tip 1
Decide how you want to manage your content - do you just want to update text or do your want to be able to add images and extra pages to your web site? Write a list outlining what you want to be able to do on your web site and then match this up against what a web site developer is offering.

tip 2
When looking for a CMS find out whether you will need extra software to manage you web site like digital photographic software or Adobe Acrobat Professional for making PDF documents

www.adobe.com

tip3
Select the content management solution that best suits you. Always check how easy it is to move your website to another host and still retain the ability to edit your own web site. Most CMS products are dependent on you hosting your web site with a specific hosting company, if you ever need to move your web site you may need to have a whole new website design done for you.

tip 4
Ask to try out a demo before you buy. Always try something out before you commit long term to a product.

tip 5
If you are new to website management look for a simple solution first up, this will provide you with an idea of how it works and will allow you to make an educated decision later on. A great product to start with is Adobe Contribute 4, it costs under $300.00 and there is a 30 day free trial available.

www.adobe.com

tip 6
If you elect to rent a CMS from a development company get a full rundown of implementation costs, and ongoing charges.

tip 7
Find out what sort of support is offered with the CMS and how much the support costs. Is there onsite training, does the CMS come with an user manual, when is the Help Desk open.

tip 8
If you are getting a CMS built for your organisation, make sure all of the required functionality is clearly outlined in the Scope of Works. Make sure that what you think you are getting matches up with what the web site developer is offering.

tip 9
Find out how your web site and CMS content is protected, what happens if there is a problem with the server that hosts your web site? Does the company provide backups and does this backup also cover a 'full' restore of your web site if something goes wrong, or does it just restore the CMS but not your content.

tip 10
Find out who owns the CMS? Most CMS products are owned by the web development company who offers it to you, this means that you pay a monthly fee which provides you with the rights to use it. If you need to move your web site in the future you may run into difficulties. Always find out from the developer how you can go about extracting your web site from the CMS in the future, and what costs are involved. Get it in writing so both you and the web site developer are clear about how to 'back out' of the relationship if required. Always cover the worst case scenario.