Fact vs. Myth | Content Management Systems | Spectrum
content management systems

What is Fact & What is Myth in Content Management Systems?

What is the most believable myth about Content Management Systems (CMS)? 

Can you tell the difference between Facts and Myths when it comes to your website? What about the following statements:

  1. Content Management Systems manage actual content.
  2. Content Management Systems make creating content more efficient.
  3. Content Management Systems enhance the chances of ranking.
  4. Only large companies and Fortune 500 companies use cms systems.
  5. CMS Systems are 100% free.
  6. Content Management Systems aren’t secure.

Content Management System manages actual content?

People who desire CMS seem to think that this software manages the content and creates it for you. Sadly, not one CMS does that.

What is the Fact of CMS, then? Content Management Systems provide sets of tools and processes that you can use to help you manage content. But you are the one who must do the work of actually managing the content. This means that you should learn the tools and understand the processes the CMS gives. Content Management Systems do make creating content more efficient because after you are trained on the software, you can make the changes yourself, and there is less need for a developer.

The best Content Management Systems in the world does nothing to create content.

Content Management Systems make creating content more efficient?

Another convincing myth about Content Management Systems is that only large companies use these systems and that anyone can provide content since CMS lets you give the author free rights to anyone and everyone. The compelling want behind this myth is: if your employees provide content, then you are receiving “free” content.

This myth ignores these three important facts:

  • Nothing is truly free- everything has a price.
    • In this case, you are taking the employee’s time from other skilled activities and tasks.
    • You will need a developer and designer initially to get everything set up.
    • Monthly hosting isn’t included and isn’t free either.
  • Every business can utilize content management systems, such as WordPress or other open source applications. You do initially need a developer to get started but, these systems are accessible to everyone.
  • You assume when your employees write the content that it matches your specific voice and is appropriate for the web, since writing for the web and print are two very different things.

Content Management Systems aren't secure?

The security myth can be debunked by Google.  When we talk about website security, people think of e-commerce systems and SSL certificates.  There is a whole other sector of security on your website that has nothing to do with e-commerce services.  Search engines, specifically Google, favor secure sites and, in turn, give you a boost in rank when you have a secure site, utilizing https://.  This phase of your website is a flow towards a positive end user experience and interaction with knowing they can’t be hacked while on your website and have their information stolen.

Want some advice on how to move forward if you are interested in buying/using CMS?

  • Get an expert to administrate the system. This might mean paying to train current employees or hire new ones to become the experts.
  • Avoid extreme customization of the CMS. If you over customize, then you have a long-term documentation and maintenance of the custom code.
    • One exception to this is WordPress. WordPress is a CMS but it is very customizable. It helps though to have experts do the customizing, and here at Spectrum Net Designs can help you with that!
  • If your content is very important, then treat it as such. Maintain an editorial schedule.
  • Hire professional developers, designers, and writers.
  • Expand your budget and timeline because you will probably underestimate the cost and time involved. This is a part of your business reaching where other methods cannot so don’t skimp.

Before you start on a project that you will be utilizing cms, be sure to research it beforehand.  Many times, there are more costs than previously thought, such as maintenance, upgrades, or if it won’t be supported in the future, and you have to change to a different system in only a few short years.  Content Management Systems can seem like they will fix and solve all of your problems, and depending on your problems, they might be able to, but what can solve your problems are the people involved. Having good people, a good process, good training, and a good plan can make your CMS a success.