Do I Really Need a CMS?

Content Management Systems revolutionized the web design world. Making changes to a website used to require skilled programmers. Now, for better or worse, content management systems make it possible for anyone to edit a website. I am not implying web design and development is an easy process or that you should not consult a professional to plan a strategic approach for your online presence, but once the ground work has been laid, website upkeep is easier than ever.

What exactly is a CMS?

Well, there are several different open source content management systems available. These include Wordpress, Joomla, Drupal and others. Each one of these platforms take the majority of coding out of the web design process (after the initial setting up of a website). Text and images are inserted through standard word editors and special extensions can be downloaded to enhance the visual effectiveness of your website.

So what does this mean for you?

CMS’s have a few key advantages when compared to an strictly html based website. I have tried to outline the major ones below:

1. Low Cost – most systems are open source, meaning they are completely free to use. Extensions can be free as well, but some do come with a price tag. The only expense you’re left with is the monthly fee for hosting your website with a third party hosting service (network solutions, godaddy, bluehost, etc)
2. Ease of Use – this is really the reason behind the idea of a web CMS. Anyone can type into a word editor and click the save or publish button.
3. Scalability – CMS’s provide the easiest solution for growing a website (which is key in search engine optimization). Adding pages and links can be done in minutes, so your 7 page site can become massive if you have the content to facilitate the growth.
4. Customization – you have the ability to make your site unique through automatic templates that improve the look and feel of the website.

Ask yourself what your online strategy is. If your website is the face of your company, drives your sales volume, or even acts as merely a virtual business card, then consider a CMS. The flexibility will enable you to keep your website relevant and the ability to update quickly will put your company ahead of the market trends.