CMS Database

Quality Development - Affordable Prices - Professional Service

Who and Why:

The "who" of using a database is simple - anyone can use a database. The "why" is a bit more complex. If you have information that changes regularly or often you should consider using a content management system database. Not only is it a storage point but using a content management system (CMS) to control the database allows you to eliminate a professional developer for uploads, edits, or otherwise change something in your Web site. With a CMS you don't need to know any programming or special skills. Send us your information today to request a quote.

If you can use software on your computer now you will able to fully utilize a CMS for your database. We have instructed people over 70 years old how to use a CMS to control their site. Using editors called "WYSIWYG" (wizywig - what you see is what you get) editors, you will be able to create pages, edit, upload images or documents, and otherwise completely control your Web site content as if you were working through Microsoft "Word".

What are the costs?

In the past, creating a custom database would start at five thousand dollars. Today, you can have a custom database and CMS developed for under two thousand dollars. There is an inherent problem with a "custom" system - you have to hire a programmer to edit something in the CMS.

Today, with the wonderful development of Joomla (the CMS recommended by L.T. Creations), you can make much of the changes to your system yourself. Joomla is a free CMS that creates and manages the database. If you use one of the default templates that come with Joomla you have a fully-functional, professional dynamic Web site - for free. You could even find a template on the Internet that uploads and installs in seconds - for free. Really, the only cost is if you need to have an intricate template designed, or perhaps need to have the site set up for you because you don't want to spend the time learning how to do it for free. A professional installation should take no more than 20 minutes for a default Joomla installation. That's affordable to any business.

Another consideration when using a Joomla (or another CMS) development is planning extensive pages (hundreds or more) or perhaps a social community within your site. If so, you should consider having a professional install all of the software necessary so that you only need to create section, categories and pages of content.

So, you need to answer a few questions:

Does your content change often?
Do you require more than 10 pages of content?
Can you program in Php, JavaScript, CSS and XHTML?
Can you design a template for the overall look of the site?
Do you have the time to learn 'how' to do all of the above?
Do you expect the overall design of the site to remain the same for the next 5 years or more?
Can you afford to invest $2,000? A small, 4 or 5 page project will mandate upwards of 40 hours.
Do you have the time to learn how and why to consider how the pages will be associated with one another?
Can you create a menu that is "easily" understood by every visitor?
Do you know anything about search engine optimization - SEO - especially when using "dynamic" pages?

These are critical questions for anybody considering a database and content management system to create, re-create a Web site, manage a Web site and to represent their business. Remember. When all is "said-and-done", it's not your own taste you need to satisfy. It's how professional you look to the visitors of your site. If you do not look professional to them they move on to your competition. So, here are typical answers to the above questions to help you determine your need.

Yes - if no, you should stop here - there are other alternatives
Yes - if no, you should stop here - there are other alternatives
No - if yes, you may wish to "do-it-yourself"
No - if yes, and you answered yes to all of the above, consider the "do-it-yourself" method
No - if yes, see # 4
No - if yes, visitors will consider the site abandoned
No - then any investment in a Web site will be an effort in futility
No - if yes, you could save some sort-term capital, but the site will remain unfinished until you resolve the associations which increase your long-term capital
No - be very careful before you say yes - "mystery-meat-navigation" can be the death of a Web site, even if everything else is very professional
No - if yes, you wouldn't be here now....

Recommendations:

If you are searching for a great CMS, Joomla! should be your first choice. L.T. Creations, LLC has been developing a wide variety of sites with Joomla! over the past 5 years. Working with Joomla! 1.5.2 through the 2.5.4 versions with such inclusions as: Virtuemart; Akeeba Subscripitions; AEC; JCE; Chronoforms; FrontPage Slideshow; Joomla Quiz; redForm; and a host of other software has created a very solid understanding of how to customize various parts of Joomla! extensions.

Home Business and Tax Solutions

Gone Are The Days:

CMS database, until only a few years ago, was cost prohibitive for the small to average Web site.

Just a few years ago the only way to utilize the combination was to have a custom designed system priced at several thousands of dollars. Nowadays, you can install a complete database and CMS yourself without any programming knowledge - for FREE. Or, you can have L.T. Creations, LLC install Joomla in under 1 hour (default installation only) for less than $100.

A default Joomla installation would be fine, if you don't expect to have any brand recognition in the site. If you want to represent your business or services you should consider have a custom template designed. A custom template may take 20 to 30 hours, depending on how intricate the design. But that cost is still under $2,000 for a fully developed, dynamic Web site. A database and content management system for less than $2,000 is something every business will appreciate since most standard, static Web site projects cost the same. If you have products or services that often change, or prices that change from time-to-time, you should seriously consider a dynamic Web site. The cost is highly competitive with a static Web site - for which you would need to hire a developer to make changes.

To Tell The Truth:

You don't need a professional developer to create and implement a database and content management system for you because there is now "Open Source" software that allows you to "do it yourself". You can find free templates that may meet your desired design for your project. Or you can purchase templates that are easy to install.

If this is your first CMS project, stick with either Joomla! or WordPress. Anything else will come with a higher price due to the time and learning curve for you and for a developer.

What We Offer:

Custom database/CMS packages (starting at three thousand); Open Source (i.e. Joomla; ZenCart; Drupal; WordPress; Mambo and more. ZenCart installation is free) on Unix/Linux. Have us design and implement your CMS with prices starting at under $2,000.

If you are in a hurry to get the database and CMS set up, contact us or Request a Quote to discuss your CMS considerations. You could have your database and content management system underway today. So call 360-733-3667 today or send us a note.

What Do You Need:

On the left you can see the list of questions and answers. If you have decided that you need to hire a professional 'or' do it yourself, either way, here is what you need:

Content Management System - something that controls the contents of your site
Database - where all of your data is stored (do not consider creating this using the "do-it-yourself" method)
Domain name - you can register one here Domain Name Registration
Hosting - in order to "serve" your Web site to the Internet you must "host" your domain name
A template - the look and arrangement of your pages (either a free template or one for which you pay, or one we can design for you)

Depending upon how you answered the questions to the left, the list above will have a few more necessities, or a very long list of necessities.

In a "nut-shell", if you have the time and dedication to learn everything you need to know about:

A professional design
Easy to use navigation menu
A well organized site
Programming in Php, JavaScript, CSS, XHTML at minimum
Hosting
Domain registration
Search engine optimization

Send us your information today to request a quote.