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Build a WCM architecture that supports business needs
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Article
As business picks up speed, WCM software can help
As the volume of online information increases and competition grows tougher, WCM systems can help deliver fresh, targeted content at a faster pace -- but not without updated business processes in place first. Read Now
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Article
The mobile revolution shakes up WCM strategy
Now that Web content needs to display on a variety of mobile devices, companies are enlisting Web content management systems that help tailor the user experience more effectively. Read Now
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Podcast
The pros and cons of SharePoint WCM in the cloud
Web content management with SharePoint Online may offer cost savings and ease of use, but before moving WCM to the cloud, make sure your organization can live without some key features. Listen Now
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Article
Modernizing WCM with mobile-first Web
When you design a website, thinking about desktop-based users first could be a costly mistake. Should you shift to a mobile-first strategy? Read Now
Editor's note
Designing a truly effective WCM system is about much more than choosing the right tool. The overarching goal is to deliver the right content to the right audience at the right time. As the turnover of online information speeds up, building a successful WCM system requires a solid grasp of specific business goals and ongoing observation of customer experience.
When you lay out a Web content management architecture, consider the trends that are shaping the way we consume online information. The volume of content on the Web is growing at a rapid rate -- not just text, but rich media like images and video that must be managed differently. And while plenty of people still use laptops and even desktops, chances are they also want to access content through their mobile devices. The mobile trend is only gathering power, so companies need to be prepared with responsive design, and possibly a mobile-first mind-set for Web content.
All this ties into the growing importance of customer experience management as a way to create authentic relationships with website visitors and promote the company's brand. At a time when we are drowning in information on the Web, companies with a keen understanding of customers' experience with their websites and an ability to tailor Web content accordingly will have a better chance at survival.
1Expert advice on architecting WCM
The most important aspect of designing a WCM system is aligning the architecture with business goals and content strategy, which typically center on getting the right information to an audience as painlessly as possible. With an understanding of your audience's needs -- such as the devices they use, their locations and languages, and the types of information they seek -- other elements start to fall into place. Then it's time to build taxonomies and tagging systems that structure content in a way that makes sense for your audience.
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Article
Going behind the scenes of an effective WCM system
To design a WCM system that works, put plenty of thought into the underlying structures that will make content easy to navigate. Read Now
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Article
When designing WCM, put content strategy first
A Web content migration can be a chance to revisit your company's content strategy. Read Now
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Podcast
An introduction to SharePoint 2013 WCM
SharePoint 2013 is designed to make Web content more accessible and more valuable, with features like catalogs and lists. Listen Now
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Article
Aligning SharePoint WCM architecture with business goals
As with any Web content management system, SharePoint WCM must be designed with business goals and audience needs in mind. Read Now
2Tips for evaluating WCM tools
Once companies have a handle on the major trends that are driving Web content today and have outlined a WCM strategy supported by specific business goals, they might find it's time to select a new Web content management system or to add tools. Here are some final considerations companies should make before they decide to buy a WCM system.
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Article
Five things to consider before buying a WCM system
Take your time when you're deciding on a WCM system to avoid snags like hidden costs and limited scalability. Read Now
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Article
Understanding CMS options
Should you opt for a complete CMS platform, or should you try to fit together applications for different functions like digital asset management and marketing automation? Read Now
3Terms related to WCM architecture
Check out the definitions below to learn more about commonly used terms related to designing and architecting WCM.
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Definition
Content management system (CMS)
A content management system (CMS) is an application program for creating and managing digital content in a collaborative environment. Read Now
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Definition
Customer experience management (CEM)
Customer experience management (CEM or CXM) is the collection of processes a company uses to track, oversee and organize every interaction between a customer and the organization throughout the customer lifecycle. Read Now
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Definition
Digital asset management (DAM)
Digital asset management (DAM) is a business process for organizing, storing and retrieving rich media and managing digital rights and permissions. Rich media assets include images, video, audio and other multimedia content. Read Now
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Definition
Enterprise content management (ECM)
Enterprise content management (ECM) is a set of defined processes, strategies and tools that allow a business to effectively obtain, organize, store and deliver critical information to its employees, business stakeholders and customers. To differentiate themselves from competitors, some ECM vendors are beginning to market their products as content management services or content management platforms. Read Now
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Definition
Internet of Things (IoT)
The internet of things, or IoT, is a system of interrelated computing devices, mechanical and digital machines, objects, animals or people that are provided with unique identifiers (UIDs) and the ability to transfer data over a network without requiring human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction. Read Now
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Definition
Localization
Localization (sometimes shortened to "L10n") is the process of adapting a product or service to a particular language, culture and desired local "look-and-feel." The process of first enabling a product to be localized and then localizing it for different national audiences is sometimes known as product globalization. Read Now
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Definition
Responsive design
Responsive design is an approach to web page creation that makes use of flexible layouts, flexible images and cascading style sheet media queries. Read Now
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Definition
Web content management (WCM)
A web content management system (WCMS) is a set of tools that can be used by nontechnical users to organize and manage digital information on websites. Read Now