From senior to inexperienced, all levels of business owners need to use CMS (Content Management System) if they want their business to be successful. We know the importance of businesses’ online presence, and upon creating (or maintaining) the business website, a CMS is your best ally, allowing full control over the content and product sales. These platforms allow you to work more efficiently and autonomously.
Basically, a CMS is a web-based application, a pre-structured website framework, with the necessary basic features, like visualization and administration. The CMS allows you to have full independence and control over the content and evolution of your online presence, and to dismiss the support of third-parties for routine maintenance tasks.
Purpose of a CMS
The main purpose of a CMS is to make the process of updating websites more agile. Thus, a high-quality CMS will allow multi-user operation. Moreover, quality CMS systems often do not require programming or advanced software skills, but merely the necessary knowledge of a simple text editor. Some of the existing CMSs can allow control over the design and layout of the website.
The number of CMS available is colossal and the choice process can be daunting, especially for the inexperienced ones. With so many options, the important thing is not to rush; don’t just pick randomly during your lunch break and remember the CMS is your best friend. Instead, look for the features you need the CMS to have, as different CMS offer different elements.
Choosing the right CMS is a daunting task and it is vital to differentiate advanced sets of features from a basic set of features.
What Should You Look for in a CMS?
You should identify the basic features that are common across all platforms:
- The CMS platform should be solid but still flexible and easily navigable
- The maintenance costs/efforts should be low
- The CMS should simplify the website construction process.
After pinpointing the basics, you can move on to the more advanced features. They are not as complex as they may sound and can make a real difference in your website:
- Application Programming Interface (API): It is an intermediary software that promotes the interaction of two separate systems, facilitating data sharing effortlessly.
- Plugins: they can allow you to modify elements of your website and to enhance its functionality. For instance, look for a CMS that offers built-in SEO tools.
- Design: Your website isn’t complete until it has the perfect design. The perfect design will make a difference to clients. A good design will make them hooked while a lazy, unorganized website will make them move on to the next company. Designs should not be static, neither should your CMS platform. It should allow you to easily customize your website’s design and layout.
Now, you are ready to choose your CMS and skyrocket your business website!