A comprehensive guide to selecting a CMS for your website

What is CMS (Content Management System)

CMS, or content management system, is software that helps create, manage, and modify content on a website without the need for in-depth programming knowledge. These systems provide a user-friendly interface for website administration, allowing you to add and update text, images, videos and other elements.

The history of CMS dates back to the early days of the internet, when creating and managing websites required complex technical skills and direct interaction with code. The first CMSs were developed in the mid-1990s and were aimed at simplifying these processes. Since then, CMSs have undergone significant changes and evolution, becoming powerful tools that can support complex websites and provide integration with various online services and databases.

Modern CMSs offer a wide range of features, from basic text editing to user management, SEO configuration, social media integration, and analytics. They offer various plugins and extensions that allow you to expand the functionality of the site and adapt it to the unique needs of the user. This flexibility and scalability make CMS an indispensable tool in the arsenal of web developers and content managers.

Types of CMS

Content management systems (CMS) can be classified into several types: boxed CMS, website builders, self-written CMS, and headless CMS. Boxed CMS are ready-made solutions with a wide range of features for managing a website. Website builders simplify the creation of web pages through visual editors. Custom CMS are developed individually for the specific needs of a project. Headless CMS offer flexibility in integration with various frontend platforms.

Boxed CMS

Boxed CMS are ready-made solutions that provide a quick launch of a website with a full set of necessary functions. Advantages include ease of installation, extensive support, and regular security updates. However, they can be limited in customisation and require licence fees, which is a disadvantage for budget projects.

Advantages:

• Ready to use: Quick installation and setup.
• Support and updates: Regular security and feature updates from developers.
• Integration with add-ons: Wide selection of plugins and themes to extend functionality.

Disadvantages:

• Limited flexibility: Challenges with custom or non-standard functionality.
• Cost: Need to purchase a license and possible paid updates.
• Vendor dependency: Potential issues if product support is discontinued.

Website Builders

Website builders are platforms that allow users to easily create web pages using drag-and-drop interfaces. Their main advantages lie in ease of use and a low entry barrier for non-specialists. However, they often have limitations in terms of functionality and customization, which can be a drawback for complex projects.

Advantages:

• Ease of use: Intuitive visual editors.
• Low entry barrier: No need for specialized programming skills.
• Built-in hosting: Often includes hosting and technical support.

Disadvantages:

• Design limitations: Standardized templates with limited customization.
• Platform dependency: Difficulties with migrating content to other platforms.
• Scalability: May struggle to handle large or complex websites.

Custom CMS

Custom CMS platforms are developed specifically to meet the unique requirements of a project, which is their main advantage. They offer complete flexibility and maximum adaptation to specific tasks. However, they come with higher development costs, maintenance complexity, and longer development time.

Advantages:

• Full customization: Complete alignment with the specific needs of the project.
• Uniqueness: No limitations of typical out-of-the-box solutions.
• Task-specific optimization: Maximum performance and security.

Disadvantages:

• High cost: Developing and maintaining a custom CMS can be expensive.
• Maintenance complexity: Requires skilled professionals for ongoing support.
• Longer development cycle: Takes more time for development and testing.

Headless CMS

A Headless CMS separates content management from content presentation, offering a high degree of flexibility. It allows developers to use any frontend technology and easily integrate with various APIs. The key advantages include scalability and versatility. However, management complexity and the need to develop a custom user interface can be drawbacks for some projects.

Advantages:

• Flexibility in use: Separation of backend and frontend allows greater freedom in choosing technologies.
• Scalability: Easily integrates with various APIs and microservices.
• Improved performance: Faster content delivery through optimized requests.

Disadvantages:

• Implementation complexity: Requires more advanced setup and development.
• Developer dependency: Skilled developers are needed to build custom user interfaces.
• Initial costs: Upfront development investments can be high.

How to Choose a CMS for Your Website

Consider Your Website’s Objectives

When selecting a CMS, it’s essential to clearly understand your website’s goals and requirements. Consider the following aspects:

• Content type: Is it a news portal, a blog, or an e-commerce site?
• Traffic: What is the expected number of visitors and peak load?
• Functionality: What specific features must the CMS support (e.g., social media integration, multilingual support)?
• Management: Who will manage the site? How important is ease of use for your team?

These factors will help you choose a system that best meets the needs of your project.

Functionality and Scalability

When choosing a CMS, it’s important to evaluate its features and potential for growth. Consider the following:

• Standard capabilities: Does the CMS meet basic requirements for content management, SEO, and responsiveness?
• Extensibility: Can new features be easily added via plugins or APIs?
• Scalability: Can the system handle an increasing number of users and growing content volumes?
• Technical support: Is support and regular updating available to keep the site up to date?

These factors help ensure the CMS can adapt as your business evolves.

Ease of Use and Administration

One of the key aspects of choosing a CMS is its user-friendliness:

• Interface intuitiveness: How easy is it for new users to learn how to manage the website?
• Administrative tools: Are the built-in tools sufficient for efficient site management?
• Staff training: Does using the CMS require specialized training?
• Access to support: How fast and effectively is technical support provided?

Ease of management significantly reduces the time and resources needed to maintain the website.

Cost and Licensing

The cost of a CMS can vary significantly, so it’s important to consider the following:

• Licensing fees: Are there monthly or annual payments required?
• One-time costs: Are there charges for installation or initial setup?
• Hidden expenses: Does the price include support, updates, and additional modules?
• Value for money: Is the offered functionality worth the cost?

Analyzing these aspects will help you determine the most cost-effective option for your budget.

Popular CMS Platforms on the Market

WordPress

WordPress is one of the most popular content management systems in the world. Originally launched as a blogging platform, it has since evolved into a full-featured CMS. Its key strengths lie in flexibility and scalability, making it suitable for everything from small blogs to large corporate websites.

Key Features:

• Wide selection of themes and plugins: Thousands of free and paid add-ons are available through the official repository.
• SEO-friendly: WordPress offers excellent built-in features for search engine optimization.
• User-friendly interface: The platform is easy to learn, even for beginners.

Cost:

WordPress itself is free to use, but running a site may involve costs for hosting, premium themes, plugins, and custom development. Expenses can range from a few dollars to several hundred per month, depending on the site’s complexity and the add-ons used.

WordPress is ideal for those looking for a convenient, flexible, and scalable platform with extensive customization options.

Joomla

Joomla is a powerful and versatile content management system, ranking second in popularity after WordPress. It is known for its extensive content management capabilities and flexibility in customization, making it suitable for creating both simple websites and complex corporate portals.

Key Features:

• Advanced content management: Joomla offers sophisticated options for managing articles and user data.
• Built-in multilingual support: The platform allows the creation of multilingual sites without the need for additional plugins.
• Flexible access control and permissions: Joomla provides robust tools for configuring user and group permissions.

Cost:

Joomla is free to use, but additional costs may arise during setup, purchasing specialized extensions and themes, as well as hosting maintenance. Average expenses can range from modest monthly fees to significant investments in custom solutions and support.

Joomla is ideal for users who require more complex content management and customization, and are willing to invest time and resources into mastering the system.

1C-Bitrix

1C-Bitrix is one of the leading commercial CMS platforms in the Russian market, widely used for building corporate websites, online stores, and portals. The system has proven to be a reliable business solution thanks to its security, functionality, and integration with 1C products.

Key Features:

• Integration with 1C: Seamless interaction with 1C accounting and management software.
• Modularity and extensibility: A wide range of modules for various business needs, from marketing to personnel management.
• High level of security: Regular updates and specialized tools to ensure website security.

Cost:

1C-Bitrix is a paid CMS, with costs varying depending on the edition and additional modules selected. The basic version may cost several thousand rubles, while a full package for large enterprises can be significantly more expensive. Additionally, licensing updates and technical support require ongoing payments.

1C-Bitrix is suitable for those seeking a comprehensive solution for intensive commercial operations, with deep integration capabilities with corporate systems and high security requirements.

OpenCart

OpenCart is a popular and affordable CMS specialized in creating online stores. This platform attracts users with its ease of setup and management, as well as its open architecture, which allows for easy expansion of functionality through modules and plugins.

Key Features:

• E-commerce tools: Support for multiple payment and shipping methods, inventory management, and multilingual capabilities.
• Modular system: A wide variety of available extensions and themes that can be integrated without complex programming.
• User interface: An intuitive admin panel that simplifies product, order, and customer management.

Cost:

OpenCart is a free, open-source CMS; however, additional expenses may arise from purchasing specialized themes and extensions, as well as professional setup and technical support. Overall costs depend on project complexity and can range from minimal to significant investments depending on functionality and design requirements.

OpenCart is ideal for entrepreneurs and small businesses looking to launch an online store on a limited budget, valuing ease of management and flexibility in customization.

MODx

MODx is a flexible and powerful CMS aimed at developers and designers seeking full control over the appearance and functionality of their websites. It enables the creation of unique web projects with a high degree of customization and integration.

Key Features:

• Full customizability: MODx offers advanced options for tailoring design and features without being limited to preset templates.
• SEO optimization: Built-in tools for enhancing SEO, including URL management, metadata, and redirects.
• Advanced security: Robust site protection tools, including detailed access controls and security audits.

Cost:

MODx is available in a free version, but implementing complex projects may require investments in custom development and professional maintenance. Development and support costs can be significant, especially for large or highly customized projects.

MODx is ideal for those needing a high level of customization and control over every aspect of their site and willing to invest time and resources into creating a unique web project.

Drupal

Drupal is one of the most powerful content management platforms, known for its flexibility and scalability. This CMS is suitable for creating everything from simple blogs to complex, multifunctional websites for large organizations.

Key Features:

• High flexibility: Drupal allows customization of nearly every aspect of a site thanks to its powerful modular architecture.
• Community and support: A large, active developer community continuously updates and improves the system.
• Security: Renowned for its strict security standards, making it a preferred choice for government agencies and large corporations.

Cost:

Drupal is a free, open-source CMS, but full-scale development on its basis can require significant investment due to the complexity of customization and the need for professional maintenance. Costs can range from moderate to high, depending on the project’s complexity and level of customization.

Drupal is ideal for large projects and organizations that require complex content structures, advanced user management capabilities, and high security.

Magento

Magento is one of the most popular platforms for building online stores, targeting medium and large businesses. This CMS is known for its extensive e-commerce capabilities, scalability, and flexibility.

Key Features:

• Comprehensive e-commerce functions: Support for numerous products, complex tax and shipping configurations, inventory management, and advanced analytics tools.
• Scalability: The platform is ideal for growing online stores capable of handling large volumes of transactions and products.
• Flexible customization: Thanks to its open architecture and numerous extensions, Magento offers virtually unlimited customization possibilities.

Cost:

Magento offers both a free Community Edition and a paid Enterprise Edition. The latter includes additional features and support, making it suitable for large enterprises. Development and maintenance costs for a Magento site can be high due to the platform’s complexity and the need for professional expertise.

Magento is perfect for large retailers and companies aiming to maximize their e-commerce potential and requiring a powerful, scalable, and highly customizable platform.

Tilda

Tilda is a modern platform for creating websites and landing pages, designed for users without deep technical knowledge. It offers an easy-to-use interface and numerous templates, making it ideal for small businesses, bloggers, and marketers.

Key Features:

• Ease of use: An intuitive drag-and-drop editor that allows for quick creation and modification of pages.
• Templates and blocks: A large selection of ready-made blocks and templates for various types of content, including text, images, videos, and forms.
• Integrations: Support for integration with popular services for analytics, marketing, and data management.

Cost:

Tilda offers several pricing plans, including a free plan with limited features and paid plans with extended functionality. The cost of paid plans starts at a few dollars per month, making the platform accessible to a wide range of users.

Tilda is perfect for those looking for a fast and easy way to create a professional-looking website or landing page without programming skills.

Wix

Wix is a popular cloud-based website builder that provides users with all the necessary tools to create professional web pages without programming skills. This CMS is suitable for creating personal blogs, portfolios, small business websites, and online stores.

Key Features:

• Drag-and-drop editor: Ease of use allows creating and editing pages by simply dragging and dropping elements.
• Templates and design: A wide selection of professional templates that can be customized to fit your needs.
• App integrations: Support for a large number of apps and widgets to extend site functionality, including marketing and analytics tools.

Cost:

Wix offers a free plan with basic features and Wix ads, as well as various paid plans with additional capabilities, including custom domains, ad removal, and advanced e-commerce tools. Paid plans start at a few dollars per month.

Wix is perfect for users looking for a simple and affordable way to create a stylish and functional website without the need to hire professional developers.

InSales

InSales is a platform for creating and managing online stores, designed for small and medium-sized businesses. The system offers comprehensive e-commerce solutions, making it a popular choice among entrepreneurs and companies aiming to grow their online business.

Key Features:

• Integration with popular services: Supports integration with payment systems, delivery services, CRM, and marketing tools.
• Mobile optimization: Responsive templates that ensure proper display of the site on all devices.
• Product management: Convenient tools for adding and managing products, including data import/export, category and attribute settings.

Cost:

InSales offers several pricing plans, starting from a basic level that includes core features to launch an online store, up to premium plans with extended capabilities and priority support. Prices vary depending on the selected plan and business needs.

InSales is suitable for entrepreneurs and companies looking for a reliable and user-friendly solution to create and manage an online store with scalability and integration into various business processes.

UMI.CMS

UMI.CMS is a versatile platform for creating and managing websites, targeting small and medium-sized businesses. The system offers a wide range of capabilities for developing various types of websites, including corporate portals, online stores, and informational resources.

Key Features:

• Multifunctionality: Supports creation of different types of sites, from corporate portals to online stores.
• Flexibility and scalability: Ability to extend functionality through modules and plugins, as well as adapt the system to the individual needs of the business.
• Integration with external services: Supports integration with CRM systems, ERP, accounting software, and other business applications.

Cost:

UMI.CMS offers several pricing plans, ranging from free versions for creating simple websites to premium plans for large corporate projects with advanced features and support. The cost of paid plans varies depending on the functionality and amount of resources used.

UMI.CMS is ideal for businesses that need a powerful and flexible platform for website creation and management, with the possibility of further expansion and integration with other business processes.

PrestaShop

PrestaShop is a powerful and flexible open-source e-commerce platform, popular among small and medium-sized businesses. It is designed for creating online stores and offers extensive customization and management capabilities.

Key Features:

• Extensive customization options: PrestaShop provides access to over 300 built-in features, including product catalog management, payment systems, and shipping.
• Modular system: The platform supports more than 3,000 modules and themes that can be used to expand functionality and personalize the store.
• Multilingual and multi-store support: Support for multiple languages and currencies allows creating stores for the international market.

Cost:

PrestaShop is free to use, but may require investments in purchasing additional modules, themes, and professional services for setup and support. Hosting and technical maintenance costs should also be considered. The overall cost depends on the complexity of the project and selected solutions.

PrestaShop is ideal for entrepreneurs and companies looking to build a powerful and flexible online store with extensive customization and scalability options, willing to invest in the growth and support of their e-commerce business.

Comparison of Popular Solutions

When choosing the right CMS, it is important to consider various aspects such as functionality, flexibility, cost, and support. Below is a table to help you compare popular content management systems based on key parameters.

CMS	System Type	Use Case	Free Plan / Trial	Suitable for Beginners	SEO
WordPress	Open-source	Blogs, corporate websites
Joomla	Open-source	Corporate sites, portals
1C-Bitrix	Commercial	Online stores, corporate sites
OpenCart	Open-source	Online stores
MODx	Open-source	Any sites requiring customization
Drupal	Open-source	Corporate sites, large projects
Magento	Open-source / Commercial	Online stores
Tilda	Cloud-based	Landing pages, small business sites
Wix	Cloud-based	Landing pages, small business sites
InSales	Cloud-based	Online stores
UMI.CMS	Commercial	Corporate sites, online stores
PrestaShop	Open-source	Online stores

Practical Tips for Working with CMS

Installing and Setting Up a CMS

When installing and setting up a CMS, you should:

• Choose the right hosting: Make sure the hosting meets the CMS requirements.
• Download the latest version: Use only official sources for downloading.
• Follow the instructions: Carefully follow the installation instructions provided by the developers.
• Configure basic settings: After installation, set up key parameters such as the site name, language, and time zone.
• Create backups: Always create backups in case of unexpected errors.

Connecting Modules and Plugins

To extend the CMS functionality, use modules and plugins:

• Choose trusted plugins: Use only verified and popular extensions from official repositories.
• Read reviews: Pay attention to feedback and ratings from other users.
• Check compatibility: Make sure modules are compatible with your CMS version.
• Configure plugins: After installation, set up plugins according to your needs.
• Regular updates: Keep modules updated to ensure site security and stability.

Content and Design Management

For effective management of website content and design:

• Use visual editors: Simplifies the process of editing and adding content.
• Create templates: Use ready-made templates for consistent page styling.
• Organize content: Structure content by categories and tags for easier navigation.
• Responsive design: Ensure the website design is adapted for all device types.
• Content updates: Regularly update content to maintain relevance and user interest.

Security and Updates

To ensure CMS security and up-to-dateness:

• Regular updates: Always install the latest CMS and plugin updates.
• Use strong passwords: Protect admin accounts with complex passwords.
• Backups: Regularly create website backups.
• Security monitoring: Use tools to monitor and protect against hacks.
• Limit access: Restrict access to the admin panel by IP addresses or use two-factor authentication.

Examples of Successful Websites on Various CMS

Online stores

Corporate Websites

Landing pages and small websites

Choosing the right CMS — a key step in building a successful website

When selecting a CMS, it’s important to consider not only your current needs but also the potential growth and development of your project. Pay attention to the availability of support, updates, and integration capabilities with external services.

To make the right choice and create a website that will work effectively and grow over time, we recommend consulting professionals. The experts at SEO Lebedev agency will help you select and implement the optimal solution for your business.

Don’t delay building a successful website — start today!

FAQ

1. What is a CMS and why is it needed?
   A CMS (Content Management System) is software that allows you to manage a website without programming: adding, editing, and publishing content through an easy-to-use interface.
2. Which type of CMS is best for an online store?
   For online stores, CMS platforms with advanced e-commerce features like 1C-Bitrix, Magento, OpenCart, or PrestaShop are suitable. They offer security, scalability, and integration with payment systems.
3. What’s the difference between box CMS, website builders, and Headless CMS?
   Box CMS is a ready-made solution with full functionality. Website builders are visual editors designed for simple sites. Headless CMS separates backend and frontend, ideal for complex projects with API integrations.
4. Which CMS is best for beginners?
   CMS like WordPress, Tilda, and Wix are great for beginners — they are easy to use, have visual editors, and offer plenty of templates.
5. What criteria should be considered when choosing a CMS?
   Key factors include the website’s purpose, required functionality, ease of management, scalability, cost, and availability of support and updates.
6. How much does a CMS cost?
   Many CMS platforms are free (WordPress, Joomla, Drupal) but may require spending on hosting, templates, and extensions. Commercial CMS (such as 1C-Bitrix) require license fees and support payments.
7. Is it possible to change the CMS after launching a website?
   Yes, but it is a labor-intensive process. It’s better to choose the right CMS initially, considering future growth and project requirements.