Do you ever feel like you're juggling too many things at once? Managing a website can be overwhelming- there's a lot to keep track of! But what if there was a way to make it a bit easier? That's where content management systems come in.
Content management system software is software application that helps you manage your website's content. Many different CMS platforms are available, such as WordPress, Squarespace, and Joomla. Each platform has its own unique functionality and features. So whether you're just starting out with web development or looking for a more user-friendly and SEO-driven CMS, this guide will help direct your efforts! This blog post will explain the basics of CMSs and how they work. We will also discuss the pros and cons of some of the most popular CMS platforms.
What is a CMS?
A CMS is a content management system. It is a software application that helps you manage your website's content. This includes web hosting, creating and editing web pages, adding images and videos, and more. CMSs are used by businesses of all sizes, from small businesses to enterprise organizations. A CMS, in simplest terms, is the foundation of your website and stores images, videos, and documents so that you don't have to learn HTML. It's all housed in a single system.
HubSpot points out the differences between simple website builders and content management systems. While the two are related, they're not the same. A website builder is a basic groundwork for your website. It gives you a platform to start from and simple templates to build your site. On the other hand, a CMS is used to manage and store all of your website's content in one place. Many types of websites use CMSs as a web content management system. Once you have built your website using a CMS, you can then use it to edit and update your site's content as needed.
A CMS works by providing a user-friendly interface that allows you to add easily, edit, and delete content on your website. CMSs typically have two parts: a front-end and a back-end.
The front end is the part of the CMS that users interact with. This is where you will create and edit your content. This is also called the CMA, content management application. The back-end is the part of the CMS that handles all of the behind-the-scenes work, such as managing users and permissions, optimizing web pages for search engines, and more. You'll see this referred to as CDA, content delivery application.
What are the benefits of using a CMS?
There are many advantages to using a CMS. One of the most beneficial aspects is that it allows non-technical users to create and manage digital content. This is because CMSs have an intuitive and user-friendly interface. Ease of use is a significant factor when choosing a CMS. CMSs also offer great flexibility regarding permissions, workflows, and integrations. Additionally, CMSs are often scalable, meaning they can grow with your website as it expands.
Most CMS platforms optimize ease of use so that their functionality is accessible. Some CMS platforms also offer eCommerce functionality, social media integration, and other features that can be extremely helpful for businesses. And because CMSs are web-based, they can be accessed from anywhere worldwide. A huge benefit of using a CMS is the ability for search engine optimization. Since the CMS platform stores documents, it's easy to boost the SEO efforts using a CMS.
CMS platforms also offer a wide range of features and plugins, which can be used to extend the functionality of your website. Additionally, most CMSs are open-source, which means that they are constantly being updated and improved by a community of developers to improve the digital experience.
What are the disadvantages of using a CMS?
As with any software application, there are also some disadvantages to using a CMS. One of the most common complaints is that CMSs can be slow and resource-intensive. Additionally, because CMSs are so popular, they can be targeted by hackers.
Another downside to CMSs is that they can be challenging to learn and use for beginners. However, this depends on the CMS platform that you choose. Some CMSs, like WordPress, are very user-friendly and easy to learn. Others, like Drupal, can be more challenging and has a complex user interface.
Additionally, because CMSs offer so many templates, features and plugins, they can sometimes be overwhelming. This is why choosing a CMS that is right for your needs is essential.
Since these platforms are web-based and cloud-based, the API and other integrations are important. Some user roles require additional permissions to build APIs, which can cause issues if you have a limited number of seats with your CMS platform.
The Best CMS Platforms
Once you've decided that your business could use a CMS, it's time to choose the right one. There are several CMS platforms to choose from, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. They all can create different types of websites. Your choice will depend on many factors, and you should consider how you'll use your CMS. This will help guide you to the right one.
Drupal:
Drupal is an open-source CMS platform used by some of the biggest brands in the world, including The Economist and Tesla. Drupal is known for its flexibility and scalability. It offers many features, including eCommerce and social media integration. Drupal can be challenging to learn and use, but it is an excellent platform for businesses needing a CMS with many features.
WordPress:
WordPress is the most popular CMS platform in the world. It has a whopping 65% of the total market share on websites that are known users of a CMS, according to Kinsta. WordPress is a free and open-source platform that is easy to use and learn. It offers a wide range of features, plugins, and themes. WordPress is a great platform for businesses of all sizes, but we like it for small businesses as it's the easiest CMS to work with.
Joomla:
Joomla is a free-to-start and open-source CMS platform that millions of websites use. Joomla is easy to use and learn and offers flexibility with templates and themes. It also has multi-language capabilities built-in, so there's no need for third-party applications should you need to display your site in multiple languages. The cost is more than WordPress but less than Drupal. Joomla is a great platform for businesses of all sizes.
CMS Hub:
HubSpot's CMS is a free and open-source headless CMS. HubSpot CMS is easy to use and offers a wide range of features, including eCommerce, blog management, forms, and contact management. HubSpot CMS is great for businesses of all sizes looking for an easy-to-use platform with many features. Since HubSpot is such a popular CRM, it makes sense that their CMS is also a hit with small businesses.
Shopify:
Shopify is a popular content management system used by millions of online stores. Shopify offers awesome features including eCommerce, inventory management, shipping, and more. Shopify also has a payment gateway, making it easy to accept payments on your website. Shopify is an excellent platform for businesses that need a quick and easy site built for online stores.
Wix:
Wix is a CMS platform that offers a drag-and-drop interface for website building. Their easy-to-use interface makes them a popular choice for businesses and individuals looking to build a website quickly. Wix also offers eCommerce, forms, and email marketing features. Wix is great for small businesses that need an easy-to-use platform with lots of features.
Magneto:
Magento is a CMS platform that offers eCommerce features, including inventory management, shipping, and payments. Magento is used by some of the biggest brands in the world, including Ford and Olympus. Magneto is the most expensive CMS on our list and can be complex and intimidating for non-tech-savvy users. It requires coding and development skills to build a website on this platform.
Squarespace:
Squarespace is known for its eCommerce functionality. Along with Shopify, Squarespace dominates the eCommerce industry. It allows users to drag and drop to create a unique eCommerce shop. Squarespace offers a wide range of features to run any sized business efficiently.
Contentful:
Contentful is a CMS platform that offers a wide range of features for content creation, including authoring, digital asset management, and workflows. Contentful is great for businesses needing a CMS with many features for content creation and document management.
How to Choose a CMS
Now that you know more about CMSs, it's time to choose one for your business. Here are some factors to consider:
Your budget: CMSs can range in price from free to thousands of dollars per month. When you're first using a CMS, it may make sense to go with a free one, but not all platforms are created equal. While budget concerns are important, consider the other mitigating factors to ensure you choose the right CMS at the right price.
Your needs: Think about how you'll use your CMS and what functionality you need. If you're an eCommerce store, you'll need a platform that offers inventory management and shipping features. You can get away with a CMS with fewer features if you just need a simple site to showcase your products or services. Choose a web-based or cloud-based CMS if you're looking for a CMS with a mobile app and more automation features.
Your team: Consider who will use the CMS in user roles and how tech-savvy they are. If you're the only one who will be using the CMS or your team is not very tech-savvy, choose a platform that is easy to use and learn. If you have a team of developers, they may be able to handle a more complex CMS.
Your time: How much time do you have to set up and maintain your website? If you don't have a lot of time, go with a CMS that is easy to use and doesn't require a lot of upkeep. This is especially critical when you're implementing a new CMS. Some require a lot of front-loaded effort, while others are a breeze to set up.
Your skill level: If you're not very tech-savvy, choose a CMS that is easy to use and learn. While it's possible to learn as you go with more complex systems, it's not recommended if you're starting from scratch.
The size of your business: Some CMSs are better suited for small businesses, while others are better for enterprise companies. We recommend WordPress for small businesses, Shopify for eCommerce stores, and Drupal for extensive enterprise content management.
The type of content you need to create: If you need to create complex content, like infographics or videos, choose a CMS that can do so. Any CMS will do if you need to create straightforward text-based content. Remember that some CMSs are open-platform, which means they can be customized to meet your specific needs.
Now that you know more about content management systems, it's time to choose the right CMS for your business. A CMS can save you time and money by making it easy to manage your website content. It can also help improve your SEO and make it easier for customers to find your site. Choose a CMS that is right for your budget, needs, and skill level. While there's no one answer to "what's the best CMS?" you can certainly find the best CMS for your business by following our guidelines.
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