Choosing the right content management system (CMS) for your website can be challenging. But it’s one of the most important decisions you’ll make if you want to grow your online presence. So once you’ve contacted our SEO agency to discuss your web design, it’s time to join the 64 million websites that use a CMS to make content sharing, creation and publishing a breeze.
So what is a CMS?
A content management system — or CMS — offers a straightforward way to handle your website infrastructure. While CMS platforms can present a steep learning curve, their flexibility via plugins and extensions makes them an ideal choice if you want to scale your website in future.
The advantage of a CMS platform is that you can create, collaborate, manage and store content online. So teams can access a project from anywhere and easily create, edit and manage their own content. There’s no need to learn CSS or HTML to add text and images. And it makes it more straightforward to publish new content without relying on a front-end developer.
The best CMS for your new website
The most popular CMS platforms have a range of features, including security, efficiency and an intuitive interface. These are currently the most popular CMS choices:
- WordPress: Over 30% of all websites worldwide are powered by this open-source platform.
- Drupal: The best choice for security and advanced features.
- Joomla: Offers excellent core functionality, including multilingual support.
- Shopify: One of the best platforms for eCommerce, making short work of creating your online store via a drag-and-drop interface.
- Wix: An excellent choice for beginners looking to create a slick interface fast.
- TYPO3: Open-source CMS with enterprise features for company intranets.
- Webflow: a no-code CMS ideal for web designers.
- HubSpot: The best choice if you’re new to SEO.
How to choose the best CMS for your website
The right CMS for your business will depend on your budget and the needs of your team. These are the essential factors you need to consider when deciding on a CMS platform:
Ease of use
Is your CMS platform intuitive and easy to use and maintain? Is navigation user-friendly, and can you create layouts that are a pleasure to use? For example, if you need to create a website fast, WordPress offers several highly usable templates and themes. These are the features to look out for when choosing the right CMS for your user needs:
Complexity and security
If you only require a straightforward blogging website, stick with an easy-to-use CMS platform like Wix or WordPress. On the other hand, if your business needs a complex and secure site with high levels of customisation and functionality, try Joomla or Drupal.
SEO
Looking for seamless SEO integration? Then it’s best to avoid headless CMS sites. Instead, HubSpot or Wix offer baked-in page optimisation, support and other SEO features that are easy to implement, making your site easy to crawl and index.
Scalability
If you expect to grow your business and increase web traffic, your CMS needs to be highly scalable. Cloud-hosting solutions can be a good fit when you need to manage performance, infrastructure and scalability.
eCommerce
Are you planning to integrate eCommerce features on your website? Look for a CMS that offers the functionality you need. Shopify is a good choice for most online retailers, offering apps and integrations to suit anything from a startup store to big brands.
Create your website with Athlone Printing
At Athlone Printing, we do so much more than print. Book a free hour-long website design and digital consultation, and we’ll help you discover the best CMS for your business. Contact the Athlone Printing team today to find out more.