Some top tips from the DestinationCore team about how to make the content editing experience on your website a joy. You'll discover why author experience is just as important as user experience and how the two are linked!
‘Author Experience’ is an often overlooked, but very important, aspect of building a new website. By now we’re all used to websites being built on Content Management Systems (CMS) – this is what allows non-technical people to update the content on a website – create blogs, change contact details, add new events and offers, change pictures and so on. Such website editors are often referred to as ‘Authors’.
Author Experience essentially refers to how easy it is for these website editors to make subtle tweaks and add, update or delete content. Websites are built by website developers – learning how to ‘code’ is complex, it takes years of learning and expertise to become a truly efficient and effective web developer, and there are several different specialisms – front-end developers, back-end developers, dev-ops specialist to name just a few. Because these are highly skilled individuals, they often assume that everybody knows how the complex relationships in the ‘engine’ of a website work and can therefore overlook how easy it is for a website editor to use.
“It’s not so bad to use once you get used to it”
Said many a client about their 'not so easy to use' CMSHearing a client explain that once they’ve added content a few times and found the appropriate work around that ‘it’s not so difficult to use’ is incredibly frustrating! Why? Because it shouldn’t be like that! Author Experience should be just as intuitive as User Experience. The end user of a website wouldn’t spend much time on your site very long if they couldn’t figure out how to get to the information they wanted, without having to ‘get used to it’.
Taking ownership of a website on a CMS should give you the control to make the changes that you, as a destination marketeer, require to adapt to the needs of your end user. Ultimately User Experience (UX) is related directly to Author Experience (AX) – the easier it is for content editors to update and adapt a site, the more likely it is that users will find the content, experience, offer or event they are after.
Let’s be honest, crafting great content that your users will love and encourages them to visit the place you’re promoting is one of the more fun parts of the job – it gives you the opportunity to showcase the expertise and affection you have for your destination. So, adding that content to the website should be a breeze.
If it’s simple to do, and there are no barriers blocking you from adding great content, then you’ll do it more often – giving users more reason to visit your website. And if you’re able to adapt the structure and content of your site according to the behaviour of those users, then it’s more likely that they’ll take the ultimate end action – actually visit!
If you feel that the CMS on your current site doesn’t give you the control you require over your content, then the first thing you should do is raise this with your current provider. At the very least they should be able to provide you with some refresher training.
The second thing on your “to do” list should be to give us a call at DestinationCore. We pride ourselves on providing websites which place just as much emphasis on Author Experience as User Experience (in equal measure).
But if you’re not using the DestinationCore team to help you build your new online destination website, then here are a few tips to ensure that your current CMS works as hard as possible for you:
Epsom is an historic market town nestled between London and The Surrey Hills. Epsom is more than just home to The Derby. It’s famous for Epsom Salts and has an abundance of history and heritage. The challenge was to showcase everything that Epsom has to offer without blowing the budget - enter DC One!
VISIT WEBSITEThe team at Uxbridge BID wanted to upgrade their website in order to offer greater value to their levy payers. DC One was the ideal solution to meet their needs as the automation offered through the combination of Business Login and Automated Subscriber Emails gave them incredible value on a tight budget.
VISIT WEBSITEWith the shopping centre having moved away from the ownership of the intu Group the client was looking for outstanding value for money and lots of built-in automation in order to stretch marketing budget as far as possible. They love the simplicity of DC One, with the structure making it easy for users to find what they are looking for.
VISIT WEBSITEWith the break-up of the intu Group, the client was looking for a website they could get up-and-running in a short space of time and as a temporary solution, so they had a web presence to give them time to build out the website of their dreams. DC One was the perfect solution – offering all the functionality they needed with a quick turnaround.
VISIT WEBSITEThe NewcastleGateshead Initiative is the DMO representing Newcastle, Gateshead and the surrounding areas. They came to us frustrated with their existing website solution – feeling that their current provider was offering poor value for money. Our solution has helped transform their online presence by improving the user experience and offering greater value for their members.
VISIT WEBSITESouthampton BID had just gone through a brand refresh and were looking to help bring that brand to life with a powerful online experience. They wanted visitsouthampton.co.uk to be the go-to website for users to find out about what to do and what's on in Southampton. They chose the Pro core package and The List Events Feed module to power their website.
VISIT WEBSITEAll About Ipswich is a DMO for Ipswich and the surrounding area. The website showcases events and offers, and also includes a business directory. It provides easy access to a huge range of content, with the Journey Planner and Itinerary Builder modules enriching the user experience. The Campaign Section module provides a hub for the client's numerous marketing initiatives.
VISIT WEBSITEAs a BID in their first term The Junction BID needed to make an impact. Attracting visitors to Clapham Junction by showcasing what’s on offer and demonstrating value to the businesses they represent was essential. They chose the Offers and Events progressive web app alongside the Pro core package to encourage people who work within the BID area to spend more time at The Junction.
VISIT WEBSITEIn Colchester is the consumer website for the Colchester BID. We helped them create a new consumer facing brand, and then applied that brand to the DestinationCore platform to create a stunning looking website. Launched in August 2019 the feedback for this site has been superb.
VISIT WEBSITEWe’ve created a demo site for our fantasy town of Melchester. It’s an idyllic location by the sea, with an abundance of independent retailers and fair number of local characters too. Be sure to check out the blog about a true local hero - Admiral Standfast. Go on. Take a trip to Melchester!
VISIT WEBSITEWant to know more about DestinationCore? Call, email or fill in the form.
Tel: 01473 215656
Email: info@destinationcore.com