Case Study: Migrating from Dynamic Leads with Slides to Using Zoninator in WordPress
Objective
To guide editors in seamlessly transitioning from the old system of creating Dynamic Leads with slides to utilizing the Zoninator plugin for a more efficient and streamlined process.
Context
Editors are accustomed to the traditional method of managing Dynamic Leads with slides on the backend of WordPress. The introduction of Zoninator aims to simplify this process while retaining all the familiar features.
Process Overview
Environment Setup: Editors must keep two browser tabs open – one for the backend of their current Dynamic Lead and the other for the Zoninator interface.
Creating a New Zone in Zoninator:
- Title the zone with a clear, lasting name like ‘Dynamic Lead on the Homepage’.
- This zone will replicate the content and order of the old Dynamic Lead slides.
Rebuilding Slides in Zoninator:
- Use the Zoninator’s search function to find and add posts.
- Ensure the order of posts matches the original slides.
Implementing the New Zone on the Site:
- Navigate to domain.com/home and access the Gutenberg backend.
- Locate the Dynamic Lead Gutenberg block.
- Update the block to use the newly created Zoninator zone.
Features and Capabilities
- Scheduling Posts: Ability to set timings for when each post appears (sunrises) and disappears (sunsets).
- Custom Post Inserts: Facilitates creating custom posts with tailored images, titles, URLs, excerpts, categories, authors, and publish dates.]
- Recommended Use: Ideal for promotional content such as contests, events, and sponsorships, mimicking the functionality of the old system.
Key Advantages
- Efficiency: Streamlines the process of creating and managing Dynamic Leads.
- Consistency: Maintains familiar features, ensuring a smooth transition.
- Flexibility: Offers enhanced control over post scheduling and custom content creation.
Conclusion
The migration to Zoninator represents a significant step forward in managing dynamic content on WordPress sites. By following these guidelines, editors can effectively replicate and enhance their current Dynamic Leads, ensuring a consistent user experience while benefiting from the improved functionality and efficiency of Zoninator.
Recommendations for Editors
- Familiarize with Zoninator: Spend time understanding the new interface and features.
- Test and Iterate: Initially, create a test zone to experiment with the features before going live.
- Seek Feedback: After implementation, gather user and team feedback to identify any areas for improvement.
This case study provides a comprehensive guide for editors adapting to the new Zoninator system, emphasizing ease of use and continuity with existing processes.
