The Content Manager gives creative designers and agencies the ability to create and maintain content whether simply modifying a single paragraph on an email, through to creating a new point-and-click template. Point-and-click style templates can simplify the creative process for those utilizing the template. With a few clicks, customers can add or change images or text, and translate the content within the template without interfering with the integrity of the overall design.

As the Design Administrator, you also have the ability to restrict access to various sections of the template. In these sections, partner access is denied and no modification in these sections can occur. These sections may include those that may affect the design, layout or key messaging of the marketing piece. Conversely, you can provide access to other sections where customization of the creative piece is encouraged and/or does not impact overall messaging and design. For example, uploading channel partner logos for co-branded pieces.

Utilizing our 3rd-party plugin with InDesign, you are able to maintain image properties throughout the template. Doing so allows partners to upload an image of any size or shape and StructuredWeb will then resize and crop it accordingly. Partners do not require HTML skills nor any design software installed on their computer to create a highly professional ‘look and feel’.

To create or edit and existing point-and-click template access the Content Manager.

What will I find in this article?

1.  Create 

If you have access to more than one program, choose the appropriate program in which the template resides or it is to be created. You can switch the program from the Current Program dropdown box, located at the top of the page.

Select Templates at the top of the page. A list of all previously created templates will be listed. To access and modify an existing template, select it by name.

To create a new template select the New Email Template button located at the top of the page. In the fields provided, name the template and provide a description. When complete, click Save at the bottom of the page.

The easiest way to build your own template is to copy the HTML version of your email into the editor. To do so, select the Source button and simply paste the HTML code. Once the HTML code has been added, click the Save button at the bottom of the page. You are then returned to the normal view of the Editor and your email is now saved on our platform.

2.  Text Field

Your email will have multiple elements within it including a header, body text and images. Creating an editable text field allows your customers/partners to modify this specified body of text within your template. This is the most commonly used field when building point-and-click style templates. To permit text editing for your customers/partners, highlight the block of text.  

Choose the + Field button located at the right hand side of the page.

A list of field options will be displayed:

• Text - this option allows you to designate a small area of text up to 55 characters long that can be edited.
   
• Number - this option allows you to designate a small area to edit numbers only. For example, you can allow partners to modify the price for a particular product.
   
• Text Area - this creates a text area that permits modification of a few sentences up to paragraphs. The character limit on a text area field is 16,000 characters.
   
• HTML Editor - this is the largest permission level possible. In addition to editing text, your customers/partners are also given the full capability of the content editor to edit the formatting of the content.
   
• Bulleted List -  this will create a bullet list of points that the user can edit.

From the list of options choose Text or Text Area.  Text fields have a character limit of 55 characters and text area fields have a limit of 16,000 characters. If the content is more than a few words choose the Text Area option. You can make the field required and set the field as editable by the partner. Selecting No prevents the partner from making any content changes to that specified section of the email. When finished, click Save.

The original highlighted text is replaced with the [Field] merge field. The field is also added on the right hand side of the page which you can select if modifications are needed.

When you have completed adding fields, click the Save button at the bottom of the Editor.

3. Links

Editable Links allow you to insert predefined hyperlinks into your template that may or may not be modified by the partner. To begin, enter the exact URL into the Editor and highlight it.

Click the + Field button and choose the Link option.

In the designated fields, provide a name and description. You can make the field Required and set the field as Editable by the partner if need be. Again, choosing No prevents the user from making content changes to the link. When finished, click Save.

This creates the field and places it on the right hand menu. Highlight the assigned merge field and copy it to your clipboard.

Go to your email content and highlight the text or image that you want to be an editable link, then select the Link icon from the editors toolbar.

Enter the copy field merge in the URL field. In the Protocol dropdown, select <other>. When done, click OK.

Click Save at the bottom of the editor to apply the link. You can use this field for multiple links throughout the email. Doing this allows the user to update all links on the email at once, instead of needlessly updating each link individually.

4.  Standard Images

Inserting an image field allows both you and the partner to replace an existing image with a different image. Creating a standard image field does not lock the image dimensions, so inserting a new image may affect the spacing of the tactic. Therefore, to create an image field with locked dimensions, see the support article on Inserting Custom Image Fields. 

To begin, select the existing image in your content and choose the + Field button.

In the designated fields, provide a name and description. You can also make the field Required and set the field as Editable by the user if need be. When finished, click Save. You can make the field required and set the field as editable by the partner. Select No to prevent the partner from changing the image. When finished click Save.

When your template is complete you can modify the content by access the Tactics tab located at the top of the page.

5. Custom Images

Utilizing our 3rd party plugin XMpie for InDesign, you are able to maintain image properties throughout the template. Doing so allows partners to upload an image of any size or shape and StructuredWeb will then resize and crop it accordingly. Partners do not require HTML skills nor any design software installed on their computer to create a highly professional look and feel. From Content Manager select Templates, then the Custom Image option.

Click New Custom Image Template.

In the fields provided give the template a name and description. If you have access to more than one program choose the programs you want to share the template with. When finished click Save.

Create the fields and market assets you will need to map for the template. The fields are the editable areas within the custom image.

To create a field click the + Field on the right side of the page.

Choose the type of field you want to add to the custom image. For example, to have an area for editable text within a header image, choose Text or Text Area.

Give the field a name, select if the user can modify the field and click Save.

After the fields and market assets have been added download the sample file. The sample file allows you to map the fields in StructuredWeb to your inDesign file. Select the CLICK HERE link located at the top of the page. This downloads and saves the file to your computer.

Open your InDesign file.

If the XMpie window is not displayed automatically, go to the top menu in InDesign. Choose Window and click XMpie Ucreate.

Within the XMpie window select the menu icon in the upper right hand corner.

Click link to data source and then browse for the data file that was downloaded from StructuredWeb.

Create a folder on your desktop and name it Assets.

On the XMPie menu, click Set Assets Folder and select the newly created folder. This will prevent unnecessary files from being pulled in to the package.

When exporting, be sure to export as a Campaign Package File (.cpkg).

The field assets will now be visible in the XMPie window. By default, all field assets are loaded as a text value.

For text fields, highlight the text where the content should populate and double-click on the text field asset from the XMPie window that you want to merge.

This will replace your text with default text.

For assets that are image uploads, right click on the field asset name and select Graphic from the Type drop down.

To associate data with a specific area, select the region and double click the field asset within the XMPie window.

When finished associating the data with the region, right click the image area to adjust how the image will be merged. For example, you can adjust to fit the image proportionally or fill frame.

After the necessary fields have been merged with data, Save the file.

Select Export from the drop down menu within XMPie.

In the export dialogue window navigate to your desired file location, name the file accordingly, and then choose Campaign Package File (.cpkg).

Click Save. You are now ready to return to the StructuredWeb template to upload the .cpkg file.

If you are not already viewing your Custom Image template, go to Content Management. Select the Templates and then Custom Images.

Choose the custom image and browse for your CPKG file and click Upload.

Once uploaded you will see a basic preview of the tactic.

To insert the custom image select the the Email tab and choose your email. If you are working with a different tactic type, select that tactic.

Place your cursor where you want to insert the custom image and click the + Field button located at the right hand side of the page.

Select Custom Image.

Create a name for the field and select the Custom Image template from the listed options. Click Save when done.

6.  Edit Tactic

Select the Tactics tab. The email based on your template will be listed as Template Name - Default. If you created an email template it will be listed under the Email tab, within the campaign folder.

To edit the tactic click on the tactic name. This loads the point-and-click editor.

Click on the available serrated boxes throughout the email to gain access to the editable areas. Make the modification and click Save.