Has it really been that long since I first hacked together some HTML and made my first website? The sheer availability of options for content management systems [CMS] now has to be daunting to any newcomer.
As a result many newcomers often consult experienced professionals regarding content management systems. Of course, newcomers can ask for help. However, this started to make me think about how I would make a start now, compared to years gone by.
Webhosts promise newbies that anyone can build a website, especially with tools at our disposal like web builders and one click installation of CMS platforms.
If you’ve stayed with me this far, then you’re interested in learning where to start. You probably have a few questions lined up like:
You may have a lot of doubts like should I build a one-page website or Do I Need A Website? Or which CMS should I use? How will my customers interact with me?
Hopefully I can point you in the direction of some cool websites to help you make your early decisions. Bookmark this page! You’ll need to come back for reference reassure yourself out of the hundreds of options out there – I’ve picked the easiest way through to seeing what works for most websites.
But first, as I am sure you are already aware, when running an online business it is vital that you monitor interactions with your customers. You need to know what about your products and services bring value to the lives of your customers and what can be improved.
(learn about the importance of monitoring customer experiences, you can find some helpful resources on the Qualtrics website) This is where using tools and platforms such as Qualtrics can come in handy. Qualtrics enables businesses to gather information from their customers via easy-to-use surveys. Any data gathered can be closely monitored and used to improve customer service.
Another factor that determines your company’s success or failure is how you handle your funds. It can assist you in determining how much tax you must pay and how much profit you may be making. One of the best ways to do that is by hiring an expert who can provide accounting services to your company. The accountant can assist you in maintaining track of your assets, obligations, revenue, and cash flow. It is highly important since it allows you to maintain track of the business’s financial performance, allowing you to make much more informed judgments.
Creating a website for a small business is going in the right direction. However, as you choose the right direction, sometimes you come to a fork, and you need to decide which way you will turn.
Are you building a one page website or landing page, in which case like the remaining third on the internet are you going to build your site on a web-builder or drag and drop platform? I found a statistical site that lists the popularity of various Content Management Systems, and shows about 1/3rd of websites do not use a CMS:
Which Content Management Systems are the most popular?
W3Techs shows usage statistics and market share of Content Management Systems for Websites, April 2013
Despite the ugly mechanics of this site, the data provides an empirical way of making your decision. Altogether 2/3rds of the internet is based on a content management system. Which CMS is the most popular? Without question we see WordPress mentioned a lot but based on the popularity ranking of each content management system, can you prioritize which type of CMS will best suit your business?
Anthony Myers from CMS Wire Magazine looks at some alternatives to the top runner “WordPress” in the popular CMS platforms:
Considering WordPress as a Web content management system is something hundreds, and maybe thousands of website owners likely do on a daily basis, and we’ve got a ready-made short list of alternatives that we think are viable alternatives..
Here are 5 highly customizable CMS platforms for business that compare the WordPress system. I currently use WordPress and Blogger, and have not heard of any of these systems like Plone. Apparently these comparative CMS platforms were chosen because of their strength in the community support forums, however for the beginner, or someone who is new to code, I expect you would be left feeling like there’s something you missed or didn’t quite understand. Even WordPress can do this to me often, I have to go in and tweak the underlying PHP or code just to overcome a few browser discrepancies or plugin issues. I would feel daunted doing something similar on a less well supported platform.
by – Juliana
