When people ask me what I do for a living, I tell them I work as a Marketing Manager for a website design company. This then leads to asking more questions about WebAlive and ends up in a discussion about websites, DIY Websites and CMS. There is finally a need to explain a CMS or Content Management System and how it benefits small to medium businesses and the benefits it also has for larger businesses.

I am sure you are curious as to what a Content Management System is…….

A CMS or Content management System allows a business owner to easily manage and update their website when they need to. The CMS allows the user to edit a website when they need to without the need to pay for your website developer to update you content. A website with a CMS saves you time.

But doesn’t a CMS mean I need to choose from a template?

No. A CMS is an editing tool for your website which means the user has complete control over the words and pictures which are used to provide information to your website visitors. Basically you are free to choose either an entry level package which comes complete with a number of templates or a custom designed website. When purchasing a CMS website be sure to look for a website which allows you to upgrade to a custom design when your cash flow allows.

What if I want to add logos, banners and Flash?

The reason you want a CMS is to have control over your website, so what use is a site which is restrictive to what you can add to it? The reason you have chosen a CMS is so you have freedom to upload what you want, therefore you should look for a package which will allow you to easily add your company logo, banners for different pages and flash designs or flash animations to help add value to the user experience and provide useful tools to your website users.

Many low cost website options don’t allow the purchaser the ability add these features to their website packages. This seriously restricts how a website can be built and the appeal of which it can have to your customers.

The lesson here is to do your home work. Decide what you want your website viewers to see. What have you seen on other sites which you think will be useful on your website? Do the cheaper packages allow you to add the features you want to make a good user experience? If the answer is no, maybe cost should not be the deciding factor in your purchase. Remember price is long forgotten but quality long remembered.