We get this question all the time. What type of website is best for my business? If you’re a business that regularly puts content on your website (blog posts, images, web apps, videos, etc.), you definitely need something more dynamic than a static website. 95% of all businesses need something that will allow for quick and easy changes, edits, and updates. The industry has dubbed the software – content management system (CMS). The value behind a CMS is in its flexibility. Hence why I use such a system everyday — in fact I am using Wordpress right now to write this blog entry. What Does a CMS Do? Content management systems are very flexible, and thus you can use them for multiple purposes.  There are systems for simple blogs to advanced data repositories.  They all have similar features, though, including:

• Design: It’s easy to create and switch out the look and feel of your websites
• Editing tools: Most content management systems have tools for creating, editing, and publishing new web pages and articles.
• Multiple user management: Multiple people can be logged into a CMS and change different parts of the website, based on their assigned privileges.
• Upgradeable: It’s easy to add new plugins or functionality to a CMS
• Community / Support Group: The open source community stands behind one another providing ample resources for DIY quick fixes / code snipbits for helping your small business add a new application to your existing website.

The top thing to take away is that the CMS makes it much easier to manage a website, especially for those without technical or programming experience. Reasons to Use a CMS for a Small Business If you intend to update your website often, then use a CMS system.  If you intend to blog, post press releases, or post pictures, go with a CMS.  If your website is very simple or if it is actually a web application that is not about managing content, still go with a CMS system, you never know when you will begin to need to make changes. It should not cost you anymore to purchase a CMS system as your website platform vs. a static website. If you are told something different then find a new provider. In fact many times it is easier / faster / cheaper for developers to use existing technologies (CMS systems) in their developmental process. We live in a social media world. Everything is tweet this or tweet that — so the need to integrate social media content through use of widget is crucial. Most CMSs come pre-equipped for rapid deployment of such technology. There are very few reasons not to use a CMS.

• Excess Baggage: CMS systems come with a ton of features, most of which you will not use. Site loading can be affected by the excess files associated with standard installs.
• Flexibility / Scalability: CMS systems are pre built to be flexibile – fit websites of all shapes and sizes. That said, as soon as you try to adapt a system to fit very specific needs, developers / site owners risk causing accidental code errors which ultimately can affect overal performance and site vulnerability. Joomla has over 32,000 files in its standard install.

Which One Should I choose? The best advice I can give on choosing a CMS is to go with one that you are comfortable with. Most are free and include templates and plug-ins to get started.  However, if you want your site to feel unique, you’re going to have to put in some hard work building your own design (or hiring an expert who can.) For our clients we use only the most proven and popular content management systems including WordPress (a very popular CMS for blogs), Drupal (an open-source solution), Joomla (created in PHP), and Radiant (written in Ruby). Related articles

• Building a website? How to choose the right CMS (entrepreneur.venturebeat.com)
• Best CMS (tech36.com)

Modified and repurposed from OPENFORUM.com