3 Tips For Choosing the Right Content Management System

A Content Management System (CMS) is a web based system that allows you to edit your own web site's content. It does so without the need for specialized software and knowledge needed to operate what can become overly complicated systems. It is common knowledge that anyone could create and maintain their own web site, but to select the right content management system for your needs can take a little bit of research.

Select a Content Management System that fits your needs.

There are so many content management systems on the market. Some are designed for a specific web host and others are designed for specific needs like photo galleries or blog sites. Selecting a reputable company to host your site is important, but be sure that their system supports the features you need.

For example, if you plan to have some type of event calendar on your site, a common type of page, make sure that the CMS has an easy to use calendar that displays your events in a manner that your web site's guests will easily follow. This means that you should have a pretty good idea of what you want on your site. Use a legal pad to scribble out your ideas, some people even use a story board with a separate page for each section of their site drawn out.

All web sites generally start out with a 'Home' page and a 'Contact Us' page. Beyond these two basic necessities, decide if you will need a products or services page, photo gallery, blog or other general purpose pages. Once you have a good idea of what your site will look like, make sure that the CMS will fit those needs.

Select a Content Management System that fits your knowledge.

Web pages are designed in a language called Hypertext Markup Language or HTML. Most people would never have a need to learn another language and a good CMS eliminates that need. It will create the HTML needed to create your web pages behind the scenes. The good CMS will also fit your ability and knowledge to operate and manage your web site's content.

This brings in what some consider a strong point of debate about how complex a CMS should become, but understanding this tip is very important. If you have a strong knowledge of programming in HTML, PHP or JavaScript a more complex CMS may be needed, however, most people have know idea what PHP or JavaScript even means and should look for a simpler CMS.

Web SPeED, for example, breaks the content of your web page down to simple text boxes. Just change the text and hit save and the change appears on the site. To some more tech-savvy people, this will seem too basic but others will see it as an opportunity to do something with their own web site that may not be possible in other venues.

Select a Content Management System that you can try.

Most CMS will allow you to try out their system in a dummy site designed for that purpose. This is your opportunity to go into their system and make sure that it will fit your needs and your knowledge. Try setting up your site within the parameters of the available sample site and make sure it will work for everything you need. Tinker with it, try to break it if you wish, that is what the sample site is for.

A quality web site will take a bit of research on your part and this testing phase is part of the process. You may find that you need to try several Content Management Systems to get to the right place.

Where ever your site ends up, take some time to ensure that it will be the best it can be. Take the time to decide what you need on your site and honestly evaluate your knowledge level. This may result in a little give and take on the features of your site. Finally, spent the time to try your hand on a CMS that fits those needs from a company that will take a personal interest in your project and work with you.

'Whatever you are, be a good one.' -Abraham Lincoln

David Bailey has been a web developer at his own company Sand Dollar Digital Design, Inc. ( http://www.s-3d.com/ ) for over 12 years.

Web SPeED is designed for simplicity of use so people from most levels of skill can manage their own site. Whether you know nothing about HTML or have years of experience in Javascript, this CMS can help with most projects. See it in action today by visiting http://www.webspeedsites.com/.

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