Content Management System (CMS) Benefits

Web design customers have greater needs these days. They have a clearer understanding of how they want their websites to perform, and the functions that must be built in to make it possible. I routinely build 90% or more of all new websites with an installed Content Management System (CMS). A Content Management System provides a number of benefits to our clients:

• Content Management Systems allow any number of individuals (authors) within a business to add, edit and delete content pages. They can usually learn how to operate a Content Management System (CMS) in a half hour or less.
• The design of the website cannot be "broken' or altered by any content author. All content and links are automatically generated in page layouts that are pre-installed by the web designer. Pre-installed style sheets are used to control the formatting of text.
• The website becomes truly dynamic and stays up-to-date. Fresh content can be added through any Web enabled computer anywhere in the world. All content is maintained through a Web browser, there are no additional software requirements. This reduces software licensing and hardware costs for the business owner. Also, authors can maintain their website from anywhere in the world (with Internet access).
• The design of the website can be changed at any time without affecting the content. Because a CMS separates the web design and content management functions, designers and content managers can operate independently on the same website without "getting in each others way."

Before the advent of "Blogging" on the Web, Content Management Systems were prohibitively expensive, hard to learn, and, difficult to setup. They required specialized training to maintain, and were expensive.. However, "Blog" software, which was generally available as open source (free) or at low cost, quickly became very sophisticated, and now have many of the same functions as traditional Content Management tools.

In fact, blog software such as Wordpress or MovableType, are cost-effective Content Management alternatives for small to midsize businesses. We use these tools for many of our clients. The benefits are clear. The client does not need to hire or contract a webmaster to manage their website. With minimal training, each department can easily author and add articles and other content to the website. Because content authors cannot alter web page design, the website maintains a polished appearance. As these tools continue to develop, I pass on the benefits and savings to my clients.

This is one of my current WEB DESIGN PROJECTS that uses a content management system.

Donald Peterson