CMS Platform Selection
Choosing the best Content Management System (CMS) platform for your business is vital and one of the most important decisions you’ll make when setting up your website. With numerous CMS platforms available in the market, it’s crucial to consider several factors to ensure you select the one that aligns with your company’s and website’s needs.
We’ve grouped a number of important points to consider to help you choose the best CMS.
WHAT IS A CMS?
A CMS is an application or set of related programmes that are used to create and manage your content that is published via your website.
Some of the most well known CMS platforms include:
- WordPress
- Magento
- Sitecore
- Wix
- Joomla
- Umbraco
- Drupal
Each CMS platform offers different features and benefits, which is why it’s important to make sure you choose one that matches your company’s and your website’s needs.
WHO NEEDS WHAT FROM YOUR CMS?
Your content management system business requirements will be determined by various stakeholders, such as IT, marketing and sales, and of course, all of their wants and needs will be different. For example, your IT team will be interested in integration and security, whereas your sales team may be more interested in user-friendliness.
Weighing up the pros and cons for each department and coming up with the CMS that’s the best fit will be time well spent in the long run.
Expert Insight
“A well-chosen CMS platform is the cornerstone of an effective online presence. At Codeminers, we help you navigate the complexities of CMS selection, ensuring you choose a solution that aligns with your business needs and growth objectives. Our expertise spans various platforms, enabling us to recommend and implement the best fit for your project, fostering improved user experience, scalability, and seamless integration.”
Simon Proctor, Founder of Codeminers
WHAT KIND OF CMS SOLUTIONS WOULD YOU PREFER?
One of the most key, and usually first decisions you’ll make when choosing a CMS, platform will be how you’d prefer to have the system hosted. Often choosing between SaaS, Hosted or On-Premise solutions.
On-premise solution
The software is installed locally, usually on one of your servers to be managed within your company. The provider is responsible for keeping it working and updated, whilst you are responsible for everything else. Good examples of an On-Premise solution are WordPress or Drupal.
Hosted solution
The CMS software is hosted externally and tends to be used by those who prefer simplicity. As well as having the hosting included in the pricing, a hosted CMS allows for designing and developing websites quickly and easily, as well as offering a range of pre-designed templates. Good examples of a SaaS solution are Shopify or Squarespace.
SAAS solution
The CMS software exists in a hosted or ‘cloud’ environment. A SaaS CMS platform is flexible and scalable, allowing the software to keep up with the pace of a changing or growing business. Good examples of a SaaS solution are Concrete5 or TourCMS.
WHEN WOULD YOU NEED A MORE SOPHISTICATED SYSTEM?
For some larger and more detailed website builds, sometimes a more sophisticated CMS platform such as Umbraco and Sitecore will be needed so that it can grow with your business.
Systems such as these are known to put the content at the heart of your website so that the rest of the website can be adapted around it, helping to enhance your content marketing strategy, whilst offering many options for website personalisation to ensure that your user experience can provide the best journey possible for your visitors.
We’re experts in Sitecore and Umbraco so if we think you would benefit from a more sophisticated site, we can advise on the best CMS based on your requirements. In the meantime read our post Sitecore vs Umbraco to find which fits your business better.
THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A CMS PLATFORM
The significance of choosing the right CMS platform for your business cannot be overstated. In the digital era where websites are fundamental to business operations, a well-chosen CMS is essential to your online success. It not only helps you create, manage and maintain your website content but also impacts user experience, Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), security, and more. In essence, a CMS platform is the core foundation that underpins your online presence.
BENEFITS OF CHOOSING THE RIGHT CMS
User-friendly interface
A good CMS makes the task of managing a website simple and efficient, even for non-technical users. With an intuitive and user-friendly interface, the right CMS allows your team to update content, add new pages, or integrate new features with ease, thereby reducing dependency on your IT team.
Improved collaboration
The right CMS platform enables multiple users to work on the website concurrently, enhancing productivity and fostering better teamwork. Role-based permissions allow administrators, editors, authors, and other team members to contribute effectively while maintaining control and accountability.
SEO-enabled
A good CMS platform is designed with SEO in mind, offering features such as SEO-friendly URLs, meta tags, custom page titles, and more. These features enhance your website’s visibility on search engines, leading to increased traffic and higher conversion rates.
Scalability
As your business evolves, your website should be capable of growing with it. The best CMS allows for scalability, enabling you to add new features, functionalities, and content as your business expands, without compromising performance or user experience.
Multimedia support
The right CMS supports a range of media types, from text and images to videos and interactive elements, helping you create engaging, rich content that resonates with your audience.
Mobile responsiveness
It’s crucial that your website looks good and functions smoothly on all devices. A suitable CMS platform will support responsive design, ensuring a consistent user experience across various devices.
Security
Online security is paramount. A well-chosen CMS will offer robust security measures to protect your website from cyber threats, ensuring the safety of your company’s and users’ data.
Integration capabilities
The right CMS will seamlessly integrate with other essential tools such as CRMs, marketing automation platforms, social media tools, and more, thereby enhancing your overall business efficiency and effectiveness.
Website personalisation
With the right CMS, you can customise the look and feel of your website to align with your brand image, offering unique and personalised experiences for your audience.
Cost-effectiveness
By reducing the time and resources required to manage and update your website, the right CMS can lead to significant cost savings over time.
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR
Look at all the available features
As mentioned before, the features you’ll need in your desired CMS platform will be dependent on the teams that will use it. Always look at the features that come included as part of the package, as well as looking at what can be added to the system in the future, to ensure you have everything you need in your new website.
Compare the pricing
Each CMS solution will come with a different cost and pricing structure. And the more complex your requirement, the higher the cost will be. Some systems may be based on installation and maintenance where you’ll only pay once, whilst others offer CMS systems as part of an ongoing service, which makes the initial price lower compared to others, however, you’re then committed to paying a regular fee.
Get feedback and references
A CMS provider should be happy to provide you with references of companies enjoying their system. Talking to a handful of happy clients will tell you what the provider is like to work with, how the system performs day to day and if it’ll be the right fit for you and your new website.
Lastly, and most importantly…
Choose the right partner
Depending on the CMS platform that you choose, selecting the right website development partner to help you build, utilise and integrate it into your internal systems and process is key to ensure that the solution works effectively for you and provides the user experience that you desire for your visitors.
REMEMBER
The decision to choose a CMS platform should not be taken lightly. Take the time to consider your website’s purpose, your target audience, and the capabilities of your internal team. Do they have the skills and knowledge to manage the CMS platform you choose, or will they need additional training? Is the platform flexible and scalable enough to accommodate future growth or changes in your business model? It’s essential to think about these factors to avoid potentially costly and time-consuming issues down the line.
Similarly, consider the support offered by the CMS provider. Can they provide prompt and reliable assistance when you need it? Or will you be left to figure things out on your own? Customer service and support can make a significant difference, especially if you’re new to managing a website or if you encounter technical difficulties.
Also, consider the CMS platform’s SEO capabilities. The ability to optimise your website for search engines can have a significant impact on your visibility and, consequently, your traffic and conversion rates.
Lastly, remember to evaluate the platform’s security measures. Ensuring the security of your website and your users’ data should be a top priority, so you’ll want to choose a CMS platform that offers robust security features and protocols.
By keeping these additional considerations in mind, you’ll be better equipped to choose a CMS platform that not only meets your current needs but can also support your business as it grows and evolves.
HOW CODEMINERS CAN HELP
At Codeminers, we’re expertly trained in multiple CMS platforms and we specialise in Sitecore website development. So if you require some help with your CMS selection, then we can help with your decision. If you’d like to explore your CMS options, then get in touch with us for a chat!
