As we've said, the development of your website content management system must be driven by your website objectives. In fact there are two development streams that can be tackled at the same time if you'd like to speed the development of your cms:

• One stream deals with the preparation and editing of content.
• The other stream deals with the design and configuration of the CMS.

The design specification we've already covered in depth.

Once it is completed we can start the process of website cms configuration.

This involves:

• Establishing the homepage and interior page templates.
• Creating the various display objects that are called for in the design spec.
• Adding graphic design elements.
• Inputting the cascading style sheets (CSS) settings to complete the website design.

At NMA, we've configure 100's of website content management systems, so it makes sense for us to handle this work. That lets you concentrate on preparing the content for your new website.

Content Development

The first step in content development is the content outline. This document is derived from the website sitemap and starts out as a document of headings and titles - very much like a table of contents. Whereas a sitemap can be prepared with a variety of applications (spreadsheet, graphics program, presentation program, etc.) this outline makes use of a word processor.

In addition to page titles, the outline also identifies content areas within specific pages - for example, a boilerplate description of your organization on the homepage.

Websites which require a thorough review and/or re-write of content can use the outline to begin point-forming the new content. Here again, the website objectives can be mined to identify the key points that should be made.

Content can come from a variety of sources. From the previous website, from marketing and sales documents, from business and marketing plans - anyplace that relevant, current and approved material can be found.

At some point as the content outline is built out, it evolves into the content specification. Now, you're fine-tuning the content prior to laying it into the cms. The pages begin to look exactly as they will on the finished site - complete with images, formatted text and links.

The content specification can also be used for an internal review and approval process. It can also be a good source document for the translation of content by a third party service.

NMA typically plays a support role, here, guiding you as you build out your content outline and specification. However, with start-ups or with new initiatives we can play a more hands-on role to speed the creation of effective, high-impact contact.

Website Population

Here's where it all comes together! The content from the specification is input into the website content management system. This is called website population.

Again, NMA plays a guiding role. Since the content will be your ongoing responsibility it's a good idea that you become involved at the earliest stages of content management.

We'll enter a good portion of the content to show you how it should look. We'll train you how to 'take over'. We'll provide you with operation manuals and tutorials. And we'll be there to take your questions and help you with more challenging issues.

Sometimes there is a lot of excellent content on your previous website. Often, our developers can batch imported this legacy content into your new website cms. This can save hours of content entry - then you can use your new cms to quickly review and place the content on the new website.

Another aspect of website population is the importing of people into the new system. This can include organization staff, customers, members, email subscribers, stakeholders and such. NMA will batch import these list of names and their associated properties. We can also show you how you can do this on an ongoing basis.

When we're finished your website will be up and running, content complete and looking great.

Ready for final installation and launch!