CMS or Content Management System is software for building and managing digital content on. Commonly that content is in the form of a website, so are synonymous with being called website builders. There’s a variety of CMS platforms to choose from – Most of them help manage similar content, but many are specific to the type of content being created. For example, WordPress on its own(without an eCommerce plugin), as a CMS would not be ideal for building an eCommerce store upon, whereas Shopify is a CMS specifically for creating eCommerce websites.
Common features of a CMS
- Content Creation – A CMS often is easier to work with as its visual interface can make managing your content simple.
- Plug-Ins – A good CMS allows third-party applications to integrate with your website and add more functionality to the CMS.
- Content Storage – Content can be stored online as published pieces on the internet or stored safely as drafts.
- Domain Installation – CMS systems can be installed onto your domain name, making it easier for you to access and publish content to a website. You should be able to do this from your domain providers Cpanel.
WordPress
Around 33% of websites are built on the WordPress platform. It’s by far the most popular content management system and for a good reason. WordPress is open-source software, and so it’s easy for third parties to contribute to the software and create integrations for just about any application. This level of compatibility, coupled with the WordPress interface, makes managing content easy and efficient.
Being such a large community of users, issues regarding the software are swiftly resolved. SEO is much better managed in WordPress, with the ability to change all the website’s content.
Why Should I Choose A CMS At All?
If you want to host and update a website, going without a CMS might not be an option, To build a website without a CMS, you’d have to dive into lots of programming language and manage your content in code, which would not be easy. It’s easy for a non-techie to add and collaborate on content. The drag-and-drop builders that come with them make adding content blocks effortless. Being held on the internet, users can add content to the website from anywhere.
Common CMS Platforms
- WordPress
- Drupal
- Wix
- Squarespace
- Joomla
- Magento
- ModX
- Shopify
What To Look For In A CMS
It can be difficult to identify what you’d want from a Content Management System. To start with, you need to know what your business wants to achieve online. One thing is certain; if you’re not sure, then WordPress is the best option. With its various plugins for better managing your content – Whether that be Woocommerce to build an eCommerce store or Yoast to improve your visibility on search engines. WordPress is scalable for small business websites right through to internationally known brand websites. The ease of use is too good not to take advantage of. Most domain providers make WordPress installable from their Cpanel.
What’s your budget?
Depending on the budget and resources you have, it’s worth weighing up which CMS would be more costly to your needs, and if the benefits are worth the value. Could the work be outsourced to an agency?
How easy is it to use?
If you’re a team of non-techies that wants to give adding content a crack then choosing an easy to understand CMS is crucial.
Is it SEO-friendly?
If you plan on using SEO to bolster your organic rankings on search engines, then take into consideration what SEO features can be optimised within the CMS. WordPress is the leading SEO-friendly option.
Does it fit with its purpose?
There’s different CMS’ for selling products online, blogging, and other types of websites. Consider what purpose you want the site to perform. WordPress has integrations for just about any purpose, so it should be a contender for you.
Can you get technical support if needed?
Things can go wrong, and there’s a lot of moving parts in business; just like there’s a lot of moving parts on a website from your hosting right down to plugins you use. One day there’s the chance that your website will have an issue. If this happened, do you know a reliable team of experts that can fix your issue in a timely manner?
Does it need to integrate with existing tools the company uses?
Maybe you run an eCommerce store and physical store that need to manage inventory together. Alternatively, perhaps you have chosen a payment provider that you want to use across the board. Integrations offer added functionality to a CMS. The largest app & integrations compatible CMS? WordPress.
Is CMS the same as Content Delivery Application?
No, they’re not the same thing. CDA and CDNs distribute content using server networks. These distribution networks store copies of your content and help users across the world access your content when requested, much quicker.
