A content management system or CMS is software used to create, manage and modify content on a website without requiring technical knowledge. With a content management system, the user can build a website even if they do not know how to code.
There are several content management systems used in web application development and WordPress is one of them. However, there are a few factors to consider when picking a CMS. The CMS should match the requirements and budget of the business, offer as many features and customizations, and it should be easy to use.
A level of flexibility is also preferred as your business needs and requirements are likely to change in the future. You should also consider your level of expertise and technical knowledge and if they are sufficient when using a particular content management system.
Keeping these in mind, you should compare the top content management systems to ensure you make the right choice.
WordPress is among the most popular content management systems and a software development company would recommend it for its many features and advantages. WordPress is easy to use, with installation taking only a few minutes.
WordPress features are also easy to use and there are several plugins, themes, and widgets that users can access, most available for free. This makes it easy to customise a website.
Search engine optimization (SEO) is made easy on WordPress with plugins to optimize content and analyze keyword focus and this is another reason why many prefer it as a content management system.
WordPress users also make up a large support community, with tutorials, guides, and knowledge development. Troubleshooting support is also great on WordPress support forums and users who come across any difficulties when using WordPress can easily access the support they need.
While these key features make WordPress a popular CMS, it has its shortcomings which cannot be ignored. Security is one of the biggest concerns and WordPress script is not well protected, especially when compared to other content management systems. Plugins with vulnerabilities as well as those that have not been updated to the latest version can be hacked easily.
In addition to this, while there are many plugins available on WordPress, they tend to negatively impact the efficiency and speed of the website as they increase the website’s size and memory use. It can also take a lot of time and effort to choose from several plugins that offer the same functionality.
Free WordPress themes and templates tend to look the same and modifications are required if you want to give your website a unique look, but WordPress modifications tend to require knowledge of PHP and CSS.
WordPress remains one of the most popular content management systems but it is not without its competition. Joomla and Drupal are two other systems that software developers recommend. So how do they compare to WordPress?
In terms of cost, WordPress, Drupal, and Joomla are free but there are domain name and web hosting costs. The actual amount you pay on any of these platforms depends on the plugins and features you want access to.
However, there are certain factors to consider here. Drupal, for instance, is built to be SEO-friendly whereas WordPress requires the use of plugins for SEO.
WordPress, however, is easier to use, especially when customizing a website. Drupal and Joomla are more developer-centered and the user will typically require PHP and HTML knowledge when using the content management systems.
Joomla and Drupal may not have as many or as refined plugins and widgets as WordPress.
Another factor to consider is design. When building a website, you would want it to look unique and stand out among the rest. WordPress has several free and paid templates and themes and Joomla and Drupal have less compared to WordPress.
However, all three systems have templates that can be used to create unique designs and layouts, with some preferring the minimalistic interface offered by Drupal.
There are thus several differences and similarities between WordPress, Drupal, Joomla as well as other content management systems like Squarespace and Wix. The choice between these platforms must be made based on your requirements and technical knowledge.