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Content page best practices

How to plan layouts, assets, boost interactivity and more

Maruša Barle avatar
Written by Maruša Barle
Updated over a week ago

For a more technical overview of Content page capabilities, please see Creating a Content page and the whole Content pages section.


Map out your content

If you’re reading this, you’ve probably created a general wireframe of the Doc. These are further suggestions relating specifically to Content page level:

  • Our Word count guide can help you with word count for various layouts when starting off a blank Doc or using one of our Content page templates.

  • When mapping out your content, page hierarchy is the most important thing to consider. Having a well-structured page will help your reader easily digest your content and also help with engagement. You can use our heading shortcuts to start laying out your content.

  • Visuals are another important element to consider when mapping out your content. Visuals process 60,000X faster than text, so make sure you are including relevant imagery to your copy. With a Freeform grid, you have the flexibility to place these visuals anywhere on the page.

  • Keep your number of Content pages per Chapter to 15-20 to avoid performance issues.

If you’re using Column pages …

  • Place the copy in a Doc first to see how many pages it sits across for a more natural flow instead of finalizing your designs before text is provided. It's far easier to commit to layouts when you have your text to work with - small wording tweaks later down the line shouldn't be an issue.

  • In a column structure run text over multiple Content pages. If it's a squeeze to fit everything on one page, use additional Content pages to give your layouts some breathing space.

  • Use page breaks in Content pages to define natural page splits.

Tip: Try doing all of the above before you start committing to layouts!


Explore column options and different layouts

We recommend:

Try to avoid:

  • Toggling on Turtl's baseline grid to ensure neat alignment and spacing between elements.

  • Using Freeform if you need the freedom to place content anywhere on the page to create unique and engaging designs.

    • Using flexible gaps (Freeform):

      • For structured, yet flexible designs

      • If you’re used to Indesign or Squarespace

      • For text-heavy pages (~75% text)

      • If you need to adjust "column spacing" to control spacing between columns/rows

    • Using precision grid (Freeform):

      • For editorial, image-heavy layouts

      • If you’re used to Canva or PowerPoint

      • For image/design-heavy pages (~75% images)

      • Supports complex layering

    • Adding columns within a text box by right-clicking over the text box and selecting the "Column count" option. You get to select 1-4 columns and enjoy the benefits of columns within the Freeform structure.

  • Using Column layout if you would like text to flow around interactive elements and over several columns/pages.

    • Using column breaks to create large areas of white space. Find inspiration on using white space in this crisp Turtl Doc.

  • "Blocky" layouts where all elements are constrained to a single column. Try spanning elements across multiple columns for an editorial feel.

  • Using the wrong column layout for the job – one and two columns are for basic layouts, whereas three, four, and five allow you to get more creative.


Plain text box

Less clutter leads to a better reading experience, research shows.


Enter the plain text box.

We recommend:

Try to avoid:

  • Using Text boxes to span columns – it’s the only way to set text over multiple columns.

  • Layering text within plain Text Boxes over images, but beware, this requires careful image selection.

  • Using them as spacers – remember that you can always use plain Text Boxes without text and hide them on mobile.

  • Text boxes can also be used as a structural device. Simply remove any text from the Text Box, and use it as a block color fill.

  • Using large, block-color Text Boxes for headings, as will disrupt the natural page flow. Plain Text Boxes are more elegant and less "shouty"

  • Using lots of plain Text Boxes for long passages of text. Try to keep body text free-flowing to avoid issues like text-clipping on desktop or unwanted line breaks on mobile.

See also:


Mobile (pre)view

  • We recommend switching back and forth between mobile and desktop views while editing to make sure both look great.

  • You can check how your Content page will look to your mobile readers by selecting the mobile preview at the top of the editor, or by testing a draft link on an actual mobile device.

  • Also, check out this How to get the most of mobile Q&A on the subject of mobile design best practices.



Plan for widgets and interactive elements

As the engagement research shows, one of the factors behind Turtl's higher engagement rates is its ability to provide a two-way interactive experience, which is why we suggest the below guidelines.

We recommend:

Try to avoid:

  • Using snippets of text to style up as standout quotes, which can then be shared on social channels for better reach.

  • Adding a poll throughout your document to gain interaction.

    Note: See this video where Turtl's CEO, Nick Mason, breaks down how Standard Charter Bank's use of polls in a Turtl Doc increased performance by 167% .

  • Adding an "About us" chapter/section at the end of your public-facing content. It's a great excuse to use interactive maps, videos, charts, and call-to-action buttons.

  • Reproducing content like for like because we're trying to #KillthePDF for a reason! Always look for ways to add extra value.

  • Too much interactivity within a single page e.g. multiple videos could be distracting.

See also:


Layering and pinning

Note:

  • With Freeform pages everything is pinned by default and you can't "unpin" your content, so it is quicker to layer your widgets.

  • With Column pages you can use a mix of layering with freeflow, so unpinned widgets and text will shift automatically onto a new page if there isn't enough room.

  • Freeflow text will also wrap around pinned widgets, you can achieve the same effect in Freeform by applying break text in the widget settings.

We recommend:

Try to avoid:

  • Place widgets on top of images for an editorial, magazine-y feel – think text boxes and polls.

  • Layer images on top of other images to add texture.

  • Use full-bleed images to break out of the grid structure and create a more artful look.

  • Make sure you check how the layout looks on mobile.

  • Obscuring the focal point of an image by layering elements. Try holding the option/alt key and using your cursor to reposition the image.

  • Interrupt the flow of text. Layouts must always be easy to read.


Typesetting

We recommend:

Try to avoid:

  • Heading and subheading styles are set with a consistent style throughout the whole Doc (i.e. a combination of large headings and small headings).

  • Remove lonely words on a single line of text by adjusting letter spacing (hold control+option and adjust with left and right keys).

  • Going overboard with letterspacing as this can warp text at the expense of text readability and accessibility.



Icons

Icons are funny things. Done right, they can truly elevate a Doc. Done wrong, and they can create a bit of a mess.

We recommend:

Try to avoid:

  • Using the same line height or size for icons throughout a Doc.

  • Switching on the baseline grid to check your spacing is consistent.

  • Switching off "Fill frame" in the image settings.

  • Adjusting icon size for mobile by using the mobile tab in image settings

  • Increasing the size of an icon simply to fill the space in a layout. Keep icons small and subtle instead.


Alternative navigation aids

Contents page

Building a manual contents page on the Content page can boost navigation and is especially recommended for longer pieces of content.


Breadcrumbing

This is done within a text box, with the current chapter name in bold and with deep links attached to the remaining chapter names of the Doc.

Tip: Find out about other navigation options we offer out of the box.



Collaboration

Use Turtl’s commenting feature when sending the Doc over to your wider team for feedback and proofreading.



Next step: Content review

Check out our content review guide or watch our 10-minute video.

See also:

Content score article.

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