Before I get into the value of blogging for businesses, non-profits, and churches, I first want to discuss the distinction between a Content Management System (CMS or Blog) and a website. From a technical and a functional perspective, there are major differences between the two. If you are going to spend money in the near future to refresh your website or launch a website for the first time, I want you to have great information so you can invest wisely and make the best choice for your organization.
First off, CMS platforms are websites. You are currently reading this on wevival.com, which (this is stating the obvious) is my company website. However, there is something far more powerful going on the behind the scenes. If this were a “regular” (for the more technical, a basic html/css) website, creating this post would have required I utilize html/css, a text editor and ftp access to a server to publish this online (confusing, huh?). In fact, I would have to understand all of the aforementioned things to edit every piece of content on this website. Even though I understand how to manage websites (what I’m calling) the old-fashioned way, I choose to use WordPress for most of my websites for the following 10 reasons, I can:
Ok, that’s a lot of points. There are many other CMS platforms out there that offer similar benefits, and I encourage you to check them out. Just google “CMS platforms” or “blog platforms” and go to town. In case you are still unsure as to why you would want a CMS website over an old-fashioned website, allow me to hammer home one point.
If you purchase an old-fashioned website from a design or web company they will build the site, design it, and maybe add a form or two (like a “contact us” form). After the site is launched, the website will remain, well, the website. If you have new content, want to edit existing content, or want to do anything interactive or engaging on the site, you are going to have learn html/css/jquery/javascript/asp.net/iframe/etc… or pay them fees to make the changes for you.
Essentially, you either have to learn how to create and manage your own website or pay them to manage every little detail for you. They will charge you to make, even simple changes, which results in one of two things: you paying way more than you need to be to manage a website or the site becomes woefully outdated. A CMS gives you the freedom and tools to avoid both fates. Ask for a CMS based website and you will get a website on steroids. Any questions?
