Recommended Content Management Systems (CMS)

We’re often asked what software we use or recommend using to create a website, and how CMS software works. This post make’s some recommendations of what to use, and a little bit about what a content management system is and how it works.

What is a CMS?

Before the content management system existed, websites, pages, and posts needed to be created using hand-coded HTML or by using a drag-and-drop program like Adobe Dreamweaver and then uploaded manually to the web server. Pages needed to be edited manually by someone who knew how to create and edit HTML code, which could become complex and cumbersome to manage. Dreamweaver did make the process easier, but you still needed a moderate level of technical knowledge in order to update and publish your pages.

Now, we have Content Management Systems (CMS). A CMS is basically a software program that runs your website; it makes the creation of web pages, the publishing of posts, and the management of content much easier, so that even someone with little or no technical knowledge can create and publish their own website or blog without having to commission a web developer.

With that being said, a CMS-based website can start out simple, and can get more complex as your site grows, so understanding and managing your particular system becomes important so you don’t lose control or web site efficiency. But you can customize as much as you like and make things really complicated if you want to!

The CMS software is installed onto your web server or hosting plan and provides the interface to view your web pages& content in a web browser, and edit them. A content management system can have multiple plugins or modules that allow extended functionality and features, such as web stores, online payments, booking calendars, galleries, sliders, and more.

But this doesn’t mean that Dreamweaver and hand-coding are dead; far from it. Most CMS’s allow some degree of customization and manual coding, and many developers enjoy creating their sites by hand or with Adobe Dreamweaver’s feature-rich programming. It adds a level of customization and individuality otherwise unavailable; but it’s not for everyone.

In Layman’s Terms, How Does a CMS Work?

To go into a bit more detail, the CMS sits above a database on a web server within your hosting plan, and provides the framework with which you manage your site’s pages and content, and then makes those pages and content available to viewers browsing your website. As the user interacts with the website, the CMS pulls the required information from the database and displays it in the user’s web browser.

Editing a website, page, or post in a CMS can be as simple or as complex as an administrator wants, depending on the individual’s level of technical skill and comfort. For instance, with WordPress, you can use the default WordPress editor system to edit your pages and posts, or you can install a more complex editor such as Elementor for more customization options.

Recommended CMS Frameworks

So what are Gleneden Ridge Design’s Content Management Systems of choice? Well, we use a few, depending on individual site specification and circumstance:

1. WordPress: https://wordpress.org/
   Easy to setup and use, manageable from any computer, tablet, or phone, easily customizable, no coding required, the blog is built-in and ready-to-go, and it has tons of free plugins available in the WordPress Plugin Directory. Always a bonus!
   
2. Wix: https://www.wix.com/
   Wix is an online web site builder that uses templated technology to design and create your website using a drag-and-drop interface. Free hosting and domain names are included with their package, and there are a range of options available, including SEO modules, online stores, email marketing, and contact resource management (CRM). The system is intuitive, extensive, affordable, but as with any template-based model, the system isn’t as flexible or customizable as some other systems, but is ideal for small businesses, non-profits, etc.
   
3. DotNetNuke (DNN): https://www.dnnsoftware.com/
   A good choice for larger, corporate sites where multiple integrated portals are required (such as web applications or intranets), DNN has great security, speed, stability, and flexibility, with loads of premium modules available from the DNN Store, but you do need a moderate level of technical knowledge to get by, especially with more advanced configurations and options.
   
4. HubSpot: https://www.hubspot.com/
   More of an entire marketing solution rather than a CMS, Hubspot is ideal for enterprise and small business use, but the sheer breadth and depth of the system may be overwhelming to some users. It has a range of package options available, from a free (but limited) entry-level package to a full-size enterprise marketing solution, including email management, calls-to-action, web pages, landing pages, contact management, marketing lists, and file management. And there are plenty of add-ons in the HubSpot Marketplace too. It’s a monthly subscription package and lives in the cloud. As such, you have access to all of it’s core features from anywhere, you don’t have to worry about backup or security since Hubspot does all of that for you, and their technical support is second to none. You do pay for all of that, however, since it’s not cheap.

These are our recommended CMS systems, but there are lots more out there. If there is a CMS not listed here that you’d be interested in, then let us know. If you’d like more info on any of these systems, or if you need help with your website, please contact us – we’d be happy to advise and help!

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