3 reasons why WordPress is the best Content Management System (CMS)

June 25th, 2010 by typhonvision

WordPress is fast becoming one of the most popular CMS’s (Content Management Systems) of today. For those of you who are not familiar with the terminology, the question may arise what exactely is a CMS?

Static websites are becoming less prevelant in the Internet World today. A CMS system allows the general user with little technical knowledge to be able to update their website.

This is a beneficial scenario for most, because it allows the website owner to be able to update the website instantly. Without having to send the request to the original Web Developer.  Furthermore, although a CMS maybe more costly up front. It is potentially more cost effective in the long run if the website owner is looking to make updates frequently. Saving the cost of the website owner in not having to pay the web developer each time an update is made. Finally, CMS websites have become more popular because websites are used differently than they were in the early days. Whereas in the early era of the Internet, websites were mainly considered on-line brochures. Whereas now, they are used as a cost effective means to communicate with current clientele.  And to provide updates on the latest news, promotions and events. Especially when compared to utilizing tradition media such as print material.

There are many CMS’s available, some of the names of popular systems include : WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, Posterous, Typepad and Vignette. And of that list, WordPress remains the most popular. And while WordPress is not technically the most superior, its current success and popularity breeds more success. Similar to the 1980s in the VHS and BETA wars. VHS won as the predominant product by its strong following, even though BETA was technically superior. So the most technically advanced product doesn’t always win the race.   Here are 3 good reasons on why you should select WordPress as your CMS for your website.

REASON #1 – IT’S THE EASIEST TO USE

WordPress began its life strictly as a blogging platform in its inception.  A blog by technical definition is a CMS system.  As a blog allows a user to easily add, update and delete information with little technical knowledge.  However, there is a familiar format with a blog, which resembles an online diary with respective time stamps.  Since a Blog and a CMS system are similar in functionality, WordPress evolved to be a full-fledged CMS, in addition to having blogging functionality.  Being based on a blog system, its user interface was created on a easy to follow system.

WordPress is similar to using Microsoft word.  Including its general structure and being able to format text, add pictures, embed videos etc.  Also since WordPress is the most popular system, user friendliness is always improving.  Since the general consensus of what is most intuitive helps to sway future design improvements.

Other CMS systems like Joomla and Drupal are catered to the more technical user.  Allowing for a variety of features which most average users would never look at.  Which most users would feel intimidated by having too many options.  And find the user interface inundating with technical details.  Which somewhat defeats the purpose, since often the technical user would be able to design their own website from stratch.  And would not require a CMS website when compared to the average user.

WordPress is catered to the laymen user in its user interface.  Chances are if you can use Microsoft Word, you can use WordPress.

REASON #2 - IT’S FREE

Unlike expensive commercial CMS software which may cost upward to $250,000(Vignette).  Wordpress is free and does not require any recurring licensing fees.  The reason for this is WordPress is Open Source software.  Open source software means the programming code is open to the public and free for any programmer to modify and improve upon the general structure.  And the collective WordPress community often looks to continuously improve and expand on its basic functionality.

Open source software has come a long way from its early heydeys.  In the past Open source software was often inferior to its commercial counterparts.  However, with the large growth of proponents of Open source software, often they now surpass commercial grade packages.  Aside from design fees in customizing a WordPress web design, there are no recurring cost.

REASON #3 – IT’S EASY TO EXPAND

Let’s face it, the Internet is never at a stand still.  As it continues to grow at an overwhelming rate.  Moving the bare minimum expectations along the way.

Since WordPress has one of the strongest followings as a CMS website platform.  It also has one of the largest supplies of add-ons and plug-ins.  Such as SEO Plug-ins, Social Networking integration tools, Slide Show plug-ins, etc.  Also, security is an important concern when selecting a CMS website  Especially with the growing threat of Website Viruses (You can read more about Website Viruses from our previous blog post).  It’s always important to get the latest security patches.  Which is easy to apply by a simple click of the mouse.

So you get an up date, expandable Content Management Systems that moves with the current trends in technology!

STILL NOT CONVINCED YET?

Like fashion sense, taste in food and favourite cars, we all have our own preferences.  The more technical users may prefer a more advanced package such as Joomla or Drupal.  However, to most users its important for a CMS software to be easy to use, cost effective and easy to upgrade.  WordPress continues to grow at a rapid rate and will only expand further on the key requirements for the average web user.  WordPress is here to stay and isn’t going anywhere.  So if your deciding in your new design which CMS to choose, chances are WordPress is the way!

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Internet Marketing Simplified

May 29th, 2010 by typhonvision

Presented at Toronto Marketing Power Networking meeting May 2010

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION SLIDES

After 23 consecutive appearances, Pepsi Cola opted out of the 2010 Superbowl and instead invested its ad budget in Social Media Marketing. This is yet another sign that internet promotion has, and will continue to overtake traditional Marketing channels. Topics such as Internet Advertising and Search Engine Optimization are higher on the priority lists of entrepreneurs and business managers than ever. But what do these terms really mean? And how can you apply these tactics without breaking the bank?  In a no nonsense, plain English approach, a logical and intelligent approach to the Internet Marketing will be demystified.

In this presentation the following topics will be discussed :

1) The strengths and weakness of the two major Internet Marketing Methods: Pay per Click and Search Engine Optimization

2) How Pay Per click and Search Engine Optimization work.

3) How you can engage in Pay Per Click and Search Engine Optimization through your own efforts.

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Advantages of Facebook Advertising

February 24th, 2010 by typhonvision

The Social Media platform Facebook has taken the world by storm. Revolutionizing the way we connect with friends and build new relationships. Facebook is also revolutionizing the business world. With the launch of its cutting edge Advertising Platform, it has allowed businesses of all sizes to target it’s key prospects with greater isolation.

How does Facebook Advertising work?

If you’ve been on the social network Facebook, you may have noticed these small advertisements on the side of the page while navigating through the site(Shown in the picture below – outlined in red). What you may not realize is these advertisements are targetted to you as a focused demographic. As well as working respectively with the actual contents of the page.

Facebook is an affordable system even for small businesses. Facebook mirrors the Google Ads system, by working on the Pay Per Click system(PPC). For those of you not familiar with the PPC system, it first starts by setting a monthly budget limit. Like Google Adwords, the minimum budget for facebook is a $31 dollar per month. Which is less expensive than most traditional advertising systems like Yellowpages, which may cost anywhere for $90-$500 per month. And the biggest difference is you’re locked into that price throughout the year with traditional advertising. Whereas the beauty of the PPC advertising Campaign, you may freeze it on given months when cash flow is slower. Although you really shouldn’t, since Marketing helps to increase revenues :)

Then you select some of the keywords on the given page which may trigger your advertisement. For instance if you run a martial arts school, seeing the word “martial arts” on the page may trigger your advertisement. This is similar to the keyword phrases you’d have with Google Ads.

Next you select the demographics which you’d like to see your advertisement. For instance, if your target Market is single women from the Ages of 31-40 in Toronto, Ontario,  Canada, you can target that specific market. As there is no point in expending resources for people who are not your key demographic. This is where Facebook has great superiority over Google Ads. Since with Google Ads, the only information that Google can be sure of is where you are from(Based on your IP Address). Unless of course you are logged into your Gmail account, where you may/may not have included personal information. Whereas with Facebook, to really enjoy the experience the user HAS to put in personal information which acts as leverage for the advertiser.

Once you have established your monthly budget. You then select a range which you will pay per click. These ranges then allow you to be put into an automatic bidding system. So while a given user is navigating through facebook, based on the bidding ranges you have selected, your advertisement will appear with a certain frequency(Known as Impressions). However the best part of Facebook, like Google Ads, you don’t pay for the Impressions for your website(Unless you choose to). You pay only when a given user has expressed interest by clicking on your advertisement to go to the site. Unlike a traditional newspaper advertisement, you pay for it just to be shown, regardless of how many responses you have.  And that is very reason that Internet Advertising is growing year over year.  And traditional advertising mediums like TV, Print, Radio, Phone Directories, Magazines and Newspaper are losing money.  And it’s not to say those methods are not useful, but Internet Advertising like Facebook are gaining market share!

(Insert Sales Cheesy Pitch here) Now for the tech savvy user, you can run your own facebook ad campaign. However, since most people find managing an advertisement campaign and setting it up a tedious process(As it can a full time job in itself), Typhon Vision can assist you in that process. As well as leverage our experience by comparing the results of other successful campaigns, researching the most effective keywords and analyzing your competitors. Typhon Vision has successfully helped many clients in Greater Toronto Area and abroad run effective campaigns. (Finish Sales Pitch with a little extra Fromage here)

So if you’re looking for a new dimension in your advertising solutions, Facebook may have the answer!  It allows greater isolation in your key demographic.  This level of control has never been seen before.  Yet at the same time Facebook utilizes the same cost/effective method of Pay Per click.   Facebook is not only one of the best social networking platforms, it’s now becoming one of the best Advertising mediums.  It’s worth checking it out!

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