What is a CMS and what is it for?

by Moises Hamui February 22, 2024

A CMS (Content Management System) is software that allows you to create and manage a website without the need for technical knowledge.

It is responsible for storing, organizing and displaying the content of your website, making it easier for you to update and maintain it.

What are the advantages of using a CMS?

Ease of use: CMSs are easy to use, even for non-technical users. You don't need to know how to program to create and update your website.
Flexibility: CMS allows you to create a wide variety of websites, from personal blogs to online stores.
Customization: You can customize your website with a wide variety of plugins and themes.
Features: CMSs offer a wide range of features, such as blogs , forums, image galleries, user management, and much more.
Security: CMSs are generally secure, but it is important to keep them up to date and use strong passwords.
Scalability: CMSs are scalable, meaning you can increase their capacity as your website grows.
Community: CMS has a large community of users and developers who can help you solve problems and find solutions.
Support: Many CMS offer free or paid technical support.

What are the disadvantages of using a CMS?

Cost : Some CMS are paid, which may add additional cost to your website.
Security : If not kept up to date, CMS can be vulnerable to security attacks.
Complexity : Some CMS can be complex to use for non-technical users.
Customization : Although CMSs offer many customization options, it can be difficult to achieve a completely unique design.
Dependency : When using a CMS, you depend on the company or community that develops it. If the CMS becomes unsupported, it may be difficult to migrate your website to another platform.
Speed : CMSs can be slower than static websites.
Updates : It is important to keep your CMS updated to avoid security and compatibility issues. This may take time and effort.

What are the best CMS?

There is no single "best" CMS, as the best option will depend on your specific needs. However, some of the most popular and used CMS are:

WordPress

It is the most popular CMS in the world, with more than 40% market share.
It's free and open source, meaning you can customize and extend it with plugins and themes.
It is easy to use, even for beginners.
It offers a wide range of functionalities, including blogs, online stores, image galleries and much more.

HubSpot

It is a premium CMS that offers a broader range of functionality than WordPress, including marketing automation, contact management, CRM, and data analysis.
It is a good option for companies looking for a comprehensive solution for their website.
It's easy to use, but has a steeper learning curve than WordPress.
It is paid, with plans starting at $45/month.

Joomla

It is an open source CMS that offers a wide range of functionality, similar to WordPress.
It is less popular than WordPress, but it is a good option for technically savvy users.
It is free and open source.
It offers a wide range of functionality, including blogs, forums, image galleries and much more.

Drupal

It is an open source CMS that is characterized by its security and scalability.
It is a good option for large and complex websites.
It is more difficult to use than WordPress or Joomla.
It is free and open source.
It offers a wide range of functionality, including blogs, forums, image galleries and much more.

PrestaShop

It is an open source CMS designed specifically for online stores.
It is a good option for users who want to create an online store without requiring technical knowledge.
It is free and open source.
It offers a wide range of functionalities for online stores, such as product management, payments, shipping and marketing.

Magento

It is an open source CMS for online stores that is more complex than PrestaShop.
It is a good option for companies that need an online store with advanced functionalities.
It is free and open source.
It offers a wide range of functionalities for online stores, such as product management, payments, shipping, marketing and data analysis.

How to choose the right CMS for my website?

1. Define your needs

What type of website do you want to create?
What features do you need?
What is your budget?
Do you have technical knowledge?

2. Research the available options

There are a wide variety of CMS on the market, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
Research the features of each CMS and compare prices.
Read opinions from users and experts.

3. Try the CMS that interests you

Many CMS offer free or trial plans.
Try out the CMS you're interested in to see which one you like best and best suits your needs.

4. Consider support and community

Choose a CMS that has a good community of users and developers who can help you solve problems.
Investigate the type of support the CMS offers: is it free, paid, 24/7?

5. Keep security in mind

Choose a CMS that has good security and allows you to make backup copies of your website.
Keep your CMS updated with the latest versions and security patches.

Written by Moises Hamui Abadi : I am an entrepreneur, founding partner of Viceversa and SoyMacho. After leading several digital businesses and advising several other businesses; I decided to form MHA Consulting, a digital marketing consultancy dedicated to growing and enhancing digital businesses in more than 7 countries and generating more than 1,500 million pesos.