Thursday, November 1, 2012

Need a Web Content Manager? what to look for

By Dan Wilson


For the times when you need to upgrade web content management, keep different elements in mind in the process of deciding on a new system. Your questions and evaluation need to go beyond what is easiest to use. Focus on what can work best for your needs and what will translate into a real upgrade of your current website, not just a cosmetic change.

When starting to look at these systems, take a look at your existing site. Some tweaks on the front end may make all the difference in your needs and current capacity to serve your clients. Go through a quality audit to see what can be changed and how a new system might help.

As you go through a website functionality audit, see how your site is primarily used. If it is transaction based, this can push the decision toward certain systems to serve that need. If this is an intranet site for employees only, then the needs will be different to accommodate those types of functions.

When you compare vendors, it can be worth your while to see what they could do to improve your existing site. Rather than having them show you an existing model, allow them to revamp a part of your site for improvements. This can be a good gauge among vendors to see who shows the most creativity from using the same material.

Since the Web and people's use of it keep evolving, decide on what features you want for a Web 2.0 site. Also consider any related apps you may want developed and how that could relate to a new system and to promote your site to a wider audience. Something that could shoot information to the app might be in order for your needs when upgrading.

Make sure you spend time with the different vendors for adequate comparisons of their skill sets and what you think they will be able to provide for your site. Ask about what to expect with follow-up work and technical support possibilities to be delivered in an ongoing fashion. If there is a language difference, make sure there are translators in place to work with so that information can flow accurately between you and the vendor.

Money is probably the main factor when determining the right team for you. However, it also is important that you can work well with the team you choose. The work needs to go beyond the sales pitch and be delivered in a timely and successful manner. Consider the team that you get along with and who seems realistic in goals and performance.

Take time to compare packages and prices from vendors and then go with the system that is right for you. Web content management may be the most important element of your company's interactions with the public. Make sure what goes on behind the scenes makes sense for what the public sees of your business as a professional entity.




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