Selecting a web content management system is a complex job, complicated further by the fact that most people have never made this choice before. So we offer a few tips based on our experience with higher education client/partners. It is a process that, with a map, can be done fairly easily.

GETTING STARTED
First, determine what you need:

• What content? For whom?
• Break down the barriers: what could we really create here?
• Take a look at other campus solutions.
• Give priority: what is essential? What is optional?
• Is a site re-design an option? A priority? To be avoided?

• Leaving as-is: content updates get implemented as they have been.
• In-house solutions: This can be expensive, time-consuming, re-inventing the wheel.
• High-end does-it-all solutions: expensive, time-consuming for IT, very costly per content manager.
• The perfect solution: what you need, nothing more, flexibility, affordable, scaleable.
  

THINGS TO CONSIDER

Organization requirements.

• What content needs managing?
• Who/how many people will do it?
• Which web sites? Your intranet?
• Scalability issues.
• Budget issues.
  

• Does the solution need to fit in a re-design?
• Are you prepared to alter your site to accommodate?
• Which sites will be included?
  
  

• Hosted application or on-site? (There is a choice!) 
• Multiple locations? Multiple servers?
• Non-proprietary or platform-independent important?
  
• What operating systems, hosts and servers?
  
  

• Who and how will they install?
• How quickly do you need this?
• How much down-time is acceptable?
• Who will train? Who gets trained?
  
  

• What have other campuses done?
• Any in-house experience?
  
  

• Hidden implementation and integration costs
• Unexpected, lengthy training
• Necessary site re-design and changes
• Consulting services
• Unnecessary features and functions
  

• Easy: content owners must find it easy to use, or they simply won't use it.
• Flexible: accommodating campus, department, and user differences.
• Browser-based: leverage this incredible tool for access anywhere, anytime.
• Multi-user: file locking, approval processes, roles-based.
• Hassle-free: to install and adopt.
• Scalable: to grow with your institution.
• Cost-efficient: buy what you need, get a good price.

Take a more in-depth look at Web content management evaluation in our white paper: ''How to Evaluate Web Content Management Solutions for Higher Education... and Avoid Overspending''

Want a test drive? We'd love to have you take our self-directed demo, or we will schedule a personal demonstration for you and your team, at your convenience.

Phone: 805-484-9400
Toll Free: 800-362-2605

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