Sitefinity Custom Modules and Widgets

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The Benefits of Adding Customized Modules to Extend Your Sitefinity CMS

Choosing a Sitefinity Custom Module

Sitefinity is a CMS platform that provides a variety of features that allow you to create customized and personalized applications and websites. It is particularly appreciated due to its flexibility when it comes to custom widgets, modules, and themes. It also provides a high level of control and security to its users. While creating a platform using Sitefinity development, you need to use different Sitefinity modules to create high quality and notable content. Custom modules that are interactive not only help engage the audience but are also very convenient.

One of the most powerful aspects of Sitefinity is that you can extend the system by utilizing custom modules. These are made using .NET languages like C# and VB. It allows organizations and businesses to leverage the platform to fulfill their specific needs and requirements. When extending the CMS platform, you will come across two different custom modules: Pluggable and Intra-Site modules.

Pluggable Modules

You can install a pluggable module in any installation of Sitefinity that supports the module architecture version (for instance, certain software runs on Windows Vista or Windows XP, etc.)

Pluggable modules can help companies with numerous Sitefinity installations. They also allow you to create third-party custom module products that you can sell to other companies that use Sitefinity. However, creating these modules is way more complicated than intra-site modules since you are required to contain every part of it in a single .dll file. This can be installed and distributed in Sitefinity.

Intra-Site Modules

Intra-site modules can only be added to a specific Sitefinity installation. So they are accessible only to the users with that installation. These can be useful when, for instance, a business wants a personalized travel reservation platform for employees, or if a large organization wants to post intra-company job position listings. Essentially, intra-site modules can only be used by a particular website. On the other hand, pluggable modules can be utilized by any website using Sitefinity.

Intra-Site or Pluggable Custom Module?

You can install an intra-site custom module only in one installation of Sitefinity. It is possible to achieve the same results with a pluggable custom module. However, it takes way less time to create an intra-site custom module. Pluggable modules, on the other hand, require more expertise in both the Sitefinity and .NET architecture as compared to intra-site modules. These two custom modules are created using and VS and require .NET architecture (2.0 or above).

Creating Custom modules Using the Sitefinity Module Builder

The Module Builder and Dynamic Modules

You can use the Module Builder to create additional custom modules. For instance, there can be a module that stores and creates press releases or frequently asked questions. You can find the modules you activate in the Content tab.

Dynamic modules in Sitefinity can have multiple content types that are organized via a hierarchy. You can also customize built-in modules and have multilingual content types in a single module.

Using Dynamic Modules to Display and Create Items After defining and activating a dynamic module, it can be used to create content and display it on your site. The content types that are linked with the module can be seen in the Content tab. You can see the widgets through the page editing mode in a separate Widgets group. It is possible to create different content type structure- you can have hierarchies with multiple child content items.

How Sitefinity Module Builder is Different from Thunder When it Comes to Creating Modules

Using Sitefinity Thunder to Create Custom Modules

You can create static custom modules using Sitefinity Thunder. These modules are very different from what you can create with the Module Builder.

Modules created with Thunder allow you to have more control over what code gets executed. This module would be a good choice if you are, for instance, looking to utilize Store Procedure for data. This approach also allows you to distribute, deploy, and upgrade your modules easily. Sitefinity also comes with several built-in modules. These include News, Forums, Blogs, Email Campaigns, Ecommerce, Analytics, etc. Ultimately, Sitefinity Thunder lets you create custom modules that can fulfill the demands of your business.

Changing The Appearance of Built-in Widgets

Custom Widget Templates

Sitefinity's customizable features also include being able to change widget appearance through comprehensive settings. It also allows you to modify a particular field on the widget template and apply custom logic, such as a drop-down menu. You can customize the appearance of built-in widgets as well.

How a Company that Follows the Best Practices Can Help Ensure Optimal Performance

Clarity Sitefinity Experts

If you are looking for a scalable, enterprise-level solution, then Sitefinity Developer is a good option. It lets you create different kinds of websites, portals, and eCommerce platforms. You need someone who can use Sitefinity efficiently and skillfully to make use of custom themes, modules, and flexible API offered by the platform. We can help you leverage Sitefinity offerings and create customized solutions that are scalable, reliable, and easy to use.

If you want a sales-focused design or are unsuccessful at converting sales to customers, then the architects at Clarity can help you expand your web presence and business by creating solutions and designs that fulfill all your requirements and needs. We discuss the needs of our customers and create custom modules, widgets, and themes accordingly and handle the custom integration to bring all of your office software together.

Clarity Sitefinity CMS Experts

Additional Features & Resources