A resource page is a single web page within PortalHQ — richer than a file resource, with formatted text, images, embedded videos and links. Use it when the content doesn’t fit into a single file or external URL.
When to use a page vs. a file
| Page | File |
|---|---|
| Content that’s read in-place (FAQs, guides) | Documents meant to be downloaded or printed |
| Content with rich formatting (images inline, embedded video) | Documents that exist as standalone PDFs |
| Content that gets updated frequently | Fixed-version documents |
| Content unique to PortalHQ (not also a downloadable doc) | Documents that also live as files elsewhere |
A school’s Term Dates page is best as a resource page — easy to update each year, easy to read on mobile. The Year 7 Handbook PDF is best as a file resource — printable, shareable, fixed-version.
Creating a page
Go to Resources → Pages → New page.
Fields
- Title — page heading.
- Slug — URL-friendly version of the title. Auto-generated from the title; can be customised.
- Category — which category the page belongs to. See Organising resources with categories.
- Content — the page body. Rich text editor with formatting, headings, lists, images, embeds.
- Audience — who can see the page. Public, Parents, Students, Staff, Specific groups.
- Active — untick to retire.
The content editor
The editor supports:
- Formatting — bold, italic, headings (H1-H4), bullet and numbered lists.
- Links — to internal pages, external URLs or downloadable files.
- Images — upload or insert from the file manager.
- Videos — embed YouTube, Vimeo or similar.
- Tables — for structured data.
- Code blocks — for technical content.
- Quotes — for testimonials, references.
Linking from a page
Pages often link to other resources:
- Internal links — to other resource pages or file resources. Use the editor’s link tool.
- External links — to URLs outside PortalHQ.
- Anchor links — to sections within the same page (useful for long FAQs).
Embedding files
For a page that points to a file:
- Inline link — the file’s name as a clickable link in the text.
- Button — a styled button leading to the file.
- Preview — for PDFs, an embedded preview that lets users read inline without downloading.
Pick based on the user experience you want.
Updating a page
Open the page and edit any field. Changes apply immediately. The URL stays the same as long as the slug isn’t changed.
For substantial restructuring, consider doing it in a draft state:
- Untick Active.
- Make changes.
- Test in preview.
- Re-tick Active.
This avoids users seeing a half-finished page.
Versioning
PortalHQ doesn’t have built-in versioning for pages. To preserve previous content:
- Copy the page before substantial edits, marking the copy as archived.
- Or export the page content to a separate document.
Most schools don’t need versioning for resource pages — the current state is the source of truth.
Audience and SEO
Pages set to Public are publicly accessible at a URL like /resources/pages/<slug>/. They can be indexed by search engines.
If you want a page to be findable via Google, use Public audience and a descriptive slug. If you want it private, use any other audience.
Tips
- Keep pages focused. One topic per page. A 5,000-word mega-page is harder to navigate than five focused pages.
- Use headings. Helps readers scan and supports anchor-link navigation.
- Embed images sensibly. Don’t paste 4 MB photos — resize first.
- Test on mobile. Most parents read on phones. Check the page renders well on a small screen.
- Cross-link. A page about Camp Information should link to the camp’s resource files; the file should link back to the page.