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Key Considerations for Your Next Membership Website
When choosing a platform for your membership website, prioritize ease of use by testing the backend, ensuring training resources, and checking user references. Look for flexible design options, a robust CMS that integrates with other systems, and scalability to meet future needs. Also, consider the total cost of ownership, including licensing fees, updates, and potential upgrades.
Ease of Use
- Test Before Committing: Try a demo of the platform’s backend to see how well it manages day-to-day tasks.
- Training Resources: Look for thorough training options, including personalized sessions, documentation, certifications, and video tutorials.
- References: Request feedback from current users on the same version of the platform.
Flexible Design
- Customization: Can you create custom designs, or are you limited to pre-made templates? Make sure it's responsive and mobile-friendly.
- Versatility: Does the platform support different styles and templates? Can you create branded microsites with unique URLs?
Robust CMS Platform
- Adoption and Flexibility: Choose a well-adopted, commercial CMS over a proprietary one to avoid being locked into a single vendor.
- Integration: Ensure the CMS works seamlessly with other systems, like CRMs, to enable features like single sign-on.
- Feature-Rich: Look for built-in tools to handle memberships, event registrations, intranets, e-commerce, and more.
- Scalability: Make sure the CMS can grow and adapt as your organization’s needs evolve.
Total Cost of Ownership
- Evaluate Costs: Factor in all expenses, including updates, maintenance, and potential redesigns over the system’s lifespan.
- Licensing Model: Check if the license is billed monthly, yearly, or as a one-time fee.
- Future Enhancements: Review the platform’s roadmap to ensure future updates align with your needs.
- Upgrade Options: Does the vendor offer ways to expand your solution as you grow?
By asking these questions, you'll be better equipped to choose the right CMS for your membership website.
Author
Tony
Director and Founder
Inorbital founder and digital solution architect with over 20 years’ experience planning and directing dynamic web presence and web applications for all types of savvy organizations. When not directing Inorbital you can find him actively trying something completely new.