Web site design is not a one-size-fits-all
practice. As web sites can serve a number of different
purposes - supply information, attract new sales,
create a community, etc - it only makes sense that
web design possibilities be just as varied. One of
the first considerations in creating a web design
is whether a content management system, or CMS, makes
sense. There are some situations when a CMS is clearly
the best choice, while it may be an unnecessary collection
of bells and whistles at other times.
What is a content management system?
In a nutshell, a CMS is software that organizes, powers
and monitors a web site. It includes a front end viewable
by any web user and a password-protected back end
the general public does not see. Management of the
site is centralized from this back end. Depending
upon how the site is built, a content management system
could include features for archiving older content,
entering new content, accessing traffic metrics, managing
navigation, banner rotation, polls, streaming media
uploads and shopping carts, for example. The possibilities
are limited only by the content management system's
configuration and capabilities.
How are traditional web designs and content management
systems different?
Unlike a CMS, traditional or basic HTML-based web
design does not include a front and back end. Effective
management of these sites requires knowledge of good
coding practice, the ability to create new or integrate
pre-written scripts to add functionality as needed
and the creation of an efficient file/directory structure
to accommodate growth.
A content management system, on the other hand, does
not require specialized technical skill to use. Managing
or expanding the web site is a centralized process.
More advanced coding knowledge would only be required
should installation of additional functionality be
desired.
Major benefits of a content management system
- Coding skills are not required
- A good CMS back end will be as complex to use as
basic word processing software. Adding content is
a simple matter of entering and formatting the text.
Accessing features should be no more complicated than
using a pulldown menu.
Convenience
A content management system provides a centralized
administration area from where a wide range of features
from archiving to metrics may be accessed. Consequently,
multiple users can manage their respective areas of
the site or a single user can run the site in its
entirety.
Scalability
A properly configured CMS can accommodate the management
needs of a growing website as well as accept add-on
components to power new features as necessary.
When is a CMS unnecessary?
Despite its convenience and options, a content management
system is not always the best choice. Web sites created
to act only as a point of contact for a brick and
mortar business, for example, may have no need for
CMS functionality. Similarly, small informational
web sites with no plans for future growth would not
benefit from a content management system's scalability.
If the benefits of using a CMS do not speak to the
purpose or scope of a site, it really can be an unnecessary
choice.
Choosing the best web design
Whether or not a web design should be CMS-based or
not depends entirely upon the site's purpose, plans
for growth, functionality, and the availability of
a webmaster or technically-savvy personnel to manage
the site. A CMS would be the ideal web design choice
for a business seeking to offer its customers the
convenience of Internet orders, but not for a business
only wishing to inform it customers of its location
and hours of operation.
About the Author : R. Harvey Bravman is the owner
of
Advanced
Digital Replication, Inc.; providers of web design,
SEO, SEM and a full range of state-of-the-art CD and
DVD replication/duplication services since 1998.
