Content Management Systems

A content management system (CMS) allows users to maintain content on their own websites without having to rely on technical personell. Content management systems allow you to organize articles and multimedia content on a website through an interface that works much like a traditional word processor. Because end users maintain the website themselves, the cost of a website built on a content management platform can be much less than traditional web applications.

The Cost of a Content Management System

Unless you are operating an online magazine with millions of readers, you will likely not want to invest in a high-end CMS. Top-of-the-line content management systems can cost your organization thousands of dollars. Because they are designed for professional news organizations, they also have a higher learning curve to master all of the advanced features.

If you are working independently or operating a small business, you would probably want to choose an open source content management system. Open source systems are typically free. This means that your only costs would be the domain name, web hosting account, and possibly payment to a third party for installation assistance. Many web hosts provide one-click installation of the most popular CMS scripts, including Joomla and Drupal.

Customizing Your CMS Installation

Once you've chosent the CMS you wish to use, you will want to have a custom template created to give your site a professional appearance. You can purchase templates from a variety of online template vendors, or you may hire a web designer to prepare a custom template to your specifications. You may also enhance your site by installing third party modules to provide additional functionality.

More Information on Content Management Systems

If your are interested in learning more about using content management systems to simplify website maintenance, contact us for a no-obligation free consultation. Simply fill out our contact form, and someone will call or email you to arrange the initial discussion.