Top Five Tips to Choose the Right CMS Solution

May 15, 2014 No Comments

Featured article by Michael LaVista, CEO & Founder, Caxy Interactive

The future of technology is being built on openness and transparency. Open source platforms provide a back-end framework that allows users to build and customize websites while also managing user registration, system administration, page layout, RSS and much more. Across the globe, open source developers are making innovative contributions and sharing code to build stronger platforms with higher security and better support.

One key advantage to the open source approach is that users can create their own modules to establish new functions or change the website’s look in a variety of ways. Another factor in the rise of open source technology is the diminishing returns on proprietary CMS software. Technology is evolving so rapidly that it just makes sense to build a website around a platform that is flexible and capable of rolling with the changes.

If you’re ready to join the open source revolution with your new website, your next step is to choose a CMS platform. But how do know which open source CMS is right for your company? Here are some guidelines to help you make a selection that works for you:

1. Take a look at the developers: The great thing about open source in general is the community of developers worldwide working to improve platforms and expand capabilities. But different open source CMS platforms have varying levels of support and documentation available. Look for platforms that provide help, offer recommendations and deliver extensive how-to guides.

2. Evaluate available themes and modules: Another major consideration is the variety of themes and modules available and the ease of installation. Find a CMS solution that allows you to update your modules and themes on the fly, without the hassle of downloading files. CMS platforms like Drupal automatically copy, install and update modules and themes, which makes life easier.

3. Look for CMS platforms with responsive options: Responsive web design, which allows content to be displayed on mobile screens with minimal scrolling, is controversial among developers, but clients tend to demand it. Make sure your CMS platform provides a variety of starter themes with responsive options – such as Zen – so you can start with an effective baseline.

4. Consider a CMS platform that uses PHP: A widely used server-side language with relatively simple scripting and incredible versatility, PHP owns the lion’s share of the server-side language market and is used on millions of sites, including whitehouse.gov, which was built on the Drupal platform. It can run on a wide range of stacks, including Apache, Linux, Mac and Windows.

5. Make sure the platform has the customization capabilities you need: Websites have become increasingly commoditized. Web development platforms like Wix.com make it easy for virtually anyone to establish a basic web presence, and for some businesses, a simple site is all that’s needed. But if you need more powerful functions and flexibility, consider a platform like Drupal.

As open source frameworks mature, consolidate and earn the trust of enterprise customers, it’s likely that CMS will increasingly be delivered on open source platforms. And in at least one sense, that’s a good thing: As companies worry less about developing a basic framework, they can focus more on creating great content.

When it’s time to develop your enterprise site, make sure you choose a CMS platform that meets your company’s requirements, and consider these five steps in the context of what you need your site to do. By choosing the right open source CMS platform, you can create a web presence with the power and flexibility you need to successfully compete and win.