Without doubt, the number one benefit of content management systems is the facility for the site owner or other authorized user(s) to be able to change and add content pages easily.
This is usually achieved with the aid of any of the popular web browsers (Firefox, Internet Explorer etc.). So, CMS web pages become editable from anywhere in the World.
Website providers are sought, designs offered, contracts agreed upon and shining new websites rolled out. What happens later more often than not, websites are left to gather cyber-dust. Until such time as amendments are required or in worst case a complete revamp is considered to keep up with recent technological or design requirements to reflect the dynamic nature of the business being represented.
What the business owner may not be aware of at the time of initiating his website project, is that content changes will inevitably be required. Given the relative complexity of website coding and testing, the skills required to do this have a steep learning curve. Business owners will have their focus on their business and not interested in learning the skills relevant to website scripting. The obvious option is to request the amendments of the person or company that completed the initial website and is still responsible for its' hosting. Having to to call or email someone to make changes is inconvenient, there is often a cost penalty and there is an inevitable delay.
A website is not a passive tool, a virtual shop window where passers by stop and peruse the goods. Rather it should be an active and interactive place that reflects the dynamics of the business and willingness of the proprietors to respond to customer / client demands. The great virtue of the website is that information is available immediately and this serves to underscore the need for corporate websites to at the very least, be up-to-date.
For all these reason we strongly advocate prospective clients consider a management content alternative rather than one which offers the website owner no possibility of making his own amendments.
The simple answer is no, basic computer skills are all that is required. Page content can be generated using an on line editor or by using a word processor program or even a simple text editor such as notepad and copied and pasted directly into the on line editor.
No, quite the reverse, in fact the majority of CMS's (and there are several hundred available) are absolutely without charge. It does however, take time to set up the system for which there is likely to be a charge.
Being able to add, delete and changes pages is really just the tip of the iceberg. CMS's provide a framework from which other functionality can be adopted or developed. A great many common applications are already available such as estate agents.
Because of the separation between appearance and functionality a CMS site can be made to look like an existing site or indeed a template can be developed to fit perfectly with the site concept.