Effective content management systems (CMS) can make employee workflows much faster, lead to greater web productivity, and help streamline publishing processes. The point of a CMS system is to allow an organization to make content changes to a website, without touching the code and structure of a website. Web designers and developers can rejoice, because their infrastructures are safer when others post web content via a CMS. These five characteristics of good CMS solutions can help companies that are searching for the right fit.
1. A clear user interface
Function should meet simplicity in a good CMS. Software is not effective if employees are struggling to find specific buttons or jumping through hoops to complete basic tasks. These challenges can slow down productivity and cause more issues than they are worth. Before committing to a CMS solution, make sure that the user interface is intuitive, helping workers simplify their workday.
2. Testers
Before adopting a new CMS, a company should have employees test drive trial versions of software in low-risk scenarios. The last thing a business needs is to invest money in a CMS that has major bugs or does not fit their needs. Test a new CMS out with a company’s existing processes, making sure that all work tasks can be executed quickly and efficiently on this new platform. If a CMS solution is not a good fit, consider moving to a different one.
3. Active developers and support
Take a look at the company that created a CMS solution. Make sure that developers are still actively releasing updates, patches, and security features. Don’t invest in a CMS that is outdated or one with little tech support. A quality web presence is critical for serious businesses. Consider what kinds of tech support are available to employees. If there is a system crash or workflow error, a business should be able to contact a CMS company easily to find a solution.
4. Customizable functions
A good CMS solution is customizable, allowing company leaders to set permissions for users, control content published to a website, and filter out spam. Websites that allow the public to submit comments can be moderated by a CMS, allowing employees to view comments before they are posted for public view. Not every staff member should have administrative control, so make sure to customize user account permissions.
5. A good host
Many CMS solutions provide software that must be installed and stored with online hosting. Companies can leverage Windows VPS hosting to efficiently manage their website and content. Make sure to research hosting solutions carefully, to make sure a company will not experience poor traffic rates or downtime.
