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The Inbound Growth Blog covers all topics relating to an integrated marketing strategy. We write about inbound marketing, social media, integrated marketing strategies and the sales process.

Why You Should Run Your Inbound Marketing Program On A Content Management System

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Posted by John Beveridge on Sep 23, 2013 6:59:46 PM

Why_You_Should_Manage_Your_Inbound_Marketing_On_A_Content_Management_System_BlogA content management system is an ideal website platform for small and mid-sized businesses. A content management system is a website platform that allows companies to manage and update their websites without coding languages like HTML and CSS. Some of the more well-known content management systems include WordPress, Joomla and Drupal. While you likely will need the services of a web designer for initial setup, you can manage your site and update your content using "drag and drop" editors. The only limit to creating a well-designed website with an incredible user experience is your own creativity.

HubSpot's new content optimization system

I just rolled out my re-designed websited on HubSpot's COS (content optimization system) this week. I don't know HTML or CSS, but was able to poplulate my entire website with content using HubSpot's drag and drop editor. I had some help with the framework of my website from Melissa Roberge of Inbound Design Studio, but was able to handle the lion's share of the site design. As designers continue to develop templates for HubSpot's marketplace, customers will be able to create websites from the templates without having any coding help. For those of you familiar with WordPress and the multitude of templates avaiable for WordPress  sites, HubSpot's template approach will sound familiar.

HubSpot's COS is designed for users

A seamless user experience is the most important element of website design. Design professional Sara Howes of Appian describes the goal for optimizing your website as "anticipating user expectations and meeting them." A good user experience includes a fast page load time - if users have to wait for your site to load, they will bounce to another site quickly. Load time is so important that Google includes it as part of their ranking algorithm. One of the first things I noticed after publishing my site to the HubSpot COS is how quickly pages load. Statistics bear that intuition out. Website optimization experts Yottaa performed a comparison test of page load times for 8 popular content management sytems. Here are the results of their study.

yottaa

 
HubSpot's pages loaded 5 seconds faster than WordPress pages. 
 

Is your website optimized for mobile devices?

More and more people are accessing websites from mobile devices like iPhones, iPads, Androids and Tablets. Pew found that 60% of American adults access the internet from mobile devices. Most modern content management systems are built on responsive design, which displays content appropriately regardless of the type of device used to access it. The HubSpot COS is fully optimized and the content editor lets you preview your content as it will display on desktops, tablets and smartphones. If your site isn't optimized for mobile devices, you're likely missing out on business opportunities.
 

CMS integration with inbound marketing and social media marketing

Another important element of content management systems is the extent to which they integrate with your inbound marketing and social media marketing. The HubSpot COS provides seamless integration with landing pages, calls-to-action and the blogging platform. With the click of a mouse, you can add a call-to-action to your website exactly where you want it. 

Good content management systems include social media integration as well. Again, a click of a mouse let's you add follow or share buttons to promoe your content through your social media networks. The HubSpot COS ties all of the website content back to the marketing analytics platform.

Summary

The content management systems available in the marketplace make it easy for small businesses to have professional websites that allow them to compete effectively against enterprise competitors. There's no excuse for a small business to have a "brochure-ware" website.  If you're a HubSpot customer, you now have access to one of the best content management systems available. Now is the time for action.

Get a free inbound marketing assessment with Rapidan Strategies

 

Topics: Website Design

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