A standard HTML website is static and fixed. Which means that to change any text and images, the page files that make up the site must be edited then uploaded to the web server. To do this you either have to be a web programmer or you have to hire one.

Websites need to be updated and changed with frequency to stay "fresh".   Now what?  You can either learn to code and do it yourself, hire someone to do it, or...have your website use a Content Management System (CMS).

A CMS is a multifunctional application designed to make website content management easy, web-based and affordable. Clients can manage their own website content, with simple editing tools (WYSISWYG) can learn how to do it in no time!  

Lower Costs, Faster Deployment Times and Increased Control

A CMS provides users with a faster, more practical solution to manage your own website, in turn saving you valuable time and money. You are empowered to create, update and manage your own website content. Lower costs, faster deployment times and increased control will encourage more frequently updated websites, and creating a dynamic website will draw key customers, clients or other stakeholders back, time and again!

Administration Interface

With a CMS, the content within the pages that make up the website is not pre-written into the pages, but pulled from an online database when a user requests a page. You have the ability to alter the content within the database at any time via an easy to use administration interface with your web browser. The logon to your administration uses a secure password therefore no one else can alter your website.

Black Sheep typically employs the use of a Content Management System (CMS) database-driven website that enables clients to add content to their website without incurring website maintenance, software or hardware costs.  For a hands-off solution, clients can also choose to have Black Sheep perform the updates and manage the content as well. 

Benefits of a CMS Website

A CMS based website provides a number of benefits to our clients:

• Content Management Systems allow any number of individuals (authors) within a business to add, edit and delete content pages.  Non-technical people can create and produce online content, while maintaining the uniform look and feel of the website.    Clients can usually learn how to operate a CMS in a half-hour or less.  
• Site content is managed using a password protected administration control panel, that allows for the easy creation and management website content.  The control panel interface is easy to use and is base upon WYSIWYG (“What You See Is What You Get”) editor.  With WYSIWYG, entering content acts very much like word-processing software, such as Microsoft Word.  Therefore, a user does not have to have any coding knowledge or experience.  See “screenshots” for examples of the administrative panel and interface.
• The website becomes truly dynamic and stays up-to-date. Fresh content can be added through any computer with internet access, anywhere in the world. All content is maintained through a web browser (i.e. Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, etc).  
• The design of the website can be changed at any time without affecting the content. Because a CMS separates the web design and content management functions, the site can accommodate or expand with the changes or growth in a business without the need for a new website.
• The design of the website cannot be "broken' or altered by any content author.  All content and links are automatically generated in page layouts that are pre-installed by the web designer. Pre-installed style sheets are used to control the formatting of text.
• A CMS driven website provides a faster, more practical solution to manage the website. When compared to other web design options (static html), a standardized CMS implemented website is going to increase the speed with which content gets posted, guarantee your content's visibility and interoperability, and cut down on the resources necessary to manage and maintain the website.  Lower costs, faster deployment times and increased control will encourage more frequently updates and create a dynamic website.  
• There are no additional software requirements. This reduces software licensing and hardware costs for the business owner.