Which CMS Should You Choose to Create Your Website?

The growing number of websites has led to a wide range of tools for creating and managing them. CMS platforms are among these tools. Today, the challenge lies not in creating a website, but rather in choosing the best CMS to do so. You want to create a website. 

You are wondering which CMS to choose for this project. You have come to the right place. This article provides the information you need to make your choice. 

What Is a CMS?

Before going any further, it is worth clarifying that CMS is simply short for “Content Management System.” 

It is a system designed to simplify website creation and the various updates involved in managing a site. It even enables people with little or no IT knowledge to build a website. It includes an editing system and an administration interface that are simple enough for anyone to use. There are many CMS platforms, but they do not all serve the same purpose. 

Some are designed to create showcase websites. These include CMS platforms such as WordPress, Drupal, and others. There are also CMS platforms designed to create blogs. In addition, some CMS platforms are intended for creating e-commerce websites. This category includes Magento, Shopify, and PrestaShop. Other CMS platforms have specific features, such as HubSpot CMS, which includes a CRM. 

However, as technology evolves, CMS platforms increasingly offer a much broader range of functions than they were originally designed to provide.  

Why Use a CMS to Create Your Website?

Besides using a CMS, you have several other options for creating your website. For example, you could choose a custom solution, which has its own advantages. A custom-built website gives you certain benefits that a CMS cannot. With this option, you can make your website do exactly what you want. However, although a custom solution has advantages, it remains a costly and less straightforward option. It also takes longer to implement. 

By comparison, a CMS is a highly accessible option. Over time, a CMS can evolve without the costs associated with that evolution becoming particularly significant. In addition to its many benefits related to ease of use, a CMS allows you to develop your website with ease.  

How Do You Choose a CMS for Your Website? 

There are many CMS platforms available. This variety does not make choosing one easy. It is essential to consider certain factors when determining which CMS best suits your needs. Your choice should be based on:

• Your website’s objectives

You cannot choose a CMS without knowing the purpose of your website. You will therefore need to determine whether it will be a showcase site, whether it will be used for online purchases or sales, or whether the objective is to grow your customer base, and so on. 

• Your functional requirements

This is a particularly important step. Not all CMS platforms offer every possible feature. You will therefore need to choose one that genuinely meets your specific needs.

• Your human and financial resources 

Budget planning is essential for setting up any project. Choosing a CMS is no exception. You need to determine how much you plan to allocate to your website. This budget should reflect your financial resources, requirements, and so on. It should cover not only the website’s development, but also its lifespan. 

Human resources should not be overlooked. Your planning should take into account whether, for example, you have a designer or someone in-house who can manage your website. 

• Whether you have requirements that are incompatible with a CMS

Certain requirements related to your organization may prevent you from choosing a CMS. 

• Gathering different opinions

It is important to consult various professionals to get their views on the matter. You can contact companies that create websites or provide CMS solutions to obtain a professional perspective on your situation. 

Some CMS Platforms for Your Website

There are many CMS platforms, each with its own specific features. 

WordPress

According to some surveys, WordPress is currently the most widely used CMS in the world. It powers more than 63 % of websites. Nearly 37 % of websites use it in their creation. Although it was originally intended solely for creating blogs, it is now one of the leading platforms for creating websites. It has both strengths and weaknesses. 

• Advantages

Its simplicity is one of its main advantages. There is also the wide range of available plugins. It also benefits from a vast network of users and developers. Finally, it is an open-source CMS. 

• Weaknesses 

Being the most widely used CMS does not make it flawless. WordPress relies on third-party extensions. This operating model does not necessarily guarantee reliability or long-term maintainability. 

Because of its popularity, it is frequently targeted by hackers. 

Joomla

A few years ago, Joomla was considered one of the best CMS platforms. However, WordPress overtook it because of its complexity and difficulty of use. 

Its free pricing and large community remain its main strengths. As for its weaknesses, its lack of accessibility for beginners and its difficulty of use are the most frequently mentioned.