One of the very first steps in a website project is thinking about what content management system (CMS) to use for your project. This can be crucial when building a website as it will impact how you create, manage, and organise your content. There are many options available and it is important to use a platform that is commercially tried-and-tested and reliable to support your business.

While it may sound daunting, we’re here to help with some information on what a CMS actually is and what our own chosen CMS platform is when it comes to building websites for our clients. Please read on to learn more, but do get in touch with us should you have any questions!

What is a CMS?

A CMS (Content Management System) is a software toolkit used by most web agencies to build modern websites. You might have heard of some other popular platforms such as WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace - but there are many CMS platforms out there and choosing the right one is an important step in your website journey.

Putting it simply, a CMS provides the key framework to your website allowing you to make edits and changes without the need to spend hours learning code - you can leave that to us - which can make the experience of having your own website a whole lot more enjoyable.

What is DNN?

At Purple, we have to be commercially minded and our preferred CMS platform is DNN, formerly known as DotNetNuke. Now, while it might not have the same name recognition as other website platforms, DNN is a professional building kit that is known for its flexibility, scalability, and security. It packs a heavy punch when it comes to essential features that we know are key for our clients and their businesses.

First released in 2003, DNN is an Open-Source platform built on the Microsoft .NET framework using the Microsoft SQL Server database to provide a stable and extendable Content Management System (CMS) for websites.

These technical details are important and a global developer community ensures that DNN stays at the forefront of website technologies allowing for scalable solutions and unlimited growth potential.

Providing a professional service requires the best tools for developing commercial solutions and DNN ticks the box being intuitive and easy to edit for our clients.

Bespoke website designs

Other CMS solutions offer huge libraries of themes that can be bought and styled in line with your branding. But these pre-built themes can come with limitations - web builders are bound by the level of access they have to core files, which often makes certain design changes hard, if not impossible, to achieve. It is also important to know the provenance of any components you use on your website so you can be confident in the build quality and future support.

With DNN, we are able to take a no-compromise approach to our fully bespoke designs. Our clients are involved in decision making, right down to individual details like the shape, size, colour, and placement of each element. The flexible design framework and logical architecture within DNN means our developers can precisely recreate the designs that have been collaboratively created in the mock-up stages.

User-friendly interface

DNN has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to create and manage content. Even if you're not a tech expert, you can easily add pages, edit content, and manage your website. 

And, should you choose us to build your site in DNN, we’ll host a training session with you once your site is live, teaching you how to maintain your own website with up to date information. And, we’re here to help with any bigger changes if you need it!

Permissions and user roles

Managing website content should be seamless and secure, especially when multiple team members and users are involved. With DNN’s robust permissions system, you can assign roles which grant varying levels of control and access to specific pages or even sections of a page.

Unlike other CMSs, which rely on plugins for advanced role management, DNN allows you to create an infinite amount of user roles directly within its core CMS. This ensures both flexibility and security, keeping your site protected while empowering your team.

Security

The last thing you want is to find that your website has fallen victim to a cyber attack. A vulnerability that is most often exploited by hackers is through third-party plugins, something that platforms such as WordPress rely heavily on to provide integrated functionality. Each plugin that is utilised on the site increases the level of exposure and risk. 

Built on the .NET framework, DNN leverages the robust security practices and code quality in conjunction with the Microsoft SQL Server database. And, whilst we could not claim that DNN is impervious to hacking, this is one of the instances where the slightly smaller and more specialised community of developers using the platform has the advantage of mitigating these types of security breaches.

Plus, DNN can also utilise Single Sign On (SSO) and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) technology, increasing the security even further by authenticating users via O365 or Google Authenticator.

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If you're considering using DNN for your website, need help choosing the right CMS, or want to learn more about how we can help you bring your project to life, please get in touch with us today. We’d love to help you with your website!