6 key reasons to ditch your agency's CMS platform

Did your web or digital agency build your website CMS (content management system)? 

Well here are 6 key reasons why in 2019 you should seriously think about moving away from it!

I’ve noticed in both recent discussions and from personal past experience that a lot of businesses I talk to about their website projects work with ‘agencies’ who deliver solutions built on a content management system that they have developed themselves, typically a proprietary or a bespoke CMS platform.

It got me thinking about the pros and cons of such a relationship, and also about the benefits of working with an agency that is agnostic in its approach to technology. 

I'm a firm believer that technology is secondary to any website or digital project you may be planning, so in reality, it's not really about the website or the digital project, but rather it’s about the experience you want to create.

From my perspective, a digital project begins with a deep understanding of your business and not offering a ‘one size fits all’ technical solution, because put simply it doesn't.

That’s why I have come up with 6 reasons why I think there is an inherent risk in working with a company that puts its own tech platforms first.

Let me know if you agree. 

1. Technology Lock-in.

Market experience tells us that most businesses expect to get a minimum of 3, but more likely 5 years out of their investment in their chosen content management system (CMS), and the bigger the expenditure typically the greater the need to prove an ongoing ROI, so many organisations actually try and push this nearer to 7 to 10 years.

That’s a long time to use one technology that may or may not be keeping up to date with current market trends and your business objectives. Beware therefore of Vendor or Tech Lock-In that actually makes achieving those ideals very difficult.

2. Agency Fallout.

If you fall out with the agency who built your CMS, you’re probably stuck with a technology nobody else understands (even if they pretend they do)…

I’m sure (knowing how these things work) that the relationship would have been sold to you with the key benefit being highlighted of just working with one supplier, but in reality, how many technology companies have truly managed to deliver exceptional technology and a superlative delivery capability? I'm still looking ;)

3. You Last. Their Tech First. 

Your user requirements don’t come first, the technology does…

Proven technologies have proven implementation partners. Companies like Microsoft, Adobe, IBM and Sitecore don’t have a huge focus (if any) on in-house delivery teams implementing their products for their customers. Why? 

Because technology moves at such a pace that priority needs to be given to continuous development and improvements of a product, and working to satisfy client’s requirements will get in the way. 

Yes, that's right you the customer will NOT be put first, in fact, your requirements will be put to the back of the queue whilst they frantically try and keep up with the ever-competitive and convoluted marketplace that grows year on year.

4. Jack of All...

I know you've heard it said that ''A jack of all trades is actually a master of none''

Well, I've been around the agency world for nearly the last 20 years and I’ve NEVER met an agency that has won awards for producing the best design, best processes, best content, best delivery capability and the best content management platform in the industry. 

There’s a reason for this.

5. You don’t want the same website as everybody else… Right?

Customisations to the product that the customer requests that don’t appear to enhance or drive forwards the CMS platform will be ignored because it takes away from investment in the CMS itself. 

If your customisations are not agreed to you’ll have to settle for the same as everybody else. Sure you might get to pick the odd colour change or slight configuration of some mediocre functionality but fundamentally it's still the same old stuff they've been churning out for three years.

6. Beauty is Skin Deep.

Many of these solutions may look nice on the surface but sadly at best that appearance of beauty is often only skin-deep…

Many agencies with their own platform use proprietary or bespoke solutions, sometimes built 7 or 8 years ago, and putting lipstick on the pig so that they appear on face value to have a form of depth, but when you dig behind the scenes it’s evident that the capability of the product is very limited. And let's be honest, who really wants a pig of a platform to work with?

When talking to prospects and customers about this I often ask them to imagine building a new home from scratch. You’ve hired a brilliant architect who has drawn up some inspirational designs. His skills lie in putting the overall vision down on paper. 

But you wouldn’t expect him to build the foundations and get his hands filthy laying bricks and mortar. You wouldn’t ask him to fix your plumbing and your electrics or fit your triple glazed windows. 

You would choose the right people, with the right skillsets for the job, who recommend appropriate products to complete your dream home.

The same can certainly be said for your digital projects. Hire the right people for the job.

I’d be happy to take you through this approach in person, if this is of interest please contact me at [email protected] and I'll gladly support you with your CMS and/or agency selection process.