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Content Management System (CMS)
Nationwide Marketing offers content management systems and search marketing in an effort to better manage web traffic and communication. A content management system or CMS is a program designed to control or manage the content of a website. Content management systems are frequently web applications that manage websites and any of the content there. Content management systems have become increasingly popular because they offer additional features that ease the tasks needed to publish web content to websites.
A content management system is frequently used for storing, controlling, versioning, and publishing industry-specific documentation such as news articles, operators' manuals, technical manuals, sales guides, and marketing brochures. The content managed may include computer files, image media, audio files, video files, electronic documents, and Web content.
A web content management system is a CMS designed to simplify the publication of Web content to Web sites, in particular allowing content creators to submit content without requiring technical knowledge of HTML or the uploading of files.
The web CMS typically consists of two elements: the content management application (CMA) and the content delivery application (CDA). The CMA element allows the content manager or author, who may not know Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), to manage the creation, modification, and removal of content from a Web site without needing the expertise of a Webmaster. The CDA element uses and compiles that information to update the Web site.
With a web content management system, pages are more standardized across the site. Content owners have access to where they can add and edit content, but not to the design itself or any underlying programming that affects the website's function. The Web-based publishing feature allows individuals to use a template or a set of templates approved by the organization, as well as wizards and other tools to create or modify Web content, so a content owner doesn't have to worry about inadvertently messing something up on a company's website.
Why have a CMS?
There are many benefits to implementing a CMS, including:
- Streamlined Authoring Process
- Faster Turnaround Time for New Pages and Changes
- Greater Standardization throughout the Site
- Improved Site Navigation
- Increased Site Flexibility
- Support for Decentralized Authoring
- Increased Security
- Reduced Duplication of Information
- Greater Capacity for Growth
- Reduced Site Maintenance Costs
Who uses content management systems?
Web content management systems are used all over the world to power websites of all sizes, including:
- Corporate Web sites or Portals
- Corporate Intranets and Extranets
- Online Magazines, Newspapers, and Publications
- E-commerce and Online Reservations
- Government Applications
- Small Business Web Sites
- Non-profit and Organizational Web Sites
- Community-based Portals
- School and Church Web Sites
- Personal or Family Homepages
Before You Implement Your CMS
Implementing a content management system requires planning before making the purchase. Some of the things to consider include:
- Determining the business goals that will be achieved by implementing a CMS, including the long-term strategies and direction of your business.
- Identifying your requirements. Involve all the stakeholders in this process including relevant IT staff, business units and end users.
- Evaluating content management systems. Have the vendors provide a detailed description of how each of your requirements will be met by their system. The formal tender process is the most common approach because it ensures that the vendors are accountable for promises they make regarding their CMS. Have them demonstrate how their system will meet your requirements by developing scenarios. Then, create an unbiased scoring system to determine which CMS best suits your needs.
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