Become a Content Management Systems Expert
Content Management Systems (CMS) are online databases that are used to store data that appears on a website. They are often used instead of a traditional HTML website programming. In many cases, web designers create an attractive template for a website, and the CMS plugs in the information into the template. CMS has gained popularity because it allows website owners, marketing departments and other employees to update data, in a separate, easy to use program, without having to code a website. However, there are many different types of CMS, including paid and open source options. Each option has slightly different features, and people who are able to navigate, give advice and train on all these options are called CMS experts. This job is in increasing demand, because of the high demand for CMS and the large number of services that are available. Business and consulting firms require help from people who can handle all aspects of content management. Read more to find out how to become a content management systems expert.
Steps
CMS Education
- Get an education in Information Technology or Computer Science. Complete your high school education and then consider going to college for 1 of these degrees. It is not strictly necessary, as many computer experts are self-taught; however, it provides an education in a wide array of computer skills.
- Educate yourself on the following Internet-based skills: HTML, CSS, MySQL, PHP, Javascript, XML and Flash. Most of these platforms and codes are used to handle CMS systems. You can usually learn these at a community college, university, Internet-based course, through a computer training service, through lifelong learning classes or by finding a web programmer to personally instruct you.
- If you choose to learn coding and database management in a classroom or online course setting, you will most likely need to take a course for each of these platforms.
- Although many computer experts are self-taught, course certifications or degrees are helpful on a resume. You may consider some formal training if you want to freelance as a CMS expert or work for a CMS consultation firm, because your resume will stand out amid competition.
- Train yourself, or receive training, in all of the leading CMS. This includes WordPress, Drupal, Joomla!, Movable Type, Mambo, TypePad, Gawker CMS, Scoop, Plone and Blogger. With your Internet skills already established, there is a learning curve with CMS programs, so once you learn a few, you should be able to learn others more easily and independently.
- Keep in mind that in 2012, WordPress was the number 1 most used CMS program. Start your education with this platform.
CMS Experience and Training
- Gain at least 2 years of work experience with CMS. Usually, an expert should have 5 to 7 years of experience; however, since the CMS market is changing and growing rapidly, a younger person may have an advantage of being on the cutting edge of technology. Make sure your work experience shows successful work with businesses of all sizes, training clients and technical support.
- Keep up to date on the changing CMS market. Sign up for CMS market press releases and emails, and subscribe to blogs by industry leaders. Since CMS is steadily taking over from traditional web programming, there are many new, developing programs that can quickly corner the market.
- Consider contributing to open source CMS systems. Open source programs are created by CMS experts in their spare time, and then they are reviewed by industry peers. If you donate some time to helping improve these systems, and you get good reviews, you can use that on a resume, to show your prowess with CMS.
- Learn to train business owners and departments in different CMS programs. A CMS expert must also be a teacher, because the advantage of CMS is that the business can easily update their database with little, or no, coding. If you cannot successfully communicate how to use CMS to others, then you will not be able to market yourself as an expert.
- Be prepared to explain to clients and customers why they would choose CMS over traditional web programming. There are many reasons, including the fact that CMS is easy for employees to use and update and you don't have to contact your web developer every time you want to change something on your site.
CMS Expert Jobs
- Decide how you would like to work as a CMS expert. Once you have the required education and experience, you can market yourself as a CMS expert. Choose to market yourself in 1 of the following ways:
- Become a freelance web developer or CMS expert. You will need to set up a corporation or sole proprietorship where you market your CMS services to small or large businesses. You should be able to evaluate all the CMS options and tell your customer what would work best. Keep in mind that you will need to be available to your customers, in case of problems with their CMS.
- Seek a job at a CMS consulting firm. Although there are not many firms that specialize directly in CMS, there is a growing demand for people who can look at all the options and suggest what's best according to a company's needs.
- Seek a job in CMS development. Either create your own CMS, if you think you have an idea on how to make and improve upon what is available now, or look for jobs with leading CMS programs. Any evaluated work on open source CMS development will help you to get a job in this industry.
