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A Web CMS (Content Management System) is an application or collection of tools used to control your website. A CMS may include a page editor, blog, product and e-commerce manager, customer manager, e-news, event calendar, just to name a few. A well-built CMS is a powerful system, and should allow people without programming or database experience to make just about any change they need to their website, without fear of "breaking" it.

Currently, the most popular CMS technologies are WordPress and Drupal. I've built several websites with these two, as well others, such as Joomla!, ExpressionEngine, and Magento. These are all excellent systems, and if a client specifically requests one of these for their website, I'll be happy to use it.
 
However, over the years I've worked with clients whose websites have had quite specific - and sophisticated - graphic designs and interactive functionality. I've also recognized a pattern in the basic features these websites require. So I've developed my own CMS, which is designed to address most of these needs right out of the box. The basic installation of Pushlar CMS has:
 
Secure admin system, including:
  • Page and menu editor, with archiving and auto-backups
  • Blog, community message board
  • Online contact form
  • Contacts management, with import/export (so you can also use it with sites such as ConstantContact or MailChimp), as well as a built-in e-news campaign manager
  • Fully mobile responsive design
  • Extensive Search Engine Optimization (SEO) tools, social media integration
  • Event calendar, with ability to display in a calendar format, or as a list of upcoming events
  • Customizable surveys and online forms
  • Online customer chat popup
  • Photo gallery, slideshow manager
  • A general "List Manager" tool, which is used as a quick solution to build a wide variety of database driven content
  • Page template management (although some HTML and CSS experience is recommended to have full control)
  • Custom script management (PHP experience necessary to take full advantage)
  • User account management, with separate controls for the front-end (customers, members) and the back-end (admin users)
  • ...and much more!
Robust e-commerce system, including:
  • Category and subcategory management
  • Model/option management, such as colors and sizes, and ability to change the price or disable individual options
  • Category, product, and model images
  • Shipping integration (by default supports US Postal, UPS, and/or FedEx), general and product-specific handling fees
  • Credit card processor integration (by default supports Authorize.net, PayPal Business and Website Payments Pro, or USAePay) for customer orders, payment adjustments on the back-end, recurring billing
  • Promo/coupon codes, for dollar discounts, percentage discounts, free products, and/or free shipping
  • Customer account management
  • Package deals and specials
  • Intangible services and downloadable products
  • Customer reviews
  • Wholesale pricing
  • SEO for individual product pages
  • Related products ("you may also like...")
  • ...and much more!
 
The page template is set up so that when graphic designers deliver their creations to me, I can implement them exactly as requested, rather than having to compromise their designs to fit the CMS template. And with all these features included in the core system, I can quickly develop powerful, interactive websites which run fast and are easy to manage.