How Do I Create A Feature Rotator?

Owned by Kat Harlton
Last updated: May 03, 2018
3 min read

This Article Is For:

  • All users who have the 'Manage Feature Rotator' permission
  • All users who have access to one of the following: Pages, Blogs, Contests or Sidebars
  • This is applicable to: All Themes

Best Practices:

  • Images that have been added to the media library via the Stock Image tool should not be used in the feature rotator
  • For best display all of the feature images in the rotator should be the same size as the rotator
  • For best experience, all or none of the features in the rotator should contain a URL to avoid confusing users
  • When using multiple rotators in the same page, each rotator should be dedicated to a specific type of content or purpose for clarity
  • When using multiple rotators in the same page, the rotators should not be placed within the same visible area to avoid distracting or confusing user

Sizing Restrictions:

  • The Feature Rotator's default size is: Height: 450px by Width: 800px
  • For Hero 1.0 Theme:
    • No Side Bar: Max Image Width is 1060px
    • With Side Bar: Max Image Width is 1060px minus your sidebar width
  • For SoCast 2.0 Theme:
    • No Side Bar: Max Image Width is 1080px
    • With Side Bar: Max Image Width is 1080px minus your sidebar width

Feature Rotators are a great tool to use on your website's homepage, the homepage is where most visitors get introduced to your site. By incorporating a large Feature Rotator it draws attention to Contests, Sponsors, Morning Shows, Breaking News and Special Events.

Below are instructions on how to add various types of content to a feature rotator. Content types can be mixed and matched within the same rotator.

Step-By-Step Guide: Configure Rotator Settings

  1. Go to: Website > Feature Rotator
  2. Click Add Feature Rotator button
  3. Set up the feature rotator settings:
    1. Name: Enter the name of the Feature Rotator. This will not show up on the website.
    2. Height: Add height allowance in px. There is no height limit.
    3. Width: Maximum width allowance is 800px by default. Please see your specific theme specifications above in the 'sizing' section.

Step-By-Step Guide: Select A Feature Type

For live examples of Feature Rotators with each of the options below, please see: http://d1698.cms.socastsrm.com/feature-rotator-examples

  1. Add From Media Library: This option allows you to select an image from your computer or from the media library. Once an Image is uploaded, fill in the rest of your feature rotator’s fields.
  2. Add Blog Post Feature: This option allows you to select a published blog from your station/website. Blogs in draft mode, scheduled blogs, or syndicated blogs are not included in this list, and cannot be added to the rotator.  Fill in the rest of your feature rotator’s fields.
  3. Add Contest Feature: This option allows you to select a published contest from your station/website, this includes published contests that are scheduled to start at a future date.  Contests in draft mode, or syndicated Contests are not included in this list, and cannot be added to the rotator. 
  4. Add Event Feature: This option allows you to select a published event from your station/website, this includes events that are scheduled to start at a future date and events that have already passed.  Events in draft mode, or syndicated events are not included in this list, and cannot be added to the rotator. 

Step-By-Step Guide: Configure Additional Feature Options

  1. Title: Add a caption for the image. This caption will appear below the image
  2. URL: Add a click through URL for the image
  3. Sub-Title: If you wish to add additional text or teaser text below the caption use the sub-title field (i.e Presented by Budweiser)
  4. Target: Choose whether you want the URL to open in a new window or the current window
  5. Publish Date: Choose the date you want the feature rotator to be publicly visible in the rotation (this time/date is based on the station's timezone) So if that station's timezone is set to Eastern Time, then the Feature Rotator will go up in Eastern Time.
  6. Expiry Date: Choose the date you want the feature rotator to expire and be taken off rotation from your page/site. (this time/date is based on the station's timezone) So if that station's timezone is set to Eastern Time, then the Feature Rotator will expire in Eastern Time.
  7. Enabled: Gives you the ability to turn the image on or off for a period of time.
  8. Repeat the process over to add additional images
  9. Click the 'save' button


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