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Website Content Management for SMEs

What is a Website Content Management System?

Website Content Management System is often abbreviated to CMS, or sometimes WCMS

In the context of websites, content management is the process of managing the text, images, links and so on that form the content of a website.

This process is made easier by a Website Content Management System. Website Content Management Systems are all composed of a server (a beefed up PC) running Website Content Management System software.  The server running the Website Content Management System software is connected to the internet, so that you can log in and manage the content of your website. The providers of the Website Content Management System will usually also host your website.

Website Content Management Systems vary enormously in cost and complexity, and choosing one can be a daunting prospect!

The essential quality of a Website Content Management System (CMS or sometimes WCMS) is that it should allow the user to manage the content of a website without having to learn specialist skills such as HTML or programming, and without needing to know anything about "design". The Website Content Management System should avoid interrupting the flow of the editing process. If the Website Content Management System requires the user to think about how to operate the system or about design issues then the flow is lost and the person resorts to compiling the information in another software program such as Word and then pasting in the content into the Website Content Management System.

A good Website Content Management System will separate the design of the website from the content of the website. This means that the design (the "look and feel") is created by a skilled graphic designer and the framework is built by a specialist Website Content Management System programmer. When you update the content of a website using a Website Content Management System it should be impossible for you to wreck the design. Your only concern should be entering the website content and selecting from a palette of pre-designed styles or templates depending on the context or type of information being entered or edited.

To save time and frustration a Website Content Management System should therefore be as intuitive as possible and provide a 'safe' environment where users can type content directly into their website (just as I am doing now) without interruptions to their creative process.

Without a Website Content Management System, (using Frontpage or Dreamweaver for example), the business of updating website content is intricately linked to the structure and design of the website. This means that the person managing the website must also be a graphic designer, website designer and programmer - that's a tall order when all you want to do is to get the updates done and get on with running a business.

What sort of Website Content Management
System would best suit your business?

Historically Website Content Management Systems have been large, heavyweight applications targeted at large corporations. This type of Website Content Management System is definitely not for an SME (Small to Medium sized Enterprise). Even for PLCs, often their corporate website does not require multiple contributors and other 'enterprise' functionality.

The implementation and support costs of complex Website Content Management Systems, and the required staff training, are worthwhile for a sizable business that has a very large website with many different people contributing to the content. For a typical SME however, this type of Website Content Management System is just too difficult, too expensive and takes too long to get implemented.

At the other end of the scale there are a number of online "website builder" services. These are great for personal or non-profit websites and are generally characterised by "click and pick" off-the-shelf designs. These are not true Website Content Management Systems. They fall down because they are limited to pre-determined designs, and lack the flexibility required by an SME website. Cheap prices often mean poor service, so the speed of response of your website, and the speed of response to support issues can be variable. Support is normally by email only with no personal service available.

The 123Live Website Content Management System was developed for SMEs to fill the gap between "cheap and cheerful" "click and pick" website builders, and full blown, heavy duty Website Content Management Systems.

123Live Content Managed Websites are designed by professional graphic designers and implemented by first class HTML/CSS programmers. The website designs are individually created for each customer. The 123Live Website Content Management System is exceptionally easy to use and is available at a price that every small business can afford.

What's more, we can completely change the design or layout of your Content Managed Website without you having to do anything to the content, it all just flows into place with the 'new look'.