There are many different web content management systems available for public and business consumption. A business may go through dozens before finally choosing one that they believe suits its needs. The process is often rigorous and time consuming. Representatives from the companies may come out and perform a presentation to sway the business into the decision to use their software. The question lies in what are content management systems (CMS), and how can a business or even personal user determine what is best for them? What goes into the process of deciding which CMS is best for their needs, and what is the next step after one is chosen? Why can’t it be as simple as plug and play?
What are web content management systems (WCMS)?
A web content management system is not much different than a content management system other than the way the software is applied. A web content management system is content management system software implemented as a web application. The abilities of the latest content management systems are far better than they once were when they made their debuts on the web. Now you can use a CMS to do just about anything including post content, upload and handle media, interact with social media and create personalization and engagement with customers online. The best content management systems offer ways to extend their functionality beyond the core abilities to be able to match business needs.
Identifying your CMS needs
Think on a grander scale. That’s my first piece of advice. Most businesses only pick the CMS that does the best at creating, editing and managing content. Which is great. After all, that’s where the roots of a CMS come from, but there are many more needs of your business that a good CMS can meet.
First begin with what you want your website to do. What is the website goal? Do you have multiple goals? At the end of the day what will make you money? These are questions that you need to consider. Identifying your CMS needs is as simple as defining what can make you more money on the web. Is it generating traffic? Is it converting leads into sales? Is it a little bit of both? What will make your website tick and give the biggest return on your investment?
Once you know your business needs it’s all about finding the CMS that fills those requirements.
How do you choose a CMS?
Beyond core functionality and other technical aspects of choosing a CMS, a level of care of thought is often not given to the decision making process of choosing the right CMS for a business. The truth is there are many content management systems to choose from. Consider some of the intangibles of a CMS when picking which one will best do the job. Much like sports teams, sometimes it’s the intangibles that push a product or a team to the next level.
What do you do after you implement a CMS?
The day’s finally arrived. All the hard work of determining website business goals and objectives, selecting a CMS and implementing a CMS is over. Now what? I have bad news – you’ve only just begun.
We previously reviewed the strategy of web content management, and now that your CMS is implemented and ready you need to start implementing that strategy. It’s a process that seems to repeat itself over and over again. You do a round of content planning, revisions and entry. A few months later you go through the process again. Your business and customers will change. Your industry will change. The world will change.
A CMS is only a vehicle to execute your plan. There will be constant strategy, revision and execution with the help of the CMS. For instance, you cannot drive from your home to work without a plan and execution. You know the route you’re going to take, and then you or the driver of your carpool will get you there. The car doesn’t know where you want to go and how.
Choosing and implementing a CMS is such a small portion of web content management. It’s a shame it often gets most of the publicity.
So in summary, web content management systems are only tools to get the job done. The real magic comes from the users.
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