Creating Website with Content Management System (CMS)

Creating Website with Content Management System (CMS)

CMS

            CMS is a set of related application programs that are used to create and manage digital content. CMS has a structured data management system where all of the datas and elements are classified well based on database, frontend interface and backend interface.

Why should we use CMS in developing websites?

            When someone want to build a (personal/corporate) website, they need to build everything for their website from scratch using html, css, javascript, build their own database, etc. Those are the proper way to create a website, but the person who are going to develop a website using those methods need to be skillful on html, css, javascript, sql ,etc because programming skills using those languages are needed in order to developing a website.

            But CMS offers an easier way to create a website without mastering those programming languages above, because CMS software provides all the tools for the users to manage their contents, creating frontend and backends interfaces, layouts for websites and web applications without mastering html, css, jss, sql , etc.

            It can also do most of what ordinary websites can do, most CMS programs include web-based publishing, format management, history editing and version control, indexing, search and retrieval. By the nature of a CMS, the program supports the separation of content and presentation. CMSs are capable of creating and editing content, and allow you to administer users and assign different permissions to each.

Steps and Requirements

            There are a few steps and requirements that need to be fulfilled when creating a websites or web applications using CMS.

1. Own a Website Domain

Before creating a website using CMS, the owner of the website need to buy a website domain from the local hosting service provider, the websites need a domain so it can be accessed by its users.

2. Installing CMS

There are several choices of CMS such as wordpress, joomla, prestashop, OpenCart, Magento, etc. It is important to analyze which cms suited best for the website.

3. Create websites based on CMS

The mainpage of the website can be created with tools in the installed CMS, it is important to study the steps of creating websites with those tools because each CMS has different steps for creating websites features such as : mainpage, interface, web apps, access control, etc.

Advantages of Using CMS

            There are several advantages for using CMS as a tool for website development :

1.      Content Editing is Separate from Design

The websites content editing is separate from the design and functionality of the site, so users that aren’t technically trained can add, format and edit their content on the website without having to fiddle with design and coding.

2. Selective Access Permissions

Every user can have selective access permissions based on their roles, such as author, editor, contributor, administrator, etc. They can choose to allow some users to add and edit their own content while giving others universal access. This helps to maintain security since contributors can have restricted access.

3. Speedy Updating

Site updates are quick and effortless when using a CMS. Even when using the administrative interface, components like menus, headers, footers and sidebars can be easily (and quickly) updated.

4. SEO-Friendliness

CMSs are very SEO-friendly (Search Engine Optimization). They can include custom page titles as well as metadata and adjustable URLs. Helper plugins are also available if you want tips on how to optimize your content.

5. The Most Popular Options Are Free

The basic framework of most CMS programs are free. In that case, you only need to pay more for further customization options, such as a premium design or extra security, resulting in cost reduction in developing the websites.

Disadvantages of using CMS

            Despite of those advantages, using CMS as a tool for developing websites can also creates a drawbacks that will affecting the websites later on.

1. Security Risks

There are hackers out there who could figure out how to break into the CMS platform. However, this can be avoided by taking extra security precautions, such as implementing two factor authentication.

2. Difficulties in Design

Design wise, it can be a challenge to transform your site into the exact way you want it. However, the correct amount of expertise and skill should be able to overcome this obstacle without much effort, though this might require extra funding on your part.

3. Lagging Issues

CMSs tend to store aspects of a page separately, then they assemble everything when you request a page. This could lead to some lags, but can be mitigated by using strong and effective caching.

4. Functionality Limitations

There are also functionality limitations. There are some processes that a CMS cannot handle without having to rewrite code. This will only affect you if you have special functionality needs. Don’t forget to look up what you need to accomplish to check its feasibility.

Using CMS for developing websites

In the end, using a CMS depends on a variety of factors such as :

1. Coding knowledge and Experience of the team.
2. Maintenance team to update content frequently,
3. Capital
4. Time
5. Scale of the websites
6. Security and Risks

It is critically important to decide whether using CMS for developing websites or not, do not let the cost of implementing a CMS is far outweighed by your ability to publish and content update.