CMSIntro

Essential Content Management System features

Content Management Systems (CMS) have many features that make them appealing to web designers and particularly to small business. The features I fill are the most advantageous are:

• Easier to update web pages – e-commerce sites that are continuously updating their product line would find this feature a “must have”.
• Does not require a web designer for updates – This is a “win win” situation for the both the web designer and business incorporating a web site. The designer can devote more time doing others things then continuously being called to update web sites. Its good business for both sides.
• Access Levels – controlling the level of access or even better, the level of editing prevents the client or different levels of expertise from totally screwing up a web site providing somewhat of a damage control tool.
• Updates can be made from anywhere on the web - When time is of the essences or when you just want correct a misspelled word, updates can be made from anywhere you have access to the web.

Nice to have CMS features

Some other features of CMS that is nice but not really as essential to the ones listed above are:

• CMS software updates – other non-CMS web sites are usually a done deal once incorporated with no other changes to usability or functionality unless a coder is hired to do so. CMS software constantly being improved, debugged and new plug-ins developed. That being said, CMS can potentially save time and money down the road with software improvements and additional capabilities.
• Company/Website Versatility – as mentioned above the plug-in possibilities provide companies the option to expand their web site to their needs as the company grows or develops other needs.
• Changes to the web sites appearance – CMS can use templates to make appearance changes again not requiring a designer/coder.
• Community Support - CMS software usually has a community of  users that can be utilized for questions, themes’,  and additional documentation.

Evaluation of CMS options

Designers will need to educate themselves on the various CMS options and their features available.  Read what others users are saying about the software out there and decide which will meet their customers’ needs. Finally, just get into the software and attempt to make it do what you want.

CMS and Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

CMS and SEO seem to be a bit of gray area based on the many readings I found on the web. Some sites I visited recommended particular CMS software based on its superior SEO capabilities. A web site called CMS Critic declares the top 5 CMS software in regards to being good with SEO. The blog, blog.bridgelinesw.com discusses features of CMS software and ways to improve SEO. Three key methods mentioned are:

1. Ensure page titles and meta data can be edited
2. Link to other pages on your website using accurate words. Say what it is vice “Click here”.
3. Provide new and fresh content on website. This is where the ease and timely updates of CMS will help improve SEO.

Why learn more about CMS

In this day and age websites quickly become obsolete unless they are constantly updated. Static web sites are difficult and expensive to maintain. This being said, CMS software will be a very appealing option becoming more and more utilized. As a designer looking to keep up with the times, not to mention pay the bills, it will be very important to learn CMS software and provide that alternative to the future clients. As mentioned earlier, the only way to do this is read about the different software, pick a couple to learn and as they say, “just do it”.

References:
http://www.cyprich.com/2008/03/25/7-reasons-to-use-a-cms/
http://interscapeinc.com/291.html
http://www.fivecube.com/company/inside_fivecube/approach/cms/
http://blog.bridgelinesw.com/2009/12/seo-strategy-cms-tips/
http://blog.bridgelinesw.com/2009/08/maximize-your-websites-seo-with-your-cms/#more-807
http://www.cmscritic.com/top-5-seo-friendly-content-management-systems/