Internet Technology

If your web site never changed, you did not need to add any new content and every word you choose in the design process still sounds perfect, you would not need to consider content management. This rarely happens. One of the most useful aspects of a web site is the possibility to add new content. It can be a evolutionary process starting simple and leading to a wealth of information. I put content in three catagories:

• Static information - contact information, organization history
• Editable information - board members,
• Dynamic informaton - current events, blogs, calendars

Web content cycle consists of different phases: create, update, publish, archive and retire. Fisrt, content is created by one or more authors. Over time that content may be edited. One or more individuals may provide some editorial oversight thereby approving the content for publication. Publishing may take many forms. Publishing may be the act of posting the content on the web or sending it out in a newsletter. At some point the content may become less relevant and archived for reference. If the content no longer applies it should be removed or retired.

Site maintenance and content management generally run $40 to $85 per hour billable in 15 minute segments. This cost can be significant if the site content is not properly planned. Blogs and some CMS's give users and opportunity to add content without using a designer.