CMS Jam Content Management Systems: News and Resources

Content management systems run the gamut from very basic and simple to extremely complex and feature-rich. Large organizations that have extensive staff members, all needing access to site editing, designing, and programming, are probably going to be using the high-end, expensive, feature-rich systems. The independent webmaster often has no need for such complexities or bells and whistles. If you want a simple, easy-to-understand, easy-to-manage, and easy-to-install site management system, here’s what you should be looking for.

1. Is the install process easy and well-documented? This is going to be your very first task, and a confusing install process can make or break your impression of the system.
2. Speaking of documentation, is the user guide useful? Does it contain both a quick start section, as well as detailed information about every aspect of the system?
3. Is the admin area easily navigable? Could you figure out what to do even without a manual?
4. Does the CMS separate form from function? In other words, can you add, edit, and delete content without destroying the design? Can a designer change the look and feel of the site without ever touching the actual content? Even if you are the only person working on the site, as both designer and content writer, you’ll still want to work with each separately, so there’s no chance of destroying the design or the content when you make changes.
5. Can you assign different users to different levels of responsibility, such as content writers, designers, programmers, etc.? Again, you may be the only person responsible for each of these things, but it’s always nice to be able to log in as a type of user, so you are only presented with the options allowed for that user. This prevents you from accidentally mucking up something you didn’t intend.
6. Once the initial install, setup, and design work is completed, the bulk of the work from now through eternity will consist of creating content. Since you will likely be doing this frequently and for a long time to come, it is imperative that the content creation/editing process be quick, easy, and straight-forward. Can you quickly create a new page, assign it to a category/navigational section, and publish it without having to be a techno-geek or jump through hoops?
7. Can the content management system create search-friendly URLs, such as yoursite.com/article-title/ rather than yoursite.com/article.php?id=8327?
8. Can the system easily accept plugins and/or modules that extend it’s base configuration? In other words, can you find add-ons such as image galleries, forums, shopping carts, etc. that can be easily plugged in to extend the site’s functionality?
9. Does the system make us of design templates, so that you can easily create new themes, or download user-created templates online? Having the ability to easily theme or “skin” a site can be a huge time-saver when creating a new site
10. Is there support, either officially from the creators of the CMS, or a robust community that is fully involved and ready to help? No matter how easy a CMS is, you will have questions and/or problems to resolve at some point. Getting good support is crucial to your happiness with any system.

Notice that I left out the entire concept of price or cost from this list. Why? Because in most cases, it’s just not an issue for the average Joe webmaster. There are so many free, open-source CMS options that you may never even need to look at anything that comes with a price. I would certainly urge you to try the open source options first. If those just don’t work for you, then you can always investigate the paid options later.

If I had to condense this entire list down to one thing, what would that be? Ensure that the CMS you are using is user-friendly. The one-person site manager or the small business with just a few employees cannot afford to be lost in a sea of techno-garble. No amount of fancy features can make up for the fact that its users just can’t figure out how to use the system.