In the digital world, it's often said that "Content is King." To maintain a strong online presence, it's crucial to have fresh, engaging content that keeps your audience coming back. However, managing this content effectively, especially for small to medium-sized businesses, can be a challenge. It's easy to find help when building a website, but maintaining it can be a different story. That's why it's essential to choose the right Content Management System (CMS) during the development stages. This article will explore the three main types of CMSs available, helping you make an informed decision.
The first type of CMS is the traditional manual update system, which is the most commonly used. This method involves sending information to the web developer, who then uses their FTP program and HTML coding skills to make the requested changes. Once the changes are reviewed and approved, they go live.
However, this model has its drawbacks. Web developers are often expensive contractors, not in-house resources. As a result, the cost of website changes can become a budget issue, leading to fewer updates and a decrease in the site's overall value.
The second type of CMS is the WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) system. This model allows the website owner to use graphical web development tools like FrontPage or Net Objects Fusion. These tools enable you to make changes to the website in a visual format, simplifying the update process.
However, this model also has its limitations. You become dependent on the WYSIWYG tool, and if you can't access it, you're back to the manual update system. Additionally, these tools generate complex HTML code, making manual changes time-consuming. Also, you're limited to the graphical templates provided by the software, resulting in a website that looks similar to many others. Therefore, it's advisable to consult with a web development company to understand the best practices for web development.
The final type of CMS is the integrated CMS. This system is built directly into the site during development. To make changes, the website owner simply logs into a secure URL and makes changes without needing to know any HTML or FTP commands. Changes are instant, and all the user needs is a web browser and internet access.
This model has proven successful for many businesses as it empowers website owners to make changes as often as they like without needing an expensive web developer. While the initial cost of a site with an integrated CMS may be higher, the overall cost of ownership will be significantly reduced over time.
In conclusion, it's important for website owners to understand that their website comes with a CMS installed. By choosing the right CMS, you can maximize the value of your website and ensure it remains fresh and engaging for your audience.
