A Content Managements System (CMS) is basically an additional webpage with forms that allow you to make changes to your website without having to do any programming. It is a great tool and if used properly can be extremely cost effective. It seems like a no-brainer to have one in place. However, the person(s) who are assigned to manage your website’s content should have some basic proficiencies. Below are some important factors to consider when employing the use of a CMS both from the client’s and web developer’s perspective.
Grammatical Accuracy: It is not uncommon to find grammatical errors on a website. In fact I have come across quite a few on some major websites that I know have multiple editors scanning for accuracy. You may even find one or two on this website as I usually write these blogs with one eye on the screen and the other focussed on my pillow. However, a website with many basic spelling errors and several occurrences of non-agreement of subject and verb can make your entire service or product look inferior.
Graphic Design: While your content editors are not expected to be Adobe Photoshop gurus they should have some type of eye for design and have a good idea of what type of imagery should be used. If not, your website will eventually take on the look of a Powerpoint presentation with tacky clipart images and multiple font types every and anywhere. If you are a developer, your client’s lack of design savvy will ruin your portfolio as your once beautifully designed templates now take on a very unprofessional look that could drive away future customers.
Time and Resources: Managing the content of your website should not be given to person(s) who are too busy. Your website should be updated regulary and promptly. Everytime a person vists there should be some new content or featured product. A person who hardly has the time to update because their plate is too full will most likely hardly have the time to care about how the content looks after it is uploaded.
In my experience as a developer offering a Content Management System is a must for all the websites I create. However, during the life of the website person(s) assigned the task must be guided along the way (even if at no cost). If not they will soon turn their own website into a monster that they themselves are not happy with and for some funny reason you, the developer, would be the one to blame. In addition, your client will soon cry out for a redesign and it may very well turn out that you are not the one doing it.