What is Content Management?

Put simply, Content Management allows you to update your website easily. 

Most websites have areas of text and pictures that need to change frequently.  Example areas are:

·                                 News Releases

·                                 Client Lists

·                                 Latest Information

·                                 Frequently Asked Questions

·                                 Front page Information.

Content Management allows you to update these, and other, areas easily.

The Content Management System is used by members of staff who do not have training in building websites.  Each member of staff is given responsibility for one or more Content Managed Areas.  A Content Managed Area (CMA) is a place in your website that you want to change on a regular basis.

Each member of staff can access their CMA over the internet using a secure logon and password.  The Content Management System shows them their CMA and allows them to make changes.  This could be by adding text, adding pictures, adding a new page or removing any of these items.  Importantly, the skills that your member of staff need are those they use when they surf the internet and fill in a form.

When they have completed the changes, they can publish the update to the website.  At this point, the new content becomes available to visitors to your website. 

Does my Organisation Need Content Management?

Your organisation needs content management if you have a website that you want to update on a regular basis.

Traditionally, updates to a website have been handled by an internal webmaster or by an external website company.  Both of these methods have problems: small changes take too long; communicating changes can be difficult; cost is incurred with external companies; and your website can be out of date.

Content management removes these problems by allowing members of your staff to update your website.

How will it Affect my Organisation?

Members of your staff will take responsibility for specific areas of your website. 

This means that they will require training in the use of the Content Management System, and they will need to know that they are responsible for updating their area of the website.

In addition, your webmaster will need to help you to identify the Content Management Areas (CMAs) to be created, and your webmaster will need to link these areas into your overall website.

Very quickly, your website will become dynamic and up to date, and your staff will feel that they own the website and start to use it as a powerful communication tool with your website users.

What Steps Should I Take?

If you feel that you should benefit from Content Management in your website, take the following steps:

·         Draw up a list of the areas in your website that should be Content Managed

·         Identify the member of staff that will be responsible for each area.  Ensure that he/she is comfortable with internet surfing and filling in forms on the internet

·         Organise a training session for the staff members: How to use the Content Management System (click here for details)

·         Organise a training session for the webmaster: How to integrate Content Managed Areas with your website (click here for details)

·         Help each member of staff to develop their Content Managed Area (CMA)

·         Target the webmaster to integrate each CMA with your website as they become available.

The CMS Centre provides training and consultancy (UK based) in each of these areas.  Contact us for a friendly discussion. 

How Much Will it Cost?

The CMS Centre provides

·         The Content Management System, an internet based system for updating content in your website

·         Training for users of the Content Management System

·         Consultancy in the use of Content Management.

Prices start from £500 per year for a single Content Managed Area.  Training is supplied at £800 per day, and it is possible to provide both courses (How to use and How to integrate) within a single day.  Consultancy assistance is supplied at £500 per day.  Prices are ex VAT and travel costs are charged (The CMS Centre is based in Sussex, England).

What are my first steps?

·         Take a look at the Content Management System by clicking here. 

·         Then call us to discuss your requirements. 

We look forward to hearing from you.