A good Content Management System (CMS) should be at the centre of every digital strategy because it controls the way that content is created and distributed. However, it doesn’t really matter how good your ideas are, if your CMS isn’t functioning as it should, it won’t have the impact that you expected.
The trouble is that there are so many different content management systems out there today, and so it can be a bit overwhelming. You can feel like you do not know where to begin and what you should be searching for when choosing a content management system for your business.
A content management system will very much depend on what you expect from it. Some businesses require an advanced system bespoke to their requirements while other businesses can work very well with WordPress.
There are lots of things to consider when it comes to choosing a CMS. A web-based CMS such as WordPress can make it very easy to create, manage and maintain your content and is the preferred choice for many. The first step in the process is to look at your business and determine your requirements, activities and processes. Understand how you use your content through the various channels and how your business operates. Your focus should be on making investments in technology while also improving operational efficiency. The CMS should not be over complicated and it should be easy for non-technical members of staff to use without having to rely on support from the IT team to carry out day to day tasks.
A content management system will significantly improve efficiency and productivity. Here are just some of the many reasons why a CMS can help your business.
Update Content – A CMS allows you to manage content really easily through a dedicated web-based portal. All you need to do is log in and you can manage, update, post or remove content on your site.
Secure – Many content management systems are secure or they allow you to add in security plugins and tools to create a robust website that can withstand attacks and security threats. Always remember, security is integrity when it comes to keeping customer data secure.
Performance – A good CMS will help your website rather than hinder it through optimising the way pages load and using multiple web hosting servers to distribute requests
How to choose a CMS
Choosing a CMS is a big decision. It is really important that you identify the tools that you need and the fundamental features that are essential to run a safe, secure and fast website.
Whether you require a completely new CMS or a scalable solution to cope with growing demand for your business, look out for the following features:
Usability – Every business will place different demands on a CMS. Look for a solution that provides flexibility and allows content contributors to manage the look and feel of pages without specialist technical knowledge. This is something you should look for in any type of software you use, whether it is a CMS, PPC reporting software, or software for business accounting!
Responsiveness – More people than ever before are using mobile devices to shop, browse and search. Choose a CMS that provides the tools and functionality that you need to develop a valuable experience for mobile users.
SEO – A good CMS should lay a strong foundation for SEO. Look for CMS platforms that feature SEO tools that will help your website rank.
Customer Service – Choose a CMS which can be deployed on-premises or hosted in the cloud. Choose a provider who provides a range of service and support options to ensure that they adequately meet the needs of your business and users.
Security – Last but not least, the importance of considering security when looking for any sort of business software cannot be ignored today. You need to make sure that all of the data you are inputting is going to be protected. Do not merely assume that this is the case. Find out about the specific encryption methods and such like that are being used by the provider.
When choosing the right CMS for your business, you need to understand what is currently working, what could be improved and what areas need immediate attention. Look at your existing IT infrastructure and use what you already have. A good CMS should provide all of the features and functionality that you need to manage and maintain a strong online presence.
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