There are a number of ways that a good content management system (CMS) can make your life as a business owner or online marketer a lot easier. Not only can they automate a number of e-commerce functions, but they can also allow you to make changes to your business website quickly and efficiently while still preserving its existing look and feel– without having to call your web design team or increase your billable hours.
In order to enjoy these benefits you should carefully select the right CMS for your website or online business. Given the hundreds of options available, deciding on the best system for your business can be harder than you might think. Because choosing a CMS is such an important decision, here are the five biggest mistakes you should avoid:
1. Choosing a CMS on price alone. A good content management system can range from nearly free to very expensive. Opting for the lowest-price option, however, is often a prescription for disaster. Why? Because it might not perform how you need it to, and could even end up costing you a lot more money later if you have to pay a web designer or developer to undo damage done to your business website.
2. Letting someone else choose a CMS for you. Most clients strongly consider the recommendations of their online marketing and IT partners. However, it is important you do a little digging before you commit to a particular system. Do some comparison-shopping and find out about the kinds of tools and features the recommended system offers. Choosing a CMS is a big decision; always carefully consider your options.
3. Choosing a CMS you will have trouble using. Your web design team should be able to walk you through a demo of the CMS before installation. This is important because you want to make sure the menus and interfaces are clear and that you will be comfortable interacting with them. What's the point of having a content management system if you still need someone else to update your site for you?
4. Following the crowd. Many of the more popular content management systems like to advertise the fact that they have thousands or even tens of thousands of users. However, that doesn't necessarily make them a better fit for your business. Just because others have chosen a CMS doesn't mean that you shouldn’t concentrate on finding the one that fits your needs, not the one that has worked for everyone else.
5. Overlooking gaps in a CMS's functionality. On the other side of the coin, some of the more popular CMS systems will offer advanced features and plug-ins. It's fine to choose one that doesn't, but make sure you aren't passing over certain functionality that you could really use in your business.
Choosing the right content management system for your business doesn’t have to be difficult; a little time and effort can point you in the right direction. Follow these tips and you should end up with a platform that makes keeping your website up to date more of a convenience and less of a chore.
