When do you need a Web CMS?

I usually get clients asking me to do a website with a Web CMS which is a great thing in many ways. They know a lot about it's features already and that's the biggest reason why they feel like having it fir their website. CMS in short or the Web Content Management System is a great way to allow not-much-tech-savvy people to manipulate their web contents themselves, without needing a web designer's help.

This definitely is an advantage. Let us find out what are the advantages and when do you really need a Web Content Management System (or CMS).

1) You want to frequently update your website contents or post news & events

2) You want to save on the cost by doing it yourself

3) You want the the same consistency of layout to be carried throughout the website

4) Automatically/Easily update the website navigation when you add new pages

5) Want to be able to easily change the website design in future without having to reenter all the contents 

6) Open Source Content Management Systems for not so very customized requirements

7) Inbuilt Search Engine Optimization (On-page SEO) 

8 ) Integrate Dynamic Content & Functionality

9) Permission based access to internal staff on different areas of the website

10) Keep the high content quality with the centralized coordination

 

I'm sure after reading this you think your website should have the Content Management System. But before you jump to the conclusion let us take a look at a few things:

1) Can your requirement be well addressed by a packaged, open source or a custom Content Management System?

2) Does your web host support the technologies  the CMS is built on? E.g. Most CMS these days are built with PHP-MySQL

3) If you're going with open source Content Management System – does your web host support it?

4) In case you've been recommended a customized content management system, you need to be sure you trust the capabilities of the company/developer and if they are available for you to take care of any bugs as soon as they are discovered during the live run of the website?

5) The CMS should simply your task of updating content. You should not need to unnecessarily waste your precious time having to understand a lot of new things when your goal is simple.

6) Your CMS system should be secure and should not allow any sort of SQL Injections or allow uploading of executable files/scripts. This can be a major threat.

7) Does the CMS have possibilities of expansion? As your business grows you may want to do a lot more with your website. Your content management system should be ready to accept the expansion needs.

8 ) Be sure to see a demonstration of the Content Management system you're going to use. This will help you develop a feel for it and whether you feel comfortableusing it and if it lives upto your extensions.

 

Checkout some of the CMS platforms I recommend:

 

With this information I'm sure you're ready to  select the best suited Web Content Management System for your Website. Post your comment if you have any further question or suggestions.

 

PS: If you need a consultation regarding any of these recommendation or need a custom solution feel free to write me.