What is content management?

Content Management has been introduced over the last few years as a way of allowing the web site owner to edit and add to the content of their web site. The last few years have seen advanced 'Open Source' software emerge as a cheap and viable way of integrating Content Management systems into web sites.

How does Content Management work?

As a generalisation, the best way to describe a 'Content Managed' web site is that the 'shell of the page' is built using a markup language (HTML) for the positioning of the elements on the page. A scripting language is then used to contact the database and tell it what information to enter into the web page. If you consider the example below:

The web page demonstrated above is a page from Bucks Van Centre's web site (available here). Their Content Management system is used to control the stock content of their site. The layout or shell of the page is built using HTML code, this is static content that will not be changing regardless of the type of van you choose to view. The thumbnails on the left of the web page are uploaded and their filenames stored in a MySQL database. As the page loads it sends a request to the database asking for all of the large vans to be sent to the web page. The reason for producing the page in this manner is that new van can be added to the database and the web site is then automatically updated as well.

Below are some sample database driven web sites that we have produced.

What are the on-going fees?

Some other web design companies will charge you a monthly fee for using their Content Management system (even ones that are 'off the shelf'!) Our Content Management Systems are built bespokely for you and we still don't charge you a monthly fee for using it!

Pros and Cons

So what are the pros and cons of using a content management system?

Plus points:

• Empowers web site owner to edit the web site themselves
• No alteration fees
• Speed of alterations - it's done as soon as you want it.

Negatives:

• The code generated is not always the most optimised for Search Engines - occassionally it is worthwhile us casting an eye over the code generated.
• The initial outlay for the site might be slightly more
• Annual hosting cost will be slightly higher
• Only site content can be changed, you can not change site structure

Decisions, decisions...

Deciding whether to have a Content Management System or a normal static web site comes down to a few factors;

• How often do you plan on changing the web site?
• Do you have the manpower to makes the necessary changes?
• What happens if you train someone to use the system and they leave?
• Is Search Engine performance the most important factor?

If all these questions are making your head hurt we can help you make the decision when we have a contact meeting.

Sample web sites

Alll of these web sites have a content management system, some control text content on pages and others control products for sale on the site.