Does my website need a Content Management Solution (CMS)?

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A company website will each define to its own purpose, a service, product, brochure, or resource. However, during analysis of a business website strategy, is a Content Management Solution (CMS) actually necessary? Lets take a look at Static and Content Management driven websites.

Static Website Design
Typically we refer to a website as a ‘Static Website Design’ when the back-end has no CMS integrated. There will be no dynamic content and all updates are typically completed by a web designer/developer. Updates could take from a few minutes to a few weeks dependent on the amount of changes required from the company. Static websites can be simple to create, therefore very useful if a company has deadlines to meet. A company may also elect a static website if they perhaps have their own internal IT department that already may have knowledge to update a website.

Static Website Advantages:

• Cost effective.
• Simple to create.

Static Website Disadvantages:

• Routine maintenance.
• Less flexibility with no dynamic content.
• Time must be scheduled with a web designer.

CMS Website Design
A website with a Content Management Solution integrated allows a business to modify, edit, delete or update their content. This is an ideal solution for those who would like to pursue an eCommerce website or perhaps require full access to their websites content without the aid of a website designer.

Open Source technology such as WordPress, Joomla etc have been a popular choice for many businesses requiring CMS, however there are many other software choices.

Advantages

• Access to content without knowledge of coding.
• Long term costs are reduced.
• Updates are immediate (or scheduled) as required.
• Integration of software (or plugins) readily available.

Disadvantages

• Initial development cost may take longer.
• In some cases, minimal Training may be required.

Can a Static Website add a CMS later?
This is very possible dependent on what CMS solution we decide to incorporate. This for example could be a later phase or perhaps an ideal result for a company with a limited budget. However, the disadvantage is that it would take longer to create, meaning the possibility of higher expenses. It is a time4design recommendation to integrate a CMS during the build process, or to execute a strategy that will allow easy integration of a CMS at a later date.

We hope this article has helped your better understanding of Content Management Systems and we look forward to help you with your own integration.