Understanding Block Patterns
Module 6.1 – Mastery: Patterns: Introduction
Table of Contents
What is a Block Pattern?
Patterns refer to pre-designed layouts that allow you to easily create consistent and reusable content on your website. They can include one block or a combination of blocks.
Patterns help streamline your content creation process by providing you with ready-made designs for common page elements such as headers, and various section layouts.
Synced vs. Non-synced Patterns
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, they are quite different from each other.
The biggest difference is that if you make a change to a synced pattern, it changes the pattern on every page or post you’ve used it on.
Synced Pattern
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 might use a synced pattern for:
- A newsletter signup
- Asking users to follow you on social media at the end of blog posts
- Adding calls-to-action at the end of pages or posts (for example – register for a particular event or program)
- Forms – such as feedback or contact, that may appear on a few pages
- Seasonal page elements or announcements
Important – Changing a synced pattern
When you create a synced pattern, any changes that you make to the pattern will cascade throughout your entire site to wherever the pattern is implemented. This is an important distinction to keep in mind as every change may affect several pages across your website.
Non-Synced Pattern
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 needed.
For example, you might use a non-synced pattern for:
Module pages on a training site – on this site, we have a pattern that includes blocks for the intro, Step-by-Step, a training video and video transcript, and Try it Out exercises.
- Program pages
- Services that your department offers
- Research projects
Important – Changing a Non-Synced Pattern
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.
Video Tutorial
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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!
Now that you have learned what a pattern is, time to try it out!
- Review the pages on your site.
- Are there any with similar elements where a pattern might be useful?
- Would you use a synced or non-synced pattern?
- Note your ideas. In the next 2 modules, you will learn how to create and implement block patterns.