Generally speaking, there are two types of websites in the world – that of custom coded websites and Content Management System (CMS) based websites. What are the differences between the two? Why do we advocate for businesses to use CMS based websites in order to achieve long term gains? Find all this and more in this beginner introduction to corporate web design.
For starters, we believe that if you engage any web design agency or in hour web development staff, then a content management system should be used.
At its core, CMS exist for non-expect programmers or coders to work on. In fact, as part of their ever expanding offerings, some of their products specifically target non-programmers. How does this work? To understand their competitive advantage, we first need to look at custom coded websites.
Custom Coded Websites
Custom coded websites require programmers to write each line of code specific to the website’s needs. Generally speaking, there is no template, and it is the equivalent of a blank sheet of paper. The programmar would need to take the sheet of paper and write the various logic sequences and commands that when linked correctly will result in a functional website.
Content Management Systems
CMS speed up the process of web design by offering ready built templates and a user-centric interface. Modules such as text or images can be selected and dragged to a spot on the website. Subsequently, customisation comes in the form a shorter code that modify the template. Additionally, the themes act as a guide as to how content should be placed on your website in order to fully capitalise on the intended user experience.
But how does this help in the long run?
CMS are the Ultimate Legacy Tool in Web Design
Custom coded websites are often created according to the knowledge of their creator. This meant that you were largely tied to the original designer. Anyone who you engage to take over from them would have to crawl through their code and notes in order to pick up their logic. This is actually a severely challenging task and improper handover could result in bugs emerging in the website.
Content management systems on the other hand are much more structured. Anyone who is familiar with the CMS used will be able to pick up where your previous developer left off. Furthermore, a record of changes is kept by the system, thereby allowing you to check how each version of your website differs from the last. In a corporate setting where a website may last for years, this is an invaluable recording and editing asset.
The Value of Engaging a CMS Trained Web Design Agency
As alluded to, the key here is to hire a proficient web design Singapore agency in the particular CMS that you wish to use. This will allow for fast development time and clean plus logical website codes.
