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Overlay Panel Guide

 

Overlay Panels are available on certain channels.

 

The panels are multi-purpose, and can be used for key notices, getting across promotions and messaging.

 

You can also use them to highlight new features, subscriptions and donations. 

 

This guide will show you how to set up the overlay panels on your site.


Overview

It is possible to run one Overlay Panel per Channel at any time. 

 

These panels can slide in from the top or bottom, either instantly or after a delay, and then slide out if desired. It is also possible to have a panel which takes over the screen and has to be clicked to be removed.

 

As well as the positioning, transitions and delays, there are two main types of panel:

 

1.- Content

 

Use the settings for a rapidly deployable overlay with calls to action and action buttons (e.g. a Guardian style) overlay at the bottom of the page which is there to promote subscriptions and support. 

 

These panels can be displayed once to each browser, or once per session for the user.

 

2.- Design Object

 

It is also possible to select a Design Object (of type cell) which can contain an ad, video, infographic, or indeed a vast variety of content and layouts. 

 

You can add the option to only display the overlay if the user has hit the metering limit.

 


Non-compatible channels

Overlay panels are restricted from running on the following channel types to prevent any usability issues:

  • Login
  • Virtual
  • Checkout
  • Campaign
  • Client Campaign
  • Registration

 


Overlay Panels Listing

Overlay Panels Listing

 

Control > Promote > Overlay Panels

 

The Overlay Panels listing screen shows you the panels that have been created, together with the Type, Start and End date, Live status, Creation date and Creator.

 

 

You can also copy or delete a panel from the Action options.

 


Overlay Panel detail page

The detail page is where you set up your overlay panel and configure its options.

 

 

Main:

 

Name: Enter the Name for this Overlay Panel.

 

Description: Enter an internal description just for the team shown on the control side.

 

Type: Content or Design Object

Select the desired content to show on the overlay panel.

If you choose "Content", you may add a call-to-action text and button below.

If you opt for "Design Object", select the corresponding design object from the option below.

 

Channels: Select the Channels where you would want to show this overlay panel.

 

Position: Top / Base / Modal

Select the position of the overlay panel.

 

Transition: Select the transition for the overlay panel

  • No Transition
  • Slide up from bottom
  • Slide in from left
  • Slide in from right
  • Slide down from top

Trigger When Metered Page Views Is At Zero: Select whether to show the overlay panel when the user's Metered Page Views count reaches zero, indicating that they have consumed all their free page views.

 

Display Frequency: Once Per Session or Once Per User

Select the display frequency for the overlay panel.

Once per session means that it will show every time the login session starts.

Once per user means that it will show once for each user.

 

Note: the overlay cannot be constantly/repetitively shown, it is only displayed once per session or once per user

 

Show Overlay Panel Delay:

Enter the duration, in seconds, of the delay before the overlay panel becomes visible after the page has finished loading.

 

Auto Hide Overlay Panel:

Enter the duration, in seconds, when the overlay panel disappears from the screen after it's displayed.

 

Hide Overlay Panel If Cookie Bar/Modal Is Present:

Select if you want to hide the overlay panel when the cookie bar or modal is present on the screen.

 

Overlay Panel Start/End date:

Select the date and time you want to start and stop showing the overlay panel.

 

Security Clearance:

Select the Security Right that a user must have to view the overlay panel.

 

Live: Make the overlay panel live.

 

Design Object Type

 

Select the desired Design Object to show on the overlay panel.

 

This option gives you the flexibility to be more creative and use design elements.

 

Note: If the type selected is a design object, then the required fields from the content type panel are not required.

 

Content Type

 

Design Style:

Select the Design Style to apply to the overlay panel.

 

Main Text:    

Enter the text to show on the overlay panel.

 

Main Text - Mobile:    

Enter the text to show on the overlay panel when viewed on a mobile. This will override the Main Text entered above.

 

Call To Action - Text:

Enter the text that will go along the call to action button.

 

Call To Action - Button Text:

Enter the button text.

 

Call To Action - Button Link:

Enter the button link.

 

Call To Action (Position: Desktop) Left or Right

Select the position of the call to action area against the main text on the overlay panel when viewing on a desktop.

 

Call To Action (Position: Mobile) Top or Bottom

Select the position of the call to action area against the main text on the overlay panel when viewing on a mobile.    

 

Content Max Width:

Enter the maximum width, in pixels, for the content on the overlay panel.

Note: there is no need to include px

 


Associate an overlay panel to a Channel

Control > Structure > Channels

 

You can associate an overlay panel from the channel control screen.

 

 

Note: this is a two-way selection.

 

You can either choose the channels from the overlay panel configuration screen or select the overlay panels from the channel. 

 

You can only show one Overlay Panel at a time. You can select multiples but they need to be scheduled by using the Overlay Panel start and end options.

 


Examples

1.-

  • Type: Content
  • Position: Base
  • Transition: Slide up from bottom
  • Trigger When Metered Page Views Is At Zero: No
  • Display Frequency: Once Per Session

 

 

2.-

  • Type: Content
  • Position: Top
  • Transition: Slide up from bottom
  • Trigger When Metered Page Views Is At Zero: Yes
  • Display Frequency: Once Per Session

 

 

3.-

  • Type: Design Object
  • Position: Modal
  • Transition: No Transition
  • Trigger When Metered Page Views Is At Zero: No
  • Display Frequency: Once Per User

 

 


Site Performance

Overlay panels can place a load on your site.

 

This is because every page served requires a check on

whether or not the panel should be presented. 

 

It is important to note that in a sense, each overlay can be the equivalent of an additional page served in load, especially if it is based on a Design Object.

 


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Product Version

Version 9.0.7.4
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