Introduction

Marketers often find it difficult to choose a CMS tool that would suit the requirements of an enterprise website. It is understandable that the large number of available options makes it quite difficult to find the right CMS platform. This article will certainly help in easing the search process. The below section talks about some of the most popular content management tools and also helps in understanding the features to shortlist the best content management system.

What is the purpose of CMS?

CMS or content management system is essentially an application that allows users to create, edit, publish, and manage digital content of various forms without any coding knowledge.

Differences between a website builder and a CMS tool

Both CMS and website builders are extensively used for making websites. However, there are certain differences in their approach.

• Technicality- Website builders do not require coding and comprise a drag-and-drop interface. On the other hand, CMS uses code for customizing plugins or extending functionalities of the same.
• Time- With a website builder the process of creating websites is relatively faster as it comes with integrated features like SEO and traffic report analysis. Based on the type and functionalities setting up a CMS tool can take some time due to its extensive customization features.
• Scalability- Website builders typically have scalability limitations specifically when it comes to the integration of complex functions of ecommerce platforms like inventory tracking. CMS offers excellent scalability and is also capable of supporting higher traffic volumes and complex feature sets.

How to shortlist CMS tools for a business website?

Websites serve as an essential tool for attracting visitors and promoting businesses in this digital. Hence it is vital to make certain that the content is relevant on these websites is always relevant and up to date. Picking the right CMS tool helps ensure the smooth integration of content and other optimization strategies for promoting a business.

Must-have features in a Content Management System

There is a specific set of features that are essential and fundamental to the functioning of a CMS. It is because these ensure to align with the basic requirements of a website. Besides these functions are essential for faster decision making they are in line with the goals and objectives of a business.

1. Search Engine Optimization Tool

Businesses concerned about addressing the optimization for good visibility of the website on search engines then they must look for CMS platforms that also aid in the creation of site maps, SEO best practices, meta tags, etc.

2. Security Features

It is essential to protect websites against cyber threats and integrate features like SSL, user permission management, periodic security updates, support and more.

3. Customization Features

Brands/Marketers should look for a CMS tool that lets users include custom fields and modify the flow of work accordingly. These features can turn out to be helpful in tailoring website appearance and functionality to match end-user requirements.

4. User-friendly interface

CMS platforms should feature an easily accessible interface with a simple layout and fluid navigational functions.

5. Integration capability

Based on the business requirements the CMS must integrate additional features like analytics reports, email marketing, social media marketing, etc. These integrations help in boosting user engagement and marketing efforts resulting in higher conversion rates.

6. Ease of Access

Ease of access not only refers to the interface but also to the overall functional components and flexibility of the CMS platform. A user-friendly CMS facilitates smooth navigation and development of various forms of content like landing pages, blog posts, multimedia content, and more. Besides, the CMS also enhances the ability to configure content to suit UI designs. It is a critical feature for brands that make use of different content templates and structures.

7. Portability

Regardless of the CMS tool, it must provide smooth migration of website design, content, and function from one platform to another without causing loss of functionality or data. It is a vital factor to consider for ensuring the website content is accessible even when the underlying CMS becomes obsolete. Hence portability is an essential feature to look for at the time of choosing a CMS platform.

8. Customizability and Extensibility

Extensibility refers to the ability of a software platform to grow with the integration of new features and functions. Inclusion of plugins, new modules, and integrations must not impact the core structure and functionality of the software.

Customizability on the other hand is the ability of a software to keep up with evolving software configuration and core settings to align with specific needs and use cases.

Both these features are crucial for the proper functioning of a CMS tool for easy integration of functions based on specific business needs. In CMS platforms extensibility is obtained through the use of plugins, extensions, and modules. Customizability is achieved through modification of the configuration, layout, and underlying code designed to specific needs.

9. Pricing

Pricing has a substantial impact on the selection of a CMS tool. Businesses must take into account both upfront costs and long-term expenses for running and scaling a website. Ongoing expenses involve domain registration charges, hosting charges, and other additional expenses necessary for a website. One can also consider CMS platforms that provide free trial plans or low-cost subscriptions. However, these come with certain limitations that require a person to upgrade to more expensive plans as the user base grows.

10. Support

Support is another crucial factor that comes into play at the time of choosing a CMS platform. It also influences the growth and success of a website in the long term. Hence it is always helpful to take into account the following factors:

A) Response Time

Look how promptly support teams resolve queries to make certain issues are resolved on time.

B) Community Support

Support from community forums helps ask questions and share resolutions without having to wait for official support teams.

11. Themes, plugins, and extensions

Pick CMS platforms that provide access to a comprehensive range of extensions, themes, and plugins. These additional components help in boosting the overall functionality of a website.

12. Tutorials and Documentations

CMS should provide comprehensive support with documentation and tutorials that are helpful for understanding how one can utilize the platform efficiently and troubleshoot issues promptly.

Top CMS tools of 2024 to keep businesses ahead in the competition

The above section gives a detailed insight into CMS tool differences from a website builder and things to look for at the time of selecting a CMS tool.  Following is a list of top CMS platforms to consider in 2024.

1. ManagePlus

ManagePlus is a comprehensive Content Management System featuring a comprehensive set of functions for the smooth creation and distribution of content. It comes with a centralized dashboard that gives the user easy access to every function via an easily navigable interface. Tracking, editing, and publishing content across social media platforms becomes effortless with ManagePlus. The seamless connectivity of this CMS platform facilitates real-time updates and consistent branding across the web.

The integrated collaboration tools of ManagePlus make it stand out as they facilitate seamless project coordination, feedback collection, and task assignment. It ensures every team member is aware of the marketing strategy and brand objectives. Besides, the interactive interface lets users easily monitor reports, keep tabs on performance, and optimize content for boosting customer reach and engagement. ManagePlus is a business-focused CMS tool for crafting impactful content strategies.

2. Grav

It is an open-source CMS platform that provides both speed and simplicity. It is an excellent tool for developers in need of a lightweight tool. Grav eliminates the overhead commonly associated with conventional CMS tools. It allows the user to work around content based on specific project needs through asset management, event plugins, and theme inheritance. The CMS platform has been designed to easily set up and manage the related processes. The simple interface reduces the learning curve for both developers and users with little technical knowledge. However, in comparison to other CMS tools, it gets lesser support in comparison to widely used platforms.

3. ButterCMS

Another developer-friendly CMS tool in this list is ButterCMS which has been designed to take a headless approach. It lets the user create a composable architecture that can easily integrate with different frameworks like Django, Flutter, Angular, etc.

ButterCMS features a global Content API with SDKs allowing seamless integration and content management across different platforms. Also, it comes with a high-performing support system for easy setup and optimization of content platforms. The best part developers get to leverage the support of a wide range of frameworks and languages like Hugo, React, Laravel, etc. One drawback of this CMS tool is that users require to develop the common functionalities from scratch or make use of third party APIs for the same.

4. WordPress

WordPress is a popular opensource CMS platform that is monolithic and comprises a host of plugins and themes. It serves as the perfect tool for creating a varied range of projects and business websites.

WordPress is compatible with an extensive variety of plugins and themes to cater to a wide range of functionality and design requirements. Besides it gets the support of an extensive community of users and comprehensive documentation. The drag-and-drop interface makes it ideal for beginners to create full-fledged websites with modern features.

5. Joomla

Joomla is another popular open source CMS platform that features a model view controller for independent creation CMS applications. It also comes with an Integrated Access Control List (ACL) that offers comprehensive access to various functions like user type to improve the security and privacy features of applications and websites.

Joomla supports advanced security features such as two-factor authentication and gives complete access management rights.The massive community support gives users access to a complete range of tutorials, resources, and third-party extensions.

Conclusion

From the above discussion, it is clear that picking the right kind of CMS  tool is critical for any business looking to boost its online presence. A CMS tool is vital for a business looking to build a prominent online presence. It not only cuts down on the expense of website development and maintenance, facilitates collaboration among team members, third party applications, and more.

Integration of a CMS is the very first step towards growing a business in this digital world. Tools like ManagePlus stand out in the crowd aiding businesses to explore limitless possibilities. It allows marketers to craft bespoke digital experiences to keep up with their constantly changing experiences. The innovative layout and centralized dashboard allow users to create enterprise-level projects ensuring that every business gets to capitalize on the power of advanced web development practices.