Media Manager vs direct page attachments - Find the best option for you
When managing media in Expert, you can either attach it directly to a page for simplicity and context, or use the Media Manager for centralized storage and easier reuse, with each method offering distinct advantages and considerations based on your needs.
When it comes to managing media in Expert, you have two main options: attaching media directly to a page or storing it in the Media Manager. Both methods have their own advantages and considerations. This article will compare these two options to help you make an informed decision.
Attaching Media Directly to a Page
Advantages:
- Simplicity: Attaching media directly to a page is straightforward and intuitive. You simply upload the file directly where you need it.
- Context: Media attached to a page is easily accessible in the context of that page’s content.
Considerations:
- Limited Scope: Media attached to a page is only available on that specific page. If you want to use the same media on multiple pages, you’ll need to upload it separately for each page. You can reuse media from one page to another, but it becomes tricky to manage your media if done this way.
- Management: Managing media can become challenging as the number of pages and attachments grow.
Storing Media in the Media Manager
Advantages:
- Centralization: The Media Manager provides a centralized location for all your media assets. This makes it easier to find, manage, and update media.
- Reuse: Media stored in the Media Manager can be easily reused across multiple pages. This eliminates the need to upload the same file multiple times.
- Management: Within the Media Manager, you can locate all the pages where media is being used. You can also set a default Alt Text.
- Organization: The Media Manager allows you to organize your media assets into custom Collection hierarchies. This is separate from your content hierarchy, providing additional flexibility.
- Search: Storing media in the Media Manager will remove it from the general search, removing unwanted search results.
- Permissions: Collection privacy and permissions allow you greater control over who can see and make changes to the media.
Considerations:
- Learning Curve: The Media Manager has more features and capabilities than direct page attachments. As such, it may take some time to learn how to use it effectively.
- Search: Storing media in the Media Manager will remove it from the general search. This may not be something you want for all your media. For example, if you have a PDF attachment, you may want your users to be able to find it in which case you wouldn’t want to store it in the Media Manager.
Choosing between attaching media directly to a page and storing it in the Media Manager depends on your specific needs. If you’re working with a small number of pages and attachments, direct page attachments may be sufficient. However, if you’re managing a large number of media assets or need to reuse media across multiple pages, the Media Manager is likely the better option.