A content management system, or CMS, is software designed for building and managing websites. Most CMSs include templates that allow anyone to create a basic website without knowing any coding languages. A CMS handles the infrastructure of your website so that you can focus on the actual content that your audience is seeking.
CMSs have templated options that can help quick-learning, tech savvy individuals create a basic website. A templated site should help you get started. In order to incorporate best practices for marketing and standards in your industry, you may want to consult with an experienced web designer. A stunning custom website will help you stand out in today’s crowded marketplace to attract users and drive qualified leads. Reach out to us if you would like to explore standard and customized options that could help you increase revenues from your website!
Cloud-based CMSs are also known as SAAS (Software as a Service) content management systems. They take care of hosting for you. Cloud-based CMSs offer fantastic website solutions that are built with leading technologies so that creating great content and growing your business can be your priority. It is what you do best, after all!
Traditional content management systems are usually purchased or downloaded for free (such as WordPress) and installed on-premise. You host on your own server or pay a hosting company to host the CMS files and subsequent websites for you.
SAAS systems are said to be “future proof.” Changes happen when they are needed, and you don’t need to worry about scheduling reboots, updates, and re-installs. No need to stress about downtime for system upgrades either. All you need to worry about is having a stable internet connection.
Cloud-based CMSs are incredibly low maintenance in comparison to their more traditional on-premise counterparts. All necessary technology upgrades are done for you by a team of expert developers behind the scenes, so that you don’t accrue hefty bills without notice from your web developer, nor do you have to worry about down time to upgrade your system or spend time or energy on crisis management if your system is down. Outages are rare, and not your responsibility to repair with a cloud-based system.
Making updates to your pages is also much simpler with cloud-based systems. Most changes can be made with the WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) editor. All changes to your website are published live on your website immediately. With on-premise CMSs, many changes must be made in the code and then reuploaded to your host to show live on the site. Navigating these on-premise CMSs can be confusing, and easily causes problems if anything is placed or coded incorrectly.
SAAS systems are created, maintained, and improved by a team of experienced web developers that are experts in that specific system. They offer tech support as needed and are usually available around the clock for any troubleshooting or to discuss feature requests and solutions. Furthermore, if you partner with a web design or marketing agency, they will even take care of that communication for you.
Some people worry about the security of anything cloud-based, but their fears are unfounded. Cloud-based CMSs are incredibly secure, with several layers of security protecting you and your company. Being that security is also monitored for you by a team of experts, if there is a rare occurrence of a breach, it is dealt with and fixed immediately, once again reducing your risk of downtime for system maintenance.
One thing that users seem to unanimously agree on is that cloud-based CMSs run much smoother than on-premise systems. They are less buggy or glitchy and have a much greater bandwidth for traffic. Cloud-based CMS companies are very picky when it comes to choosing a server for their solutions. Many of the key players in the SAAS space actually use Amazon’s web servers for hosting to ensure they are lightning fast. Images are the most common reason for slow site speed since image files are so information dense and if not done properly can be larger than necessary. SAAS systems often come equipped with Content Delivery Networks (CDN) to improve site speed via lazy loading, resizing images, image storage solutions, and more.
If you aren’t already using a cloud-based CMS, it’s time to think about it! Leave the tech stuff to the pros, so that you and your team can focus on your content and the success of your business. The website design experts at Smart WSI Marketing work within cloud-based CMSs to give you a high-performance website that will get you results. Get in touch with us today to learn how your business can benefit from a cloud-based CMS.
Lynne is known for her strategic approach to marketing communications, technologies, and lead generation. She has a passion for education, keeping up with current marketing trends and practices, and helping clients keep ahead of their competition.
UX and SEO: Online Marketing’s Dynamic Duo
Creating a successful website is kind of like running a circus where SEO and UX are your star performers. SEO attracts the audience, making sure people know about the show and come in droves. UX, on the other hand, is all about keeping the audience entertained, ensuring they enjoy every moment and want to come back for more. Read More…
Rock Your Marketing with Channel Diversity
Whether you're a seasoned marketer or just dipping your toes into the marketing pool, it's crucial to spread your efforts across multiple platforms. Read More…
Boosting eCommerce Success Through SEO
For eCommerce websites, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) isn't just a strategy; it's a vital lifeline. eCommerce SEO is the art and science of making your online store more visible in the search engine results pages (SERPs). Read More…
Just because a visitor is not ready to make a purchase as soon as they find your business online, that doesn't necessarily mean that you’ve lost that customer forever! Through the power of remarketing, you can coax those customers back to you and convert them into happy first-time customers. Read More…
How Poorly Designed Review Automations Can Hurt Even Big Box Retailers
We’re all fairly familiar with automated review request phone calls from large companies at this point. And while they feel a little impersonal, they serve their purpose. But I’m going to tell you the story of a review call gone wrong, and how even the big box companies can flub their review process through poorly designed automations. Read More…
Backlinks & Reviews: Things You Should Absolutely NEVER Purchase
When you ask a local search engine optimization company for surefire ways to improve your rankings, they will almost always tell you one of two things: get more backlinks and get more reviews. Read More…
What is Digital Marketing Anyway?
In today's fast-paced, digitally driven world, businesses are increasingly turning to digital marketing as a powerful tool to connect with their target audience, build brand awareness, and drive business growth. But what exactly is digital marketing? Read More…
Why Your Website and Marketing Assets Are Crucial When Selling Your Business
So, you're thinking about selling your business? That's a big move, and we're sure you've got a lot on your plate right now. Before you dive into the nitty-gritty of valuations and negotiations, let's talk about something that's often overlooked but incredibly important: your website and marketing assets. Read More…
Your Google Business Profile: What You Can Control vs. What Google Manages
If you're looking to optimize your online presence, you've likely come across the importance of your Google Business Profile (formerly known as Google My Business and even earlier Google+/Google Places). Read More…
