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Content Scheduling

Schedule Creation​

Setting Up a Basic Schedule​

  1. Access Form
  • Navigate to the Scheduled Content section in the Visual Experience Engine.
    • Create new scheduled content.
    • Or click Edit on an existing scheduled content.
  1. Set Schedule Details

  • Scroll to the Schedule Settings section.

  • Click on "Add New Schedule" to create a new schedule entry.

    • Start Date:

      • Select the start date and time when the scheduled content should begin displaying.
      • Use the date picker to choose the exact date and time.
      • All times are based on your local timezone.

    • End Date:

      • Select the end date and time when the scheduled content should stop displaying.
      • Ensure that the end date is after the start date.
      • Leave blank for indefinite campaigns (if supported by your configuration).

    • Slot:

      • Enter the slot identifier where the scheduled content will appear.
      • This should match the slotId of a <SlotPlaceholder> in your Next.js site.
      • The slot controls both where the scheduled content can display and its order/priority when multiple scheduled content items target the same slot.
      • Use descriptive slot names for easier management.

Schedule Rules and Validation​

  • Mandatory Fields:

    • Start Date, End Date, and Slot are required fields.
    • You must have at least one schedule per scheduled content item to publish.

  • Validation System:

    • The system enforces that the end date must be after the start date.
    • If you attempt to save a schedule with errors, validation messages will appear.
    • All scheduling conflicts are flagged before publishing.

When Scheduled Content is Shown​

Scheduled content is displayed to users only when all of these conditions are met:

  1. Published – The scheduled content must be published (published === true).
  2. Has schedules – At least one schedule entry exists for the scheduled content.
  3. Current date in range – The current date and time falls within at least one schedule's Start Date and End Date range.
  4. Platform match – The scheduled content targets the correct platform (web) and device types.
  5. Placement match – The scheduled content is assigned to a slot that matches a <SlotPlaceholder> (slotId) on the current page.

If any of these conditions are not met, the scheduled content will not appear on your website. Schedule times use your configured time zone for accurate matching.

For the full schedule model, data structure, and web vs. app differences, see the Scheduled Content Concept.

Schedule Management​

Editing Schedules​

  1. Modify an Existing Schedule

    • Within the Scheduling section, locate the schedule you want to edit.
    • Change the Start Date, End Date, or Slot fields as necessary.

  2. Save Changes

    • After editing, click Save to apply your changes.
    • Ensure that you save changes after editing each schedule.

Deleting Schedules​

  • Click the "Delete" link next to a schedule to remove it.
  • Confirm the deletion if prompted.
  • The system ensures at least one schedule remains per scheduled content item.

Multiple Schedules​

You can add multiple schedules to a single scheduled content item to display it at different times or in different slots. For details on managing multiple schedules and creating complex scheduling patterns, see Advanced Scheduling.

Best Practices​

  • Consistent Slot Usage:

    • Keep track of which scheduled content items are assigned to each slot.
    • Use descriptive slot IDs that match your website's HTML for easier management.

  • Avoid Overlapping Schedules:

    • Ensure that multiple scheduled content items assigned to the same slot do not have overlapping schedules.
    • This prevents conflicts where multiple scheduled content items might try to display simultaneously.
    • For detailed conflict resolution strategies, see Advanced Scheduling.

Scheduling Template scheduled content​

When working with scheduled content templates, consider these additional scheduling considerations:

Template-Specific Scheduling​

  • Responsive Design: Template scheduled content automatically adapt to different devices, so ensure your device selection matches your target audience
  • Variable Updates: Schedule template variable updates to coincide with campaign changes or seasonal updates
  • Performance Optimization: Template scheduled content is optimized for fast loading, making them ideal for high-traffic time periods

Template Scheduling Best Practices​

  • Consistent Timing: Use templates to maintain consistent scheduled content scheduling across multiple campaigns
  • Variable Scheduling: Consider scheduling different variable configurations for different time periods
  • Template Rotation: Rotate between different templates while maintaining consistent scheduling patterns

Template vs. Custom scheduled content​

  • Templates: Faster to create and schedule, consistent responsive behavior
  • Custom scheduled content: More flexibility but require additional testing and scheduling considerations

Learn more about Scheduled Content Templates and their scheduling capabilities.