Sooner or later, all software gets phased out. It’s a reality we just have to deal with. When this happens to your website, it likely means one thing -- it's time to change platforms.
Now, a platform change can be a daunting experience. Not only are you faced with the task of rebuilding your site, but you also have the many questions that come with a platform switch. What platform should you choose? How will it meet your web team's needs? How will training work for site administrators and content managers? What about migrating existing content?
When these questions, and perhaps the 10,000 others that might arise, jump on you all at once, it’s easy to feel stressed and out of control. But, I say to you, NEVER FEAR, because I have some tips for staying sane and getting a platform change completed in style:
1) Much of what you learned on your current platform will transfer to the new one
The basics of most enterprise-level CMS systems are similar, so that means you’ll be able to use the skills you gained from managing your previous site. In other words, you won’t need to start from scratch.
2) Content editing is not rocket science
If you pick a quality platform, you can trust that the editing experience will be manageable and intuitive. Once you master the basics, your team WILL be able to utilize your new site to its full potential.
3) A good partner makes all the difference
The best way to take the risk out of your platform change is to pick a good partner. With a quality partnership, there are a few things you can count on:
- You’ll be guided to the right platform based on your needs: A good partner will help you navigate the crowded CMS space so you don’t end up with buyer’s remorse.
- A collaborative design process: This will ensure you get the site you need; one that includes the editing options necessary to reach your most important audiences.
- Access to content migration support: If you have a ton of great content, but don’t have the resources to get it moved to your new site in a timely manner, your partner can assist in finding the extra resources to get the job done.
- High-quality training: With the right partner, you can have confidence that your organization will receive the knowledge base and skillset needed to run the new site with an expert touch.
- Full support during your content entry period, launch, and post-launch: Once your site is up and running, the proverbial rubber will hit the road. A good partner will be riding shotgun, ensuring the time leading up to, and immediately after, launch of the new site goes smoothly. Your partner can also act as a liaison between the vendor platform as necessary, too.
By having confidence in the knowledge and expertise built up with your current site, trusting in your organization's ability to adapt to change, and picking the right partner, a platform switch can go smoothly and you'll end up with a great new site.