Article (Layout Builder)

The Article (Layout Builder) content type is the modern, flexible way to publish news, blog posts, and press releases on your YMCA website. It combines all news-related content into a single content type with drag-and-drop Layout Builder capabilities.

Machine name: article_lb

Designs: Mobile | Desktop

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  <iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" loading="eager" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FBtQmfy9C7Q?autoplay=0&amp;controls=1&amp;end=0&amp;loop=0&amp;mute=0&amp;start=0" style="position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; border:0;" title="YouTube video"></iframe>
</div>

When to Use Article (Layout Builder)

Use Article (LB) for:

• ✅ News articles - Organization announcements, community news, press coverage
• ✅ Blog posts - Staff stories, member spotlights, program highlights
• ✅ Press releases - Official statements, media announcements
• ✅ Timely content - Date-based content that needs publishing workflow
• ✅ Categorized content - Content that needs tags/categories for organization

###Do NOT Use Article (LB) for:

• ❌ Static pages - Use Landing Page (Layout Builder) instead
• ❌ Event listings - Use Event (Layout Builder) for date/time-specific events
• ❌ Program information - Use Program or Program Subcategory content types

Article Types Explained

Article (LB) includes three types to help you organize content:

Blog

Best for: Personal stories, staff perspectives, member journeys, program highlights

Example uses:

• “Meet Our New Aquatics Director”
• “5 Tips for Staying Active This Winter”
• “Member Spotlight: Sarah’s Weight Loss Journey”

Display: Typically shown on /blog page or blog listing views

News

Best for: Organization announcements, community news, updates

Example uses:

• “New Youth Center Opens Next Month”
• “YMCA Breaks Ground on Expansion Project”
• “Summer Camp Registration Now Open”

Display: Typically shown on /news page or news listing views

Press Release

Best for: Official statements, media announcements, formal communications

Example uses:

• “YMCA Announces Partnership with Local Schools”
• “YMCA Responds to Community Needs During Crisis”
• “Annual Report Shows Record Membership Growth”

Display: Typically shown on /press page or press release archives

Pro Tip: The type you select determines where the article appears in Views-based listings. Choose the type that matches how you want to organize your site.

Creating an Article

Step 1: Add New Article

1. Navigate to Admin > Content > Add Content
2. Select Article (Layout Builder)
3. You’ll see the Article creation form

Step 2: Fill in Required Fields

Title (Required)

The headline of your article. This appears at the top of the page and in listing views.

Best practices:

• Keep under 60-70 characters (Google truncates longer titles)
• Front-load important keywords
• Be specific and descriptive
• Use active voice

Examples:

• ✅ “Youth Soccer Program Adds Saturday Classes”
• ✅ “5 Benefits of Family Swim Lessons”
• ❌ “Program Update” (too vague)
• ❌ “The YMCA is excited to announce that we are expanding our youth soccer program with new Saturday classes starting in March” (too long)

Subtitle (Optional)

Additional context or supporting detail for the title.

Best practices:

• Use to add context without cluttering the title
• Keep to 1-2 short sentences
• Appears below title in article header

Example:

• Title: “New Childcare Center Opening”
• Subtitle: “State-of-the-art facility will serve 100 families starting September 1”

Type (Required)

Select Blog, News, or Press Release based on content purpose (see Article Types above).

Header Image (Required for most themes)

Featured image displayed at the top of the article and in listing views.

Best practices:

• Size: 1920x1080px recommended (16:9 aspect ratio)
• File size: Under 500KB (compress with TinyPNG or similar)
• Format: JPG or WebP for photos, PNG for graphics
• Alt text: Always include descriptive alt text for accessibility
• Content: High-quality, relevant image that reflects article topic

Image tips:

• Use real photos of your YMCA when possible (authentic > stock photos)
• Ensure faces are visible and in-focus for people-focused stories
• Avoid text-heavy images (text may not scale on mobile)
• Check image looks good when cropped to square (for some listing views)

Tags (Recommended)

Categories/topics for organizing and filtering articles.

Best practices:

• Number: Choose 1-3 relevant tags per article
• Consistency: Use existing tags when possible (avoid creating duplicates)
• Broad topics: Think categories, not keywords
• User-focused: Use terms your audience would search for

Example tag structure:

• Program areas: Youth Programs, Aquatics, Wellness, Childcare
• Content types: Member Stories, Staff Updates, Community News
• Seasonal: Summer Camp, Holiday Hours, Back to School

Common tag list (3-10 tags recommended):

• Youth Programs
• Aquatics
• Wellness & Fitness
• Childcare
• Community Impact
• Member Stories
• Healthy Living

Avoid: Over-tagging (10+ tags), one-off tags, jargon-heavy tags

Body (Required)

Main article content using the WYSIWYG editor.

Best practices:

• Paragraph length: 2-3 sentences per paragraph (easier to scan)
• Subheadings: Use H2 and H3 headings to break up long content
• Length: 300-800 words for most articles (longer for in-depth content)
• Links: Link to related programs, registration pages, other articles
• Lists: Use bulleted or numbered lists for scannable content
• Bold: Use sparingly to highlight key points

Structure template:

1. Lead paragraph: Hook + key information (who, what, when, where, why)
2. Body paragraphs: Details, quotes, context
3. Call to action: What should readers do next?

Example structure:

[LEAD] The YMCA is launching a new Saturday morning youth soccer program starting March 15. The program will serve ages 5-12 and includes skill development, teamwork, and fun games.

[H2] Program Details

The eight-week program runs every Saturday from 9-10:30am at Miller Park. Sessions are divided by age group...

[H2] How to Register

Registration opens February 1. Visit our Activity Finder or call (555) 123-4567...

Locations (Optional)

Associate the article with specific Branch pages.

When to use:

• Article is specific to one branch location
• You want the article to appear on the Branch page’s “News” section
• Local community stories

Example: Article about “Westside YMCA Pool Renovation” should be tagged with Westside YMCA location.

Published Date (Required)

The date displayed on the article (defaults to today).

Best practices:

• Use actual publication date for news
• Can backdate for archival content
• Determines sorting order in listing views
• Visible to readers on article page

Step 3: Configure Layout (Optional)

After saving, click Layout tab to add Layout Builder sections and blocks.

Common Article layouts:

• Simple: Header image + body text only (default)
• Enhanced: Add Related Articles block at bottom
• Rich media: Embed videos, image galleries, testimonial blocks
• Call to action: Add Cards or Button blocks for program registration

→ See Layout Builder documentation

Step 4: Set SEO & Metadata (Recommended)

If your site has SEO modules enabled (Meta tags, Pathauto):

Meta title: Auto-generated from article title (usually fine) Meta description: 150-160 characters summarizing article URL alias: Auto-generated from title (e.g., /news/youth-soccer-program-adds-saturday-classes)

Pro Tip: Write meta description in your own words - don’t just copy first sentence of article.

Step 5: Preview and Publish

1. Click Save to create draft
2. Click Preview to see how article looks
3. Check mobile responsive display
4. Verify all links work
5. Check Published checkbox
6. Click Save to publish live

Article Workflow Best Practices

Publishing Frequency

Recommended publishing schedule:

• Small YMCAs: 1-2 articles per month minimum
• Medium YMCAs: 2-3 articles per month (weekly is ideal)
• Large YMCAs: 3-4 articles per week for consistent engagement

Why consistency matters:

• Keeps website fresh and updated
• Improves SEO (search engines favor regularly updated sites)
• Engages members and community
• Provides shareable content for social media

Content Planning

Topic clusters approach:

1. Identify 3-5 main topic areas (e.g., Youth Programs, Healthy Living, Community Impact)
2. Create pillar content - Comprehensive overview pages for each topic
3. Write supporting articles - Specific stories that link back to pillar pages

Example cluster:

• Pillar: “Youth Programs at Our YMCA” (Landing Page)
• Articles:
  • “Why Youth Sports Build Character” (Blog)
  • “New After-School Program Launches” (News)
  • “Meet Our Youth Director” (Blog)

Editorial Calendar

Plan ahead with an editorial calendar:

• Schedule articles 2-4 weeks in advance
• Align with program registration dates
• Cover seasonal topics (summer camp, holiday hours)
• Include staff spotlights and member stories
• Balance news vs. blog vs. press releases

Monthly content mix (example):

• 2 news articles (announcements, updates)
• 1-2 blog posts (stories, tips, spotlights)
• 1 seasonal/timely piece
• 0-1 press releases (as needed)

Roles and Permissions

Common workflow:

1. Content Editor - Creates draft articles
2. Communications Manager - Reviews and edits
3. Administrator - Approves and publishes

Drupal permissions:

• Content Editor: Create Article (Layout Builder), Edit own Article
• Communications Manager: Edit any Article (Layout Builder)
• Administrator: Delete any Article, Manage publishing

SEO Best Practices for Articles

Headline Optimization

• Length: 60-70 characters (Google’s display limit)
• Keywords: Include main keyword/topic near the beginning
• Clarity: Readers should know what article is about from headline
• Avoid: Clickbait, vague headlines, excessive punctuation

Meta Description

• Length: 150-160 characters for desktop, 120 for mobile
• Include: Primary keyword and call to action
• Purpose: Convince searchers to click your result
• Avoid: Duplicate descriptions (each article should be unique)

Image Optimization

• Alt text: Describe image content (helpful for screen readers and SEO)
• File names: Use descriptive names (youth-soccer-team.jpg not IMG_1234.jpg)
• Compression: Keep under 500KB without sacrificing quality
• Dimensions: 1920x1080px standard (optimized versions created automatically)

Internal Linking

• Link to related content: Other articles, program pages, registration
• Anchor text: Use descriptive link text (“youth soccer program” not “click here”)
• Quantity: 2-5 internal links per article is good
• Context: Links should add value and make sense in context

Structured Data (Advanced)

If your site has Schema.org structured data enabled, articles automatically include:

• Article headline
• Publication date
• Author information
• Featured image
• Organization details

This helps search engines display rich snippets (enhanced search results with images and metadata).

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Mistake 1: Not Using Tags

Problem: Articles can’t be filtered or organized Solution: Always select 1-3 relevant tags

❌ Mistake 2: Missing Header Images

Problem: Articles look incomplete in listing views Solution: Always upload a header image before publishing

❌ Mistake 3: Walls of Text

Problem: Long paragraphs are hard to read, especially on mobile Solution: Keep paragraphs to 2-3 sentences, use subheadings

❌ Mistake 4: Vague Titles

Problem: “Program Update” doesn’t tell readers what the article is about Solution: Be specific: “Youth Soccer Program Adds Saturday Classes”

❌ Mistake 5: No Call to Action

Problem: Readers don’t know what to do next Solution: End with clear CTA (register, learn more, contact us)

❌ Mistake 6: Ignoring Mobile

Problem: Article looks great on desktop but broken on mobile Solution: Always preview on mobile before publishing

❌ Mistake 7: Publishing Without Review

Problem: Typos, broken links, missing information Solution: Use draft workflow, have second person review before publishing

Use Cases & Examples

Use Case 1: Member Spotlight Blog Post

Title: “Member Spotlight: How Sarah Lost 50 Pounds at the Y” Type: Blog Tags: Member Stories, Wellness & Fitness Header Image: Photo of Sarah (with permission) Body:

• Lead: Sarah’s transformation story
• Middle: Her routine, challenges, support from staff
• End: Call to action to join wellness programs

Layout additions:

• Related Articles block (link to other member stories)
• Cards block (link to wellness programs)

Use Case 2: Program Announcement News Article

Title: “Summer Day Camp Registration Opens March 1” Type: News Tags: Youth Programs, Summer Camp Header Image: Kids at camp from previous summer Body:

• Lead: Key dates and registration information
• Middle: Camp schedule, activities, pricing
• End: How to register

Layout additions:

• Button block (Register Now CTA)
• Accordion block (FAQs about camp)

Use Case 3: Press Release

Title: “YMCA Partners with School District for After-School Programs” Type: Press Release Tags: Community Impact, Youth Programs Header Image: Partnership signing photo Body:

• Lead: Partnership announcement, key details
• Middle: Program benefits, quotes from partners
• End: Contact information for media inquiries

Layout additions:

• Simple layout (press releases typically don’t need extra blocks)

Article vs. Landing Page: Which to Use?

Simple rule: If it’s news or has a date, use Article. If it’s evergreen, use Landing Page.

Quick Reference

Common Tasks

Field Summary

Tag Organization Tips

3-5 Core Categories (Broad):

• Youth Programs
• Aquatics
• Wellness & Fitness
• Childcare
• Community Impact

5-10 Subcategories (Specific):

• Member Stories
• Staff Updates
• Healthy Living Tips
• Program Announcements
• Facility Updates

Avoid:

• Too many tags (10+ creates decision paralysis)
• One-off tags (creates clutter)
• Duplicate tags with slightly different names

Troubleshooting

Header Image Not Displaying

Problem: Uploaded image doesn’t show on article page Solutions:

• Check image file size (should be under 10MB)
• Verify image uploaded successfully (check Media library)
• Clear cache (Admin → Configuration → Performance → Clear all caches)
• Check theme settings (some themes hide header images)

Article Not Appearing in News View

Problem: Published article doesn’t show on /news page Solutions:

• Verify Type is set to “News” (not Blog or Press Release)
• Check Published checkbox is checked
• Verify Published Date is not in future
• Clear cache

Can’t Edit Layout

Problem: Layout tab is missing or disabled Solutions:

• Ensure you have “Use Layout Builder” permission
• Check content type has Layout Builder enabled
• Save article first (must exist before editing layout)

Tags Not Showing

Problem: Tags appear in form but not on article page Solutions:

• Check theme displays tags (some themes hide tags)
• Verify Display settings (Admin → Structure → Content types → Article → Manage display)
• Tags may only display in listing views, not full article page

Related Resources

• Layout Builder Documentation - Customize article layouts
• Block Library - Add components to articles
• Text Editor Guide - Format article body content
• Taxonomy Guide - Manage tags and categories
• Content Types Library - Compare all content types

Need Help?

• YMCA Community Slack - #content-editors channel
• Monthly Community Calls - Ask questions live
• Troubleshooting Guide - Common solutions
• Quick Reference - Fast answers

Happy publishing! Articles are one of the best ways to keep your YMCA website fresh, engage your community, and showcase the great work you do. 📰