Building an effective website, whether expansive or compact, involves the task of structuring content. The realms of “topic clusters,” “content hubs,” and “pillar pages” often sow confusion in the world of content marketing. You may even be in a position where you’re asking “What is a content hub?”. If that sounds like you then read on as we delve into the details of all things content marketing hub-related and as we explore real-life content hub examples.
Classic Hub and Spoke Content Model
The Classic Hub and Spoke content model, characterised by a central parent page surrounded by 5-20 static subpages, is a bedrock when it comes to content organisation. This approach, marked by stability, is particularly well-suited for content that remains evergreen over time, necessitating infrequent updates. This evergreen approach means that hub and spoke SEO is effective as sub-pages remain relevant and attract more and more readers, as well as backlinks. Let’s take a look at some content hub examples that follow this model:
Podia’s How to Create & Sell A Profitable Online Course
Podia, a platform for online course creation, employs the Classic Hub and Spoke content model to guide users through the intricacies of developing and selling profitable online courses. The parent page acts as a hub, offering essential insights, while the static sub-pages provide in-depth details on specific aspects, creating a comprehensive learning resource.
Zapier’s Learn Guides, e.g., The Ultimate Guide to Remote Work
Zapier, renowned for its automation expertise, adopts the Classic Hub and Spoke model to present extensive guides on various topics. The parent page serves as a gateway to overarching themes, while individual static subpages deep-dive into specific subjects. This structure facilitates easy navigation for users seeking tailored information.
Insteading’s Tiny House Guide
Insteading, a platform dedicated to sustainable living, embraces the Classic Hub and Spoke content hub for its Tiny House Guide. The parent page serves as a central hub, offering a comprehensive overview of tiny house living, while static sub-pages delve into diverse aspects such as design, construction, and community engagement.
Big Fish Game’s Texas Hold ‘Em Guide
Big Fish Games, a prominent player in the gaming industry, employs the Classic Hub and Spoke to demystify the world of Texas Hold ‘Em. The parent page introduces users to the fundamentals, and the static sub-pages serve as strategic spokes, covering topics like rules, strategies, and online play, creating an immersive learning experience.
Airbnb’s Neighbourhoods Guide
Airbnb, a global marketplace for lodging and travel experiences, utilises this content marketing hub to showcase its Neighbourhoods Guide. The parent page acts as a central hub, offering a holistic view of various neighbourhoods, while the static sub-pages delve into specifics, providing travellers with nuanced insights into local culture, attractions, and amenities.
Expanding the Classic Hub & Spoke Model
The Classic Hub and Spoke content model not only provides a structured framework for organizing content but also fosters user engagement and satisfaction. The central hub acts as a starting point, guiding visitors to relevant subpages that cater to their specific interests. Its static nature ensures stability, making it ideal for content that doesn’t undergo frequent changes.
In this model, businesses can strategically design the parent page to offer a comprehensive overview, ensuring that users grasp the breadth of the topic. The static subpages, on the other hand, serve as detailed spokes, allowing for in-depth exploration. This careful balance creates a seamless user experience, catering to both those seeking a broad understanding and those delving into specific details.
The Content Library: Curating Knowledge with Precision
So, what is a content hub that falls under this heading? The Content Library model, resembling a meticulously organised blog homepage, offers a structured approach to presenting content. This format involves a parent page that lists individual content, organised by category or subgroup, with convenient links to corresponding sub-category pages. Now it’s time to take a look at content hub examples that fall under this category:
LiquidWeb’s WooCommerce Hub
LiquidWeb, a hosting and cloud services provider, strategically employs The Content Library model for its WooCommerce Hub. The parent page serves as a gateway to a plethora of resources related to WooCommerce, the e-commerce plugin for WordPress. With categorised links leading to subpages, users can seamlessly navigate through topics such as setup guides, troubleshooting, and optimization, ensuring a comprehensive learning journey.
HelpScout’s Resources & Guides
HelpScout, a customer service and support platform, adopts The Content Library to curate a wealth of resources and guides. The parent page acts as a central repository, offering insights into various aspects of customer service. With categorised links directing users to subpages on topics like email communication, knowledge base creation, and team collaboration, HelpScout provides a user-friendly resource hub.
Corporate Finance Institute’s Resources Section
The Corporate Finance Institute, a provider of financial modelling and analysis courses, implements The Content Library to organise its vast array of resources. The parent page serves as a comprehensive directory, categorizing content into sections such as financial modelling, valuation, and Excel skills. Users can effortlessly explore subpages, each dedicated to a specific facet of corporate finance education.
Expanding The Content Library Model
The Content Library model serves as a digital curator, guiding users through a well-organised landscape of knowledge. By categorising content on a parent page and providing links to sub-category pages, businesses enhance user experience and facilitate the discovery of diverse topics. This content hub model proves particularly effective when dealing with a spectrum of content covering various subtopics.
In this approach, businesses can meticulously structure the parent page to offer a snapshot of the entire content spectrum. The categorised links act as pathways, leading users to subpages that delve deeper into specific themes. The result is navigable and user-friendly content that caters to different interests and preferences.
The Topic Gateway: Navigating In-Depth Knowledge Realms
The Topic Gateway emerges as a sophisticated content hub model, transcending traditional blog category pages by providing a dedicated space for comprehensive exploration. This content marketing hub involves a dedicated page with a rich topic overview, complemented by strategic links to evergreen resources. Perfect for users seeking profound insights into a single subject, The Topic Gateway orchestrates a structured journey into specific realms. Let’s explore this model through content hub examples:
CompareCard’s Blog Category Pages, e.g., Balance Transfers
CompareCard ingeniously implements The Topic Gateway content hub to enhance user understanding of credit card balance transfers. The dedicated page offers an insightful overview of the subject, providing context and relevance. Links to subcategories delve into nuanced aspects such as best practices, comparison guides, and financial implications, ensuring users can navigate a wealth of information seamlessly.
DietDoctor’s Keto for Beginners Guide
DietDoctor leverages The Topic Gateway to simplify the world of ketogenic diets. The dedicated page serves as a starting point for individuals new to keto, offering a comprehensive overview. Strategic links guide users to subcategories covering fundamental concepts, recipes, and success stories, ensuring a well-rounded introduction to the keto lifestyle.
Drift’s Guide to Chatbot Technology
Drift embraces The Topic Gateway to demystify chatbot technology for its audience. The dedicated page acts as a central hub, providing an overview of chatbot concepts and applications. Users can seamlessly explore subcategories containing detailed chapters on technology nuances, implementation strategies, and real-world use cases, creating a holistic guide for enthusiasts and professionals alike.
Expanding The Topic Gateway Model
The Topic Gateway model presents an elevated approach to content curation, catering to users with a keen interest in a specific topic. By offering a dedicated page with a comprehensive overview, businesses can guide users into nuanced subcategories, providing an immersive learning experience.
In this model, businesses strategically design the dedicated page to serve as a gateway, offering valuable insights and context. The links to subcategories act as portals, leading users to evergreen resources that delve deeper into specific facets of the topic. This structured approach ensures that users, whether novices or experts, can navigate a curated landscape tailored to their informational needs.
The Content Database: Navigating Vast Knowledge Territories
What is a content hub under this category? Well, the Content Database model emerges as a powerhouse for websites harbouring an extensive array of content. Characterised by hundreds or thousands of child pages, this model is designed to be sortable and filterable, providing users with the ability to customise their exploration. Ideal for platforms with a substantial volume of a specific content type, The Content Database orchestrates a dynamic journey into information-rich territories. Let’s delve into examples that illustrate the effectiveness of this model:
AdEspresso’s Facebook Ad Database
AdEspresso harnesses the potential of The Content Database model to create a robust Facebook Ad Database. This dynamic repository allows users to explore a multitude of Facebook ad examples. With sortable and filterable features, users can tailor their searches based on criteria such as industry, ad format, and engagement, ensuring a customised and insightful exploration of Facebook advertising strategies.
Muscle&Strength’s Workout Database
Muscle&Strength employs The Content Database model to empower fitness enthusiasts with a vast Workout Database. With hundreds of workout routines sortable by muscle group, fitness level, and equipment, users can tailor their fitness journey. This dynamic content hub model not only provides a rich resource for varied workouts but also ensures users can navigate the extensive content based on their unique preferences and goals.
Expanding The Content Database Model
The Content Database model serves as a dynamic navigator for users entering a realm of extensive content. Tailored for platforms with a substantial volume of a specific content type, this model ensures users can browse and filter their own custom lists, fostering a personalised and enriching experience.
In this approach, businesses meticulously structure the child pages to offer a diverse array of content, allowing users to explore and discover based on their preferences. The sortable and filterable features become key components, enabling users to customise their exploration, filter content based on specific criteria, and uncover precisely what they are seeking.
The Topic Matrix: A Structured Tapestry of Specialised Knowledge
The Topic Matrix stands as a sophisticated content marketing hub model, distinguished by its utilisation of consistent subpage types across an extensive index of parent pages. This architectural approach is commonly employed for crucial conversion content and landing page systems, creating a structured tapestry of specialised knowledge. Let’s take a look at content hub examples from this category:
Mayo Clinic’s Diseases & Conditions Hub
Mayo Clinic, a renowned medical institution, masterfully employs The Topic Matrix to organise its Diseases & Conditions hub. With consistent subpage types for each health condition, Mayo Clinic provides users with a structured navigation system. The parent pages act as hubs, offering an overview of specific medical conditions, while the consistent subpages cover symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and relevant departments. This approach ensures a seamless and standardised user experience across a vast range of health topics.
Expanding The Topic Matrix Model
The Topic Matrix model exemplifies a meticulous approach to organising content, especially when dealing with crucial conversion content and landing page systems. By maintaining consistent subpage types across an extensive index of parent pages, businesses can create a structured and standardised knowledge repository.
In this content model, the parent pages serve as key entry points, introducing users to overarching topics. The consistent subpages act as modules, covering specific aspects in a standardized format. This ensures a cohesive user journey, where individuals can navigate through various parent pages while experiencing a familiar structure for each subpage type.
Diving Deeper into Content Hubs
When considering content hubs, it’s essential to understand the strategic implications of each model. The Classic Hub and Spoke content model offers stability and is well-suited for evergreen content. In contrast, the Content Library provides a dynamic way to categorise a plethora of content, appealing to various interests.
The Topic Gateway shines when users seek comprehensive overviews, allowing them to navigate subcategories effortlessly. With the Content Database, we see the power of vast collections, providing users with the ability to customise their exploration. Finally, the Topic Matrix, often used for conversion-focused content, offers a structured approach to presenting information.
Final Thoughts
Selecting the right content hub model hinges on understanding your content, user needs, and overarching site goals. The examples provided illustrate how each model can be applied effectively in various contexts. By grasping the nuances and strategic applications of these content hub varieties, you can tailor your digital presence to not only organise content effectively but also enhance user experience and drive meaningful engagement.
Looking for the perfect content to build your own hub? At Content Conga, we know how to produce the perfect content regardless of the approach you’re taking.