6 reasons to invest in a content management system

The never-ending struggle to upload an article or make changes to website content can drive even the most experienced marketers to the brink of despair. Thankfully, a content management system (CMS) takes the stress out of editing and managing websites. They’re the foundation for an easily updated, smooth functioning, and user-friendly website. Let’s dive right in. 

In plain English, a content management system is software that helps you build, manage, and update your website without needing extensive technical knowledge. Just about anyone can manage a website with a CMS, without the need for coding or special training.

A CMS is made up of two key components. The first is a Content Management Application (CMA), which as the name suggests, allows you to add and manage website content as you please. A CMA is supported by the back-end Content Delivery Application (CDA), which grabs content from the CMA and displays it neatly on your site. Together, both applications make the job of maintaining your website simple.

Before the invention of the CMS, building a website was complicated and only accessible to those who spoke fluent HTML “computer language”. To launch a website, the HTML would need to be created from scratch, followed by the addition of text, images, buttons, and other relevant features. 

This HTML file would then need to be uploaded to a server and stored in your database. Making updates or changes, regardless of how minor, was a complex process involving downloading the files and editing the HTML manually. Any broken links or minor mistakes and the website would not function properly. For those without coding knowledge, trying to build a whole new website was nothing short of a nightmare. Trying to fix a mistake you had inadvertently added into the code was enough to have you pulling out your hair.

A CMS rids you of these unnecessarily complicated processes. As a centralized platform, a CMS facilitates the creation, editing, management and publishing of content and can be done by pretty much anybody. It means that web developers are no longer essential for this process and managing a website by yourself is entirely possible. 

Why go through the hassle and heartache of hiring an external web developer when you can do the work yourself? With a CMS, you can upload, edit, and publish content without breaking a sweat.

Not only is a CMS intuitive – making it easy for anyone to use – but it also brings with it impressive time and cost savings. Whether you choose to use a free CMS like WordPress or more advanced paid versions, you’ll notice the increased productivity efficiencies.

A CMS simplifies the work of individual team members, but it also has the potential to improve collaboration. CMS software is designed to give multiple users access at the same time. That means it’s possible for several marketers to publish content simultaneously, without needing to wait for one another to finish.

Most CMSs also provide a back-end repository where brand content can be stored and managed. This is an API-based CMS, also called a “headless” CMS. An Application Programming Interface (API) is software that enables communication between applications. This makes publishing content to different channels and devices quick and easy. 

In today’s interconnected world, online security is more important than ever. Unfortunately, given the amount of personal information that is stored online, your website can be an attractive target for hackers.

To combat this threat, CMSs are designed with security in mind. Most CMS platforms come with a range of in-built security measures and tools which are tested regularly. Other tools and plug-ins are also available when you want to bolster your website’s security.

A CMS lets you make changes to your website in real time. Whether you want to completely change your website’s design or just make minor updates, all it takes are a few clicks.  As a result, clients and site visitors  are kept up to date with any changes or updates as they happen.

Today’s customers have high expectations. Their needs and wants are constantly evolving, and it can be hard to keep up. A CMS gives you the freedom to continuously update and refresh your website, enabling you to deliver consistent and engaging online experiences. This is key to a successful CX.

Still wondering if investing in a CMS is worth your while? Take a look at some of our client success stories: 

Bunge Loders Croklaan is a leading global producer of vegetable oil and fats. Following a rebranding, they wanted to update their website to reflect their new brand identity.  

We developed a global website that integrates Bunge Loder Croklaan’s different regional websites into a single platform. To ensure the website is easy to use for different teams around the world, we built a CMS that includes different languages and subdomains. The project led to greater customer satisfaction and an increase in website traffic. 

Leading data provider Digital Realty wanted to expand their website reach and elevate their brand to the next level. They approached us to help them design an online experience that reflects who they are: an industry leader with a bold brand personality. 

We designed and built a customized global website backed by a comprehensive CMS. Apart from being a sight for sore eyes, the website is also user-friendly with clear navigation panels.  Not only does it set Digital Realty apart from competitors, but it also led to improved website traffic and conversion. 

German tech-financial Forward You approached us to develop a website that would support their rebranding. They wanted their new website to inspire and engage site visitors by offering them an enhanced digital experience. 

We built an attractive, modern website that stays true to the Forward You brand. The CMS was built using cutting-edge technology with a focus on responsive design. This ensures a seamless online experience, regardless of which device website visitors are browsing on. As a result, more than 40% of site visitors are returning to Forward You’s website. 

While there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all CMS, there are several factors to take into consideration before choosing which CMS is right for you. It’s important to consider your website’s infrastructure and your budget, as well as the needs and wants of your business and customers.

That being said, here are some of the most popular CMS platforms on the market:

WordPress: This CMS platform powers millions of sites, including brands like The New York Times, Forbes, and very own client Ubersmith. With a sleek and professional interface, WordPress sites perform exceptionally well and are easy to maintain.

Drupal: This platform is slightly more complex than WordPress. It’s usually favored by governments and big businesses, as it’s ideal for sites that experience heavy traffic or need to support large amounts of data.

Joomla: Offering in-built multilingual support, Joomla is an open-source CMS that is well-suited for social networking and community sites.

Ghost: Designed for bloggers and those looking for a more ‘lightweight’ CMS platform, Ghost offers more basic website designs that are simple to create and a breeze to maintain.

Contentful: This is one of the leading Cloud-based CMS platforms on the market today. It has an API-first focus, which means it can seamlessly integrate into any system or datasource. Its strength lies in unifying content and displaying it on all connected digital channels.

It’s needless to say that investing in a content management system will pay dividends over time. Regardless of company size, a CMS brings multiple benefits in terms of workload, team cohesion, and ultimately your bottom line. With quick updates, countless templates, and an infinite number of customizations, a CMS is a game-changer for your whole marketing team.