A successful and productive website will be easier to edit, manage and maintain for users and webmasters alike. Website content requires regular updates, edits, additions, and proper management, and as such, it is important to use a Content Management System (CMS). The choice of a CMS should be made keeping in mind the diverse needs of the website and therefore, care should be taken. In this article, we will discuss 10 tips for choosing a CMS.
Tips for Choosing a CMS
1. CMS Product Price
The first step is to choose a CMS that is neither cheap nor too expensive. Choosing a low-priced product at a very low price is not always profitable, and the same is true in the case of CMS. Various features, functions and aspects are required which cannot be bought cheaply and that is why cheap options are not recommended. On the other hand, a very expensive product is also not a good bet when the market is crammed with reasonably priced products with good value-for-money features.
2. Research Before Purchase
Pre-purchase research is always an important part of getting a good product and the same logic applies with CMS. In the absence of thorough research, buyers often fail to find a good product. There are many important features and functions that you should know before buying a CMS to get the right product. Proper search before transaction allows cost cutting and getting a good product.
3. Technical CMS
CMS allows easy editing and management of content from the backend of the Website. It is used for constant content updates, as users and webmasters can use it easily. In some cases, many prefer a technical CMS which is often accompanied by complicated handling and processes. With a complicated user interface, a technical CMS won’t be very important in the long run. Therefore, going in for a technical CMS should be avoided at any cost.
4. SEO Factor
SEO is a very important part of a Website that can never be taken for granted, not when choosing a CMS. When choosing a CMS, its SEO friendly potential should be assessed to add value to the Website. With proper analysis and comparison between available products, you can find a CMS that is beneficial for SEO. Ignoring search engine ranking and Website visibility aspects is the least recommended aspect.
5. Mobile Devices
CMS should be chosen based on its support for various modern mobile devices. With the constant growth in mobile technology, more and more users are using smart phones and modern mobile devices to use the Website and the internet. With mobile penetration increasing every day, the selection of a CMS should be made keeping this important factor in mind. It should be noted that the CMS is compatible and flexible with various mobile devices.
6. Community Support
Choosing a CMS on the basis of community is not a very important aspect, although it does have significance to some extent. If community support is available, a CMS is preferred and often works well. With the support of the community, users and webmasters will easily handle the chosen CMS and hence, it is important to look for that aspect.
7. Plugins, Extensions and Modules
When choosing a CMS, it is important to analyze the features of the add-on to make the most of it. If the chosen CMS has various extensions, plugins, and modules, it will be a good choice. With these components, users will definitely have a CMS that is very helpful in achieving targets through the website. Such add-ons add to the features and functionality of the website and as such, should be preferred above all else.
8. Marketing Hoaxes
CMS providers often indulge in intense marketing gimmicks to sell products. Users should be aware of such efforts and make choices based solely on requirements. Providers often persuade by claiming features such as community support and add-ons, although this is not rated as a definite success formula when it comes to CMS. So it is advisable to get a product that suits your needs, not based on its promotional potential.
9. Multi Site Management
A CMS that makes it easy to manage multiple sites with one admin would be a good choice. Users will benefit more from a product that allows easy editing or managing of multiple websites from a single back-end. One dedicated CMS is sufficient to allow you to manage multiple Websites and hence, multi-site management should be preferred. Those who will not follow this type of arrangement will one day have to use it at any cost.
10. Own Preferences and Needs
Often, users often follow the advice of colleagues or friends for CMS, which is definitely not a good move. First of all, the need must be assessed before going in to buy. If the product does not meet the needs listed by the user himself, he will be in a better position to bid on the best available CMS. Taking advice from other people, or inviting an IT person for advice is a good way to go, although the end product must meet your needs above all else.
