Content Manager
Frequently-Asked Questions
- What is the Content Manager?
- Why would the Content Manager benefit me?
- How does the Content Manager work?
- How might I use the Content Manager?
- Does my existing website need to be redesigned if I want to start using the Content Manager?
- Will I need to change where my website is hosted if I want to start using the Content Manager?
- Will visitors to my website be able to see that I'm using the Content Manager?
- How easy is it to use the Content Manager?
- Will I have to install software on my computer to be able to use the Content Manager?
- How do I pay for using the Content Manager?
- How much does the Content Manager cost?
- How does the cost of using the Content Manager compare with paying a website designer to update my website for me?
- Can I see examples of websites that use the Content Manager?
- What does the Content Manager look like?
- Who do I contact to find out more or to set-up the Content Manager with my website?
What is the Content Manager?
The Content Manager is an online content management system.
By divorcing a website's content from its design, the website owner can manage the content on a website without having to worry about design issues such as page layout, use of colour etc..
The Content Manager is a tool that enables a website owner to add, update and delete a website's content. Content can include text, links, lists, images, photographs and tables.
Why would the Content Manager benefit me?
The downfall of many websites is that their content is allowed to become out-of-date. This disappoints visitors, who are looking for more than the old information they find. It is also frustrating for the website owner, who may not have the resources to enable more regular updates.
How does the Content Manager work?
On a website that doesn't use the Content Manager, the process that happens when a someone visits your website is fairly straight forward:
- The visitor enters your website's address in their browser (e.g. www.yourwebsite.co.uk)
- Your website sends the web page back to their computer and their browser displays it on the screen
On a website that uses the Content Manager, the process is more sophisticated. Although there is more happening in this process, the visitor only sees your website and is unaware that its content is generated dynamically by the Content Manager:
- The visitor enters your website's address in their browser (e.g. www.yourwebsite.co.uk)
- Your website contacts the Content Manager to retrieve the content for that page
- The Content Manager returns the content to your website
- Your website sends the web page back to the visitor's computer, complete with the content from the Content Manager
- At any time, you can connect to the Content Manager to add, update or delete content - this effectively updates your website
How might I use the Content Manager?
The ability to manage the content on your website gives you the freedom to publish a variety of information. Typical uses for the Content Manager include publishing:
- News
- Announcements and Press Releases
- Articles
- Newsletters
- Vacancies
- Personal Profiles / Biographies
- Special Offers
- Useful Links
- Testimonials
- Case Studies
- Product Catalogue
- Work In Progress
- Online Resources / Downloads.
Does my existing website need to be redesigned if I want to start using the Content Manager?
No. The appearance of your site does not need to change if you want to use the Content Manager.
Where you want a page to take its content from the Content Manager, some extra code will need to be added to that page. The code exists "behind-the-scenes" and is added to your website as part of the set-up process when you start to use the Content Manager.
We will provide you with a copy of your website as it was before we added the Content Manager, so you can revert to the pre-Content Manager site at any time if you so wish.
Will I need to change where my website is hosted if I want to start using the Content Manager?
No, although our web server is configured to enable us to use the Content Manager in the most effective way. Therefore, moving your website hosting to us will enable you to make more sophisticated used of the Content Manager... but there is no obligation for you to change your web hosting if you prefer to continue with your current provider..
Will visitors to my website be able to see that I'm using the Content Manager?
No. There will be nothing added to your website that shows you are using the Content Manager.
How easy is it to use the Content Manager?
The Content Manager uses an interface similar to that of Microsoft Word. If you are comfortable using Word to create simple documents, you will be able to use the Content Manager. You do not need to learn any particular IT skills to be able to use the Content Manager.
You can view some screenshots (link opens in a new window) which will show you the familiar Word-style toolbar of the Content Manager.
Will I have to install software on my computer to be able to use the Content Manager?
No. You will not need to install any software, either on your computer or on your web server. The Content Manager is an online application which you access from your computer via a web browser (e.g. Internet Explorer).
How do I pay for using the Content Manager?
There are 2 costs: the set-up cost and the licence cost. The set-up cost covers the initial work involved in setting up your site so that it can retrieve content from the Content Manager. This is a one-off cost. The licence cost is an annual fee that covers your continued use of the Content Manager.
How much does the Content Manager cost?
We do not provide a set price list as everyone's requirements differ and we are keen that you should pay only for the functionality you receive. However, here is a rough guide to what the Content Manager might cost:
| Use the Content Manager to... | Set-Up Cost | Licence Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Manage content on part of a page | £100 | £75 |
| Manage content on a simple page | £200 | £150 |
| Manage content on a complex page | £350 | £250 |
| Manage content on several simple pages | £500 | £350 |
| Manage content on several complex pages | £750 | £450 |
Please contact us for a specific quote based on your requirements.
How does the cost of using the Content Manager compare with paying a website designer to update my website for me?
If you use the Content Manager to update your website instead of relying on your website designer to make updates on your behalf, you can save money.
| Use the Content Manager to... | Instead of paying your website designer for... | Your savings* over 3-years would be... |
|---|---|---|
| Manage content on part of a page | 1-hour's support work per month | £935 |
| Manage content on a simple page | 2-hour's support work per month | £1,870 |
| Manage content on a complex page | 3-hour's support work per month | £2,680 |
| Manage content on several simple pages | 5-hour's support work per month | £4,750 |
| Manage content on several complex pages | 1-day's support work per month | £6,720 |
* savings are approximate and are based on your website designer charging a typical support rate of £35 per hour
Can I see examples of websites that use the Content Manager?
Yes. Please contact us and we will provide you some examples of how the Content Manager is used.
What does the Content Manager look like?
Please view some screenshots to see what the Content Manager looks like.
Who do I contact to find out more or to set-up the Content Manager with my website?
Please contact us to find out more information or to discuss your Content Manager requirements.
