What is the semantic ‘diff’ between a web content management solution and a web site management solution? A web content management solution, or CMS, is a common-place, omnipresent software that claims to aid with proper web maintenance and functionality of a web site. In actuality, it is a word processor for the web. Period. Nothing spectacular or unique about it, no matter how “creative” some software companies get to persuade you otherwise. Typing in new content on a page and publishing changes are generally the two deliverables that a CMS can do. Sometimes, you may get an extra feature or two, but again, nothing spectacular.
A WMS, or website management solution, goes beyond CMS. You have web word processing, of course, but the functionality is expanded and the features richer. True site maintenance and functionality can only come from a website management solution, which does more than just content management. Site management solutions are the new wave in web technology started by Digital Function based in Houston, Texas. By building upon CMS, Digital Function created the first website management solution, Kalibrate, engineered to meet the web needs of businesses and organizations, especially online retail stores, subscription services, non-profit online donations, and many more.
The importance and longevity of the web has been proven and tested. However, so many companies are afraid, or cautious, about embracing it as a reliable and stable medium for carrying their marketing and business objectives. Why? If the government is already developing applications for online voting, there is no reason for the private sector to be lagging behind Uncle Sam. By investing in a site management solution, companies will save money in the long-run because their site will be tailored, effective, and in compliance with the existing brand image. CMS can only assist with publishing content to a live site. Online databases, customized workflow, and crucial IT integration become afterthoughts if the client is not educated or informed before the purchase. These afterthoughts transform into regrets and money lost with a CMS.
A proper web site management solution will do the following for you: streamline manual tasks efficiently into online processes, tailor to your organization’s workflow and web needs, and align with business goals, marketing strategies, and/or distribution tactics. Chris Glenn, co-founder of Digital Function, built Kalibrate to do all three. He tries to stress to his clients, “A web site should not be built speedily or without planning. Think about everything that you want your site to do, from navigation to complex tasks. From there, Kalibrate can be molded to meet each of those needs without breaking the bank.” By having a plan of action and a list of all the needs, it prevents the buyer’s remorse that tends to happen a few weeks after an ill-planned and ineffective site goes live.
So what’s the real difference between CMS and WMS? First, money lost. The main purpose of a professional web site is to align with communication and business objectives, which means aiding in the generation of revenue. With that in mind, it can be assumed that a poor web image is not only detrimental to your brand image but your bottom line as well. Second, devalued branding. Think of a web site as another face to your company. Corporations are careful to hire the right people, select the right advertising agency, and even purchase the right building. However, they neglect their web site, tarnishing the branding built over several years and high budgets. The way around these problems can be found in a web site management solution, not a content management solution.
For those companies out there thinking about renovating their web site or possibly creating their first web site, it is imperative that you do your research. Find the best web site management solution that can meets all your needs. Settling for a CMS or a cheap, template solution will hurt you. Don’t be the next victim to lose money or devalue your brand. There are two things a web site can do for you, and one of them is bad. Save yourself and invest in a web site management solution for your next web development project.
