I have used a lot of content management systems over the last few years – each with their own advantages as well as draw backs. Gone are the days now, in many cases, where a CMS is asked for by the client – not only is it assumed, but expected with great future potential, for all intents and purpose, many clients want a limitless system.
Comprehensive Content Management
Systems of this type include the likes of WordPress, Joomla and Drupal. With a vast selection of plugins, modules and extensions for each system this gives a seemingly limitless option to present to clients – assuming you can get to grips with the add-ons yourself of course.
Basic Content Management
Again these systems are a-plenty and although slightly less popular can easily be marketed as bespoke systems to clients. Most of these systems, like Content Management Made Simple (CMSMS), are found to be more than adequate to meet specifications set by clients at the outset, but what happens when clients expectations change, when the company grows out of the system how easy is it to adapt a system with much tighter boundaries?
Conclusion
Clients have always wanted bang for their buck, but in the current economic climate the challenge is greater to offer a fully bespoke service not only for today’s solution but the solution in years to come. In previous years it might have been possible to charge for separate projects and completely different site builds when systems outgrow their designed purpose. Nowadays however, web developers need to provide their clients complete systems with impeccable future potential.
In all honesty each different project has unique future potential, and within reason it is worth being realistic in your estimations. For example, a sole-trader electrician is unlikely to grow and need e-commerce features within a realistic time frame. Times change and new web trends and technologies will be used in the weeks, months and years to come, so it is pointless trying to create the perfect website for now and 3 years time. But a website’s shelf life should easily be around 18 months, and it is worth trying to brace your system creation for the near future. With that in mind, choose a system that is capable (with plugins, modules, extensions or further developments) of what might be desired in time to come, which in most cases will be the more comprehensive systems.
