Articles tagged with: CMS

01
August
2010

If I want to create more web pages

what is the fastest and cheapest way to do this?

A question I often get asked is "how can I add new content and menus to my website, without having to pay my web developer all the time?"

We call this - "Being held Hostage, by your web developer"

The simple answer is get a website built using an Open Source Content Management System (CMS). And MOST importantly get your web developer to Train you in using it.

Word Press and Joomla (which we use) are really easy to use. I teach my customers to use Joomla in 1 hr. 

One hour of training and they can add as many articles (pages) and menus as they like to their new website.

Don't settle for anything less

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Written by: Peter Leslie Categories: Training, CMS, WCMS, Content Management Systems, Self Managed, Content Managed Websites, Choosing a CMS, Self Managed Websites

01
August
2010

5 Tips for Selecting a Web Developer

For non-IT people

Selecting a web developer can be a difficult choice. Here are my top 5 tips for making that choice easier.

  1. Will they build your website using a CMS. These days it's imperative they do.
  2. Will they train you to use the CMS. 1 hour of training on creating menus and content will save you a lot of money down the track
  3. All CMS's use Templates to create the look and feel - don't be fooled when they tell you how much time it's going to take to develop your custom template. Which may actually be the case (see next point)
  4. If you want your website developed quickly and more cost efficiently - use a standard template and get it customised rather than getting a template built from scratch
  5.  Choose a platform that is going to grow with your business, see my previous post about choosing a CMS

 

Some Bonus Tips

  • Does the developer install any security modules to prevent hacker access to the backend administration
  • Does the developer install any backup software
  • How is your site going to be backed up. DON'T rely entirely on your web hosting company

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Written by: Peter Leslie Categories: CMS, Google Analytics, Self Managed, Google Webmaster, Self Managed Websites

01
August
2010

What CMS should I use

Content Management Systems

There are a number of content management systems available in the market place. Up until a few years ago most of these were proprietary and cost vast sums of money to purchase and install.

The Open Source community has developed three great CMS products. Each of them is FREE. And many different developers from around the world work together to improve them.

Building a website is like building a house, you need foundations, wiring, plumbing, frames, trusses, windows and a roof. Then you need to plaster the walls and paint them and put all your furniture into the house and arrange it the way you want.

The three main CMS's available today are

Wordpress  Wordpress is the easiest to deploy and use for the novice. But Wordpress is like building a granny flat.
Joomla Joomla is a little more complex to get going. But it very easy to use once it's installed and running. It's like building a three bedroom house that your can expand into a mansion when you need to. It's going to grow with your business.
Drupal Is the most complex and many say it's a programmers delight. It's like buying the Taj Mahal, but you need an extensive team of staff to maintain it and keep it looking great.

 

My personal favourite is Joomla, it's what I develop in. I can develop simple small website (very quickly and easily) through to large corporate website requiring customised application development. And in an hour I can teach people what they need to know in order to self manage their content and menus

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Written by: Peter Leslie Categories: CMS, WCMS, Content Management Systems, Content Managed Websites, Choosing a CMS