How to Evaluate a Content Management System - Initial Setup

How to Evaluate a CMS — Initial Setup

If you’re considering a particular Content Management System (CMS) for your own website, evaluate how much setup is required.

Are you able to set up the CMS? Or will you need to hire a web developer to do it for you?

If you’ve never done such a thing, you might imagine it is simple. But it is not.

Here are the two main obstacles to consider:

Obstacle 1. Expertise

To minimally set them up, most CMSs will require specialized technical expertise. You need to be have the skill level of a web developer.

Do you have that level of expertise? If so, hurray! You can do it yourself.

If not, you will need to hire somebody to do it for you. You will need to be willing to pay them.

Hourly rates for web developers range from $75 to $150 per hour. Some charge less; others charge more.

Don’t select a web developer based on a low hourly rate. There are other criteria that are far more important than fees.

To set up a CMS, the time required will not be trivial. It might take a web developer a few hours. Or a few days.

If you are not a web developer, it will take you even longer. Can you afford to invest that much of your time? If so, hurray! You can do it yourself.

But if not, you will need to hire somebody to do that for you. You need to be willing to pay for that.

You will need to pay for a few hours. Or a few days. And you will need to pay the developer’s stated hourly rate.

You can avoid those Setup issues by selecting a Website Builder. No setup is required.

However, a Website Builder might not meet your needs.

Originally published on December 25, 2018

Last updated on October 28, 2022

TOPICS: CMS, Website,