Category Management

Effective category management is essential for organizing content and improving navigation within the Kenya Estates platform. Categories help users find relevant information quickly, whether they are searching for articles, properties, or specific amenities.

Article Categories

Articles, such as blog posts and news updates, are organized using a dedicated categories table in the database. Each category has a unique ID, name, and slug.

  • Structure: The categories table contains fields for id, name, and slug.
  • Association: The articles table has a category_id field that links each article to a specific category. This allows for filtering and grouping articles by topic.
  • Management: Administrators can create, edit, and delete article categories through the admin dashboard. This ensures that the content remains well-organized and easy to browse.

For example, categories like "Market News", "Buying Guides", or "Legal Advice" can be created to help users navigate the blog section efficiently.

Property Categorization

Properties are categorized in a more multifaceted way, primarily using property types and amenities.

Property Types

The properties table includes a type field (string) which defines the primary classification of a property.

  • Examples: "Apartment", "House", "Townhouse", "Commercial", "Land".
  • Usage: This field is crucial for search filters, allowing users to narrow down their property search based on the type of property they are interested in.

Amenities

The amenities table stores a list of available amenities, each with its own name, icon, and a category (e.g., "Interior", "Exterior", "Safety", "Community").

  • Association: The properties table stores selected amenities as a JSON object in the amenities field. This allows for a flexible and extensive list of features for each property.
  • Search & Filter: Users can filter properties based on specific amenities, enhancing the search experience (e.g., "Swimming Pool", "Gym", "Parking").
  • Management: Administrators can manage the list of available amenities, ensuring that property listings can accurately reflect their features.

This dual approach to property categorization (type and amenities) provides both broad and granular filtering options for users, making it easier to find properties that meet their specific needs.

Admin Interface for Category Management

The admin dashboard provides tools for managing these categorizations:

  • Managing article categories (create, read, update, delete - CRUD).
  • Managing the predefined list of property types available for selection when creating or editing properties.
  • Managing the list of amenities (CRUD operations for amenities and their categories).

This centralized management ensures consistency and accuracy in how content and properties are organized and presented across the platform.