- CT - Accordion
- CT - Button Panel
- CT - Code Only
- CT - Content Block (Image and Text)
- CT - Content Block with Background
- CT - Embed External Feed
- CT - Embed Video
- CT - Embed Video with Text
- CT - Event Carousel
- CT - Event Listing
- CT - File Upload
- CT - Four Image and Text Cards
- CT - General Content
- CT - Image and Text Reveal
- CT - Image Carousel
- CT - Image Gallery
- CT - Landing Page Banner
- CT - Link Block
- CT - News Carousel
- CT - News Story
- CT - Page Contents
- CT - Panel Block
- CT - Quote Block
- CT - Quote Block (Bracket/Text)
- CT - Single Image
- CT - Tabs
- CT - Three Image and Text Cards
- CT - Two Columns (Text)
- CT - Two Image and Text Cards
CT - Content Block with Background

CONTENT TYPES IN THE CMS
Find out more about how content types should be used to create content
Before creating a web page, it is important to consider the content that it will display and the best content types that should be used to create a simple and clear layout. Our content type guidance and examples will help you with this.
Content Type GuidanceContent Type Information
Specific Guidance
The CT - Content Block with Background content type is versatile and can be used to accommodate different content requirements. For example, it can be used as directional content to highlight information that you want users to be aware of and easily access from key pages on your website. By default, the text is aligned to the left and the image is aligned to the right. The default background colour is red. You can choose a different background colour from the options provided and choose to align the image to the left.
General Guidance
- Organise Content Blocks: Avoid condensing all information into a single content block. If your content includes multiple data types, structure it into separate blocks for easier maintenance and future edits.
- Use Headings Properly: Headings should be used to group content and establish hierarchy, not for styling. Proper heading usage improves both accessibility and readability.
- Internal and External Links: When linking within your website, use Section Links and Content Links, as the Web CMS automatically updates these if content is reorganised. For external links, always use the full URL of the destination website or resource.
- Third-Party Content and Custom Code: Do not embed unapproved third-party content or add custom code without consulting our team via the IT Service Desk.
Visit our section How to Write for the Web for some guidance on creating and maintaining content on your website.
Images and Documents
All assets for use on our website must be properly prepared before they are added to the Media Library.
- Copyright Compliance: Ensure all assets are sourced responsibly. If using third-party assets, obtain the necessary permissions before uploading to avoid copyright infringements.
- Accessibility: Documents must be fully accessible before being added to the Media Library for website use.
- Optimising Assets: Images must match the required dimensions (Width x Height) for use with Content Types. These requirements are provided in field descriptions and form guidance. Document file size must be optimised for upload to the Media Library and for use on the web. The maximum file size for upload to the Media Library is 5MB (megabytes).
- Filename Convention: Users must ensure that assets are named correctly before they are uploaded to the Media Library. Assets must only contain lowercase letters (a to z), numerals 0-9) and hyphens (-). Avoid spaces, special characters, or uppercase letters.
Visit our Media Library information section for more guidance and resources.
Accessibility Guidance
Please use the following guidance to help make sure your content adheres to accessibility regulations:
- Do not create images with embedded text.
- Do not add image Alt Text / Description to your image if it is decorative.
- Do not use generic link text such as 'Click Here' and 'Read More'.
- Do not add HTML elements such as
span
,div
,h1
or CSS to any of the fields to change the structure or styling of the Content Type. It will be removed by our team. - Ensure that you have added a descriptive
title
attribute to any third party embeds on your website such as video embeds for Panopto and YouTube.
Visit our Accessible Content Guidance for more information on how to make sure your website content is accessible.
Form Field Guidance
Name: CT - Content Block with Background
Description: One column includes options for a heading, lead text, subtext, and a link, while the other requires an image. Offers flexible background color and column order options.
Field Name | Field Description | Size | Type | Required |
---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Enter a descriptive and easily identifiable name for your content block, such as "Study and Career Block 1." | 80 Characters | plain text | Yes |
Choose an Image | Click 'Select media' to choose an image from the Media Library or upload a new one. The required image size for this content type is 800 x 533 pixels (width x height). | 2048 Kilobytes | Media | Yes |
Heading | Add a short, descriptive heading to provide context for the content (limit: 39 characters). Do not add HTML code, as it may break the layout and affect accessibility. | 39 Characters | plain text | Yes |
Introduction | Add a lead paragraph with slightly larger text for emphasis (limit: 80 characters). Do not add HTML code, as it may break the layout and affect accessibility. | 80 Characters | plain text | Yes |
Main Text | Provide a brief overview of the content or topic, ensuring that it is descriptive and concise (limit: 500 characters). Do not add HTML code, as it may break the layout and affect accessibility. | 1500 Characters | plain text | No |
Add an Internal Link or External Link | Select an option below to add an internal or external link to a Call To Action (CTA) button, then complete the associated fields. Choose 'None' if you do not want to add a link. | 2048 Characters | Radio Button | No |
Internal Link for CTA Button | Add a link to another section or piece of content on your website within Terminalfour. Uncheck the 'Use default link text' box to enter custom link text. | 2048 Characters | Section/Content Link | No |
External Link URL for CTA Button | Enter the full URL, including the protocol (e.g., https://www.qub.ac.uk), when linking to an external website. | 500 Characters | plain text | No |
External Link Text for CTA Button | Enter the text you want to display as the link. Avoid using generic text like 'Click Here' or 'Read More.' | 100 Characters | plain text | No |
Background Colour of Content Block | Choose a background color for this content block. The default is white. | 2048 Characters | Select Box | No |
Image Placement | Select an option below to position the image in either the left or right column. | 2048 Characters | Radio Button | No |
Margin Bottom | Increase the default whitespace between this content block and the one below by adding a larger margin. Maintain consistent margins between content blocks whenever possible. | 80 Characters | Select Box | No |