In part 1 of this series we answered the question “What is a Content Management System? ” In part 2 we covered “Why you need a Content Management System .” Now we are looking at a question we are asked frequently: “Which content management system is the best?”
It’s a bit like asking “what is the best hammer for me?” Well, what are you going to be doing with that hammer? Are you framing out a two story house or putting up a picture frame? Those are two very different tasks, and two hammers that would be a “best fit.”
There are two main kinds of CMS: open source and custom. Both allow you to easily manage content, media, and users. Both are stable, secure, and scalable for future growth. However, each have their benefits and drawbacks:
Open Source CMS
- Definition: software created by a community of developers , free to use and adapt to your purposes
- Benefits: extensive documentation, countless modules, easy to find developers
- Drawbacks: website pages load slower (more queries), one size fits all approach limits customization, complicated administration area includes unused features
- Options: Joomla, Drupal, WordPress (all on PHP)
Custom
- Definition: CMS which is constructed around your specific task, workflow, or technology requirements
- Benefits: faster page loads (fewer queries), everything you want and nothing you do not
- Drawbacks: no extra features
- Options: WordPress
What feature or characteristic is most important to you?
- If you want open source software, extensive documentation, a community of developers: Drupal or Joomla
- If you want the site completely customized to your workflow, quick loading pages for visitors: KIS
