How to choose a Content Management System

You should carefully check the system requirements of the Content Management System. Be careful to to have all free and user-friendly components. The list of requirements is:

1. Application Server: Tomcat is fine, one that supports php is recommended

2.Cost : should be free

3. Database: check if it free. MySql would be great!

4. License: Look for a GNU/GPL v2 licenze

5. OS: should support microsoft and linux platforms

6. Programming Language: PHP and Java are recommended.

7. Web Serve: I would recommend Apache

Look for user friendly components:

1. Drag-N-Drop Content: would be great to have such a feature

2. Friendly URLs: these are usually very useful during development

3. Server Page Language: this is a powerful feature that the CMS must support

4. WYSIWYG Editor: mandatory

5. Template Language: This usually helps develop fast and robust applications

Management is an important part of a CMS. It should be well developed and must have all the requirements that help administration:

1. Advertising Management:  this is crucial

2. Online Administration: great feature to have

3. Asset Management: every good CMS must have it

4. Content Scheduling: this is another powerful feature that a CMS should have

5. Workflow Engine: it usually helps a lot during development and maintainance

6. Web Statistics: obbligatory

Interoperability permits to boost your CMS content. These features are usually great to have:

1. Content Syndication (RSS): essential

2. FTP Support

3, UTF-8 Support

4. WebDAV Support

Built-in applications usually save a lot of time:

1. Blog

2. Mail Form

3. Contact Management

4. Discussion / Forum

5. Guest Book

6. Help Desk / Bug Reporting

7. Link Management

8. Project Tracking

9. Search Engine

10. Time Tracking

Commercial components are a powerful part of the CMS that help manage your business:

1. Affiliate Tracking

2. Shopping Cart

3. Inventory Management

4. Pluggable Payments