Here is a brief outline of the Graphyte Content Managment System driven websites that we provide.
- Most pages are template driven using a combination of Cascading Style Sheet (CSS) and XHTML technologies. This allows strict control over the page appearance and in turn preservation of the integrity of the original design as intended by the graphic designer.
- All templated pages include a main area where the CMS administrator can change the page content via the CMS and surrounding this usually one or two navigation devices allowing the user to navigate throughout the pages of the site.
- The editable page content is presented within the (password protected) CMS in a rich editor that emulates some of the functionality of Microsoft Word. This includes formatting of text, insertion of images and links and video. This is backed up by an HTML view for fine tuning, validated for XHTML compliancy.
- The CMS provides an interface for upload of images (jpg, gif and png) to the site for use within the CMS and in turn the website pages. The CMS makes it possible to add title data to each image to aid Search Engine Optimisation (SEO). Images can be resized and tailored without having to learn and use Photoshop!
- The CMS provides an interface for upload of documents (doc, pdf, xls) to the site for use within the CMS and in turn the website pages.
- Each page within the CMS can be given SEO enhancements via the CMS including fine control over Title, and the Keywords and Description Meta tags.
- CMS operators can be given different levels of access to the CMS, some being allowed to add new users, others able to add/edit content only.
- Site pages can be arranged into a Section / Page structure with main sections containing any number of sub pages. This is controlled within the CMS. The CMS can be made to reflect the structure of the site Sections in the navigation buttons of the site, having a button for each Section and a list of the pages within it available in either a dropdown menu or sub navigation area depending upon your preference.
Sections can be omitted from the navigation appearing in the site map and linked to from within pages should the operator wish them not to be part of the main site navigation. Pages can be freely moved between sections and new sections can be created on the fly. - A dynamic sitemap listing all pages is accessible from every page. This aids SEO, allowing easy indexing by search engines of all site content.
- Pages can be hidden from view on the website but still be editable within the CMS allowing a page to be built up before it is ready to publish.
- Certain pages can be added to the site which though templated are not accessible in their entirety through the CMS. These are largely pages where a list of other pages is displayed (such as the site map page) and also pages where an HTML form is included for posting data to the website from user input.
Here is a list of functions that can be added to each CMS driven site, out of the box:
- News area including a main list of news items with abstracts of their contents and posting dates, with an RSS feed presenting this data as an XML download for RSS readers if required.
- Testimonials area for listing client testimonials linking to a separate page for each. This can be backed up with a list of one or more testimonials on the site home page, with truncated text or not depending upon space, displayed as a random selection changing each time the page is loaded. A form can be provided for upload of Testimonials by users that generates an email to the site administrator allowing them to upload testimonials to the list via the CMS at their leisure.
- Visitors Book - as per Testimonials but geared towards hoteliers who wish clients to leave their thoughts on their stay. This idea can also be extended to a Guest Book for the website itself.
- Google Maps functionality allowing an AJAX based Google map to show the position of one or more points of interest.
- Contact form through which the user sends information via an online form which, in turn, is sent as an email to the site administrator. This idea can be extended for submission of any sort of data that the site owner wishes sent to them via site visitors in a controlled way.
- The ability to send out links (not via the website but by email) to downloads on the site that are accessible only after the user has provided their email address. This can be used for marketing purposes.
- Online shop based upon payment via Google Checkout, PayPal or WorldPay. A full shop using a dedicated payment gateway could also be created.
- Integration of a WordPress blog hosted with the website and designed to look fully in keeping with the website itself.
- Random display of site content such as for example a different banner graphic on each page whenever a page is loaded or a random selection of staff images each leading to a staff page.
- Flash animations on home page or other pages.
Examples of sites using the CMS can be found here:
http://www.peripatus.co.uk/portfolio/portfolio.html
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