Content Management Systems for Small Business Websites

A recent study found that over 40% of consumers would think twice before trading with a company that had no website. If you don’t have a website, then getting one is probably the best New Year’s Resolution you can make for your company.

How can you have a good website and still keep costs in check? For many businesspeople, a content management system (CMS) fits the bill.

A CMS is a function built into your website that allows you to make your own updates. Your CMS can be anything from popular open-source systems like WordPress and Drupal to a custom system developed to meet your particular needs.

A CMS can be a cost saver because it allows you to make your own site updates instead of paying your webmaster to make changes. While some companies (including Oyova) offer site upkeep packages at attractive rates, fees can add up if you make changes frequently.

With a CMS, the initial price of the website may be the only cost, apart from hosting, that you have.

What factors should you take into account when you make decisions about your site’s CMS?

• Do you have staff to make changes? If your workers are already slammed most of the time, then you might not want to add site upkeep to their duties. If your staff isn’t tech-savvy or you have high turnover and can’t be sure that your next hires will be, then it can be more cost-effective to have a maintenance contract with Oyova than to plan to do your own updates. You can plan a site with minimal need for changes and trust us to do the things you need to be done.
• Will you need to make changes frequently? There are trade-offs to using a CMS. Some systems limit the amount of customization possible. Others increase the cost of your initial website. If you plan to use your website primarily to provide consumer information about your business and don’t expect to make changes more than a few times a year, you probably are better off without a CMS.
• Can you meet your standards? A CMS lets you make changes easily, but if your staff doesn’t know HTML or have skills with Photoshop, you may not get the results you hope for. Nor will you want to make changes to your website that leave you with spelling errors, poor-quality images, or clashing colors. Will you be happy with what you can accomplish — or willing to put in the time to learn to get the results you want? If not, your CMS may lead to frustration.

Some content management systems are easier to use than others. Some are more powerful than others. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Discuss your specific needs with your web professionals so they can advise you of the best options available to you.

Remember, though, that many web design firms have control over only one or two content management systems. At Oyova, since we’re developers and not just designers, we can choose the technology that works best for you, not just the one that we happen to know.  Contact us to discuss your vision.