26 Apr 08 What would make the best news Web site CMS platform?

Right now newspapers use a variety of tools to update their Web sites. Some use proprietary content-management systems similar to Wordpress or MoveableType, while others maintain simple, yet highly customizable HTML pages. Different sized organizations are still getting their online legs and figuring out what works best for them.

None of these systems have been perfected and most continue to evolve as technology increases. Eventually, however, most major news organizations are going to have to either have in-house developers in their technology department or hire contract Web developers create a CMS platform so they can stay competitive and relevant in an increasingly malleable online world.

Here’s a quick list of what I think would make the best news Web site CMS and/or what should be included in any news Web site CMS platform. It should be noted that some of these might be more wants than needs, some might already be in use by news organizations and some might not even be technologically possible, yet.

List below the jump.

1. Database driven: Any modern CMS platform needs to be driven by a database back end. This is not only helpful for archiving and recall purposes, but also for ease of use and updating. Think Wordpress for the most relevant example.
2. Open source: This is one of the wants over needs items I mentioned. However, if a standardized, open-source, news Web site-oriented CMS platform were created, perhaps by a commissioned team of Web developers, it could constantly be updated and kept up-to-date with technology. The natural competitiveness of newspapers would probably prevent this from happening unless it could be iterated to management how customizable and unique each site could be using the same platform.
3. Liquid layouts: Newspaper designers come up with something new everyday to engage readers and create front pages that make sense for that day’s news. Most news sites however, are locked into a limited number of templates and layouts, regardless of what is happening that day. Granted, one of the fatal flaws of news Web sites is trying to design like news designers instead of Web designers, a similar amount of layout freedom should be a part of the CMS platform. I envision something like many Google pages, in particular the iGoogle homepage. Content could be contained within boxes that could be grabbed, stretched and moved around while the content inside adjusted. This would require a clever combination of a database and possibly AJAX, but it could be done. Of course certain parts of the page (header, navigation, footer, etc.) would have to remain locked but some form of this could be used to increase usability.
4. Photo tools: Including simple photo tools would not only ease the basic manipulation of photos but it increases productivity. Another photo-related tool include I’ve seen is integrating a photo database. When photos are exported for use, they could be tagged with keywords and placed into an appropriate database. When inputting a story in the CMS for placement on the site, a few simple keywords could bring up a user bin of photos, video, audio or other multimedia to be easily placed into the story. This would be useful for stories going from print to online with no art for the print version but could be served by some generic art on the online side. It would also increase the speed at which breaking news could be put up with art, videos and other multimedia related items.
5. Copy-editing tools: Simple copy-editing tools that exist in CCI and other news management programs would be almost a necessity. Including a style/spell/grammar checker would be an ideal addition. Using the open-source model, a style checker plug-in could be developed that included all of the usual AP style rules and that could also be appropriated to an organization’s specific style rules for their paper and region.
6. Tags/Keywords: Tagging and/or adding keywords not only makes it easier for site searches, but it could also be used in new and interesting ways. Using appropriate tags, related story or content item suggestions could be grabbed dynamically from the system database. These of course could be negated if the relate is inappropriate. This might also be helpful for SEO purposes as well. Either by somehow placing these keywords in the meta data of a particular story or by making slug suggestions.
7. Simple metrics: While a more complex, third-party metrics system is necessary for news Web sites that must keep track of literally hundreds of items, a simple metrics system integrated into the CMS platform could be extremely helpful. Being able to watch a specific slug’s requests from the server or which items related to it are doing well can make a big difference.
8. WYSIWYG editor: Sometimes being able to see and adjust what an item is going to look like on a page can make a huge difference, a simple WYSIWIG editor would make sense. It would also ease transition for new employees and for cross-training purposes. Often people are turned off from technology or from using new tools because the learning curve can be so extreme.
9. Maps: Increasingly stories are served better by including maps. Whether it be the location of a fire, a traffic accident or a parade route, being able to include a map can really tie the room together The simplest thing is to integrate the Google Maps API into the system.

Those are just a few suggestions and I might add more as I think of them. All of these, and other integrated tools, would seek not only to make production easier, but also to take away the reliance on multiple, third-party tools where users have to remember a cornucopia of passwords and different command structures.

What would you include in your perfect CMS platform?

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Tags: new media, technology