Digital marketing is a must for any brand, and we’ve already discussed how website optimization is vital in our previous post on 12 Digital Marketing Techniques You Can Implement Within a Day. Frequent and scheduled posts will even help place you in the first couple of pages of Google search results with a bit of luck.
At the crux of all of this is a content management system (CMS). A CMS is software that helps people who may not have technical knowledge to create, structure, and edit their content on a website. If the thought of learning how to code is what’s stopping you from creating your website, have no fear. This is what CMS is for, as it handles the infrastructure while you focus on the content. If you want all of this and more, it’s time to consider a CMS platform to take your passion for photography to the next level.
But before we get down to choosing, let’s make something clear. Legacy CMS has become outdated and seems to be misplaced alongside 21st century technology which needs flexibility. It only slows down the process of creating content. If anything, the digital landscape should be convenient, especially for do-it-yourself bloggers and freelancers photographers. Updatable shares that development bottlenecks should be a thing of the past as it has become essential for users to be able to modify and update their website with ease. With a non-restrictive CMS, digital creators such as yourself can focus on what really matters: consistently publishing quality photographs.
Choosing the right CMS must be in-line with your business’ needs, and should fit with your current infrastructure among stakeholders. Here are two types of platforms to get you started:
Software as a Service (SaaS) based CMS
Relatively new to the array of CMS options, SaaS functions in a similar way to services like Google Docs or Gmail would. You don’t have to install, update, or maintain anything as the CMS provider handles any technical issues, like fixing bugs. It typically requires purchasing a subscription or paying monthly fees to use the CMS whose software is already pre-built. It’s designed to be simple to use among all members of the online community. However, there isn’t much breathing room to customize it since you can’t exactly change the core application’s functions. It may pose risks as security is given to a third party, but if sensitive data is not exactly your concern, you can consider a SaaS CMS. A good example of this is Squarespace, which provides several templates for photographers to create stunning galleries.
On-premise based CMS
On-premise CMS controls a huge share of the CMS market. It requires purchasing a license from a vendor before being able to install the software on your server. You’ll have to handle all infrastructure upgrades as the CMS provider can only install, maintain and update the software, and manage security. While this may seem intimidating, you’ll be more in control over the CMS and can customize it according to your preferences. It can become pricey, as you might need to hire additional personnel for the IT team in charge of supporting the CMS. WordPress, for instance, offers a variety of gallery styles and layouts to help you easily design your website.
Now that your options are laid out, remember that you should choose a CMS based on how the platform may affect your business. Factor in costs, requirements, and your brand’s needs, and think about which CMS platform will allow you to best present content suited to your brand. For a list of some of the best CMS platforms to layout your photographs, check out CMS Critic’s guide to the ‘Top 8 Website Builders for Photography Websites.
