What is a CMS and what is it for?

by Moises Hamui February 22, 2024

A CMS (Content Management System) is a software that allows you to create and manage a website without any 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 code to create and update your website.
Flexibility: CMSs allow 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 updated and use strong passwords.
Scalability: CMSs are scalable, meaning you can increase their capacity as your website grows.
Community: CMSs have 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 can mean an additional cost for 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 are dependent on the company or community that develops it. If the CMS is no longer supported, it can be difficult to migrate your website to another platform.
Speed : CMS can be slower than static websites.
Updates : It is important to keep your CMS up to date to avoid security and compatibility issues. This can take time and effort.

What are the best CMS?

There is no single “best” CMS, as the best choice will depend on your specific needs. However, some of the most popular and widely used CMSs are:

WordPress

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

HubSpot

It is a premium CMS that offers a wider range of functionalities 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 functionalities, similar to WordPress.
It is less popular than WordPress, but it is a good choice for technically savvy users.
It is free and open source.
It offers a wide range of features 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 choice 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 features 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 needing 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 features.
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 kind of website do you want to create?
What features do you need?
What is your budget?
Do you have technical knowledge?

2. Investigate 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 user and expert reviews.

3. Test the CMS that interest you

Many CMS offer free or trial plans.
Test the CMSs that interest you to see which one you like best and which one 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.
Research the type of support the CMS offers: is it free, paid, 24/7?

5. Keep safety in mind

Choose a CMS that has good security and allows you to backup your website.
Keep your CMS up to date 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 empowering digital businesses in more than 7 countries and generating more than 1,500 million pesos.