Introduction
A Content Management System, or a CMS, is a software application that is used for creating and editing data (text, photo, audio, video or codes) in a Digital Environment. CMS Services are generally used where multiple users work collectively. This collaboration is facilitated by integrating the document management, records retention functionalities, and providing end users with role-based access to the organization’s digital assets.
Most popular CMS Services are web based. These web based CMS Services provide the management of the content of the web pages. They generally have two components – Content Management Application (CMA) and Content Delivery Application (CDA). Using the CMA, a user with a limited expertise can add and edit content on the website without any intervention from the Web Master. CDA, on the other hand, compiles that information and updates the website.
Here is a list of Top 5 most widely used CMS Platforms Providers:
1. WordPress
WordPress is the world’s most widely used CMS. It has been modernized lately and has got thousands of plugins. A recent survey suggests that WordPress has a market share of 58.5%. This data alone is enough to know its current influence over the web market.
Advantages of WordPress CMS :
- Easy! Yes, very easy. It doesn’t require knowledge of PHP or HTML. It can be easily installed because of preinstalled plugins and template functions. You just need to choose a plugin and click on install. Job done!
- Plugins – The script has over thousands of plugins on its website and a majority of them are available for free.
- Community – It has a large community which makes it a perfect platform to interact with a large number of community members. That is a prerequisite to have a useful support.
- Template – On the script’s homepage, thousands of graphics templates are available, that can change your website’s appearance greatly. Both free and paid templates are available, but the paid ones are often more advanced and enticing.
- Menu Management – WordPress menu management has extended functionalities, that can be modified to include categories, pages and much more.
Disadvantages of WordPress CMS:
PHP Knowledge is a prerequisite for operations like the removal of a data field.
Plugins and Efficiency – Plenty of plugins needs to be installed in order to compete with Joomla and Drupal, and this influences the script’s efficiency in a negative way.
SQL Queries – SQL Queries can be complex as all additional non-standard fields that make WordPress a CMS Service Provider require additional syntax.
2. Joomla
It has 7.2% market share as of January 2017 and is second most used CMS Services provider after WordPress.
Joomla is written in PHP and it uses Object Oriented Programming (OOP) technique, and stores data in MS SQL or My SQL database.
Advantages of Joomla:
Open source – Joomla is an open source so its license is available free of cost. The source code can be reused and thus investment on the project can be significantly reduced.
Multipurpose Use – It can be used for a small business organization for its CMS Services needs and also for large businesses. You can use Joomla CMS development for personal websites, community portal as well as online publications, be it news or magazines.
Easy Migration – Joomla CMS Services can be easily migrated to any server and most of them can work with any database.
Disadvantages of Joomla:
Joomla requires certain plugins for certain script.
Limited Customization.
It is heavy for the simple and small websites.
3. Drupal
Drupal provides CMS Services to 4.8% of total websites on the web. Drupal Core contains basic characters of a CMS like user account registration and maintenance, menu management, RSS feeds, taxonomy, page layout customization, and system administration.
Advantages of Drupal:
Multiple Functionality – Its functionalities mainly include advanced menu management, polls management, graphics modification tool, users management, etc. It makes it possible to create blogs, advanced websites or social networking pages.
Advanced User Management – It is possible for an administrator to create new user accounts and establish their permission rights. Users can be divided into groups, can be given assignments, and they can be given permissions to manage different parts of the website.
Page Content Management – Using Drupal, you can categorize your content through URL addresses, paths, making your own lists. This structure makes for easy management, search and reuse of the content.
Support – Drupal homepage consists of a documentation, well-developed discussion board, chat, mailing list, etc. You can find plenty of information and help concerning management and modification of the script.
Disadvantages of Drupal:
Installation Issues – The script is not very user-friendly and requires advanced knowledge in order to install and modify.
Compatibility – Drupal is equipped with plenty of new solutions. If you’re used to older systems, getting used to this script will take some time.
4. Magento
As of January 2017, Magento CMS has 2.6% market share, and it is placed 4th on the list of CMS Services Providers. It is an open source platform written in PHP. Magento employs MySQL RDBMS and applies the conventions of Object Oriented Programming.
Advantages of Magento:
Exclusively for eCommerce – While CMS like WordPress has eCommerce plugins, Magento is exclusively for eCommerce. This means that it has the best features for high volume online selling, customer, payment, inventory, and loyalty program management.
You can develop your website from zero – Magento doesn’t cost anything if you begin with the Community Edition. This is an ideal factor for small and medium businesses. While the Community edition is free to download and use, it does require you to make a bit of investment with providing your own hosting.
A highly customizable platform – Magento allows users to develop their websites as they desire, using code and extensions to custom features and functionality (frontend, backend, marketing tools, themes, integration with third party services, etc.) as previously mentioned. Even extensions can be customized for a better-performing store.
Magento sites are SEO friendly.
Disadvantages of Magento:
Time-consuming customized development.
5. Blogger
Blogger CMS Services was created by Google in Python language and was launched for free on August 23, 1999. With 2.6% of total CMS Services Providers, it is 5th in the list. Blogger integrates with Google Toolbar and with Google AdSense. Although there is no limit to the factors that must be considered before an organization decides on investing on a CMS Services Provider for them, there are some basic functionalities that must be considered such as an easy-to-use editor interface and intelligent search capabilities. It also depends on the overall size of the organization as well as its geographical dispersion.
The factors for CMS Service that have been taken into consideration while preparing this report include:
- Indexing, Search and Retrieval
- Format Management
- Revision Control and Publishing.
- SEO-friendly URLs
- Integrated and online help, including discussion boards
- Group-based permission systems
- Full template support and customizable templates
Conclusion
In conclusion, selecting the right Content Management System (CMS) is a critical decision for any organization aiming to manage and optimize its digital content effectively. The five leading CMS platforms—WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, Magento, and Blogger—each offer distinct advantages and cater to varying needs based on organizational goals, technical expertise, and the scale of operations. WordPress dominates with its ease of use, extensive plugins, and large community support, making it ideal for beginners and diverse applications. Joomla provides flexibility for both small and large enterprises but requires careful consideration of its plugin needs. Drupal excels in advanced functionality and user management, appealing to technically adept users looking for highly customizable options. Magento stands out as the go-to platform for eCommerce, offering robust features tailored to online retail businesses, while Blogger, despite its limited capabilities, serves as an accessible and straightforward platform for basic blogging needs.
