Choosing a content management system (CMS) for your business is a vital step in building your brand and creating great digital content. However, with so many options available, it can be overwhelming.
To make it easy for you, we’ve outlined some critical factors to consider when choosing a CMS, as well as a comparison of the top options available today.
First things first, what is a CMS?
A CMS is computer software that allows multiple users to create and manage website content using a user-friendly interface without the need for coding. Content can range from emails to blog posts, landing pages to forums, business documents to marketing materials and more. A user-friendly system that simplifies creating and managing website content is essential as businesses shift to the digital world. Without one, making changes to your website can be a nightmare.
Now, let’s talk about what to consider when choosing a CMS.
When choosing a CMS, it’s important to note that there isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ solution. Your choice will depend on what you want to achieve online, so knowing your current and long-term online objectives is critical when selecting a solution.
Some other essential factors to consider when selecting a CMS include:
Cost: Some CMS platforms are free, while others charge a monthly or annual subscription fee. But even free platforms may require payment for third-party plugins and hosting costs. You should also consider hidden costs, such as required maintenance, security updates, and developer efficiency, when assessing the CMS’s costs.
Ease of use: You shouldn’t have to navigate a complicated backend CMS to create and edit content. An average user should be able to understand how to complete basic tasks such as adding a new page or editing content with little to no instruction.
Customisation/flexibility: Having flexibility will give you and your team the creative control to dictate the design and present your website content as you want.
Integrations and plugins: Integrations and plugins are separate software that you can install on your CMS software to extend its functionality. If you’re looking to add new features or extend the functionality of your CMS now or in the future, ensure any add-ons integrate seamlessly with your chosen solution.
Support: Some CMS solutions come with no central support options, while others have support available 24/7. If you and your organisation require ongoing enterprise support, ensure that the CMS you select has a robust support network available at all times.
Maintenance: CMS maintenance, or the collective activities that keep your site stable and running smoothly, is an essential factor to consider. Regular site maintenance will improve the security and stability of your platform and ensure that everything is working correctly, so your user experience isn’t affected. Consider who will be updating and maintaining the site after it goes live and how much support this person will need.
Scalability: Ensure your chosen CMS not only meets your needs at the given moment but in the future as well. Your chosen solution should enable you to expand your web presence over time and scale with your business as your needs change.
Roles and permissions: With roles and permissions, you can specify precisely what actions each team member can perform on your site. If you want certain users to only access certain areas of the site, ensure that your selected CMS supports user roles and permissions.
SEO capabilities: Since most of your website traffic will likely come from organic searches, ensure that your CMS is designed for search engine optimisation. Consider important SEO capabilities when selecting a CMS, such as the ability to customise your page titles, metadata, URL structures and alt tags.
Mobile friendly: While most CMS systems are mobile-friendly these days, ensure that the plugins, integrations and themes that you intend to use are also compatible with mobile devices.
Security: Security is a critical factor to consider when selecting a CMS. A breach in website security can lead to a loss of data, reputation, and revenue. Look for a CMS that has built-in security features such as firewalls, two-factor authentication, and SSL encryption. Additionally, consider the availability of security add-ons and updates to ensure that your website remains protected against evolving threats. Keep in mind that maintaining the security of your website is an ongoing process and requires regular monitoring and updates.
CMS Options
When considering a content management system (CMS) for your website, there are a variety of options to choose from. Some popular choices include:
Choosing an open source solution, a free to use CMS or custom code build can provide greater flexibility. Although proprietary offerings like Wix and Shopify may seem appealing, they can become less user-friendly when trying to integrate with third-party solutions and can result in long-term expenses due to compatibility issues for online businesses and services.
WordPress and other popular CMS options offer a range of solutions, from basic templated sites to custom-designed frontend sites with a high level of flexibility, especially with the use of plugins and integrations. However, adding functionality via plugins carries a measure of risk since these programs are created and maintained by third-party developers and require ongoing updates to ensure they remain secure.
Open source CMS platforms like WordPress are maintained by a community of developers and are constantly improving. This means that a wide range of developers work to add new features to the platform over time. Other advantages of working with open source CMSs include:
However, open source, off-the-shelf CMSs also have their disadvantages, including:
Another option is to create a custom coded open source solution that is developed exclusively for a company or specific use case. For example, a custom development can create a tailored inventory management system with custom integrations to internal finance or ERP systems. With a custom solution, your business has total control over the platform’s functionality, interface and updates. The system’s workflow, design and usability can also be tailored to a business’ specific needs.
Other advantages of a custom solution include:
However, custom solutions have their own set of disadvantages, including:
So how do you ultimately choose a solution?
Ultimately, the choice of CMS will depend on your business’s specific needs. A custom CMS may be more appealing if your business requires scalability and has a larger budget and timeframe. However, a more standard choice may be sufficient if your requirements are less technical and you have a smaller budget and timeframe. It’s important to do your due diligence and consider the factors outlined above to find a solution that’s right for you.
