Many people spend large amounts of time and money having websites built for them that are not able to be changed without going back to a web developer for expensive and time wasting changes. Those changes might be a simple as adding or changing a few words, or as complicated as changing the entire theme of the site. Either way, site owners are left powerless and to the whims of the web developer and the exorbitant prices they may charge. Surely there has to be a better way!

The solution to this problem is to have a web site built around a flexible and open framework so that no single developer can control your destiny: DotNetNuke.

DotNetNuke is an open source web application framework ideal for creating, deploying and managing interactive web, intranet and extranet sites.  It is designed to make it easy for users to manage all aspects of their website; its well-researched user interface allows universal ease-of-operation and comes loaded with a set of built-in tools that provide powerful pieces of functionality.  Site hosting, design, content, security, and membership options are easily managed and customized through these tools.

DotNetNuke is able to create the most complex content management systems entirely with its built-in features, yet also allows administrators to work effectively with add-ons, third party assemblies, and custom tools.  DNN modules and skins are easy to find, purchase, or build.  Site customization and functionality are limitless.

DotNetNuke provides a portal into which administrators can work online to add web pages and content with a few simple clicks of the mouse.  These pages can be made available to all visitors to your site, or can be restricted depending on whether or not the user has registered.  Many levels of user access are available and can be configured as required to solve your business needs.

Skins are used to control the theme of your website. They define the layout of your site by defining regions of the page (panes), and the colours and images to apply to the pages and the modules they contain. With a bit of training these skins can be created yourself, or you can take the easy road by buying a skin online for as little as the price of a bottle of your favourite wine. Examples of what difference a skin can make can be seen below.

Modules are added to web pages to provide the content and features that you wish to make available. As mentioned, DotNetNuke comes with many built-in modules, or you can approach a company such as Systematic IT to have custom modules developed for you. However, in most cases, the built-in modules will solve most of your business needs.

DotNetNuke comes with 24 modules “out-of-the-box” including Announcements, Web Logs (Blogs), Chat, Contacts, Documents, Events, FAQ, Forum, Galleries, Maps, News, Online Stores, and Surveys, Text, plus more. The primary module used on most pages within a DotNetNuke site is the Text/HTML module. This allows administrators to add text to a website and has a user interface very similar to Microsoft Word. In fact, if you can use MS Word then you can easily manage the majority of content on your own DotNetNuke website. Never fear though: Systematic IT will train you to maintain your site for the most common web design needs for free. Additional training is available on request.

Text Module Editor Window	Text Module View Window

So the major benefits of DotNetNuke to you are that it:

• Allows you to add web pages to your site quickly and easily without the need for expensive web development platforms.
• Allows you to add content to your web pages by inserting DotNetNuke modules onto page with a few clicks of the mouse.
• Comes with 24 modules "out-of-the-box" including Announcements, Web Logs (Blogs), Chat, Contacts, Documents, Events, FAQ, Forum, Galleries, Maps, News, Online Stores, and Surveys, plus more.
• Gives you access to a community of web developers across the planet who are developing modules and skins for a whole range of needs at a price you can afford.
• Allows you to change to look and feel of your site within minutes through the application of DotNetNuke "skins" (themes).
• Allows for the easy integration of custom modules which can be developed with whatever functionality you require.
• Allows users to register with your site and then be given to secured, private pages, or previously hidden modules on public pages.
• Allows users to search all authorised web pages using a keyword search feature built in to the portal.
• Provides features for bulk emailing of newsletters to registered users.
• Will be easy to manage with the free training the Systematic IT will provide you with.