Content Management Systems (CMS) allow the client to manage routine updates once the website is complete. A site might be designed to allow the client, without any knowledge or experience in HTML, to update such things as contact information, event schedules and other content that changes frequently.

Choose from several (some even free) CMS systems. Choose one based on your website needs. This isn’t a complete list. You can choose from a variety of Content Management Systems with differing capabilities. You can determine that the CMS you select will meet your needs by looking at the author’s websites.

Joomla is incredibly versatile. You can use it for almost any kind of website. It doesn’t matter whether you are talking about a personal website or a business site (whether large or small), online publications or even an E-commerce site (however, if you are dealing with an e-commerce site, you may fare better with a dedicated e-commerce package like Zen Cart or osCommerce). Joomla is not difficult to install and, if the web host offers Fantastico, the setup can be completely automated.

Website Baker is PHP-based and designed for simplicity. Because it’s PHP based, if you know PHP, you may change pages to do precisely want you wish it to do. Otherwise, you’ll want to hire/contract a PHP programmer (don’t panic, PHP programmers may be a lot cheaper and easier to find than you think — check out guru.com); there are also many add-ons that may be installed onto a Website Baker site including message boards, photo albums, catalog, accept online payments, plus many more.

Drupal. Drupal is not to be undertaken lightly; it requires specific training and education or a series of very hard knocks. The Drupal website even admits that there is a significant learning curve.

Mambo is very versatile, easy to use, and popular. Given the array of available themes, only a few small modifications are necessary to create a really great website.

phpWebSite is great and can be used for many things. A document manager, calendar, form generator, polling system and photo album are all available as add-ons. As is the case with the acquisition of all new information, Content Management Systems involve a specific learning curve. Some PHP knowledge is required in order to do most customizing.

Stephen Grisham, Sr. is a copy writer for InfoServe Media, LLC. InfoServe Media is a Houston, TX web design and web hosting company. If you just need periodic updates to an existing site, InfoServe Media also offers website maintenance.