We’ve all heard the old parable about the house that was built on sand. Basically it’s a warning about how when undertaking a project you should ensure that the most important parts (ie. the foundation) are in place and of substantial quality, otherwise like the owner of the house who thought he was getting a nice adobe on beach front property, will find your endeavors slowly crumble and fail.
This applies to websites as well. For most small business owners, the initial infatuation over the aesthetics of how their new precious site will look and function supercedes the need for a good foundation, and I can say that I’ve witness far too marny business sites that have crumbled into oblivion because of less than quality website foundational architecture.
If you currently have a website or are looking to have a website represent your business online and haven’t come across something called a Content Management System (or CMS for short), then stop and type “what is a content management system” in Google before proceeding any further.
A content management system is the groundwork behind the cool images, the captivating videos and engaging copy that exist on any website. And without sounding too metaphorical it is the rock, the steel frames, the meat and potatoes, and the super glue. Content management systems come in two types: one created by your web designer and a ready-to-use system and allows a website administrator to upload and revise content and images, create new landing pages, generate RSS feeds and a plethora of other activities.
While a content management system may be an after-thought for most business owners looking to procure a new website, I’ve delineated a few important points below that you should seriously consider before even choosing what color your website background will be.
CMS Tips and Tricks for Novice Business Users
Here are some tips and tricks on how to streamline a backend CMS system so that you as business users – with little time or technical know-how – can maximize your websites operability.
- Functionality
Choosing the right CMS software for your website depends on the nature of your business and what functions or applications best suite your organization in order to market your product or services successfully. A well functioning CMS should offer very easy course material delivery, assessment, control, authoring and maintenance, communication and collaboration and administration.
- Usability
Usability is equally important when choosing a backend CMS system. If the website admin cannot readily make use of the CMS, then the incumbent will be left scratching his head for hours to do something as simple as trying to add a new header on a landing page.
- Customizing the Look
Since most CMS out-of-the-box tools don’t allow for a unique display of graphics and have restrictions in color schemes and layouts, you should ensure that the CMS you are incorporating has the ability to allow you to add and make the changes you want to your website well into the foreseeable future.
- Navigation and Link Structure
Websites are often complex and while a 25 page website won’t have the same complexity as a 100 page website, it is to lose perspective on how your website is ultimately organized. Make sure that your CMS system keeps everything organized in a comprehensible way to you and allows you to maintain control of the main navigation of your site as well as the link structure of all the landing pages that connect from your home page.
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Article By Giessel Razavi
Tags: Affordable Web Design Company, CMS, internet, unique web design, Usability, Vancouver Web Design, Vancouver Web Design Firm, Vancouver Web Designers, Vancouver Website Design Company, web, Web Design, Web Design Company, Web design for small business, Web Design Tips, Web designer, Web designers, Website Colors, Website Design, Website Design Tips, Website for Small Business
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