Before you write one line of code, before you design one layer of design, and before you write one word of copy, there is a much larger question you need to answer:
Which Content Management System (CMS) should I use to build my website?
As with everything in life, there are pros and cons to each option. Here, we’ll give you the straight up truth about the top four most common CMSs:
After reviewing all the considerations below (listed in no particular order), it’s ultimately up to you to decide which CMS is best for your needs. We hope this helps make that decision a little easier.
Drupal
Summary
Just as Lego pieces fit together perfectly, allowing you to build anything your mind can imagine, Drupal modules (aka plugins) and code act as the building blocks of an editable website.
Everything fits together. Everything plays well together.
The back end of Drupal isn’t much to look at, and there aren't many pre-made kits. Drupal is for the builder who wants full creative and functional control of their masterpiece.
Shopify
Summary
Oh Shopify … I don’t want to paint my car, I want to pimp my ride!
With Shopify, you can change the design, the fields and the output of pages, but you can't change the logic. It’s baked in.
There are some functionality plugins that seem cool on the surface, but they’re hosted elsewhere. That means they push code to your site, which can cause major security breaches and performance issues.
WordPress
Summary
Most CMSs are packaged into one comprehensive solution. If you find a solution that works for you, it will save you a ton of time.
However, if you want to alter the solution even slightly, it can become difficult to manage. WordPress is no exception. It’s a strong platform for content-heavy sites like blogs or news feeds and the GUI (graphical user interface) is simple and clean.
Beware of the plugins—unless specifically made to do so, they typically don’t play well together. Plugins are frequently to blame when WordPress sites break.
Magento
Summary
We liken Magento to a model airplane because once it’s built, it super cool. That said, it can also be complex to build and difficult to change once put together.
Magento was created for send user wanting to build and maintain their own websites. It has a strong backend for eCommerce—it can handle a massive inventory of products.
On the downside, it doesn’t have a lot of plugins, and is not ideal for content-heavy sites.
Need help deciding which CMS is best for your needs? Give us a call, we can help.
