Not Everyone Has the Skills to Manage Website Content
And That’s Okay… Kind of…
This is a bit controversial, but for years we developers have been telling people that managing website content is easy - "Just log in, click edit, and update your content!".
Yet, so many businesses struggle with keeping their websites up to date and looking good, leading to frustration and confusion. The truth is, it’s not that easy—and that’s not all your fault, developers have oversimplified the reality of website content management for too long.
Content Management Is More Than Just Editing Text
At its core, managing website content is not just about typing words and hitting publish. It requires an understanding of user experience, SEO, accessibility, branding, and technical considerations. A well-managed website ensures that content is clear, engaging, and functional across different devices and platforms.
Some of the key skills required for effective content management include:
Content Strategy: Knowing what content needs to be created, updated, or removed.
SEO Best Practices: Understanding how to optimise content so it can be found on search engines.
Accessibility Awareness: Ensuring content is usable by people of all abilities - stop putting key content as text in an image.
Brand Consistency: Maintaining a consistent voice, tone, and style.
Basic Technical Knowledge: Understanding image optimisation, formatting, and link management.
Without these skills, a website can quickly become cluttered, outdated, and ineffective.
The Risks of Poor Content Management
When website content isn’t managed properly, it can lead to a range of issues:
Inconsistent Messaging: Different tones and styles can confuse visitors.
Poor User Experience: Difficult navigation and outdated information can frustrate users.
SEO Decline: Without proper structure and optimisation, content won’t rank well in search engines.
Accessibility Barriers: If content isn’t accessible, it excludes potential users and may even lead to legal issues.
Brand Damage: A poorly managed website can make a business look unprofessional.
Why It’s Okay to Leave It to the Experts
Just as not everyone is a graphic designer, software developer, or accountant, not everyone is equipped to manage website content. And that’s perfectly fine. Businesses and organisations can benefit from working with professionals who understand the nuances of content management.
By partnering with web developers, content strategists, and digital marketers, businesses can ensure that their website remains polished, functional, and effective. This allows teams to focus on their strengths rather than struggling with content updates they may not be comfortable handling.
The Right CMS Can Help—But It’s Not a Magic Fix
Choosing the right CMS can certainly make content management easier. Systems like Statamic offer user-friendly interfaces and flexible content structures, making updates more intuitive. However, even the best CMS won’t replace the need for strategic content planning and management.
Developers need to stop pretending that updating content is as easy as they’ve made it sound for years. Yes, good tools help, but you still need the right expertise and strategy to make sure your content is working for you, not against you.
While it’s easy to assume that anyone can manage website content, the reality is that it requires a specific set of skills. Businesses that recognise this and invest in the right expertise will see better results.
If managing your website content feels like a challenge, don’t blame yourself—blame the developers who told you it would be easy. But now that you know better, it’s time to bring in the right expertise to make sure your content works for you.
It’s not me, it’s you!