The development phase of every software is very important, but the most important stage is – maintenance and management. But, it is not that easy without the proper resources and tools. So, what is the solution? A Content Management System (CMS)! An indispensable tool with a wide variety of options to choose from, a CMS helps manage the site’s structure. This allows the development team to focus on other aspects. But, which is the best CMS for web development?

To help you develop and manage innovative solutions for increased conversions and higher revenue, the following article will delve deep into what CMS is and its other aspects. We will also discuss the different options available to help you find the best CMS for web development.

So, what are we waiting for? Let’s dive right into it and help make a decision about the CMS you need a lot easier.

What Is A Content Management System (CMS)?

Developing a website from scratch takes a lot of time and effort. It is especially difficult for beginners or people with no coding experience. This is where a content management system (CMS) is useful for your business. A CMS is a simple yet effective software tool that aids in easy website creation, editing, and maintenance. The best part about a CMS is that it is an open-source tool that can be used by any website owner.

A CMS has an easy-to-use interface allowing administrators to operate the website without much complications. Moreover, one can easily change the website style and functionality without any coding. The best CMS for web development allows admins to download/purchase themes and plugins. Simply log in to the CMS admin panel and perform the required edits.

What Are The Different Types Of CMS Available?

Although there are a wide variety of CMSs available in the market, they can be broadly categorized into four broad types. These are:-

• Original CMS – A much more expensive solution, an original CMS is developed to cater to specific business needs. Development teams plan the dedicated functionalities and design a unique graphic template.
• Open-Source CMS – Accessible to all, open-source software can be accessed and edited as needed. Generally, open-source CMSs are widely used because they offer a wide range of customization options.
• Cloud CMS – For businesses that want to save on space and memory, a cloud CMS is perfect. The system does not require any software download as users can securely access the cloud from multiple devices.
• Subscription CMS – The system is shared among many customers and is best used when customization is not needed. Customers cannot access the website code and cannot change/edit the template layout.

The best CMS for web development varies based on business needs and customer demands.

What Are The Benefits Of A CMS?

A CMS has multiple benefits over simple HTML pages and websites developed from scratch. Some of these are:-

• Highly user-friendly
• Can be rapidly deployed
• Allows multiple users to contribute new content and manage and edit existing ones
• Can be accessed via multiple devices
• Simple to update and maintain
• Highly cost-effective compared to maintaining systems manually
• Allows access to multiple plug-ins and templates for better functionality
• Can easily cater to SEO needs
• Provides constant support from the community and experienced teams

How Can You Choose The Best CMS?

Now that we are clear about the benefits of using a CMS, let us think about the different factors one needs to consider. Some pointers to consider when choosing the best CMS for web development are:-

• Website Business Requirements – The demands and needs of every eCommerce platform and website varies. We recommend finding the best CMS for web development based on your website’s nature and the content used. You can match the blog’s requirements to the CMS’s features.
• Scalability – When developing your website, you need to consider your business’ future needs. Your business might expand in the future and your CMS should be able to handle that.
• Ease Of Use – Not every CMS can be used by beginners or people with no coding experience. You should consider your skill level and choose a CMS based on the expertise level it requires.
• Price – You can find both free and paid CMS platforms in the market. It is important to consider your budget before investing in a CMS to fulfill and meet your business needs.

What Are The Best CMSs Available In The Market?

One can easily find a wide variety of CMS platforms in the market making it difficult to choose one. The following section discusses the top CMSs available in the market and their features/benefits. So, let’s get started!

WordPress

Considered the best CMS for web development for fully-fledged functional sites, WordPress has the following features:-

• One of the most popular CMSs available in the industry
• Powers more than 60 million web pages across the internet
• Free and easy to use even for beginners
• Open-source platform offering regular updates
• Wide range of themes and plug-ins to choose from
• 24/7 support via email, live chat, and forums to developers
• Has both iOS and Android apps for easier and quicker development

Joomla

Similar to WordPress, Joomla is both free and open-source. The different features of this PHP platform are:-

• Easily integrable with databases (eg. MySQL, PostgreSQL, and MS-SQL)
• Offers a lot of scope for developing customized solutions
• Easy-to-use interface for quicker design and development
• Compatible with several reputed sites like IKEA and eBay
• Integrable with popular web-hosting service providers
• Wide range of themes and plug-ins available for customization

Magento

Another notable CMS for web development, Magento is the best platform for the development of medium and large eCommerce stores. Some of its common features are:-

• Allows business owners to easily customize the online website store
• Provides optimized and responsive design
• Easily adaptable with mobile content
• Focuses on security and in-built SEO
• Complex and difficult to use for beginners and people with no coding experience

PrestaShop

The best CMS for web development for small and medium businesses, PrestaShop has a wide range of features. These are:-

• Flexible and easy-to-use platform for eCommerce development
• Active community support for developers
• Easy-to-use interface to edit and update products within a few minutes
• Wide range of features that allow added functionality
• An additional cost is needed for web hosting and a domain name
• Lacks scalability which can present future business problems

Conclusion

Content management systems are an essential part of creating, updating, editing, and maintaining websites. The above article discusses a CMS, its benefits, and the most popular platforms for development. It is imperative for businesses to choose the best CMS for web development based on their business needs. This can help avoid future complications and reduce the overall cost. We hope the above article helped clear your doubts about CMSs and choose the best solution for your business.

Confused about which CMS to choose or the best CMS for web development? Get in touch with the top web development companies.