For a long time,building and managing a website was a very tech-heavy project, something that only those with continuous access to an expert technical team would dare undertake. That was before content management systems burst into the scene. With CMS, we suddenly had a disruptive new form of technology, offering a dynamic, flexible and easy-to-use web development alternative.
The internet revolutionized how people find information, communicate with each other and make purchases. And then a few years ago, content management systems revolutionized the internet.
Today admins with little technical expertise are managing and updating large websites with multi-level functionalities. We have highly scalable, yet agile, content management solutions that deliver exceptional online experiences and allow multi-level collaborative content creation.
Their growth and acceptance have been so extraordinary that more than 60% of all websites today run on some form of content management system. There are hundreds of CMS options available in the market right now. These can be used to build everything from simple blogs to expansive enterprise-level ecosystems. Each CMS platform has own strengths and weaknesses, and is ideal for certain application types.
Let’s compare four of the most popular content management systems in the world to figure out the best one for you:
1. WordPress
Though it began as a simple blogging platform, WordPress has grown to become the most widely used CMS solution in the world. Today, nearly 40% of all CMS-based websites run on WordPress. These include heavyweights like Bloomberg, Forbes, Conde Nast, and the Walt Disney Company. This easy-to-use platform is supported by an ever-expanding list of plugins and themes that promise exceptional expandability and optimisation. Want to get ahead of the competition with a personalised WordPress website? Get in touch with us today.
- Ease of Use
One of the easiest to use platforms, with a simple yet feature-filled user interface. - Pricing
4 different plans to choose from - Hosting Requirements
o PHP version 7+
o MySQL version 5.6+ or MariaDB version 10.0+
o HTTPS support - Maintenance
Stability decreases as more plugins and extensions are added. So, access to a technical team would be helpful. - Expertise Required
Very little technical expertise required for core set up. - Key Differentiators
o Large user community
o SEO-friendly
o Extensive selection of plugins and themes
o Simple user interface
o Expandable and scalable
2. Joomla
A highly versatile open-source CMS platform that packs tons of features and functionalities, Joomla offers the perfect balance between ease-of-use and complex development capabilities. It boasts of a very passionate and active community of users. The platform is used by some of the biggest global brands and government agencies in the world. To learn about the many ways that a personalised Joomla website can help you build your brand, talk to us today.
- Ease-of-Use
Easy to understand and install, yet not as easy to use as WordPress - Pricing
Core features are available free of cost. But extensions and templates are chargeable. - Hosting Requirements
o Apache 2.4+ (with mod_mysql, mod_xml, and mod_zlib)
o Nginx 1.8+
o Microsoft IIS 7+ - Maintenance
Relatively stable and secure. - Expertise Required
Mid-level technical expertise required. Designed for both beginner and advanced users. - Key Differentiators
o Open source
o Simple installation and configuration
o Strong support for social networking platforms
o Can be used by both beginners and advanced users
o Community-supported development
o 7,400+ plugins and extensions
3. Sitecore
Sitecore is an enterprise-level content management system built on .NET. The CMS was built with a focus on marketers and provides an extensive suite of digital marketing features. Sitecore is used by leading global brands like Nestlé, American Express, Canon, Toshiba and more. The CMS is supported by powerful APIs, a strong developer framework and extensive databases to deliver customizable and extensive enterprise-class solutions. Discover how a sitecore website can turbocharge your business. Get in touch with us.
- Ease-of-Use
Easy to use, with a customizable desktop interface. - Pricing
Perpetual or subscription licenses can be purchased starting from $8,000. Pricing depends on the number of installations, users and add-on modules. - Maintenance
Relatively stable and secure. But regular update and maintenance required. - Expertise Required
Expertise in digital analytics and marketing needed to effectively use the feature-filled back-end. - Hosting Requirements
o Microsoft IIS 7.0+
o .NET Framework 4.5
o Windows Server 2008 (32/64-bit) SP2+
o Visual Studio 2012
o MS SQL Server 2008 R2 SP1 - Key Differentiators
o Gathers insightful user data
o Come integrated with social media and SEO tools
o Fast and flexible. Powerful and extendable.
o Incredible personalization and customization
o Extensive e-commerce support
4. Drupal
Drupal is one of the most powerful content managements solutions in the market today. An open source platform, it is also one of the most stable and secure options available. The platform is highly versatile and offers remarkable customization. Its open source infrastructure does require a degree of technical expertise, but it also allows unparalleled scalability, personalization and reliability. In fact, effectively implemented, it can deliver better user experience and easier client-side management than most other platforms. Build the most optimised Drupal-based digital presence for your business needs. Get in touch.
- Ease-of-Use
A bit more complicated than other CMS platforms. - Pricing
Open source and free to use. But extensions and modules are chargeable. - Maintenance
Stable and secure. So once developed, very little maintenance required. - Expertise Required
A degree of technical expertise required. - Hosting Requirements
o Microsoft IIS 7.0+
o .NET Framework 4.5+
o Windows Server 2008 (32/64-bit) SP2+
o Visual Studio 2012
o MS SQL Server 2008 R2 SP1 - Key Differentiators
o Highly secure platform
o Highly customizable – at all depths and levels
o Requires fewer system resources
o Fast and agile. Flexible yet robust.
o Vast and supportive developer community
As we can see, every CMS platform has its unique strengths and will perform exceptionally well for certain specific application types. So, in addition to the points above, make sure that you take into account your end goals for the website you are building, its required functional capabilities, and your overall budget and resources.
At GMI, we have been at the forefront of the global digital revolution for the past 16 years. Our expert web design and development teams are passionate about exploiting the remarkable capabilities of modern CMS platforms to serve our clients’ unique business needs. If you are a business leader, an entrepreneur or an enthusiast looking to build or improve your digital real estate, we can not only help you choose the best CMS platform for your requirements, but also help develop a robust, interactive, attractive and business-oriented website to achieve your goals. So, get in touch with us today.
GMI’s Research Team is a panel of knowledgeable experts from various fields such as digital marketing, social media, and web development, all united by a common goal—to educate. We enjoy exploring everything from the latest industry trends and emerging technologies to people and demographics, both in the UAE and beyond. Through our blog posts, we share valuable insights that help businesses and marketers stay informed and prepared for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
