Content Management Systems

A content management system (CMS) is software that integrates with a website that allows non-technical users to easily update / edit web site pages. In other words, someone who does not know HTML or CSS programming languages can edit a web page via a CMS. For many clients a CMS gives them more control and a sense of ownership. There are a plethora of CMS options, which can make the choice of a CMS intimidating.

Client-Side Content Management Systems

A client-side CMS is web page editing software installed on a user’s computer. A popular software application for updating web pages is Adobe Contribute. Adobe Contribute is a simpler version (offering less features and bells & whistles) of Adobe Dreamweaver and allows permissions to be set to control which employees can edit which content on a website. The advantage of Adobe Contribute (and other client-side CMS software) is that pages can be coded with no restriction on design or SEO techniques. The drawback is that a client-side CMS like Adobe Contribute requires a software purchase. Amazon is currently selling a license of Adobe Contribute for $195 (CS5). Moreover, you need access to the computer which has the software installed in order to make website updates. For business professionals that travel a lot, a CMS that can be accessed from any computer anywhere via the Internet may be a more attractive option.

Server-Side Content Management Systems

Indeed, a server-side CMS offers great accessibility and flexibility. If you are traveling, all you need is a computer with Internet access to login and make updates to your website. For this reason, most companies elect to install a server-side CMS when developing a new website. The most popular content management systems in this category are:

WordPress
Joomla
Drupal

But, there are literally hundreds of CMS options available. Many of these applications are free (no software license cost). In many cases, these freeware CMS options come pre-packaged with web hosting accounts (ready to be installed at the click of a button). The cost of server-side CMS options ranges from free to thousands of dollars.

How to Choose a CMS?

In most cases Websults recommends WordPress or Joomla to clients. But each organization is different, and one CMS does not fit all. When choosing a CMS, the following factors should be considered:

1. Cost – Is the CMS license free or impose any requirements that would increase the cost of programming? If there is a license fee, is it a recurring cost?
2. Ease of Use – Websults recommends that organizations test drive a few CMS options before deciding. If the system is not user-friendly, your employees may not use it.
3. Developer Experience – If you are committed to working with a certain web developer, you should ask them about their experience and which CMS they have the most expertise. As with any website project, you should request website samples and client references of web developers you are considering to hire.
4. Industry Specific Features – Some content management systems cater to a particular industry. Although these niche CMS solutions may be less known, they may be perfect for your business type. If you know your website will require a custom feature, you should confirm that custom feature can be integrated into the selected CMS for your web site.
5. SEO Friendly – Server-side CMS software adds code to all of your web pages. Does the CMS produce pages (source code) that are Google friendly?

If you have any questions about content management systems, please do not hesitate to contact us.