A Content Management System, or CMS, is software that is used to help manage your website. A CMS is useful for sites with rapidly changing content, articles, video, audio, calendar and more. Most CMS systems utilize a web-based administration allowing for access to updates anywhere you have an internet connection and are typically built so little-to-no code knowledge is necessary. If you want to be able to update your site yourself without having to know code, a CMS is the solution for you.

There are 2 types of CMS typically available:

1. Open-Source
   Simply put, this type of CMS is license-free and ALL the code is available to see. RightTurn has extensive experience with both Joomla (1.0 and 1.5) and Wordpress as two open-source options. This option is great for a group that needs collaboration without monthly/yearly cost, though is less favorable for those needing higher levels of support.
2. Proprietary
   Though this type includes either a monthly or yearly licensing fee (typically based on users) the benefits of a propriety system is that all the parts of the site work well together and usually the learning curve to using the system is not as steep as the open-source route. The major downside is that you do not actually 'own' your site and should you desire to move away from the system you would have to rebuild the entire site at the new location.

Common CMS Functionality:

• Audio/Podcast - Upload recorded audio for sharing as well as set up an iTunes™ podcast that allows iPod or mp3 player users of your site to download the audio! Files can be tagged to stream or be downloaded from the site.
• Blogging - Allow your community to share their ideas on your site through this blog component. Various authorization and configuration settings available. Add on the Members-Only Component to Manage who can post, edit, approve, and comment to the blog.
• Calendar - This feature-rich calendar allows for multiple administrators and unlimited numbers of calendars. Organize your events by category and view them by color. Create “views” that pull in multiple calendars that share events across your organization. Set up RSS/ics feeds so users can subscribe have the most recent events delivered to their Outlook, iCal or Google calendars. Any calendar can be printed or saved. View your calendars as a month or agenda and even feature certain events by flagging them.
• Classifieds - Create an online classifieds for your community that allows them to post items to share or sell.
• Comments - Installing this component into Merge allows members/guests to post comments to any or select sections/categories on your site. Various authorization and configuration settings are available.
• Documents Manager - Organize your download-able documents into various categories or even by groups allowing for select access to information. Track numbers of downloads and allow license agreements prior to download.
• Donations - Allow visitors to donate either one time or recurring donations. To save even more on the transaction fee allow for ACH payments. Use with an SSL certificate.
• Enewsletter - Visitors to your site can subscribe to unlimited Enewsletter lists. Send newsletters as html and/or text. RightTurn can customize the newsletter template to match your site or brand. Enewsletter recipients can unsubscribe or change settings at any time. Some examples of 3rd-party Enewsletter solutions are MailChimp, Constant Contact, Emma and Acajoom.
• Forums - Also known as message boards, this functionality allows users to post or comment on certain topics or “threads”. Create a community within your site driving more return traffic and interest.
• Links - Set up web links simply and keep them organized by category. Track hits to sponsored links or advertisements and view statistics by month.
• Members-Only - Allow visitors to your site to register and set up a profile on your site. Set up content, menu items or other components as only viewable to your registered users. Allow registered users to connect with one another without giving up their private information.
• Photo Gallery - Post photo albums of your events and view them as a slide-show or individually. List most recent albums automatically.
• Site Analytics - Utilizing Google Analytics tools, RightTurn will set up tracking codes on your site. Once the site is launched all you need is a Google account and you can view in-depth reporting on visitors, content, keywords and more.
• Subscription - Require paid memberships to access content or members-only areas.
• Surveys Generate unlimited number of surveys and download results as a csv file.
• Video - Post compressed Flash video files or simply stream in your videos from YouTube or Google Videos embedded in your content.

Digital Marketing Madness published two blogs recently dealing with the use of a Content Management System (CMS) - specifically open-source CMS - to manage your website, specifically directed at providing an affordable solution for most small businesses.

Anyone looking to make a change with their company website, small or medium business specifically, would really benefit from joining in the discussion surrounding a system to manage their website.

The real estate market has taken a serious beating in the past year. Tough Love Real Estate approached RightTurn to help them come out with a new design that was bold and different as well as built on a platform that would allow for frequent updates. Beyond a blog, Tough Love wanted to provide guidance and clarity to a lot of the potentially confusing issues facing real estate.

RightTurn was able to build out the site on the Joomla CMS as well as trained Tough Love to manage their site themselves.

Since the launch RightTurn has worked in conjunction with a Search Engine Optimization specialist to help achieve ranking and keyword goals.

We're excited to announce the re-launch of the SBC, Inc. website! Jim Hernandez, president of SBC, Inc, approached RightTurn to help take their corporate site to the next level. It was great to meet on-site with members of Jim's team to hear about the wish-list items as well as help navigate as to what is already 'out there'.

One of the greatest values of this project was to be able to deliver not only a unique and professional design, but to hand over a system behind the website that would allow all members of the staff to update the areas they were given access to. We were also able to integrate the site with a Constant Contact enewsletter intake form allowing a multi-pronged marketing approach.

It was a pleasure to work with the SBC, Inc team as they were clear in their expectations and desires as well as responsive to deadlines and deliverables.

I'm a fan of open-source. I love the whole concept. What I don't love is when someone tries to straddle the line by creating an open-source product that they charge a license for then completely disappear off the face of the planet when you need to update said license or get a new one for the open-source packet to work correctly. That's right, I'm talking about you Thyme (Extrosoft). You don't hear me, though, because without so much as a "hey, we're closing our doors, here's a script to unlock all your licenses" - POOF. Nada. I'm not sure if it's all the chatter I've been reading on the new "Trust Agents" book by Chris Brogan and Julien Smith but the concept of trust, doing right, doing good in the world of web development seems even more complicated when you factor in open-source.

We recently launched the new www.actorsalliance.com website for the non-profit Actors Alliance of San Diego. This site has many unique and custom features including payment subscription for access to the members-only site, custom profile creation for members to post their performance experiences, search members as an online head-shot gallery, local discount opportunities, reserve rental space and more.