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Content Management

A web content management system (CMS) is a software system or application that provides website authoring and administration tools designed to allow users with little knowledge of web programming languages or markup languages to create and manage website content with relative ease. However, content management tools are not like using Microsoft Word or other desktop publishing tools. They are different and they do have a learning curve, but once you understand them they can allow you to update your own website in various ways.

DFW Web Design offers three ways for you to manage your content and in order to make the right decision you need to determine what you need to change and how often you will need to change it. There is an additional cost associated with using a content management system over a basic html site as well as different hosting requirements and security considerations. Your need to consider the return on investment (ROI) for your content management. Here are the ways we can help you with content management.

Step 1

Let DFW Web Design maintain your site. This way is for those whose website is mainly informational and the content does not change that often. It is more affordable to have us make the changes and updates 2-3 times a year and pay our hourly rate than it would be to have paid extra for a content management system.

Step 2

For those who have a few pages that may need changes several times a year then we offer a Content Manager Editor (CME) plug in that we can install on those pages that will allow you to edit content just on those pages when needed. This is a web based plug in and you would login to your admin through your browser and make the changes. This method does not require a database, but does require an ASP or PHP hosting environment, depending on your needs. We can help you determine which is right for you. There is an extra cost for this plug in and installing it on the pages where needed, but it is still more affordable than a full content management system.

Another approach is for those who only have one area of their website that needs constant updating. A CME or full CMS is not required, but a custom created web based application can be created to meet those needs. For example, if you are an independent real estate broker, or builder and you need to list properties that will change on a regular basis then you would only need an application. Other examples would be a retail directory listing of locations, a small independent car dealer, a remodeling or landscape contractor who wants to maintain a photo gallery of their work. These applications are backed by a database and therefore have specific hosting requirements. We can help you determine what those would be.

Step 3

Finally, the most commonly used CMS is WordPress. WordPress is an open-source content management system (CMS) based on PHP and MySQL. WordPress was used by more than 26.4% of the top 10 million websites as of April 2016 . WordPress is reportedly the easiest and most popular blogging system in use on the Web, supporting more than 60 million websites.

WordPress

A website created using WordPress allows the user to have full control of the editing of the website from adding and deleting pages, to changing menus, editing content and photo and changing the layout of each page. There is a large learning curve for using WordPress, but we do provide training and even if you have difficulty mastering it we are always here to help you or make the changes for you at our hourly rate.

WordPress does have some specific hosting requirements and not all web hosting companies are set up to host WordPress, but we can help you with the hosting. In some cases WordPress hosting may cost more than regular website hosting. You also need to be aware that WordPress requires regular updates to the application and the various plug ins that are used in creating a WordPress site. These are mainly security updates and we strongly suggest that you insure they get installed. Many hosting companies will not install these but we do offer update services for a modest annual fee.

If you have been considering the possibilities of a web site for your business or organization, then you should contact us to discuss your needs. We provide free quotes. So call 817-247-6003!