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Once upon a time, most websites were created as a static product, one that contained different types of code that made management a total nightmare. That code - using JavaScript, Flash, HTML - was very difficult for many web servers to handle. If you were a web geek, like me, you took the time to learn all the coding techniques that, hopefully, added to you resume, thus fattening your bank account. Plus, without proprietary software and training, these documents were virtually uneditable by site owners. You had to keep someone like me "on the payroll" to make periodic updates and changes. Consequently, they were expensive to maintain so, unless a site owner could handle the task, someone with the skill, knowledge and software had to be hired to perform the necessary maintenance.

Therefore, a need existed to create a system on the "back end" where site owners could perform maintenance activities such as copy replacement, image replacement and add to the existing content without knowing any difficult coding. New technology, called Content Management System, or CMS, was developed. At the core of the system is employment of a database where the user can store content - copy and images - to retrieve and edit. Every site page is stored as simple text. The system converts this simple text into the appropriate HTML and JavaScript when a visitor lands on the page. The system also allows for the integration of a variety of features such as interactive event calendars, log ins with user names and passwords, news feeds, blogs, photo galleries and more.

If you are experiencing a great deal of difficulty maintaining a static site, it may be time to "upgrade" to one that can be controlled through a Content Management System. Here are some of the problems associated with a static website that if you recognize as aggravating, might be that sure indication it is time for a change:

Problems

-You have no control concerning updates and either need to go through your designer/host or not make any at all
-There is no search function available on your site to allow users to find specific content
-Limited features - if any - like logins, contact or request forms, forums, blogs, mailing lists, calendars ort other interactive features that elevate the level of user-friendly available content

Solutions

-Install an open source Content Management System (CMS)
-Transfer all your available content to the new system
-Learn how to use the system to perform your own maintenance (Can you use Word?)

So, what are the benefits from using a CMS?

First, you gain the ability to manage, update, change add or delete your own content. Additionally, through use of a CMS, you will be displaying content that conforms to present web standards. Which is important. Using current web standards will increase your accessibility allowing for your content to not become obsolete. Whenever an upgrade is issued for the CMS, installation is normally but a "click" allowing your site to stay in web compliance. Furthermore, CMS has embedded site search capabilities.

Ted Smolkowicz
KAT-enterprises.com

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