Nearly all modern websites are built using a content management system (CMS), software that makes increasing and editing pages easy. Approved systems include Joomla and Drupal and these are open source that means they are free to download and use. However, some companies engineer their own systems in some vain dazzling attempt to make themselves seem authoritative. Don’t be fooled!
Although there’s obviously nothing wrong with an enterprise writing software to solve an issue, this isn’t the case when there’s already lots of great software that solves it already. This is why I think web design companies who extravagantly brag about having their own CMS, developed in-house, should be avoided.
Firstly, developing a CMS from scratch isn’t particularly difficult, it’s a little time consuming but not technically challenging.
Second, as previously stated there are lots of established systems available and it’s doubtful that even a talented in-house team could develop something as adept as the systems earlier mentioned. But this isn’t why companies develop them.
Most companies who choose to develop their own CMS do so purely to lock customers in. If you use their CMS you won’t be able to move your site if you fall out with them or unreservedly decide to change companies. This isn’t the case if your web design business use an off the shelf system. But that ‘s not the only problem.
Off the shelf systems generally come with hundreds and even thousands of ready made add-ons, software that bolts into the CMS to create additional functionality, not so with in-house systems, need something funky? Be prepared to dig deep!
For all but the most unique of situations there’s a website management system already built that’s easy to use, secure and search friendly. Taking this approach won’t lock you in to an unknown quantity and will ensure your site stays up to date as the system develops to leverage new technologies. Don’t get fooled by waffle, demand on a system that’s widely available and avoid in-house content management systems.
Topic:cms software, content management system, great software, shelf system, shelf systems, unknown quantity, web design business, web design businesses, web design companies, website management system