Managing Multiple Sites, Channels & Languages with eZ Publish

As we move closer towards the conclusion of our featured week with eZ, we’re taking a look at eZ Publish Platform’s multi-site and multi-language features.

Previously this week, we touched on eZ Publish Platform’s core features, explored the success of Hootsuite and comScore with the platform, and looked ahead to the upcoming eZ Conference in New York.

The eZ eBook titled, “Keys to Maintaining Multiple Websites, Channels and Languages” is a highly beneficial resource regarding this topic. I’ll be referring to some of its contents throughout this article.

The Importance of Adaptive Content

In the not-so-distant past, content was produced and published solely for desktop screens.

Today, screens are everywhere from vehicles to shopping malls, and customers expect nothing less than seamless experiences on each and every device.

To deliver content with such flexibility when managing multiple web properties, you’ll need a CMS that can produce adaptive content.

Adaptive content means that the content is not restricted to a single display. It’s content that is totally separated from its presentation and design, meaning that it can be re-moulded to suit any screen size or shape.

Traditional content management systems are not typically equipped to store and manage content in such a way. However, today’s enterprise-grade platforms, like eZ Publish Platform for example, store content internally in a way which makes content adaptive. Ideal for the modern-day brand.

For more information on adaptive content, check out the eZ eBook.

Multi-Lingual Content Delivery: What to Look for in a CMS

A brand that needs to deliver content in multiple languages needs a CMS that can handle the pressure.

So, what does a content management system need to make multi-lingual content delivery manageable?

Multi-lingual Functionality Out of the Box

Many platforms offer multilingual functionality as plugins or extensions, instead of bringing them as part of their overall package. While this can work, it can also introduce vulnerabilities.

Plugins can be coded poorly and go unmaintained since they are not created by the actual CMS vendor. Malware can sneak in from third-parties, and updates are often few and far between. An out-of-the box multi-lingual feature will have less security vulnerabilities and will likely be better maintained because it is a product of the vendor.

Extensive Language Support

You may not need support for 64 languages right this moment, but it’s important to know that as your brand expands, your CMS will be capable of supporting the languages that come with going global.

Thus, it makes sense to gravitate toward a platform that is capable of supporting not just the languages you currently need, but all the translations you’ll ever need, too.

Language-specific Group and User Permissions

A team of editors with varying first languages all working within the same CMS can be troublesome, unless there’s a way to ensure that they can only edit content that pertains to them.

To make this easy, pick a CMS that has the ability to apply user permissions based on language. This will simplify the editor’s experience with the CMS, making sure they aren’t bothered by content that isn’t in their language.

For more information on how to choose the best CMS for multi-lingual projects, check out the eZ eBook.

Further Reading

eZ has also published a separate eBook, “7 Major Mistakes That Will Derail Your CMS Project”, which touches on some vital points revolving around topics such as content writing, integrations, personalization and so forth.

To find out more about eZ Publish, check out eZ Systems’ website. You can also request a personal demo of eZ Publish Platform to see the many features for yourself.

Furthermore, stick around for more eZ coverage, including articles on their next generation content management solutions, eZ Platform and eZ Studio, launching in Q4 2015.