This is a question about the time commitment required to operate and manage a website that we regularly get from potential clients.
The answer mostly relies on how much you want to be involved in operating your website’s features and maintenance on a daily basis.
The use of a content management system framework in the construction of the website is also a factor. If not, it is typically too complex, time-consuming, and resource-intensive for an inexperienced user to handle.
Even with a website constructed using a content management system, there is frequently a tradeoff between the amount of time necessary to maintain material, the expense of hiring a designer or developer to complete the task, and the level of expertise needed to complete the work effectively.
Let’s take a closer look at each of these.
The skills you’ll need
Nowadays, individuals with only rudimentary web-related knowledge have a wide range of alternatives for managing website features thanks to the development of current content management systems.
Of course, the intricacy of the features a user is capable of properly managing depends on their degree of competence.
Most information-based website material should be editable by people with the very minimum of the following competencies.
Computer skills
Although it may seem obvious, the user will need to utilise a keyboard (and mouse) to complete the majority of operations.
Therefore, moderate typing proficiency is required, as well as familiarity with common computer functions like copying and pasting.
A website editor’s life will be made simpler if they are knowledgeable about methods for assessing file kinds, sizes, and places for storing and saving files.
Graphics and image skills
A user must have access to and be proficient with basic image-editing software as it is an integral aspect of maintaining content on most websites.
When it comes to cropping, rotating, and optimising photographs for the web, digital cameras typically come with the appropriate software; but, if this is not the case, a short web search will typically turn up a number of free options.
Copywriting
A user who can create logical blocks of text to convey the kind of professional image needed for the website will be a valuable asset.
You need to be able to write content in tone that is appropriate for your site and brand.
Coding skills
Although they are not required for standard content management, web design abilities including an understanding of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript will enable the user to do more complex editing and changes that would otherwise call for the assistance of a web specialist.
Time management
It can take a lot of effort to manage website material, especially for people who aren’t participating in the process frequently. A staff member can typically handle the content of a website for 2-3 hours each week, which is generally enough to keep it current and useful.
This begs the question of whether employee time spent monitoring website content would be better spent working on other projects for the company, and this needs to be decided on a case-by-case basis.
It may occasionally be more productive to outsource the site content maintenance to a web developer because most businesses employ people to make the most of their time at work.
Costs
Whether it is “economic” to have online content updates maintained internally is closely tied to the choice of “can content be managed internally with the time and resources available.”
The final source of content for website updates must come from within the organisation or through channels used by the industry. However, it’s also important to take into account the expense of hiring workers.
The expense of engaging a web expert can be decreased or avoided if workers can be routinely assigned to work on website content without needing to disregard other (revenue producing) duties.
Where this independence is lacking, the expense of employing someone else to complete the task may be less expensive than the diminished productivity of a staff person working on projects outside of their area of expertise.
Although it is uncommon for a person to “break” a website created using a content management system, well-intentioned staff employees or those required to undertake tasks outside of their area of expertise may occasionally unintentionally disable certain functionality.
If this happens, the only solution is often to bring in the professionals, which may be expensive and can result in lost content.
Conclusion
In order to assess whether the job can—and should—be done internally, most businesses must compare the expense of outsourcing online content management against the availability and expertise of their workforce.
The lack of a clear-cut solution frequently leads to a hybrid strategy in which a staff person handles regular uncomplicated duties, such posting a weekly newsletter, while handing off more time-consuming or technically demanding chores to the web developer.
This might offer the finest balance between cost and having a current, up-to-date website to display the business when internal resources are limited.
If you would like to discuss your web and marketing requirements then please get in touch.
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