Pat and Matt from Northwoods advise medium-sized organizations to engage knowledgeable experts and develop clear strategies with visual wireframes before selecting a CMS, emphasizing practical vendor demonstrations over lengthy requirement lists. They highlight balancing ease of use with functionality, ensuring seamless integration, scalability, security, and ongoing support, stressing that choosing the right CMS is about partnering with a trustworthy vendor for long-term success.
In this insightful discussion, Pat and Matt from Northwoods share their extensive experience in helping organizations select the right Content Management System (CMS). They emphasize that their advice is primarily targeted at medium-sized organizations with complex website needs, rather than very small or mega corporations. Using a creative airplane-buying analogy, they illustrate how buyers often come with a confusing mix of requirements that may be unrealistic or contradictory. The key takeaway is the importance of engaging someone knowledgeable—whether an internal expert or an external consultant—to guide the CMS selection process effectively.
The second crucial step they highlight is developing a clear strategy and user experience plan before approaching vendors. This involves defining business goals, user needs, and desired website functionality, often through wireframes or simple visual layouts. These wireframes help clarify how content and features should be presented, making it easier for vendors to understand the project’s scope and provide relevant solutions. Pat and Matt caution against relying solely on lengthy, generic requirement spreadsheets, which tend to be overwhelming and ineffective, advocating instead for visual and strategic clarity.
When it comes to vendor evaluation, the hosts stress the importance of “show, don’t tell.” Rather than sending out dense requirement lists, organizations should share their wireframes and ask vendors to demonstrate how they would build and maintain the site. This approach allows buyers to see the vendor’s team capabilities, technical approach, and how well they understand the project’s needs. It also helps reveal the practicalities of day-to-day content management and integration with existing systems, which are critical for long-term success.
Pat and Matt also discuss the pros and cons of drag-and-drop editing features in CMS platforms. While drag-and-drop can simplify basic content updates, it often falls short for complex sites with extensive data or multi-step processes. The suitability of such features depends on the organization’s specific needs and the complexity of their content. They recommend balancing ease of use with functionality, sometimes combining drag-and-drop for simple tasks with more structured editing for complex content.
Finally, the conversation covers the importance of seamless integration, scalability, security, and ongoing support. A CMS must be able to connect with existing data sources and workflows, and vendors should provide reliable maintenance and responsive support. Pat and Matt remind viewers that selecting a CMS is not just about the software price but also about the value of the vendor’s team and their expertise. Investing in a trustworthy partner who offers honesty and comprehensive support is essential for a successful CMS implementation and long-term website management.