What to look for in a content management system
The right CMS makes managing your hospital’s website and social channels a breeze.
The internet is magic—unless you pay attention to the person behind the curtain. Behind-the-scenes tools can make or break marketing efforts.
Savvy healthcare marketers understand that a content management system (CMS) is more than just software. It’s the foundation that supports all of your communication. So when it’s time to evaluate your CMS options, you’ve got to look at the big picture while also paying attention to details. Here are some things to keep in mind.
Basic CMS functions—and then some
At its core, a CMS helps you share and update information on your website. But adding and deleting pages and editing content in real time are just the beginning. And these capabilities are evolving all the time.
Look for a CMS that:
- Automatically changes your site map so you don’t have to make the same changes in several places.
- Offers search engine optimization (SEO) tools, including accessing source code and meta data for customization.
- Keeps data secure and provides login options for users—including locking down permissions and limiting access to certain areas.
- Provides strong search functionality that’s updated regularly and can be customized.
- Offers versioning tools so that you can revert to past editions of content if needed.
- Is backed by robust customer support.
This is a solid checklist to get you started. But you also need to consider a few other factors.
The benefits of an open-source CMS
An open-source CMS is built on code that is publicly accessible. That doesn’t mean anyone has access to your content. Instead, it means your site runs on an engine that countless mechanics are finetuning.
In healthcare marketing, open-source CMS can be a huge win. It’s cost-effective and updated frequently. It’s portable, so a third party can easily work with you to update your site. And you benefit from the large community of developers.
CMS extras can make healthcare marketing easier
A top-of-the-line healthcare CMS takes care of the details that can make your team more effective and efficient. The right CMS makes adding physicians to a directory or updating classes simple. And it looks beyond your website.
Some CMS tools also enable users to publish content to social media. This functionality helps teams put several tasks under the same umbrella, making messaging timely and easy. These capabilities might seem like nice-to-haves, but they can revolutionize your workflow.
Where to start your CMS search
If your CMS is outdated or just isn’t meeting your needs, Coffey Communications can help.
We create all of our websites in Site Assist. We designed this open-source CMS to meet the unique needs of healthcare marketers. It includes a unique social tool to simplify posting on social media too. We’ll help you personalize Site Assist so your team can achieve its goals.
When you’re ready for a demo, we’re here. Give us a call at 888.805.9101 or email us to learn more.
