Information Technology (FCC 123)

Problems of content management systems (CMS) and possible solutions

NAMES OF GROUP MEMBERS:

ABDUL KADIR SADAT HARERIMANA RADJAB AMANEE SALAEMAE RUHAN RABBI SIMSIT RONKRIYA-JAKARIYA

Introduction.
What is a web content management?
A web content management system (WCMS) is an application for creating, storing, managing and publishing web page content, which may be in the form of text, audio, graphics, video, etc. The WCM may also organize, index or otherwise present data uniquely for specific site visitors.

Wcmss applications are exposed to the same set of common threats found in any network and web-based operation or process. In this paper, we will outline the most common problems of WCMS, and provide a number precautionary solutions.

Problems and Solutions

1 LACK OF EDITORIAL CONTROL

The problem is a lack of central control to ensure the quality and accuracy of copy produced. This can lead to contradictions and varying styles of writing across the site.
THE SOLUTION: GET AN EDITOR This problem we need a content editor. Somebody who checks what is being produced and ensures it communicates a consistent message in a consistent tone. Ideally this should be somebody who has experience in writing, editing online copy, confident in editing copy, and has the authority to remove inappropriate material.

2.A LACK OF PERSONALITY

Websites with great copy that is full of personality, stand out from the crowd. They do more than convey information. Unfortunately the distributed nature of content production through the use of a CMS undermines that.
THE SOLUTION: DECIDE ON YOUR SITES PERSONALITY

The first step towards overcoming this problem is to define who you are. If your website was a person what type of person would it be? What words best describe your sites character? Is it playful, serious, enthusiastic, or friendly? Next put together a content style guide. This will include examples of writing styles that should be used on your website. It will also include guidelines in terms of tone and wording. This document should then be distributed to your content providers.

3.UNCOMMITTED CONTRIBUTORS
UNCOMMITTED : not willing to work hard and give your time and

energy to sth; not believing strongly in sth

some people do not see it as their responsibility to provide W.C.M Writing web content is often seen as a low priority constantly gets pushed out by real work. SOLUTION: RECOGNISE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE WEB The website needs to be seen as a critical business tool. job descriptions must reflect this by making site maintenance a key component of peoples job.

4.POORLY TRAINED AUTHORS

2 causes: Inadequate trainings an intimidating manuals This can easily lead to only a few people capable of making updates to the site, thereby undermining the very reason for having a CMS in the first place
THE SOLUTION: PROVIDE VIDEO TRAINING MATERIAL( TUTORIAL VIDEOS)

tutorials allow users to work through the material at their own pace. Also, unlike a training course they can learn only the parts of the system they actually need.

5.BAD COPYWRITING The truth is that there is no one can write good web copy. Even people who can writes well in print, it does not mean they will write well for the web. There is an art and science to writing good web copy that many people are unaware of. Copy written by content providers is often verbose, un-engaging and hard to scan.

THE SOLUTION: PROVIDE A STRUCTURE FOR CONTENT PRODUCTION

1)

the introduction of an editor means that content providers do not have to worry about writing perfect copy. It should be the job of the editor to take the raw copy they provide and re-write it for the web.
2)

the training provided with a content management system should extend beyond the functionality and also include advice on writing good web copy.
3)

By producing a basic template for content providers you can help them focus their writing. A content template should ask questions such as who is the audience, what is the key message for this page and what is the call to action?

6.BLOATED WEBSITES
Much like this post, most websites end up far too bloated. This is a problem that content management systems only serve to exaggerate. By removing the problem to putting content online, you encourage people to add more. However, more is not always better. The problem is that the more they put online, the harder it is for users to find the content they want. It is like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

THE SOLUTION: FOCUS ON USERS AND REMOVE The best solution is to prevent this from occurring in the first place. This is done by focus on user needs. Before putting anything online ask two questions: Is the content aimed at your primary audience? Is the content essential for helping those users complete their objectives? However, user needs is not the only criteria for judging the worth of content. There are also calls to action.

7.NO CLEAR CALLS TO ACTION

Many content providers are focussed on giving information than meting user needs. They like to use a common words like Contact Us forgetting that the user will only contact them if their needs are met harmoniously first on the web page content.

SOLUTION: ALWAYS GUIDE THE USER

There are three action to be taken:1. Leave a comment 2. Provide feedback (by giving video clips) 3. Read a related post/link.

8.AN ORGANISATIONAL FOCUSED ON IA In CMS provider likes to build it in organisational structure rather than giving more opportunity to the user.

SOLUTION: Concentrate first on the user since they are the main stock holder of any company.

9.SINGLE LANGUAGE CONTENT. Majority of content builders request for multi-lingual support but in the end only a few of these sites make use of this functionality. The first is aspirational, many organizations request for multi-lingual support because they have a dream of expanding in future but unfortunately these dreams do not come true. The second is not so admirable, most sites fail to implement this functionality because they have not fully thought through what that involves. Implementing such a support on a CMS is easy but creating it is hard. You have to decide on which content to be translated and worst of all you need to find a translator to maintain that content over a long term. Solutions: THINK TWICE BEFORE REQUESTING FOR MULTI-LINGUAL SUPPORT. There has to be a good business reason for implementing a multi-lingual support in your site, otherwise, its a waste of resources.

10. NO SENSE OF COMMUNITY

Increasingly, content management systems comes with good community tools, however great technology does not build great communities. Many organization put these community features in their site only for them to be disappointed due to lack of use. Worst still, organizations launch these features but are heavily reliant on their egos, so users respond negatively. Solutions: BUILD RELATIONSHIP NOT FUNCTIONALITY. Online Communities are about relationships and not technology. For you to build a successful community around your website, you need to be actively engaged with users in that community.

In conclusion, you could interpret this as a criticism of CMS but thats not the case. We believe that CMSs are a good addition to most websites. However, it is not the silver bullet that many perceive them to be.

TERIMA KASIH.