Making A Case For Content Management
 Content is at the core of every website. Your words and images tell your visitors who you are, what you do - and why they should pay attention to you. Why not maximize your online investments with a content management solution (CMS) that optimizes your online strategy?
Web content management (WCM) solutions empower non-technical content authors to contribute, edit, manage, and publish their mission-critical text and images, without the help of web designers or IT developers. WCM ensures timely updates by putting the power to publish dynamic Web content into the hands of content owners (such as marketing, human resources, PR). It solves the 'Webmaster bottleneck' and allows IT professionals to focus on development activity, not content posting. WCM protects the integrity of your creative site investments by separating content from design – your branding remains consistent. And gives you the power to publish content to multiple destinations - your website, other sites, PDA’s and other wireless devices.
Benefits of Using a Web Content Management Solution
Web Content Management solutions save your organization time and money while adding value to your existing Web investments. Several key benefits include:
- Anytime, anywhere Web publishing: With some WCM solutions, content "owners" in your organization can securely add or update content from any Web browser.
- Anyone can be an HTML or XML expert: Intuitive authoring tools empower anyone to create HTML or XML content - without having to know how to code.
- Eliminate the 'Webmaster bottleneck': WCM solutions ease the pressure on Webmasters and IT staff, enabling them to focus on strategic IT projects.
- Efficient workflow management: WCM manages content workflow, handling contributed content and notifying approvers via email that it's ready for review and publishing.
- Quicker Website updates: Non-technical business users can make relevant, timely updates to your site, solidifying your message and ensuring content accuracy.
- Protect Website branding: WCM separates Web site content from Website design, which protects your branding and navigation from content contributors.
- Save time and money: WCM solutions make your organization more efficient and cost-effective by enabling the right person to manage the right content at the right time.
What to Look for in a Web Content Management Solution
 WCM enables your organization to abandon the old, ineffective methods of publishing new or updated Web content, allowing the right person to manage the right content at the right time. And it maximizes the value of your content by making it easier to publish frequent updates on your site.
Web Content Management solutions vary widely in price and performance - not all are created equal. There are a few things you should be aware of when researching and choosing a WCM solution:
Price:
Solutions have moved into the mainstream with prices within the reach of any organization. You no longer need to spend $100,000 to $1 million for a fully functional content management solution. Robust WCM solutions can be found today from $3,000 to $30,000, depending on the number of URLs and the number of users.
Scalability:
Many organizations that adopt WCM solutions start small - putting only a section of their Website "under management" and extending it to a handful of users. Focus on vendors that provide flexible solutions that will let you add user licenses or URLs as your Web strategy evolves.
Easy Integration:
Vendors like to claim that their solutions are easy to integrate - but is it true? Due diligence will help you answer this question. It's no longer acceptable for WCM solutions to take weeks and months to integrate - the new standard is integration in hours or days.
Usability:
Many vendors say it's easy to use their solution. This is an important attribute - if a business user finds it the least bit difficult to adopt and use, it may not get used at all. Be your own judge: Find vendors who let you test drive their software at no charge.
Functionality:
Even "low-cost" WCM solutions deliver key components that used to cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, including: browser based user interface, workflow/approval process, security, document check-in/check-out, content history tracking/audit trails, advanced search functionality, and the ability to view staged content. Related note: Find vendors who deliver solution that fit your needs, not one that makes you fit their requirements.
Vendor Stability:
A shakeout is occurring in the content management market, with many smaller vendors falling aside, unable to survive in a crowded market. Align your interests with a vendor that has a proven track record and a WCM focus – with references and case studies to back it up.
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