1. Before You Start

If you are planning an inter-, intra- or extranet project and the implementation of a Content Management System, you have to make some additional considerations in comparison with a static project.

When you are first realizing the project you only create a framework for future, constantly changing contents. At this point, you can only guess what the contents will be and how the project will be structured, as the work of editors will play an essential role in shaping these factors.

You should try to observe one rule, though: The more details you are taking into account when you are planning and realizing the project, the easier the work of editors and administrators will be. In other words: the quality of your project strongly depends on the quality of your planning.

1.1. Project Planning

Before you start working you should draw a structure diagram of the sections and elements of your project. The structure should be as clear and understandable as possible for future visitors of your project.

Consider the possibility that different user groups might be part of your new project and that they might require restricted or personalized sections. If that is the case, who - that is which group - should be able to access which sections is another thing you will have to think about.

In contrast to a static project, the work with ConPresso - like any other Content Management System - requires some thinking about the editors who will be managing the content. Try to estimate the number of editors and what their tasks will be. The definition of the workflow is defined on rubric-level and it depends on these considerations. You need an answer to the question, which editors will create and edit articles and which ones will be allowed to approve articles.

Leave enough freedom and space for the editors' creativity when it comes to the graphical design of articles - something you do not have to consider with a static project. Today you are planning a project that will be filled with content in the weeks and months to come, so be careful with using too many restrictive graphical elements.

The frame technology makes integrating ConPresso particularly easy, as ConPresso rubrics can be called up via a link in the frame defined for that purpose. Other frames can contain navigations and graphical elements, for instance. There are a number of reasons, though, that speak against the use of frames. With ConPresso you decide yourself which variant to prefer. Generally, frames have become more and more unpopular in the internet world.

Beside all that you will have to think about the usual things like barrier free accessibility, search engine optimization etc. For more information on these topics please refer to books and documentations on Content Management and webdesign.

[Tip]Tip

Before you start take a look at other websites that are based on a Content Management System. You will soon discover certain tendencies and standards that might be applicable to your project. That way you might be able to save some time and effort.

Check the ConPresso-Website for projects based on ConPresso and take a look at the ConPresso demo-website of the ConQuarium AG at ConQuarium AG-Website.