Using a CMS VS HTML
Arguably one of the most important things to consider when choosing to launch a website is which CMS, content management system, you are going to use. But before we explore the different content management systems, you need to know why you should be using one.
If you have a website, you probably fit into one of the two categories.
- Your website pages are static and are built using HTML files
- You use a content management system
If you have a static website, it’s time to cut your losses and upgrade to a CMS (like WordPress, Joomla and Magneto)
What is a CMS?
A content management system, widely known as a CMS, is a software application that can create and manage your website content.
When the web was first introduced, most websites where built using HTML files (a file for every page on the website). To edit content on each page the files had to be individually edited and as you can imagine it was a timely process. As websites developed and businesses became more reliant on their sites, HTML files were no longer an effective method to build and maintain websites.
We’re in a digital word were consumers regularly use websites to learn more about brands and determine whether to buy their products and services. Over the years the demand for websites has increased by businesses, and consequently website content has become more sophisticated and complex.
The solution for easily editing digital content? A CMS.
4 Reasons to Use a CMS
1. Not Technical? No problem.
One of the greatest things about using a CMS is that practically anyone can navigate around one. CMSs are designed so people with little to no programming knowledge can still edit, update and develop their website.
Granted there are still some things that only a tech-savvy person will be able to, but the majority is fairly straight forward.
Even if you are struggling to edit your CMS, there is plenty of help our there through the likes of blogs, support networks and tutorials.
2. Easily Accessible
A CMS can have more than one user, so multiple people from your team can work together to strategize and improve your website content.
Since you can have multiple accounts, more than one person can be responsible for maintaining the website; so, it’s not all down to one person. For example, dependent on the size of your business, you may have one person responsible for posting blogs, one for improving the design of the website and one for handling plug-ins.
Another bonus is you can login to your website from almost anywhere, all you need is a computer, tablet or mobile device (obviously with an internet connection) and you’re good to go.
3. Site Maintenance is Easy
As we said earlier, static websites have a long-winded way of making site changes. With a CMS, maintenance updates won’t halt or break your site. This way you can be confident your site is always on top form and there is not a barrier to consumers accessing your site.
Your CMS might even update automatically, so you might not even have to lift a finger.
4. You’re the Boss
Your responsible for your own website! Handling your SEO and branding is simple, for example, you can easily:
- – Remove irrelevant content so your site isn’t cluttered
- – Keep your content fresh and new to improve your SEO ranking
- – Ensure you’re always delivering the right message
- – Keep on top of content optimising, like keywords and meta descriptions
Alter your website on your own terms. If you want to quickly change the pricing of a product or add a new image on a page, for example, you don’t need to ask a middle-man to do it. Members of your company can do it themselves in just a matter of minutes.
You Might Need a Digital Agency’s Help
Whilst you might be able to manage your own CMS, things do go wrong, and you may run in to problems that you cannot solve.
Ask yourself:
- – Is making edits to your content going to be too time consuming?
- – Do your team know the plugins required to keep your website up-to-speed?
- – Do you have the correct knowledge to optimise each page of your site to reach your target audience?
- – Is altering the format of your website something a member of your team could do?
We’ve already gathered that you certainly do need a CMS to host and maintain your website, but you may need the help of a digital agency to ensure your website is most effective to drive customer conversions and sales.
Could We Help? Different Gravy Digital are experts in designing, building, hosting and maintaining websites.
Get in touch for a free, no obligation consultation for more information!
Why not check out our Digital Marketing Terms Glossary?
E: contact@differentgravydigital.co.uk
Tel: 0161 706 0004
About the author:
Marie Harwood is a Digital Marketing Assistant at Different Gravy Digital, Hale, Cheshire.
Different Gravy Digital are a full service Digital Marketing Agency operating in the Hospitality & Leisure, Financial Services, Legal & Property sectors. Products and services range from; 3D & 360° Tours, Website Design & Build, Social Media, Video Production, Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), Content Creation, Email Marketing, Online Feedback / Review Systems and Paid Advertising (Google, Bing and Social Media).
Contact Details:
marie@differentgravydigital.co.uk
0161 706 0004
120a Ashley Road, Hale, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 2UN