Content management systems
What is a content management system?
A content Management System (CMS) is a piece of software which helps you manage your website. Once it has been set up a CMS will enable the average computer user to completely maintain a website.
The basic features of a CMS, which you are likely to need are:
- Ability to create and edit your own pages - if you are able to use word processing software, such as Microsoft Word, you will be able to do this.
- Create and maintain menus, tables of contents etc.
- Add pictures to your website.
However, a CMS gives you much more than that. I recommend an Open Source CMS, called Drupal. This has been developed as a collaborative effort by a large community of software developers. The list of contributed features is very long but here are some examples:
- Search engine optimisation features to help your site do well in search engine rankings.
- Forums to enable your customers to discuss topics of interest.
- Blogs to enable you to announce things to the world.
- Contact forms so people can send emails without publishing their email addresses on the Internet.
- Newsfeeds and subscription facilities so people can keep track of changes on your site.
- Multi-language capability
What's the benefit of this?
With Drupal you get all the above, and more, for free. You may need some help setting things up, but you won't be stung by high costs for software.
- All the features you are likely to need are there ready for when you want to use them.
- Once set up, you can use and maintain the system without having to call in the experts every time you want to make a small change.
If something goes wrong, in addition to the support that I can provide, there is a very large community of users, who can be reached via the Drupal.org website, who can help.
In addition, Drupal is a great platform for developing add-on software. If you have a requirement which can't be met by what's already on offer then it can probably be developed for you. Custom development is one of my strengths and I will be happy to discuss your requirments.