Changing CMS based website: what should we ask?

[spudsnruf]

Our website is one specifically created for us using the website companies own CMS system (I think). When ever we need changes to the layout, we get charged a very large amount per 1/2 hour. (between £70 and £12). We cant afford to keep doing this, and the company wont reduce their charges. We'd like to move the website to another cheaper company, but we've been told that we need to be careful as a) when it moves there are risks about google downgrading your site b) our web company are likely to make it difficult for us to do so, as we dont really know much about this area.

Anyone done something similar before and have advice / warnings / best practice?

Many thanks

 

[finleydesign]

The Google problem isn't an issue as you can easily use 301 directs to tell google it's moved, so that won't be an issue

Who created the content? I would check their terms if they have any rights over the content and images

To be honest it would be quite a rogue company who is almost holding you to ransom

I would cut your losses and run, and take as much content as you can, they can't stop you taking the web address and having it hosted elsewhere (unless they own the web address)

We would be happy to discuss options if you want to PM me your website

 

[spudsnruf]

Thanks for reply. We wrote the content and paid a separate company to do our flash and photos. The website company did the overall design. I will check if we have any terms stating exactly what we own. Im not sure we do. The big q I have is how we can check if the cms is unique to the web company or they use a generic one, and what difference it makes anyway to us being to move easily. Noted your reply about google redirects. Thanks again .

 

[fisicx]

If you send a PM I can check the site for you.

The clues are usually in the code, if it is a COTS product then you can usually see their name in the header somewhere.

Another good place to look is the stylesheet.

In any case, even if they own the CMS you should still be able to find someone to make the changes for you. If it just fiddling with the layout then you don't need to pay them as all they are doing is tweaking the theme files not the core CMS files. And you probably own the theme.

 

[SidRhyes]

Search online for your budget friendly sites that can do work for you and serves you best results.

 

[antropy]

If you're looking for a new CMS, consider Concrete5: http://www.antropy.co.uk/blog/cms-review/

 

[ccoles]

Google is not an issue. You can switch to another CMS by asking different company and fix the 301 directs. It will not affect your site. The company should not hold your business, you may review again your contract with them.

 

[bizrep103]

If you have a half descent development budge I can recommend Kalexiko in Birmingham. They will build a CMS panel you control but they are not cheap.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

The first question is 'can I edit and add pages myself?'

The second is 'what CMS are you using?' If one that is generally available e.g. Joomla, Drupal etc, no problem, but, if the developers own, what happens if they are hit by a bus tomorrow?

Finally 'do I get a copy/backup of the site/data?'

 

[spudsnruf]

Some useful pointers. Much appreciated all.

 

[Alan]

To be honest it would be quite a rogue company who is almost holding you to ransom

You mean like Yell that apparently don't give users their domain name when they leave them .

 

[JElder]

I'd initially start by asking for some training - you may be able to do the simpler things themselves. Even with a WYSIWYG editor, it will be much easier if someone on your staff knows a little HTML.

From the description, I would not say they developer is being that unreasonable. As a web development company, things often take longer than clients think - it's not like editing a word document. As well as making the change, you need to check it in common browsers, and check that change has not broken anything else, especially if you are using template driven sites that share a lot of code, or are messing with CSS. That pushes even a quick job to 30 minutes or more, plus the time to get the request from the client and respond back.

It's fine for you to think that it's only one per month, but multiply that by 20 clients and that's 10-20 hours per month - and the costs all add up. Do try to talk to them, as they may have a monthly support package that is cheaper than paying ad hoc.

 

[antropy]

That pushes even a quick job to 30 minutes or more, plus the time to get the request from the client and respond back.

All very true. Even changes that seem small and simple can actually be quite complex. Try and understand where they're coming from, even if it appears they're being difficult, they're most likely just trying to cover their costs.