There are many types of content management systems (CMS) on the market, and they are all designed to help people create their own websites without programming training. While some systems are aimed at buyers with some knowledge of coding, most are aimed at website owners looking to build and maintain sites with the utmost ease.
Since there is such a wide range of options, below we will discuss the main factors to consider when choosing between various CMS platforms.
What is a CMS?
CMS stands for Content Management System. It is a software application or platform that allows users to create, manage and modify digital content without the need for advanced technical knowledge. CMS allows users to easily create and organize content such as text, images, videos, and documents, and publish it on websites or other digital platforms.
A CMS typically provides a user-friendly interface that allows content creators and publishers to add, edit, and remove content using simple tools and templates. It separates the content from the presentation, making it easy to update and maintain the design and structure of the website.
CMS platforms often include features like user management, workflow management, version control, and search functionality. They can be customized and extended with plugins and themes to meet specific requirements.
Choosing the right CMS platform for your website
When planning to invest in a new CMS, it’s crucial that you know which features are most important to you. Keeping the must-haves in mind before you start browsing can simplify the process.
ease of use
The best CMS for you will be intuitive and include an interface that allows you to learn it without in-depth knowledge of software engineering. It should be so easy for you to understand that you can put audio, text, images and videos on web pages efficiently. It’s also important to have a smooth and easy way to change things, and self-explanatory tools can also be helpful.
design templates
One of the main advantages of PHP CMS platforms is the variety of design templates on offer. In some CMS software, you can find entire galleries of pre-made templates so you don’t need to create them yourself from scratch. However, it will be helpful if you can easily customize them without any coding knowledge.
data portability
Unless you plan to stay with one host indefinitely, your CMS platform should incorporate tools for moving data in the future.
optional extras
There are many styles and types of websites online, suitable for various budgets and goals. As a result, no one CMS platform will be the perfect fit for every website.
Still, plugins and extensions offer a solution. These build on the core feature sets included with CMS platforms, giving you a more personalized experience and helping you get more out of your website.
user support
A well-made CMS platform should be easy to use from the start. But you will still have questions from time to time. Some of the CMS platforms out there have large user communities, so you may be able to get all the support you need from other users in dedicated forums. They are likely to be happy to help people facing a variety of technical issues. Also, the best CMS providers will offer their own support services (some may work 24 hours a day).
costs
While several CMS platforms are available for free, you’ll need to pay a monthly fee for others. However, the free ones will still offer templates and plugins for a price. Your hosting services will also incur some expenses. Still, it’s easier and more profitable for beginners to launch their own websites than ever before thanks to CMS platforms.
So, keep all these points we’ve mentioned in mind and you should be able to start looking for the perfect PHP-based content management system for your needs. Find our TOP 10: