What you NEED to know about .NET CMS

Have you ever thought about building or picking a .NET CMS instead of other options out there? Perhaps you didn't know there was something else to look into. But we've all been down the rabbit hole. The information I'm sharing from OneStopDevShop may not be a surprise to many but perhaps it'll be helpful to at least one. ✌️

Quick note: A .Net CMS is a content management system used to create, organize, and manage digital content, primarily using an automated database-driven structure. It is built using .NET technologies such as ASP .NET, Razor, Blazor, and the ASP .NET MVC.

CMSs are used in a variety of applications, including web applications, mobile applications, IoT solutions, and content-focused websites depending on how they were developed and their target user. However, the most common use for popular .NET CMSs include is to build and manage web-based resources like websites and blogs.

If you are thinking about developing or selecting a .NET CMS, here are some requirements and considerations to look for:

1. Application type
You’ll be using the CMS to manage content in an application, so you need to decide which one is best suited for the type of application you want. General purpose .NET content management systems can be linked to any application backend. For example, you could use an MBaaS (Mobile Backend as A service) CMS if you work on a cloud-based mobile application.
The most common general-purpose .NET content management systems can connect to any backend, provided there is a supported API or compatible database to connect to. However, you may find modifying an open-source CMS like Dot Net Nuke easier or building one from scratch easier.

2. Application Size and Complexity
Consider the size and complexity of your application or website before you decide on a CMS. Some .NET CMSs are not built to manage large amounts of data. Some have limited features that may limit how useful they can be for complex websites and applications.

3. Target Platform(s)
The platform you target with a CMS-connected application will significantly influence your chosen CMS. For example, you may want to use a decoupled CMS with API connectivity if you want to accommodate different types of applications needing access to your data.

4. Customization Needs
You may need to customize certain aspects of your CMS to add functionality or alter how it behaves. Some .NET CMSs are easy to customize using addons or by editing the core files, but others are closed-source and don’t offer much customization. Again, you may find it easier to build your own CMS from scratch to accommodate unique business needs.

5. Supported Database Schema
General-purpose CMSs only support a limited number of databases- some, like WordPress, only support SQL-based relational databases. Consider if the CMS you are going for supports your preferred database and if it has any storage limits.

Now let’s talk about ESSENTIAL .NET CMS features:

All .NET CMS content management systems should come with the following features as the bare minimum:

1. Content Editor
   A .NET CMS content editor is an interface that allows you to load and organize digital content dynamically without the need to code. A good CMS content editor comes with:

a. Media Library
b. Content Templates
c. SEO Tools

2. Website Builder
   A good .NET CMS must have an intuitive no-code or low-code website builder or web UI builder. Website builders are, however, not needed in headless or uncoupled .NET CMSs. Typical .NET CMS website builder features include:

a. Page builder and templating
b. Widgets
c. Plugin integrations
d. Mobile optimization
e. Menus and Navigation

3. Media Library
   Every .NET CMS comes with a media library feature that enables you to upload and manage media such as images, videos, audio, etc. within the CMS.

4. User Management
   User management allows you to manage user permissions and access levels. It also allows you to assign roles and responsibilities to different users.'=

5. Administration Dashboard
   A CMS admin dashboard is necessary because it will be used to design and manage your website. Ideally, the admin dashboard should be intuitive enough to be used by non-technical administrators like marketers and salespeople.
   Extensibility

6. Basic SEO And Web Analytics
   Your .NET CMS should come with basic SEO and web analytics tools or functionality to help you optimize your web content for search engines.

7. Security Features
   All .NET CMSs come with essential security features such as password protection, support for SSL, and user account management tools. On top of that, good CMSs have additional security features like 2-Factor Authentication and usage logs.

Finally, let's look at the PRO's and Con's of .NET CMS over PHP and JavaScript-based alternatives.

Pros

Security– .NET is a managed code software development platform with modern secure application development capabilities and features like Windows confirmation, role-based safety, and code access security. A CMS built with .NET benefits from these features and is, therefore, more secure.

Reliability – .NET is a stable software development platform that has been used for many years. Technologies and libraries inside .NET are tested and optimized before release. For these reasons, most .NET CMSs are usually relatively stable and reliable compared to alternatives.

Speed– Applications built with .NET take advantage of dot NET’S highly optimized build and deployment structure makes them quite nimble compared to alternatives.

Cons

Cost– Some .NET CMSs are pretty expensive to buy and use. However, you can avoid the high costs by using a free and open-source .NET CMS like DNN or building a custom one with the help of an offshore .NET software development company.

Learning Curves– Some users may find the learning curve to use some .NET CMSs a bit steep, especially if they need to customize it using the code editor.

Hopefully this info (this is just a tip of the iceberg 😜) is helpful in your decision making. If you'd like to get into a bit more info and dive into each subcategory, visit OnestopDevshop for the full article 😊.