Apr
6
Written by:
Mike Ricketts
4/6/2011 11:36 AM
No, "CMS" is not an abbreviation for a "Cool Monkey Suit", but if you have one I would encourage you to put it on while you read this.
So what is a CMS? Simply put, a Content Management System is website architecture that provides a means to collaborate, share data, manage and update website content without requiring programming knowledge. One of the biggest advantages of a CMS is that it does not require programming knowledge or special software to use. CMS websites can managed and updated using any standard browser. There are literally hundreds of CMS platforms on the market, but most of them implement an easy to use interface simliar to what you might see in your favorite word processor such as Microsoft Word.
Authorized users can copy/paste, import photos and text, change colors, fonts and more using an intuitive WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) interface. If your website calls for it, you can also set up different levels of security with roles so that users are authorized to update different areas of your site while restricting areas you choose. Possibilities are endless, but the main point is that you can empower the right people in the right departments to keep their own content updated. Organizations of any size can see immediate benefit. From hospitals to restaurants, from booster clubs to large corporations, no site is too big or too small for a CMS.
If you already have a website, content can be easily ported to a new CMS platform. It is important to choose a CMS that has been proven, has been around, and has a large support and user community. Many of the best CMS applications are absolutely free!
Another big advantage of a CMS is that you can add on plugins or modules to easily add new features to your website. Some of these modules are free and others are available for purchase. Foresight can also create custom modules if you have specialized requirements. The ability to customize or extend the CMS opens up a world of limitless opportunities.
Why is all of this important?
It all comes down to making it as easy as possible to keep your website updated with the latest content. After all, that is what your customers and site visitors are expecting to see. They're really not interested in a sale that ended 3 months ago, and if they see that, they may start to question your credibility.
Dynamic content doesn't have to be groundbreaking or innovative. It's often best to keep it short and simple. A tire store may include a news clip about winter tires. A clothing store may want to announce a new line they are offering. Sales, news, tips, advice, warnings, events, invitations and thank you's are just a few examples of content that can be fresh and exciting. Those items are what you want to keep front and center for your site visitors.
Three final thoughts and tips for your CMS:
- Provide quick and easy access to information
- Impress your site visitors with new topics
- Keep them coming back
A CMS alone does not guarantee that your website will dynamic and your content will be fresh. That part is still up to you. So make sure to allocate time on a regular basis (daily, weekly, monthly) to keep your site current and relevant.