Custom Content Management System or CMS
There is a big difference between custom custom content management system (CMS) and custom designed CMS where one requires custom coding which usually cost much more than existing systems. The other achieved at a reasonable cost by integrating custom design in an existing CMS. We can build you a quick Joomla website in PHP or DontNetNuke website in ASP.NET if you have a small budget for a small business. Otherwise, if you need a robust highly efficient custom design and custom content management system with subscription requirements or intuitive e-commerce solution for highly secured website, we can build that for you using Microsoft ASP.NET technology. Our certified programmers are here to help!
What Is A CMS?
A CMS or content management system is a software that keeps track of every piece of content on your Web site, much like your local public library keeps track of books and stores them. Content can be simple text, photos, music, video, documents, or just about anything you can think of. A major advantage of using a CMS is that it requires almost no technical skill or knowledge to manage. Since the CMS manages all your content, you don't have to.
Cost of System
One of the main advantages of using open source platforms like Joomla, Drupal, Wordpress or DotNetnuke is they can save on development and maintenance costs. For example if we’re building a blog site for someone we’d always recommend something like Wordpress because writing custom code for blog functionality is a redundant task which adds an unnecessary cost to a project.
However, as soon as you venture away from core functionality in an open source platform costs quickly spiral and serious consideration has to be given. Solid forward planning and wireframing helps to prevent problems like this but in most cases we still recommend thinking very carefully before assuming you’ll be able to modify core functionality on an open source CMS easily, and remember to factor in additional costs for maintaining custom plugins and hard coded solutions through new releases of the CMS.
Performance of System
If you want to keep your website speedy you’ll probably be better off building a custom solution from the ground up in most casesif budget is no obstacle.
Also under performance we need to be thinking about the user experience for website managers who will be using the CMS on a daily basis. Wordpress has a pretty user friendly interface but trying to train CMS newbies on Joomla or OS commerce is a painful process. Look at the skill level of the users who will ultimately be responsible for maintaining the site and choose a system which they’re able to use. If you can’t use Wordpress and need something even simpler – we will need to build you a custom CMS.
Content Manager Security Issues
Open source CMS are a double-edged sword when it comes to security. In one respect, regular releases of new security patches and upgrades should mean the sites you build are more secure. However because the code is open and the value for hackers in finding exploits in systems like Wordpress is so high you are also making yourself a bit of a target. That’s why most large financial organisations or enterprise level ecommerce businesses will either have a custom built platform or a costly closed source off the shelf solution.
I hope this run down of points we look at when deciding on a technical direction for a web design project gives you some food for thought. If there are any questions I’d be happy to answer them in the comments.
Bottomline
Deciding which way to go for your CMS deployment depends on a number of issues. But ultimately, you want the best ROI possible for such deployment. It really boils down to your specifications, your budget, and the demands of your particular situation. In case, you have low budgets but high requirements, and a reasonable timeline, we can customize a CMS based on a framework. It will be a process that may have its hiccups during the process of building, but it may be the right approach to your situation. Some of the high-priced CMS solutions such as Sitefinity for Enterprise at $20,000 looks very good, but your budget is the bottom-line; we will have to do what's right for your situation and your budget.
