How to Design a CMS Content Model
IntermediateQuick Answer
TL;DR
Start with a content audit. List every piece of content your site produces—articles, landing pages, product listings, author bios—and group them into distinct types. For each type, define the fields it needs, their data types, and any validation rules. Map relationships between types using references. Separate shared elements (authors, categories, tags) into their own reusable types. Keep the model flat and flexible enough to serve multiple channels.
Key Takeaways
- Begin with a content audit to identify all distinct content types before writing any schema
- Define fields with explicit data types (string, number, boolean, reference, array) and validation rules
- Use references to link related content types rather than duplicating data
- Separate reusable elements—authors, tags, categories—into standalone types
- Test your model with real content samples before finalizing it