5 Tips for Accelerating Your Web Site Development in ASP.NET

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Development of dynamic web sites may be a repetitive and frustrating work if you program the same article listing for your fiftieth client. The competition is tough and it�s difficult to differentiate your offering. Is there a way how to create dynamic web sites more easily and in shorter time while offering extra advantages over your competitors?

Tip #1 � Avoid Writing Your Own Content Management Systems

Do you remember the times when every company was developing its own ERP or accounting system? If you�re developing a new administration system for every dynamic web site, you�re probably wasting not only your time, but also your client�s money. Why don�t you implement an existing solution instead?

Kentico CMS for ASP.NET was created as a framework for developers which means it is:

• Extremely flexible and extensible
• Based on standard ASP.NET / Microsoft SQL Server architecture
• Integrated with Visual Studio .NET 2003/2005
• Well documented
• Available with full source code
• Affordable for every dynamic web site

Figure 1 � It�s no longer necessary to build your own administration interfaces � Kentico CMS is delivered with a complete administration interface that can be enhanced with your custom document types and modules.

Tip #2 � Create Editing Forms without Programming

If you analyze the time you typically spend on the development of dynamic web sites, you will probably find out that most of your time is spent on the development of input forms, such as �edit article�, �edit news�, �edit product specification� or �contact us� form.

Kentico CMS greatly simplifies the creation of forms. You only define the fields and their data types and Kentico CMS renders the form. You can choose from several field types, such as textbox, dropdown list or WYSIWYG editor, and from several data types, such as integer number, short text, long text, date/time, etc. The form engine also ensures basic validation.

Can you imagine how much time you save on these tasks?

• Creating the database table
• Creating the user interface elements
• Writing SQL queries
• Writing ADO.NET code for retrieving/saving content from/to your database
• Writing .NET code for input validation
• Testing the form

All of them are automated by Kentico CMS form engine!

Figure 2 � Programming of forms usually takes most of your time. With Kentico CMS, you can define editing forms instead of developing them from scratch.

Tip #3 � Eliminate the Code

In a typical ASP.NET scenario, you have to write a lot of code for communication with database and for displaying data on the web page. If you want to display a list of products you typically need to:

• Drag and drop the Repeater control and set its properties.
• Define the ItemTemplate section.
• Write SQL query.
• Write .NET code for retrieving data from your SQL database.

Kentico CMS is delivered with 27 web controls, including:

• Grid
• Repeater
• Multi-column datalist
• Dropdown menu
• Tree menu
• Tab menu
• Breadcrumbs
• Search dialog, etc.

Figure 3 � The following figure compares the code you need to write in a typical ASP.NET page and in Kentico CMS if you want to display news:

<asp:Repeater id="Repeater1" runat="server">
 <ItemTemplate>
  <h2>
  <a href='news.aspx?newsid=
  <%#DataBinder.Eval(Container.DataItem, 
      "NewsID") %>'>
  <%# DataBinder.Eval(Container.DataItem, 
      "NewsTitle") %>
  </a>
  </h2>
  <p>
  <%# DataBinder.Eval(Container.DataItem, 
            "NewsReleaseDate") %>
  </p>
  <p>
<%# System.Convert.ToString(DataBinder.Eval
   (Container.DataItem, "NewsSummary")) %>
  </p>
 </ItemTemplate>
</asp:Repeater>

<cc1:cmsrepeater 
 id="NewsRepeater" runat="server" 
 SelectNodesOrderBy =
          "NewsReleaseDate DESC" 
 SelectNodesClassName =
          "cms.news"  
 TransformationName =
          "cms.news.shortpreview"
 SelectedItemTransformationName=
          "cms.news.detail"
 SelectNodesPath="/news/%" 
 SelectNodesWhere = 
     "NewsReleaseDate < GetDate()"
></cc1:cmsrepeater>

SqlConnection cn = new SqlConnection(
          Functions.GetConnectionString());
SqlDataAdapter da = new SqlDataAdapter
  ("SELECT * FROM content_news 
    WHERE NewsReleaseDate < GetDate() 
    ORDER BY NewsReleaseDate DESC", cn);
DataSet ds = new DataSet();
da.Fill(ds);
Repeater1.DataSource = ds;
Repeater1.DataBind();

Tip #4 � Avoid Integration Pitfalls

If your client requires additional web site modules, such as shopping cart or forums, you have to choose between writing them from scratch and using some third-party solution. If you choose a third-party solution, you will often find yourself spending many hours with questions like �How do I integrate the user management, authentication and permissions with my existing project?�

Kentico CMS is delivered with several built-in modules that can be easily set up and integrated into your web site:

• E-commerce/Shopping Cart
• On-line forms
• Forums
• Image Gallery
• Newsletter

All of them share the same user base, authentication and security system and you don�t have to pay any extra money.

Figure 4 � Avoid spending many hours on development or integration of additional modules � Kentico CMS contains the most common modules �out of the box�, including an e-commerce module.

Tip #5 � Avoid Reinventing the Wheel

With small CMS solutions, it�s often difficult to win larger contracts, because you cannot offer the same functionality as your competition that offers complex, high-priced CMS solutions. You may try to develop some functionality by yourself, but you will most likely find out that development of workflow or versioning system is beyond your client�s budget.

Kentico CMS supports many advanced features without any additional development:

• Customizable workflow
• Versioning and rollback
• Multiple content languages
• Smart URLs and SEO support
• Full-text search in all content and uploaded DOC, XLS or PDF files
• Replication of content from staging (QA) to production server
• Webfarm support
• Secured site areas
• Document-level permissions and others

With this set of features, you can compete with large CMS products while offering an unbeatable price.

Figure 5 � Kentico CMS provides advanced features, such as workflow, without any additional development which allows you to offer a high-end solution for a low-end price.

Deliver More for Less

As you can see, there are many ways how Kentico CMS for ASP.NET helps you speed up web site development. Moreover, it allows you to offer features you wouldn�t be able to deliver on time and on budget. Still, it�s available for price that is affordable for every dynamic web site project:

Please note: You can get the 25% PARTNER DISCOUNT if you are a consultant or company delivering web sites to your clients. You only need to register at www.kentico.com and you will receive an e-mail with your discount code.

As you can see, the prices start from $375 for 1 Web Site License. If you charge your client $30 per hour, it�s the price of 13 hours of your work. You will not only deliver the web site in a shorter time but you will also delight your customers as they will get a full-featured, easy-to-use content management system that is ready for future enhancements and modifications.

Do Not Wait for Tomorrow

With Kentico CMS, you can start creating powerful web sites right now. Download the FREE trial and learn how to use the system with Kentico CMS Tutorial so that you can start offering this great product to your clients sooner than your competition!

We provide 30 day money back guarantee. If you or your customers are not happy with our CMS, we will refund your purchase!

Quick Links

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