What is a Content Management system (CMS)?
Should I get a Content Management System (CMS) for my website?

There has been a lot of hype for having a Content Manager in order to perform basic editing of websites. The most basic Content Management System allows a user to manage website text and photos. Depending on the type of Content Manager used, a user may perform basic and advanced work on their website.

There are literally hundreds of pre-built Content Management Systems, some more popular than others. In most cases, set-up and integration of a CMS is a daunting task best performed by someone with web development experience.

Most CMS are considered “Open Source” platforms meaning that they share the source code or framework freely with the programming community. The open platform and large selection of third-party software add-ons make it quick and affordable to add new web site functionality such as forums, auctions, blogs, ecommerce, photo galleries and so on.

Popular named CMS’s include; Word Press, Joomla, Drupal, Magento, Dot Net Nuke, Google Blogger, and Silver CMS.

There are also brand or industry specific Content Management Systems. Many companies have developed low cost real estate website template solutions for real estate agents and brokers to include Real Pro Agent Systems, Advanced Access Real Estate Systems, and Homes.com.

Having spent years in website development, I have worked with all these different tools and have identified the good and bad within them. This information will help you determine if you need a Content Management System, and what functionally you may need.

CMS website applications are not completely fool proof

CMS’s are not always easy to use. I still have clients who can't figure out how to insert an image in their Google Blog. Unless you use these tools every day, there will always be some level of frustration or learning curb to negotiate. I have clients with CMS’s who hire us to maintain their websites because they simply don't have the time; and don't want to be bothered.

CMS websites experience display errors

This happens when users try to perform work in their CMS website running an older browser such as IE 6.2 or a beta version of IE 7.0. They may also have a BHO (Browser Helper Objects) or other processes running in their browser blocking certain scripts, displays or functions. Other reasons for errors include anti-virus's or other security application running in their browser, computer or wireless router.

CMS security issues

A CMS is a software application. And as software applications go, they require updates the same as any other software application. If you fail to update your software, you could be vulnerable to hackers or denial of service attacks. Be sure you have maintenance plans in place to keep your Content Managemetn System updated.

Web-based CMS versus local CMS

Web-based CMS allows a user to login via their web browser ( Internet Explorer, Fire Fox, Chrome or Safari) to manage their website.

Local CMS allows a user to manage their website using software installed on a computer such as Adobe Contribute, Dream weaver or Microsoft Web Expressions. Adobe Contribute is the more inexpensive, popular software with users having no knowledge or experience with HTML.

Pros and cons for web-based CMS versus local CMS’s

The Pros:
- Costs are lower for adding additional functionality such as a forum or auction module. Costs for various modules range from $150 to $2,600 depending on the type of CMS you have and the type of module you need.

- Web-based CMS’s do not require any special software to manage a CMS-based website. This is especially useful if there are multiple users managing the website.

The Cons:
- Web-based CMS applications require software updates to be performed by persons having web development experience with your particular Content Management System.

- When you require extensive edits or maintenance, you must find a web developer or web development company that has experience with your particular brand of Content Management application. In most cases the hourly development cost for web development in CMS’s is more than non-CMS systems, since extensive design or database development is more time intensive.

- You are constrained by any limitations of the CMS software. For example, if you need to add special meta-tags or other coding to your pages, the templates in your CMS may not allow this without some serious programming changes.

- If you allow multiple users to manage your website, you may end up with a website that looks less than professional. Not all users understand the correct styling and placement of text and photos.

About the Author
Rick Vidallon is President of Visionefx, a Web design company based in Virginia Beach, Va. They provide services to national companies as well as small to medium businesses throughout the United States. Rick can be reached at (757) 619-6456 or www.visionefx.net.