What is a Content Management System?
A content management system (CMS) is a software application used to manage web content for a website (or multiple sites). Content management systems allow for multiple contributors to create, edit, and publish content on one or more company sites.
This creates a seamless website management process and promotes collaboration, and makes posting and editing content easy. Content stored in a content management system is usually stored in a database and presented in a presentation layer based on a set of templates.
In addition to this, the average content management system comes with a number of basic features, including content creation and storage, publishing, and workflow management.
Content Creation
On most content management systems, users can create and format content easily from a single platform.
Content Storage
Content management systems easily store content in one place, allowing for all content to be saved and subsequently accessed in a secure location.
Publishing
Content management systems allow users to organize and publish content easily and instantly.
Workflow Management
Content management systems allow admins to assign privileges and responsibilities amongst team members based on their roles such as authors, editors, and more.
What are the Benefits of a Content Management System?
Operating with a quality content management system comes with a number of advantages. Content management systems make it easy for multiple users to collaborate on an interface to create, edit, schedule, and publish content.
CMS’s are usually browser-based, meaning it can be accessed from anywhere by any number of users at a time.
The typical content management system allows non-technical people who may not understand programming or coding to create, edit, manage, and publish content easily. When relying on a content management system, companies are able to cut off reliance on front-end engineers and web designers to make changes to their website.
Minimizing the overhead of hiring a designer and developer can help companies save money while maintaining a quality website. However, it is recommended to hire these specialists to maintain and update the website when needed.
What are the Top Content Management Systems?
Some of the most popular CMS platforms for SEO include WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal.
WordPress
WordPress powers nearly 27% of all websites and dominates 76% of the content management system market share. It is safe to say that WordPress dominates the CMS industry because it is one of the most trustworthy platforms for business.
WordPress has a high number of plugins that are valuable for website management as well. This makes organizing content, optimizing your website for SEO, and more at the click of a button.
Drupal
Many of the US government’s websites have migrated to Drupal’s platform, indicating that it is a safe alternative for content management systems. From a developer’s standpoint, it gives users a lot of freedom to edit HTML and CSS to customize their website.
From an SEO standpoint, Drupal can integrate with valuable applications such as Zendesk and Salesforce. This can be helpful when generating leads and moving them into the sales process.
Joomla
Joomla is an open-source content management system that is easy to use. It contains thousands of templates, similar to that of WordPress.
Although its CMS development can be migrated to any server (Apache, Nginx, etc.), it requires certain plugins where customization is limited.
What are the Top Content Management Systems?
Depending on what you want to gain from your content management system, any of these options are viable for an efficiently run website. However, from an SEO standpoint, WordPress generates the most value for the price that you pay.
Why Should Your Business Use a Content Management System?
Content management systems offer a level of organization and unification that is especially valuable across all business sizes. Having an easily accessible system for content creation, editing, scheduling, and publishing is crucial for a seamless working machine. Ultimately, you want a CMS that streamlines your online business.
As mentioned, there are a lot of options when it comes to content management systems, so it can be overwhelming to know which one is right for your business. With this in mind, there are certain qualities you should look for in a content management system.
What to Look for in a Content Management System
Before you settle on a content management system, there are a few questions that need to be addressed. First and foremost, you should begin by evaluating your company’s information management practices. This allows you to see how your business goals and management practices line up with respect to publishing relevant content.
It is necessary to identify all the business problems that have been encountered, what steps have been taken to solve them, and any requirements the business may have. This should help guide the decision-making process. The right content management system should support your business requirements, help you solve business problems, and organize your business goals.
Keep in mind that content management systems come in all shapes and sizes and each with their own set of features and benefits. Some are better for smaller e-commerce sites while others are perfect for enterprise B2B businesses.
Some may have the pricing and accounting features, and the functionality needed to run a working e-commerce store, while others are more suited to publishing content. To help you figure out which CMS is best for you, keep the following factors in mind:
- Your budget
- The business operation you need your CMS to support
- How easy (or difficult) it is to create and edit content
- What technologies you need your CMS to integrate with and support
- Whether or not the platform is SEO friendly
- How many users there will be
The right content management system can grow your online business efficiently, but these are all necessary steps you must take in determining the right fit.
I Found the Right Content Management System - What’s Next?
Migrating your website to a new content management system can be tough; however, working with the right SaaS SEO agency can help you ensure that the pre and post-migration process runs smoothly.
Directive makes sure that you do not lose traffic during this transition process. Are you afraid of losing traffic? You deserve better! Get a free proposal to learn more about the best CMS to migrate to and how Directive can help that process run smoothly today!
