What is Content Management?

Typically, after a Web Developer has created a Web site for a client, the client cannot make modifications to their own Web site unless they ask (and usually pay) the person who created the site to make the changes for them. Not only may this be an extra expense, but it also takes away from the spontaneity of updating the Web site to reflect special sales or newsletters or blogs or a photo gallery, announcements, the change of seasons …

A good Content Management System (CMS) will enable the site owner to add to and update selected Web site content without the risk of messing up the main pages and functionality of the Web site. An example of a Content Management system is WordPress. WordPress is a free blogging tool and more importantly a publishing platform. It is powered by PHP and MySQL. However, integrating WordPress into a Web site makes it relatively easy for a client to add and manage their personalized content and see that customized content appear live on their site within a few seconds.  WordPress is currently the most popular CMS used on the Internet.

BradentonWebSiteDesign.com uses the content management features of WordPress to manage this blog, and the sample newsletters page and the video tutorials page found on this site. However, the Home page, Resume, Books, Tips, and Contact page were created with Adobe Dreamweaver, and the blog and newsletter page were integrated almost seamlessly into the site. Notice how the same header, navigation, background, and styles are used throughout the entire site, including the embedded WordPress blog, newsletter, and video pages.