The best CMS for you usually depends on the functionality and additional features it offers. You want a platform you can afford, that is easy to use, and will help you build the specific features your website will need.
Pricing
There is a wide range of pricing options available for CMS platforms. You should compare multiple different tool prices, use free trials, and calculate ongoing costs before deciding on one or just going with the CMS with the lowest price.
Some platforms offer free trials, so you can experiment with their interfaces and learn how they work. Some platforms have subscription tiers based on your specific needs or company size. Others have generally higher price tags and are aimed at enterprises only.
Keep in mind, that the sticker price isn’t always the final cost of using a particular CMS. WordPress, for example, is free to begin using, but you will have to pay for themes and plug-ins, which can add up quickly — not to mention ongoing developer costs and time to maintain and update it. You may also need to pay for a web hosting provider if the platform doesn’t provide hosting.
Ease of use and design flexibility
A CMS is designed to make it easier to build for the web, but some platforms are still complex and have a learning curve. The platforms that are more challenging will often also give you more control over your design and more ability to add complex functionality.
You want a tool that is easy enough to use, so your website design process is still collaborative with clients, marketers, and other team members. However, you need to balance that with design control and the ability to build more complex designs for your clients or your business. Read reviews and developer message boards, look at examples of designs made on a specific platform, and take advantage of free trials to assess the right CMS for your needs.
Some CMS platforms, like Squarespace and Wix, are user-friendly and easy to learn but limit how much control you have over your design. Other platforms’ workflows have a steeper learning curve but offer fairly unlimited customization. Tools like Webflow even have features that make it easier to build complex functionality like animations and interactions.
Security
The security of your sensitive information and protection from malicious attacks is essential for any professional website. Security features are especially crucial if you have an online store or host customers’ private information on your site.
Look at what security features a CMS offers. Features like two-factor authentication, single sign-on capability, SSL certificates, and SOC 2 certification will all help keep your website more secure. Plug-ins can introduce security risks, so be cautious with a CMS that relies too heavily on them.
Integrations
Integrations can help you automate workflows, enhance your eCommerce capabilities, and connect your CMS to your CRM to help you manage customers.
Integrating additional SaaS solutions can help you add memberships and logins, payment processing capabilities, and analytics tools.
Search engine optimization (SEO)
Your CMS can also impact your ability to optimize your site for search and help your audience find your website.
You want a CMS with SEO controls that allow you to customize on-page SEO like Alt-text, meta descriptions, URL slugs, and page titles. Some CMS platforms do this natively, while others offer plug-ins for SEO.
A CMS is where content meets design
Let’s face it, content is one of those vague internet terms that means everything and nothing all at once. The term content management system doesn’t come close to describing the power and scope of what a CMS can do for your workflow and the websites you build with it.
You want to use a CMS that is fast, secure, and organized. You also want a scalable CMS that expands your creative possibilities and empowers you to design the websites you imagine. So remember: when choosing a CMS, think of it as a tool that helps your creative design come to life while the technical pieces are taken care of in the background.