Considerations for Content Management

Website content management systems have grown from a luxury often used by only large corporations into a necessity that is borderling irresponsible NOT to have on a company’s website. Being able to manage one’s own content reduces the amount of money needed to keep information fresh and up-to-date. Fresh information spawns continued readership, repeat visitors, new vistors, higher search results and inevitably…new business.

Despite the need for content management, a lot of misconceptions have arisen over the years with regard to what can and cannot be done (not to mention how much it should cost.) So, we’ve decided to shed some light on the facts surrounding content management systems. Whether you are using an opensource God like WordPress, or using a proprietary system like Vigor’s VIM, the following hold true.

1. The more you want to do, the more it will cost

Things cost money and just because you want something doesn’t mean you get to have it for cheap. The more complex you imagine the capabilies of a CMS, the more it is going to cost to purchase, setup, integrate, support and use. There are no work arounds and no exceptions. Think of it as a car. Older cars were easier to work on because the system was pretty basic. Now there are electronics in the engine throughout the vehicle, A/C systems with coolant and a million other elements that make the car cost more to purchase and maintain.

2. Flash is restricting

Flash animations, blinking lights and moving pictures restricts your ability to update. Those animations are what they are so you won’t be able to edit that particular content without investing significant money to make it editable. Even then, it’s going to be tricky. Use Flash to add a little flair, but use it wisely. We’ve never heard of any brand making money because they animated their entire site. On the other side, companies have paid out more money because they had to hire outside consultants to update their site over and over again.

3. You aren’t going to automatically understand the system

No matter how hard engineers try to make things intuitive a content management system is a new piece of software, and it will take some learning time to use. You aren’t going to open it and automatically understand how everything works. Training is key and training does usually cost money. It’s worth it to take the time to understand how all the caveats of a CMS works.

A content management system is a MUST for every website out there. That is, of course, if that website is supposed to be successful.

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