Web Content Management

Maybe you've heard about content management systems (CMS) like Drupal, Joomla or WordPress. But what are they, and more importantly, what can they do for your business?

What is a CMS?

A CMS (or more properly, a WCMS: web content management system), is a web application used to manage websites and web content. A CMS lets you change the text and images on your website with little or no programming knowledge required. It gives you direct control over the content of your site and lets you make changes as often as you like without involving a web designer. It's great for sites that change regularly, like blogs. It's also very useful for adding dynamic features, such as user logins, calendars, comment sections and forums that would be expensive to develop on your own.

A CMS uses a database to store information and templates to alter the layout and appearance of the website. There are thousands of templates to choose from, each of which can be further customized with your personalized color scheme, logos and backgrounds, so don't let the term 'template' think you'll end up with a cookie-cutter website!

Do I need a CMS?

First, you'll need to ask yourself a few questions about your website plans.

  1. Will you need to update the website more than once a month?
  2. Are there any special features you need on your website, such as secure pages, user logins, calendars or user comments?
  3. Do you plan to start a company blog (keep in mind that blogging will take up 1-3 hours per post, times 2-5 posts per week)?
  4. Do non-web designers need to update the site?

If you answered "yes" to any of the questions above, a CMS might be a good solution for you.

Are there any drawbacks with a CMS?

Yes, there are some potential issues to be aware of when deciding if a CMS is right for your website.

  1. Installation Costs - Special skills and familiarity with the CMS software are required for the initial set-up and configuration of a CMS-based website.
  2. Maintenance and Upgrades - While you control the content of a CMS-powered website, an expert will still need to take care of the CMS now and then, including software upgrades and any structural changes you might make.
  3. Training - Anyone in your organization that will be using the CMS to add, edit or delete web content will need to learn how to use the system.
  4. Portability - If you need to switch web hosts, you can't just copy and paste a CMS-powered website like you can with a vanilla website. The whole site will need to be re-installed (see #1 above).

Which CMS should I use?

There are dozens of Open Source CMSs to choose from, but most businesses won't need to look beyond the two heavyweights in the field: Drupal and Joomla!. If all you're doing is launching a blog, WordPress is your best option. While WordPress is technically not a CMS, it can be modified to act as one. All three are free to use (Open Source licenses), easy to install, user-friendly, flexible and actively maintained.

 

Merkel Marketing would be happy to discuss content management systems with you and help you decide if a CMS is right for your business: (610) 389-6208 or send an email.

 

 

Merkel Marketing in a nutshell: We’re based in Allentown, PA and operate across the Lehigh Valley and surrounding regions. We provide many different services: web design, copy writing and editing, graphic design, ad campaigns, brochures, postcards and mailers, email stationery, PowerPoints presentations, blogs, search engine optimization (SEO), letterhead, business cards, proposals and reports, convention displays and more. For more information, email contact@merkelmarketing or call (610) 389-6208. Cheers.