Today’s topic of discussion is the differences in creating a website with a visual development tool vs. creating using a content management system online. The two definitely have pros and cons to each of them. We will explore those differences and discuss why people chose one over the other. The use of Content Management Systems (CMS) is on the rise. Anyone can create an account with a website like WordPress, Wix, Shopify, and create a beautiful web page in just a few minutes. Whereas with a visual development tool like Adobe Dreamweaver, there is a bit more of a learning curve to the software, publishing, and managing a website within the interface.

 

Visual development software like Adobe Dreamweaver is similar to CMS because it is also a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) editor. Dreamweaver has a wide array of markup languages that it backs, including HTML, XML, CSS, and JavaScript. ⁽¹⁾ With such a huge selection of markup choices, this is where Dreamweaver shines. You can create much more in-depth and complex websites. You can switch between the WYSIWYG developing to a full code editor mode. When editing your code the built-in visual viewer will update and show a live preview of what you’re working on. ⁽²⁾   See a short tutorial on how to use create a website in Dreamweaver HERE.

 

Content management systems have a huge variety of features. Everything you may need to create a professional website is at the tip of your fingers with minimal work. CMS’s use WYSIWYG editors have premade page templates and website themes, built-in mobile optimization, content scheduling, E-commerce functionality and so much more! ⁽³⁾ All of the options available with CMS make them go to’s for small businesses that are just starting out. The ease of using a CMS is unimaginable. You sign up for a website (most of which are free), choose a theme, pick your page templates, and insert your content, it’s that simple! In just a few minutes you have a website you can publish and build on as your business or blog grows.

Five examples of why you should absolutely use a CSM to create your website:

• You do not need any web programming experience due to the WYSIWYG interface
• Multiple people can work on the same project for easy collaboration work
• Advance SEO tools and plugins that can add even more depth and connectivity to your pages
• CSM interfaces have built-in internet security. The platforms all have teams of developers that work hard to keep their platform up to date in protecting against internet threats.
• They’re really cost-effective. You can save a ton of money by making changes to your site by yourself, rather than calling a web developer and paying their hourly fee. ⁽⁴⁾

 

Comparing these two web development options truly shows why CSM is the choice for so many. The accessibility, the ease, and quickness of just even starting the site. Having such a system available for everyday people really has made the internet such a playground for information and learning. With the right tools available anyone can share their knowledge, hobbies, passions, and products for all to see!

 

1. 1. Computer Hope (April 2020 – update) https://www.computerhope.com/jargon/d/dreamweaver.htm
   2.  Nick Schäferhoff, Website Setup (December 2019)  https://websitesetup.org/dreamweaver-tutorial
   3. Trust Radius   https://www.trustradius.com/cms
   4. Gabrielle Tardive, Thee Digital (October 2018) https://www.theedigital.com/blog/top-reasons-to-use-a-content-management-system