What You Need to Know Before Using a CMS
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If you have a great idea that you want to spread, but are new to web site design, the situation may seem hopeless at first -- until you hear about content management systems. On its face, it sounds like magic: a program that will help you manage your site, and you don't even need to know HTML! Well, not so fast. There are a few things you need to know first.
You're an expert Life Guard. In fact, you teach lifesaving skills and have invented a miraculous device that will keep drowning victims from panicking in the water once you've reached them. The device you have designed could revolutionize the industry. Your business model is perfected and you are dying to make your product available on the Internet. The problem is, you don't know Jack about web development or design.
After looking around for a while, comparing web developers, your idea seems doomed to die the death of unrealized dreams, unless you shuck out a few thousand to have a site designed and developed. And then...
You hear about this awesome invention called a Content Management System or CMS.
From everything you see, this is the easy way to get a killer web site for your product. For little expense and without the need of an expert, you can create a functional and attractive space on the Internet to market your wares, spread your message and share information with your group of trainees.
You have found a package that appears to meet your needs, looks nice, and has a shopping cart and an email/newsletter system. To top it off, the system is free and it says right on the information page that you don't have to know any PHP or HTML! All you have to do is down load and follow instructions.
Now you're thinking, "Who ever invented the Internet was a genius!"
The package is now residing in your computer files, which you eagerly open...
...when the question "What in the heck is all this?" raises the brow over your left eye.
Where to Start
If you were that Life Guard, you would tell students to start with a swimming lesson. If they don't know how to swim, they sure won't save any lives.
In the same manner, you aren't going to run a web site without knowing something about the language and the tools that make it operate.
There are two distinct areas that need to be examined:
Part One is the selection of the system that is right for your needs, and preparation for operation.
Part Two is construction of the web site and management after its activation.
Next: The Beginning - The Content Management System >>
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