CMS
stands for “content management system,” and it refers to a system that makes it easy to create and operate a website. For example,
WordPress
is one CMS. We will provide an easy-to-understand explanation of the benefits and points to note when creating a website using a CMS, the basic functions included, and how to choose an appropriate CMS.
What is CMS?
CMS (Contents Management System) is a system for creating and operating blogs and websites.
When you create a blog or website without using a CMS, you will be directly controlling the pages that users view. Additionally, since you will be creating websites directly, you will need to be familiar with programming languages such as
HTML
, and be able to design and program sites.
However, by using a CMS, you can easily create a blog or website by just making a few settings. It can be used without any problem even if you have no knowledge of programming or design, which lowers the hurdles to creating and operating a website.
Features of CMS
The main features of CMS include the following points:
Normally, in order to create and operate a website, you need to understand programming languages such as HTML and
CSS
, and be able to actually write code. However, by using a CMS, anyone can easily create and manage a website by simply following the predefined steps.
Additionally, many CMSs support multiple devices. By doing simple tasks such as checking a checkbox or installing a compatible
plug-in
, you can provide the optimal screen for both PC and smartphone users.
With a CMS, anyone with an ID and password can perform tasks such as writing and managing posts. For example, multiple people can be involved in website creation and management, such as multiple writers writing different articles at the same time, or different people handling writing and posting management. It can be used to create a website with a lot of content in a short period of time, or to have multiple checkers to check for typos and grammatical errors.
Purpose of using CMS
CMS is a system used to create and manage blogs and websites. CMS is suitable when you want to use it in the following ways.
Some CMSs are multifunctional systems that can be used for the following purposes:
Difference between static CMS and dynamic CMS
Depending on the content creation method, CMS can be divided into static CMS and dynamic CMS. The characteristics found in each are as follows.
The difference between static CMS and dynamic CMS is explained in detail in the following article.
What is the difference between static CMS and dynamic CMS? Points for selecting CMS | MarkeTRUNK
Please note that the basic functions installed differ depending on the CMS. Please note that there are some that do not have sufficient security measures and require additional functionality later using methods such as plug-ins.
If you are looking for a simple and highly functional CMS, please consider Switch Plus. “Switch Plus” can be used not only for creating blogs and websites, but also as a marketing tool. If you issue a free trial account, you can try out the included features for free for a certain period of time. It is also recommended for those who want to try out the usability before choosing a CMS. First, please download the document below and check the details.
9 benefits of building a site with CMS
There are many benefits to building a site with a CMS. Among these benefits, the following are of particular note:
1. Sites can be built and operated without specialized programming knowledge
2. Editing work associated with page addition is done automatically.
3. SEO measures can be easily implemented using basic CMS functions and plugins.
4. A variety of templates and easy layout and design settings
5. Due to the large number of users, you can easily get the information you want online.
6. Site management work does not depend on the individual
7. Multi-device compatible
8. Easy to link with SNS
9. Save money
Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of each.
1. You can build and operate a site without having much programming knowledge
Using a CMS, anyone can easily build and operate a website by simply following the steps. Some CMSs come with functions such as uploading and editing images and videos, so you can create and continue to manage your website with just a CMS without using any other apps or systems.
However, in order to create a highly designed site that does not have a handmade feel, a site that is highly operable and equipped with a wide variety of functions, you will need knowledge and practical skills in programming and site design. For example, when creating a sales site for corporate products and services, or a corporate homepage, the basic functions of a CMS alone will not produce a satisfactory result.
In particular, the website used for
BtoB
is also the face of the company. To gain the trust of your viewers, hire a programming or web design expert to create your website.
2.Editing work associated with adding pages will be done automatically.
When creating a website without using a CMS, you must apply formats to each page and configure settings from scratch. Adding just one page requires knowledge of HTML, and a computer beginner may not be able to handle it smoothly.
However, if you use a CMS, the editing work associated with adding pages will be done automatically, so you can increase the number of pages and content without any hassle. Even teams with individual differences in programming knowledge and skills can be operated and managed using a CMS.
3. SEO measures can be easily implemented using basic CMS functions and plugins.
Some CMS have
SEO
measures included in their basic functions. SEO measures are measures taken to rank high in
search engines
, and include creating meta descriptions, headings, and inserting keywords appropriately. You can expect an increase in the number of views if you are displayed at the top, so this is an essential measure for sites selling products and services, affiliate sites, etc.
In addition, even if the basic functions do not include SEO measures, you may be able to support SEO measures by installing a plug-in (extension function). In order to increase the effectiveness of advertising on your website, let’s use a CMS to promote SEO.
4.Various templates make layout and design settings easy
With a CMS, you can easily set up the site design. There are a variety of templates available, so choose the one that suits your taste. Also, even with the same design, you can change the layout, colors, etc.
However, be aware that if you use a template as is, you may not be able to express your ideal design. Furthermore, when creating a corporate website, using a template as is not only tends to result in a design that is weightless, but also may not accurately represent the corporate image.
When creating an official homepage related to a company’s credibility or a sales site for products and services, instead of using a template as is, ask an expert with programming and site design skills to design it.
5. Due to the large number of users, you can easily get the information you want on the internet.
By using a CMS, you can easily create a website without any programming knowledge or skills. For this reason, many corporate and personal blogs and homepages are created using CMS.
If a CMS has a large number of users, a community of users will form, and you will be able to easily obtain the information you want on the Internet. For example, popular CMSs such as WordPress have communities all over the world, and they exchange information day and night about how to use them more effectively and how to deal with problems.
Additionally, even if there is no community, you can easily obtain the information you want by using the wisdom-like websites provided within platforms such as Yahoo! and Goo. However, even if you can obtain the information you want, a certain level of programming knowledge and skill is required to verify whether the information is correct or to implement it. If you find it difficult to handle the issue on your own, choose a CMS that has a good support system.
6. Site management work does not depend on the individual
CMS is a system that allows anyone to easily create and operate a website. Therefore, the appearance and functionality of your website will not change no matter who handles it.
On the other hand, if you run a website without using a CMS, the appearance and functionality may change significantly depending on the skills of the person in charge, and this may lead to problems. In order to maintain a certain level of quality even when operated by a large number of people, it is a good idea to consider using a CMS.
7.Multi-device compatible
Multi-device compatibility is a feature that optimizes the screen, font size, and layout according to the user’s internet device (smartphone, computer, tablet, etc.). Many CMSs have multi-device support as a standard feature.
Websites that are not multi-device compatible are difficult to navigate and may cause users to drop out. Build a user-friendly website that will be viewed on a variety of devices.
8.Easy to link with SNS
SEO measures are necessary to increase the number of website views. You will also need to increase the number of traffic channels for your website.
To increase the number of inflow routes, you may consider opening an official account for your company on SNS and linking it with your website. Some CMS allow you to link with SNS through simple procedures, which can be useful in increasing the number of views.
9.Cost reduction
A CMS that comes packaged with the functions necessary to build and operate a website tends to be cheaper to use than creating a fully custom-made website. Additionally, if you use a CMS that is equipped with automatic posting functions and security measures, you will be able to reduce labor and maintenance costs.
However, depending on the functionality and design you want for your website, you may need to pay optional fees and plug-in usage fees, which can be costly. Please keep in mind that there is a trade-off between realizing the ideal site, improving management including updateability, and cost.
5 disadvantages of building a site with CMS
There are some points to be aware of when building a website with a CMS. The main disadvantages include:
1. If you have an existing site, you need to migrate data or renew it.
2. Security measures are required
3. You must take regular backups
4. You need to remember the minimum work flow
5. Difficult to customize
Let’s take a closer look at each precaution.
1. If you have an existing site, you need to migrate data or renew it.
If you have websites that serve the same purpose, unifying them will prevent user confusion. It is not as simple as having two websites will double the number of accesses, but it should be noted that there are more disadvantages, such as increasing user distrust and doubling the effort to manage the websites. It is necessary.
When integrating a website that is already in operation into a website created using a CMS, there will be a need for data migration and site renewal. If the system you used to build your site is different, the data cannot be loaded automatically. It is essential to carefully migrate each setting and each piece of content.
2. Security measures are required
Depending on the CMS, security measures may also be included. However, basic security measures may not be enough, as there is also the risk of malicious users gaining access.
Especially with
open source
software, anyone can see the code being used, so it’s impossible to say that some users will find and exploit holes in the system. CMSs with a large number of users are particularly easy to target, so be sure to use security plug-ins as well.
3. You must take regular backups
Generally, CMS is updated frequently. In order to implement the latest security measures, it is necessary to respond to each update notification.
However, updates may cause the app to become inoperable, or some problems may occur, resulting in the loss of text and images. Make regular backups and be prepared for emergencies.
4. Must remember the minimum work flow
A CMS is a system designed to be easy to use for anyone. However, if you follow your intuition, you may run into problems such as setting errors or data deletion, so be careful.
First, learn the minimum work flow from writing to posting and deleting, and get into the habit of following the steps. Also, if multiple people are managing the system, create a usage manual so that everyone can perform the tasks properly.
5. Difficult to customize
CMS is designed to be easy to use even for people with no programming knowledge. Therefore, while there is little difficulty in using the basic functions, it is difficult to master the extended functions and requires knowledge of HTML and other practical skills.
If you want to customize your website to include more advanced design and functionality, you will need to hire the help of experts, such as hiring a website production company. Create your website in an appropriate way depending on what kind of website you want and how much budget you can allocate.
If you are looking for a CMS that is relatively easy to maintain and manage, please refer to the following articles.
CMS type
CMS can be broadly divided into three types:
Each is suitable for small sites, medium to large sites, and custom-developed sites. Let’s take a look at the features, benefits, and precautions of each CMS.
“Open source CMS” for small sites
An open source CMS is a CMS whose program source code is publicly available online. Many are available for free, and there are many users, templates, and plugins available.
The advantage is that they are easy to use, but most do not have a support system in place. Therefore, when a problem occurs, users must share knowledge among themselves or deal with it independently.
However, since it is easy to use, it is suitable when you want to keep costs as low as possible. Recommended for personal blogs, hobby websites, and simple blogs posted on corporate websites.
“Package-type CMS” for medium to large-scale sites
A packaged CMS is software that is sold as a package or cloud product. Basically, there is a fee, and there are two types: one where you buy it all at the beginning, and another where you pay a usage fee on a monthly or yearly basis.
Packaged CMSs tend to have a good support system. In addition to email and
chat
inquiries, there are often telephone and other contact points available.
Packaged CMSs are highly functional and often have strong security measures, so they are suitable for medium to large-scale sites and commercial use. It is also suitable for sites that handle customers’ personal information, such as
e-commerce
sites.
“Full-scratch CMS” that can be developed independently
Both open source and packaged websites generally need to be created in-house. If a problem occurs, you can receive support with a packaged CMS, but since the person in charge of your company will actually be in charge of following the instructions, programming knowledge will be required.
On the other hand, a full-scratch CMS is creating a website from scratch without using a fixed template. When you create a website from scratch, whether you create it in-house or outsource to a website production company, it is called a full-scratch design.
When you hire a website production company, all maintenance and troubleshooting will be left to you, so you can use it even when you don’t have staff who can handle programming. However, please note that since everything is created from the basic configuration, it not only takes more time than the open source type or packaged type, but it also costs more.
Compare two representative CMS tools
If you’re not sure which CMS to use, why not consider one that has a large number of users? The fact that there are many users means that ease of use is guaranteed to some extent. We will introduce two representative CMS.
1. WordPress (WordPress.com)
It is said that over 40% of websites are created using WordPress CMS. The features of WordPress include:
WordPress is suitable for you if any of the following apply to you:
Please note that the support system for WordPress is not sufficient. However, since WordPress has a large number of users, you can ask questions in the user community and get answers. To learn more about WordPress, check out the following articles:
2.Movable Type
Movable Type is also a CMS with many users. The main features include:
You can consider using Movable Type if any of the following apply:
Compared to WordPress, Movable Type tends to have a higher basic price.
4 points to consider when comparing CMS tools
If you are unsure which CMS to use, compare them based on the following points.
1. Does it have effective functions for marketing?
2. Are operations such as web production and article writing easy?
3. Is it possible to smoothly integrate with other systems?
4. Is there support even after installation?
I will briefly explain the points of comparison.
1. Does it have effective functions for marketing?
Depending on the CMS, the following functions are effective for
marketing
.
For example, if you can analyze the inflow route of users and the time spent on the website, it will be easier to find ways to improve the number of accesses. It is good to use an external tool to analyze access, but considering the time and effort required for coordination, it is more convenient to have it within the CMS.
The ability to securely manage your customer list also makes it easier to run promotions and reach out to your customers individually. Whether you’re aiming to increase sales of products or services through your website, or running an e-commerce site or recruitment site, choose a CMS with full marketing functions.
2. Is it easy to perform operations such as web production and article writing?
CMS is a system that allows you to easily create a website, but the actual operation method is not always easy. Some require advanced programming knowledge and skills, and others require time to set up each time you create an article.
If you choose a system that offers a free trial before using it in earnest, you can verify its operability. It is essential to maintain a website over a long period of time. In order to install a system that is easy to use, choose a system that offers a free trial.
3.Can it be smoothly linked with other systems?
With a CMS that is easy to integrate with other systems, you can increase functionality by linking with more advanced marketing tools. Additionally, existing customer databases and texts can be migrated with simple effort, making it possible to centralize website and customer management.
In recent years, many users search on SNS instead of search engines. If you have a system that can be linked with SNS, you can not only easily increase the number of traffic channels to your website, but also make it easier to appeal to SNS users. When choosing a CMS, check whether it is easy to integrate with other systems and SNS.
4. Is there support even after installation?
It is expected that problems may occur while operating the website. For example, certain features may become unavailable or text or images may disappear.
Especially when major changes such as updates are made, problems may occur or the product may become difficult to use. When choosing a CMS, be sure to check whether you can receive support even after installation.
You also need to be careful about the type of support. Chat services are good, but if they are run by chatbots, you may not be able to get support based on your individual situation. If possible, choose a CMS that has a dedicated inquiry form on its official website.
Choose a CMS with features and functions that suit the purpose of your website
When creating a website, you need to decide clearly what you want to do with it. The functionality you need will vary depending on the purpose of your website. For example, if you are aiming to increase sales and inquiries, you will need a website with full marketing functions such as access analysis and customer management.
If you are looking for a CMS with full marketing functions, please consider Switch Plus. “Switch Plus” also has a comprehensive support system, so you can fully utilize the built-in functions to suit your website’s purpose. Please feel free to try it out with a free trial account. For more details, please download the document below.