5 Step Design Guide for Modular Content

Modular content creation allows you to break down your content into smaller, reusable blocks, making it easier to manage and repurpose across various channels and formats. A modular approach saves time and guarantees your content reaches the right audience at the right time.

Design plan for modular content

To start modular content production, you need to design your content modules. This involves defining the core components of your content that can be mixed and reused without losing their impact or relevance.

Step 1: Define components

With modular content, the first step is to identify and define the different types of components that can be reused across various documents and channels. For instance – text blocks, images, videos, and other multimedia elements that can stand alone or be integrated into larger pieces.

Informational modules: These include detailed product descriptions, instructions, user manuals, and frequently asked questions (FAQs). For example, a module could be a set of FAQ items for a new product where it explains how to use its features.
Multimedia modules: These cover a range of formats, such as how-to videos, animated explainers, photo galleries, and interactive diagrams. For instance, a multimedia module might consist of a step-by-step tutorial video on assembling a piece of furniture accompanied by a gallery of finished product images.
Promotional modules: These are designed to drive actions such as purchases or sign-ups. They might include discount offers, call-to-actions, customer testimonial videos, and product comparison charts.
Contextual modules: Tailor content to specific audience segments or geographic locations. This might involve creating persona-based content that addresses specific customer types, disclaimers, and legal modules.

Step 2: Develop a style guide

You need a style guide for creating consistent content. It tells everyone how to write, format, and present content so it always looks and feels the same. Here’s how to set one up:

Decide on the layout. Think about the fonts, bullet points, headings, and image placements. This keeps your documents looking uniform. It helps readers know what to expect and where to find information.
Choose how your content sounds to its readers. Will it be formal or more casual? This affects how your audience perceives and interacts with your content.
Consistently use your brand's logos and colors. This reinforces your brand identity across all content and makes your material instantly recognizable.
Clearly define how to tag and characterize content. Proper labeling makes your material searchable and organized. It enables the right individuals to get the correct information at the right moment.

A well-crafted style guide simplifies the content creation process. It supports a unified brand voice. It also saves time and prevents confusion. Everyone follows the same rules, so content is always on-brand and up to standard.

Step 3: Store components centrally

Once you define your content components, store them in a central repository. This is usually part of an integrated platform. Platforms like censhare combine Product Information Management (PIM), Digital Asset Management (DAM), and Content Management Systems (CMS). This setup helps keep everything organized in one place. This makes your content easy to find. When you need to update information, you do it once. The change automatically applies wherever you've used these content blocks. This saves time and cuts down on errors.

Managing components this way boosts efficiency. It keeps content accurate across all platforms. It also supports consistency, which is key for branding and user experience. Make sure your system allows easy access and updates. This will streamline your content processes and improve your overall content strategy.

Step 4: Build reusable components

When you create modular content, make each block reusable and context-independent. Components can be fit into various documents without having to be tweaked every time. At the same time, each component must add some specific value wherever it's used.

Reusable components save time and effort. Once you build a component, like a product description or a help guide section, you can use it in multiple places.

Start by identifying digital content pieces that have common use across your projects. For example, user instructions, safety guidelines, disclaimers, branding images, or company bios work well as reusable components. Design these pieces to stand alone. Make sure they're clear and complete without needing additional context.

Step 5: Optimize for multiple devices

Optimize content for different devices and everyone gets a great experience, no matter how they access your content. To accomplish this:

Adapt to all screens: Make sure your content looks good on phones, tablets, and computers. People use all these devices. You want your content to be clear and accessible on each one.
Use responsive design: This is key. Responsive design means your content automatically adjusts to fit the screen it’s on. You don’t need separate versions for each device. One size fits all.
Test on multiple devices: Always check how your content looks on different devices before you go live. This catches problems early and avoids poor user experiences.

If your content doesn’t work well on a phone or a tablet, you could lose a big part of your audience. People might get frustrated and leave. Good optimization keeps them engaged and happy.

How censhare enables effective modular content

censhare combines CMS, DAM, and PIM in one platform. You manage everything in one platform, which is super efficient. It’s a solid choice for any business that wants to keep its modular content sharp and consistent without a lot of fuss.

Learn how censhare can improve your content efforts.

Hearst UK uses modular content to improve efficiency

Hearst UK revamped its approach to publishing across major magazines like Cosmopolitan. They introduced content hubs that allow similar magazines to share and reuse content efficiently. This shift cut editorial costs by at least 5% each year and targeted a content reuse rate of 10-30%. Hearst UK's strategy highlights how traditional publishers can thrive in the digital age by optimizing content reuse.