are unaffected.

This makes non-synced patterns ideal for content structures and layouts that will be customized after insertion.

When to Use Non-Synced Patterns

Non-synced patterns are useful when:

A common structure is needed.
Content will be unique on each page.
Editors need flexibility.
Consistency is important, but content should remain editable.

Examples include:

Landing pages
Program pages
Service pages
Research project pages
News article layouts
Training modules

Important: Editing Non-Synced Patterns

Unlike synced patterns:

Changes made to a non-synced pattern do not automatically update existing pages.

Once a non-synced pattern has been inserted and edited, it becomes independent.

This means:

✅ You can customize content freely.
✅ Other pages remain unaffected.
✅ There is less risk of unintended site-wide changes.

Choosing the Right Pattern Type

A simple rule:

Use a Synced Pattern When:

The content should always be identical.

Examples:

Contact information
Newsletter signup
Department-wide call to action
Legal notices

Use a Non-Synced Pattern When:

The layout should be reused, but the content should change.

Examples:

Program pages
Service pages
News story templates
Event pages
Training modules

Examples

Content	Pattern Type
Contact information	Synced
Newsletter signup	Synced
Department announcement	Synced
Program page structure	Non-Synced
Service page layout	Non-Synced
Training module template	Non-Synced
Research project template	Non-Synced

When deciding between the two, focus on whether the content or the layout is what needs to remain consistent.

Best Practices

Start With Non-Synced Patterns
If you’re unsure which type to use, non-synced patterns are usually safer.

Use Synced Patterns Carefully
Only use synced patterns when content truly needs to remain consistent across the entire website.

Create Patterns for Repeated Work
If you’re rebuilding the same section multiple times, consider creating a pattern.

Name Patterns Clearly
Use descriptive names such as:

Contact Section
Program Landing Page
Homepage CTA
Research Highlight

Think Long-Term
Ask yourself: Will I want to update this content everywhere at once? If yes, a synced pattern may be appropriate.ges or posts where the pattern is used.

Transcript

Hello, today I will be going over how you can better understand block patterns within CuTheme.

First, a block pattern is a pre-designed template that lets you easily create consistent

and reusable content within your site. This can include one block, or a combination of blocks.

Patterns streamline the content creation process, by providing you with ready-to-use designs for common page elements, like headers, information sections, and so much more.

There are two different kinds of patterns: synced and non-synced. They both solve a similar problem: providing users with ways to easily add commonly used blocks.

However, it is important to note that the two are very different.

You should make sure to use the right patterns in the right places. Otherwise, using the wrong type can result in major unintentional changes to your site, which will have to be fixed.

Now, onto the types of patterns.

A synced pattern is useful to lay out content that will be exactly the same everywhere on your site. It likely does not change often and when it does, you want the changes to be sitewide.

For example, you could use a synced pattern for things like a newsletter signup, links to social media sites, and forms.

You should be aware that when you create a synced pattern, any changes that you make to the pattern will cascade throughout your entire site, wherever it is implemented. This is an important distinction to keep in mind as every change may affect several pages across your website.

On the other hand, a non-synced pattern provides a foundational set of blocks that you can use as a starting point (or template) to lay out content and then customize as you need.

Non-synced patterns can be used for things such as module pages on a training site, and research projects.

Changes that you make to a non-synced pattern or to a page that contains a non-synced pattern are localized. They will not affect any other pages or posts where the pattern is used.

Try it Out!

Review the pages on your website.
Identify content that appears repeatedly.
Determine whether the content should be:
- Synced across all pages, or
- Customized on each page.
Make a list of potential pattern ideas.
Decide whether each would be better as a synced or non-synced pattern.