subject: How To Choose The Right Content Management System (cms) [print this page] With all the various technology offered, it can be a very little difficult to choose what CMS to build your website with. So here is my fast guide to assist you evaluate what system is best for you.
1st - do you really want a content management system?
Unless you are planning on updating your site often, it doesn't make sense to own a CMS. A content management system can price you a lot of to provide and host than an everyday HTML site. Once you compare that value to what center would charge to make updates on your behalf - the latter is typically the foremost price-effective choice. You will additionally want to think about whether being personally in charge of your site maintenance is after all a sensible thing. Many people like the concept, but soon discover that learning CMS and finding the time to create the necessary edits on a regular basis, could not be worthwhile.
Choose the system that works best for your desires
Is your website's primary focus e-commerce, a portfolio of labor or a blog? You need to define its main "job" in order to guage how best to accomplish it. Joomla works great for large-scale websites that require additional advanced functions, whereas WordPress is good for smaller sites that are blog-driven. If you propose on simply posting blogs and photos, then you're higher off with a CMS with limited capabilities that's easier to find out, maintain and less expensive to host.
Look at the administration interface
Can you work out the way to handle the basics with no instruction? If you cannot add or edit a page, write a blog or add an image without a tutorial - realize another CMS. You don't wish to be "re-learning" a way to implement changes every time you log in. One last note here, if it doesn't have a WYSIWYG editor for articles or posts - walk away. You don't want a system that creates more work for you.
Choose standard platform
I run across people who build their sites with unknown, unsupported or perhaps proprietary systems. This can become very expensive down the road. All too typically, the initial developer goes missing and you are stuck making an attempt to seek out someone to take over a website that doesn't follow common protocols. A customary, common platform can save you thousands of dollars in development prices if something goes wrong. Opt for a supported CMS like WordPress or Joomla and keep it up!
It ought to supply some inventive flexibility
Some content management systems do not allow a heap of customization in the layout and appearance of the site. You will want to update your web site appearance every number of years and you don't want to make a full new website simply to vary some basic cosmetic features.
Support and documentation
In due course, technical problems will doubtless arise, irrespective of that CMS you choose. It's invaluable to possess somebody readily on the market who will fix the problem or offer you skilled advice. If you've got office, they will handle the difficulty for you and spare you a large number of frustration, but if you are on your own, create positive the CMS you decide on offers a lively support and reference community online you'll contact for help.
