A model is a paradigm—a pattern for something else. Builder offers three kinds of models that define content types:
- A Page model: The basis for a full Page built in Builder.
- A Section model: The basis for a part of a Page.
- A Data model: Gives structure to a collection of data that you render as you choose.
You use these models as the defining source for content entries. Like a rubber stamp, the model provides a basic foundation. Each time you use a rubber stamp, the fundamental characteristics are the same but you might use the resulting image differently by varying other factors such as color and surface.
Similarly, with models in Builder you can define what a Page, Section, or collection of Data is and use those models over and over to build your site and populate it with content. And you can create as many models as you like.
The following graphic compares Builder models. Follow the Try it out link to play with a demo of each.
Visual Pages
Use Pages to manage entire pages, such as:
- Marketing and content pages
- Landing pages
Structured Data
Use Structured Data to manage structured data, such as:
- Navigation links
- Product details
- Blog post authors
All models in Builder support:
- A/B Testing: Test different versions of your content.
- Targeting: Deliver specific content to the right people.
- Scheduling: Publish your content at the right time.
- Roles and Permissions in a Space: Admins and Developers can edit models by default, but you can also specify permissions by content model using Custom Roles.
This means that you can granularly grant permissions, test, and precisely deliver content.
When you use models to build your app, you can create exactly the Pages, Sections, and Data specific to your use case. With your integrated app, you can, for example, use your Sections in the Pages you choose as well as reuse Data wherever you need it.
Examples of models include:
- A seasonal announcement banner placed on a page between certain dates.
- Marketing tile targeting a specific persona on certain pages.
- Blog authors whose profiles you want to link to from different parts of your site.
By creating models for each type of content you need, you can ensure consistency while making the process of iterating more efficient. The developer creates and integrates a model and non-developer teammates can use that model to create as many content entries as they need.
The following diagram shows a typical Builder documentation page. The left side navigation is a Section, the body of the document is a Page, and the font colors are stored in a Data content entry.
When deciding which model to use, consider your use case.
- Use a Page model if you're creating Pages that use URLs and you want your teammates to edit them in the Visual Editor.
- Use a Section Model if you're creating parts of a page — with or without a URL — and you want your teammates to edit them in the Visual Editor.
- Use a Data Model if you want to bring your data into Pages or Sections and bind your data.
All models support structured data fields. The table below compares models in Builder to help you decide which to use when:
| Model Type | Purpose | Requires URL | Editable in Drag-and-Drop Visual Editor | Supports Structured Data Fields |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Use to create Pages | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
Use to create Sections | Optional, but most use cases don't need a URL. | Yes | Yes | |
Use to manage data | N/A | While you can use your Data in the Visual Editor, you must edit the data in the Data entry. | Yes |
To get the most out of Builder Models, be sure to integrate and learn about each type of model:
- Page Model: Learn what a Page model is and how to use one.
- Integrating Pages: Integrate Page building with your code base so non-dev team members can create as many pages as they need and developers can focus on code.
- Section Models: Learn about Section use cases and how to use Sections in your app.
- Integrating Sections: Integrate Builder Sections with your codebase so teammates can create and use Sections wherever they need them.
- Data Models: Give shape to data and learn how to query that data.
- Integrating CMS Data: Integrate data to create reusable data across your site.
- Custom Fields: Learn about the wide array of options available for shaping your models.
