Content Management Systems (CMS) are a critical component in the creating and maintaining enterprise-level websites all around the world. Almost everyone has heard of these systems (Ektron, EPiServer, Sitecore, Wordpress, Drupal, etc.), but not everyone is sure what exactly they do. These systems allow non-technical staff members to create and update content within a website without the need to understand HTML and CSS. But what many people don't know is that these CMS platforms that power your websites are actually pieces of software that need to be updated regularly. Here are three top reasons to keep your CMS software up to date:
- Security. A CMS is just like any other piece of software, such as an anti-virus program, and it needs to be kept up-to-date to make sure it is safe from any intrusions. The web can be a dangerous place, with hackers constantly coming up with new ways to cause trouble, so you will want to be sure your site is as prepared as possible for any attacks, and making sure your CMS software is up to date is one of the best ways of doing so.
- Getting Your Money’s Worth. You’ve invested a lot of money into your CMS, so you should make sure you’re getting what you paid for. In fact, every year, the CMS manufacturer is making hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of improvements to the CMS platform. If you are paying your yearly software maintenance fees to the CMS company and not upgrading the software, you aren’t taking advantage of these fantastic new CMS features which could greatly enrich your online digital presence. By keeping your CMS up-to-date, you can be sure you’re making the most of the substantial investment you’ve made.
- New Features. The web is constantly changing, so quickly that it can be difficult to keep up with all the opportunities available for adding value to your website and increasing your audience and/or revenue. Keeping your CMS software up-to-date will ensure that you are gaining access to the new CMS features that are being released to help you keep pace with the ever-changing web technologies. For example, many CMS platforms now allow for direct integration with many of the systems you are already using today such as Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platforms like Salesforce, Inbound Lead Automation Suites like HubSpot, Association Management Systems (AMS) like netFORUM, and many other mobile and social platforms. Integrating with these systems directly will not only produce a more personalized website user experience, it will also streamline your overall business workflows and give you fantastic business intelligence to continually improve in your various digital channels.
As you can see, if you’re not keeping your CMS up to date, you’re not only endangering the security of your site, you’re throwing away opportunities for getting the most out of your website. It might seem like a daunting task, but it’s worth it in the long run. Diagram can help you determine the best strategy for upgrading your CMS, so feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
