Content Management Systems

A Content Management System (CMS) is a type of web programming used to create a dynamic website with design templates or skins that define the look and feel of a website, while coding in the background controls the actual functionality of the website. Websites designed with content management do not have static HTML like a traditional website. Instead, the pages are generated dynamically using PHP, ASP, or a similar program.

Advantages of Content Management

There are several advantages to using content management over regular HTML programming. One of the most obvious is the ability to quickly change the look and feel of the website by simply changing the website's skin. Changing the skin can be a part of an entire website update, utilized to celebrate a holiday, or offer a special promotion. Because content management uses one basic set of code to control the look of the entire website, making changes to a CMS website is relatively simple.

Another advantage of using content management is the ease with which new content can be published to the website. Posting photos, articles, news, videos, audio files, and other documents is simple with the CMS interface. For websites that expect frequent changes on a daily or weekly basis, the best choice is content management.

Content Management Systems also allow multiple users to post information without compromising the functionality of the website. With content management, multiple authors can publish their text or media on the website without changing the look and feel of the overall website. Since links are generated automatically, content management improves the flow of the website.

Content management also allows users to control the website without having to know HTML in order to publish their content on the internet. As the name implies, Content Management Systems handle all of the necessary programming to publish information. This allows users who may not have extensive web experience to utilize the web-based interface to generate website content. Content Management Systems typically use a "What You See Is What You Get" (WYSIWYG) design interface.

How Much Does It Cost?

Our CMS design services are billed by the hour, since the design work is not on a "per-page" basis like our standard web design services. Our hourly rate is $30.00 and includes all template designs, graphics, css, and necessary programming. Every Content Management System project is different, so its always best to contact us for a quote.