Static HTML Websites

Back in the day, websites had to be coded by hand.  Every page was an individual piece of work.  Then came along templates that made it much easier, but it was still standard old static HTML.  The problem with these sites is that you have to be an HTML coder to operate them.  If you don't want to spend a few weeks learning HTML and getting good at it, your site will go stagnant.  This is bad.

The Content Management System (CMS) revolution did one really big thing for the web - it made it so that anyone could publish content, sell their wares, market their services or do whatever else they wanted to on the web.  Moving forward, this is a massive boon for the website clients, as all of a sudden they can have an awesome website built, then maintain it themselves.  Even more importantly, CMS website owners can add to and grow their site, without paying large website designer fees.

If you aren't getting a website that is built with something that allows you to easily edit and manage your website, then you are going to be paying for nearly anything you want to do to your website.  This raises your total cost of ownership quite considerably; even over a single year of ownership.

Proprietary Systems

Proprietary simply means that someone owns it.  If a website designer is selling you a website "built with our fantastic/awesome/amazing proprietary system", then what they are really saying is that you cannot manage your own site if you stop paying them.  Their system has your content and very few other designers will be able to help.  Proprietary is not a good thing on the web.  The more people that know how to use the product your website is built with, the better it is.

Open Source Systems

You should always ask if your website is being built with "Open Source" software.  Why? Because open source is...well, open.  Hundreds of thousands of people use open source software.  You can find tutorials and how-to's freely on the internet.  You can usually find free addons that do extra cool things.  You aren't locked in with any one provider.

Try searching on "Joomla Tutorial" in Google. I did it just now - there are 3,060,000 results.  Three million pages offering assistance with Joomla.  The website we build for you with Joomla will guarantee that any one of thousands of web developers can help you, no matter what we personally do with your site.  Its a better way to develop.