Questions to Ask When Selecting a Content Management Solution
The editors at Solutions Review have compiled a list of the most important questions to consider when considering a content management solution for your company.
A Content Management System (CMS) is a solution designed to provide companies with a platform for creating, managing, and publishing digital content, including text, images, videos, and audio files. A CMS helps businesses manage websites, blogs, and other online content and offers a user-friendly interface that enables non-technical users to add, edit, and publish content. Finding the right content management solution for your company is easier said than done, though, especially with the variety of options on the market.
With that in mind, the Solutions Review editors compiled a list of questions to consider when talking with various content management solution providers. By asking these questions, you can better understand the capabilities and limitations of a prospective content management solution and decide which content management solution provider is the right fit for your organization.
Questions to Ask When Selecting a Content Management Solution
It’s essential to ensure that the content management solution supports the types of content that your organization uses. Be sure to ask about file formats (i.e., images, audio, video, etc.), size limits, and other specifications that the content you plan on creating may have.
How easy is it to use your solution? What kind of training and support do you provide?
Usability is crucial in selecting a content management solution, but you can’t have usability without first training new users on how the solution works. For example, you should ask for a demo of the solution’s user interface to see firsthand how it works. From there, look into the training and documentation the vendor makes available to new users, as these resources can help streamline the onboarding process.
How does your solution handle collaboration and version control?
Collaboration and version control play a significant role in the longevity of a content management solution in a company. Ask about the solution’s collaboration capabilities, such as assigning tasks, sharing content, and tracking changes. Also, ask about the solution’s version control features, like restoring previous versions of content and the policies for handling conflicts between various project versions.
What kind of security features does your solution have?
Security is a non-negotiable factor in enterprise software, so you must look in-depth into the features a CMS provides to help protect your company against data breaches and other security threats. You will need a system with security features like data encryption, access controls, and audit trails. Also, ask about the vendor’s security policies and procedures around security audits and incident response plans.
How does your solution handle scalability and performance?
Depending on your content strategy, you might require a CMS capable of handling large volumes of content and high traffic. Ask about the solution’s performance metrics, like response time and uptime, the system’s architecture, and whether it can be easily scaled to meet your organization’s growing needs.
Can your solution integrate with our existing systems and software?
Integration with existing systems and software ensures that your organization can make the most of the content management solution. Ask about the solution’s integration capabilities, including the availability of APIs and other integration options. You might also want to work with a vendor with experience integrating its platform with other systems and software, including CRMs and ERPs, which often work alongside a CMS.
What is the pricing model for your solution?
Understanding the pricing model is essential for determining the total cost of ownership of the content management solution. Ask about the pricing model, including subscription or license fees and additional expenses like support fees or add-on features. Also, ask about any discounts or special offers that may be available.
How do you handle customer support issues?
Customer support is critical to ensure your organization can make the most of its new content management solution. Ask about the availability of customer support channels (i.e., phone or email support) and the vendor’s policies for handling customer support issues, including their average response times and escalation procedures.
What is the roadmap for your solution? What kind of updates or new features can we expect in the future?
Knowing the vendor’s roadmap for the solution can help you determine if it will continue to meet your organization’s needs in the future. Ask about the vendor’s plans for ongoing development and support, including any new features or functionality that may be added. Also, ask about the vendor’s release schedule and how often updates are released.