As a web developer, I highly recommend using a Content Management System when creating a site. Every organization, and every website, has different needs. Fortunately, most of the common Content Management Systems provide capabilities commonly found in popular commercial websites. A variety of features are available, including (but not limited to) the following:

  • Blogs: regularly updated postings by one author, multiple authors, or even multiple blogs from various authors.
  • Articles and Pages: various displays of textual content.
  • Wiki: documents which can be created and edited by a group of people, or the general public.
  • Discussion Forums:
  • Social Networks: profiles, friends/contacts, activities
  • Integration with Social Networks: post your content on Facebook, Twitter, and more, or pull content back to your site
  • Importing Content: blog posts, activities, and other content can be integrated from other sites with RSS Feeds
  • Photos: galleries, slideshows, javascript carousel displays
  • Maps: place posts or other content on a dynamic and user controlled map
  • User Roles: allow certain users to perform specific actions
  • Polls: get feedback from visitors and display the results
  • Version Control: which author updated which document, and when
  • Defined Custom Content: create content in the format that is best suited for your organization
  • Document Managment: storage, distribution, and controlled access
  • Event Calendars
  • Contact Forms
  • Online Sales: shopping carts and other e-commerce options
  • Taxonomies: categorize your content any which way you like
  • Advertising