Home Page Search Block with Popular Topics

Service Request Required
Home Page search block from NC.gov with 6 buttons for Popular Topics

Your Home page includes more options than a standard Landing Page. Web Managers can ask Digital Services to add the Home Page Search Block to a website. After the block is enabled, you can add button links to Popular Topics.

Audience

Web Managers and Administrators

How to add the Home Page Search Block with Popular Topics

  • 1

    Main Image

    There must be a Main Image on the Landing Page; the Home Page Search Block will not work without a Main Image at the top of the Home page. A Carousel component cannot be substituted for a Main Image in this case. 

    Add a Main image to a Landing Page

    If your Home page does not already have a Main Image, you must add one:

    1. Select the Add Media button.
    2. The Media Library opens. Search for and select the desired image, or upload a new image to the library. Add alternative text when you upload a new image. 

    Note: The Main Image will look slightly taller after the Home Page Search Block is enabled. Get Image Size Guidance.

  • 2

    Submit a Service Request

    Note: Only the Web Manager should submit a Support Request.

    1. Create a new Digital Commons Website Support Request
    2. For Type of Request, select Website Design Help
    3. Provide the URL for your homepage.
    4. In the details, state that you would like to enable the Home Page Search Block with Popular Topics.
    5. Submit the request.

    Wait for a Digital Services Administrator handle your request (Step 3), then go to Step 4.

  • 3

    Digital Services

    Digital Services receives and handles the request, closing the ticket when work is complete. 

    Accordion
    Tab/Accordion Items

    Admin user interface showing a cursor prepared to check the Homepage Search Block
    Appearance > Settings > 2021 NC Theme > Layout > Container > Checkbox > Save Configuration

    To add the Home Page Search Block to the customer's website:

    1. Login to the customer's website.
    2. Go to /admin/appearance/settings
    3. Select the tab for 2021 NC Theme.
    4. Under Bootstrap Settings, expand Layout.
    5. Expand Container.
    6. Select the checkbox beside Home Page Search Block.
    7. Select the Save Configuration button to save all changes.

    Visit the Home Page and confirm the changes appear as desired. Refresh the browser, if needed. Inform the customer that the request is complete and close the ticket. 

  • 4

    Add Popular Topics

    What are People Searching to Find?

    Before adding Popular Topics, try to understand what people are looking for on your website. Your Looker Studio Analytics Dashboard is readily available and easy to use. Explore the dashboard, change the date ranges, and look at the keywords people use on your website's search and in search engines to find your content. Rather than guessing at what people need, use data to develop a strategy with our many tools and services.

    How to Add Popular Topics

    Once you know what people are looking for, it is easy to add links to Popular Topics. The URLs and Link Text you provide are automatically styled as buttons.

    • Select the Edit on the Home page and scroll to the bottom.
    • Expand Home Page Popular Topics.
    • URL - Enter an address for the link. Options:
      • Internal Links- For links to pages on your website, you can:
        • search for the page title to find and select it.
        • enter an internal path (such as /news/press-releases).
      • External Links- For links to pages on a different website, paste the full URL (Example: http://digitalcommons.nc.gov)
    • Link Text - Enter the text to display on the button.
    • Repeat as necessary to add more buttons to the Popular Topics. We recommend a maximum of eight.
    • Save the Home page.
  • 5

    Suggest Promoted Pages in the Search Field

    The Basic Training Agenda has been promoted to the front page and appears as a suggestion when the user enters the keyword training.
    A Site Page titled Basic Training Agenda has been promoted to the front page. When a visitor searches for training in the Home Page Search Box, this page is suggested.

    When a visitor starts to enter a keyword in the How do I... search field on your Home Page Search Box, you can suggest pages to autofill and help them find what they need. Instead of the Home page, this is completed by going to the destination page and promoting it to the front page. 

    1. Go to the target page, and select the Edit tab.
    2. In the right panel, expand Promotion Options.
    3. Select the checkbox for Promoted to Front Page.
    4. Save the page.

    After promoting a page, it will appear as an autofill suggestion when the visitor enters a keyword from the page title. 

  • 6

    How to Remove the Home Page Search Block

    Note: Only the Web Manager should submit a Support Request.

    1. Create a new Digital Commons Website Support Request
    2. For Type of Request, select Website Design Help
    3. Provide the URL for your homepage.
    4. In the details, state that you would like to remove the Home Page Search Block with Popular Topics.
    5. Submit the request.

    The block disappears as soon as the Digital Services Administrator disables the The Home Page Search Block.