It seems like just about every company both large and small, b2c, b2b and the like are evaluating a new content management system or in the beginning stages of implementing one.

CMS success, which way will you go...

Either way it is not too late to ensure success. I continue to see many organizations make a lot of the same mistakes during a CMS implementation. If you are in the throes of evaluating a new CMS, avoid these common missteps to ensure your content management implementation is successful.

1. Make certain the software provides intrinsic value. Don’t purchase CMS on cost alone. Not all CMS are created equal!

2. Have the requirements from all stakeholder groups been accounted for? One of the critical issues that sink CMS investments in the organization is missing all necessary input and buy-in.

3. Trying to solve too much from the very beginning and be all things to all people is a recipe for disaster. In order to be successful, work in manageable phases. Don’t be afraid to upset the apple cart and prioritize.

4. How strong is the user documentation and training? Pay more for training – it is always well worth it.

5. Develop clear cut financial and non financial performance metrics. This is key in measuring success.

6. Don’t become operational too soon – are you sure the application is ready for prime time?

7. Content, content, content. Don’t just migrate all legacy content to your new system. Take time to talk to customers,  and review your analytics reports to see the most important content. Use a new CMS implementation to reduce content to the most essential. Experience shows you can make the average website at least 40% leaner through this exercise.

Think about these when evaluating a CMS and be sure to achieve better results.