In today’s fierce business environment, there is no doubt that a great website is one of the most powerful resources at any entrepreneur’s disposal. Consequently, choosing the right platform to build your site is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make.
This is especially true if you’re opting to design and manage the website internally. Unless you are an advanced web programmer (and even if you are), opting for a web CMS will be the way forwards.
What is a CMS?
The term CMS is an abbreviation for Content Management System, and that’s exactly what it is. It is a platform that will allow you, the website admin, to build a domain that looks and navigates as you want it to.
CMS facilities use templates to help you tailor the design of your website through various widgets and page options. Meanwhile, it is also the admin panel that enables you to create and publish actual content. Whether it’s a blog post or a product description page, the CMS will be at the heart of everything you do.
Unsurprisingly then, choosing the best option for your needs is imperative.
The important features of a CMS:
There are plenty of CMS options on the market, each offering their unique take on the design and management processes. Ultimately, your job is to find the service that best suits your needs. While those can vary from website to website, there are several factors that almost all web admins desire.
Any CMS platform worth its weight will boast those key features. These include, but are not limited to:
Mobile optimization: Smartphones have changed everything, and consumers are now just as likely to access data via handheld devices. Therefore, a CMS platform that automatically adapts design properties to suit all screens should be top of the agenda.
Simple design tools: A good CMS should boast great templates that can be adapted to suit your brand. Without the ability to customize and personalize the look of your site, it will fall flat. Likewise, it should enable the injection of images, videos, and other media types.
Granular permissions and workflows: A successful website should boast a steady flow of content, and your CMS should accommodate this. Whether it’s editing posts, scheduling them, or managing them doesn’t matter. Full flexibility and control are vital. Meanwhile, admins using staff members will want to an approval system in place.
Strong SEO facilities: Ultimately, the success and failure of the site will be determined by traffic levels. Any good CMS will enable easy search engine optimization. This could be through tags or a variety of other tools. Either way, a web design platform that allows a site to rank highly on Google is key.
Scalability: Speed is a crucial feature for any website, especially when it comes to loading times. If the CMS boasts the performance features to cope with a growing audience, the website will be in a far better position for sustained results.
Choosing the right CMS for you:
Essentially, no two website owners are identical. As such, the best option on the market may vary from person to person also. Before committing to a decision, make sure you’ve considered the following:
Your needs: Different CMS platforms are designed with specific businesses in mind. A small localized company may have contrasting demands compared to a global giant. For the sake of finding the right features and right pricing, understanding your desires is key.
Your audience: Ultimately, a successful website is built on the response of the visitors. Therefore, it’s imperative that your site is designed with their needs in mind. If they aren’t technically gifted, for example, choosing a simple template on a simplistic CMS is best advised. Essentially, aiming for familiarity and comfort is king.
Your budget: In business, it’s not simply a case of what you can afford. If your website is likely to gain only a few visits from a very select audience, is it worth investing heavily in an advanced CMS? Working with your budget, needs, and target market should point you in the direction.
Deciding for the right CMS can be overwhelming our technical team is here to help you make the best decision. So if you still need a helping, do not hesitate in contacting today!
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