There are a number of must-have features of content management software applications. These applications automate the processes of contributing and managing data, such as content, in this context.
The term -content" itself is subject to debate. On an e-commerce Web site, content is often dependent on contexts, such as where it appears, thus making the task of defining content even harder.
In the broadest definition, Web site content includes everything on the site that represents a customer's experience, including multimedia information and back-end processes that directly and indirectly support the delivery of that experience.
Content can be classified into four types:
- Creative content: for example, text, graphics, controls, multimedia, and advertisements.
- Transactional content: including bits of information stored in databases which are assembled into dynamic content, either on the fly or pre-cached.
- Downloadable content: for example, PDF documents, archives, images.
- Affiliate content: such as content on partner or support sites in addition to the primary site.
Some authors even include a fifth type consisting of applications, middle-tier components, database procedures, and other programming logic that enables and supports e-commerce.
Major content management software features should include the following:
- Workflow and process automation: including version tracking, approval and rejection notification, and publishing scheduling.
- Roles-based permissions: each team member must be able to assume several roles when required. Access permissions are controlled based on these roles.
- Client and Administrator tools: these tools allow team members to set up and configure various settings and options in the system. Many existing applications make this interface accessible through a Web browser.
- Management of templates, style sheets and themes: page and block templates, in addition to the use of style sheets, allow Web sites to be created and managed in a consistent way. Larger systems offer a selection of layouts and themes.
- Content classification: content classification allows you to group ad hoc content into groups which facilitate searching, personalisation, content targeting and site analysis. Some applications store classification information directly into the HTML source of Web pages using meta-tags.
- Search and replace tools: this is an essential component of any content management solution. It allows the editor to change common text or graphics across the entire site.
To maintain more complex sites, you may also need to look for the following features:
- Personalisation: software personalisation capabilities often involve linking pre-categorised data to certain user preferences. However, personalisation requirements for each site often vary and require programmatic customisation using the built-in API.
- Indexing and search: content management software often offers integrated indexing and search solutions.
- HTML editors: existing HTML editors range from being over-simplistic to very complicated. Most useful features are WYSIWYG editing, precise positioning of elements, site design capability, collaborative development, and site deployment.
- XML-based repositories: in addition, your site can take full advantage of this feature if it has a large and diverse content baseââ,¬" the primary benefit of separating content, format and business logic. Storing content as XML facilitates content reuse, cross references and searches. XML-based systems can also offer transformation services and validation for structural compliance.
- Content caching: with software using the dynamic content approach, such as storing content as logical pieces in the database and assembling them per demand, content caching becomes very important. Caching improves the overall performance as it reduces unnecessary repetitive computation, especially on high-demand pages.
- Reporting and business intelligence: higher-end applications often come with sophisticated reporting and data- mining features. As these applications tend to be expensive, it is not unusual to see organisations building their own business intelligence tools using existing infrastructure, for example Microsoft OLAP services.
- Common Application Programming Interface (API): these APIs allow for programmatic extensions or custom integration with other systems.
Duc Do is a director of Commercial Interactive Media. He can be contacted on 03 9419 4900 or at duc.do@cim.com.au
