Content Management System, or CMS, is a system that allows you to update (or manage) the content of your own website without the need for a web developer or having to install and learn any complicated software.
Mushy Media provides two Content Management Systems for clients depending on the level of control required. A lightweight CMS for occasional changes or a WordPress-based solution for complete control of your website.
A lightweight CMS allows you to make simple updates. For example, editting text, page titles, product descriptions and contact details. You can make changes through your usual Internet Browser, and it’s very straightforward to use.
WordPress is more feature rich, purpose-built content management system which allows you to add, edit and remove pages, invite comments from readers, maintain a blog and photo gallery. In fact, you can control all aspects of a WordPress powered website without needing any real technical understanding. WordPress is an open source CMS, which is used by millions of people around the world so you can be sure it’s a straightforward but powerful system to use. It’s also extremely adaptable, and can be restyled to suit your visual preference and branding requirements. (WordPress is our preferred CMS for our customers).
Neither of the CMS types above require software on your PC, it’s all done in your Internet browser on the web, so you can update your website from anywhere with an Internet connection.
The key differences between the two types are cost, and learning curve. A lightweight CMS is cheaper, and it’s simpler functionality means you can literally be editting your website content after a few minutes familiarisation. A WordPress CMS platform is more complicated and feature rich, and takes a little more time to get to grips with. It’s no more complicated than editting a Word document though.
We can provide custom or pre-built template websites with lightweight CMS or CMS platform capability, please contact us to inquire about cost and suitability.
Lightweight CMS, or WordPress CMS?
Each type of CMS is described below, with typical application for each.
Choosing and Using a Lightweight CMS
Our lightweight CMS allows you to edit specific sections of your website. Typically, if we’ve built a site for a customer, we decide which areas need to be editable and code this in to the site. All you have to do is log on to the CMS with your password, select the text that you want to update and get typing.
For example, if you want to update a product description you simply log in, select the product page, overtype the text, save it, and you’re done. It really is as simple as that. We find our clients like the simplicity of the lightweight CMS and it’s ease of use – it’s lack of features actually make it easier to use.
Ask yourself, on your website, do you need to…
Q. regularly add or update product descriptions or prices?
Q. edit contact details, email addresses and employee names?
Q. update photo galleries of your work samples or add customer feedback?
If your answer to any of the above is yes, then a lightweight CMS might be what you’re looking for. We can build this in to a new website, or, (with some investigation beforehand), update your existing site to embrace this capability.
WordPress CMS
If you’d like to maintain a blog, add new pages and articles, create photo galleries and generally have a great level of control over the way your website looks, WordPress is a more complete solution for you. If you need to …
Q. regularly add or update product descriptions or prices?
Q. create new pages on your website?
Q. maintain a blog?
Q. create and manage photo galleries of products, work samples or portfolios?
Q. allow website visitors to comment and interact with your articles, reviews and content?
Q. be able to extend the functionality of your website to make use of Social Media, customer polls and “widgets”, ?
If the list above strikes a chord with you then you probably need WordPress. Don’t be put off by having to learn something, we can undertake changes on your behalf and the nature of WordPress means the changes are much faster to apply, and consequently, cheaper.
Both CMS options are extremely effect, it’s simply a matter of determining which option is best for you. If you’re in any doubt, contact us to discuss your requirement and we’ll talk it through with you to help you decide.