Selecting the right CMS for your business

“There’s no such thing as a bad CMS, just bad implementations.”

That is our motto when it comes to content management systems (CMS). The majority of software can tackle any business problem to a degree, in one way or another. Unfortunately, this means the options are essentially endless when deciding on the right one for your business. There may well be ‘wrong’ CMS choices, but often there is more than one ‘right’ choice too.

When starting your website project, your first question shouldn’t be “What CMS am I going to use?”. Instead, you should ask yourself:

1. 1
   What does my business need?
2. 2
   What are the requirements of my audience?
3. 3
   What technology is best suited to helping achieve my goals?

As web development experts, we ensure that any technology facilitates both your immediate needs and long-term business objectives. However, choosing the right CMS for your business is a difficult decision, so we’re sharing our guidance on how to make this choice.

What do you want from your CMS?

The right CMS for you depends on your digital ambitions and the support you need to reach your goals. Some questions to get you thinking along the right lines could include:

• Who will be using the CMS, individuals or the business as a whole?
• What will they use the software for? What functions should it be capable of?
• What are your long-term objectives?
• What purpose will your CMS serve for your business? Is it a content repository? Is it a more complicated piece of architecture?
• What is your budget?

With this in mind, you are in an effective place to kick off your project and prevent prematurely committing to technology that doesn’t suit your plans.

Site architecture

The way your website is structured can help users quickly navigate to the information they need. It plays a big role in making your technology decision, so it’s important to consider this ahead of selecting your CMS.

Discovery phase

A discovery phase will uncover the answer to question three and give you a better understanding of what makes both your business and customers tick. Ultimately, this puts you in a more informed position to decide on your technology.

Demos

Before selecting a platform, ask for a demonstration. Demos allow you to get a feel for how the CMS platform works. However, they should be balanced, highlighting both the pros and cons of the platform.

The support of specialists

If you have no idea where to begin with your CMS choice, web agencies have a wealth of expertise you can lean on.

When engaging with an agency, you need to trust the people you’re speaking to. We often hear stories of agencies pushing a certain CMS because it’s what the agency is familiar with, rather than what’s in the best interest of the client. During discussions, ask yourself: Are they really putting that technology forward for your benefit or to win the deal?

While an agency should be able to inform and advise, ultimately, the final decision has to be yours.

Test your agency

Web agencies can’t expect organisations to be experts in CMS technology. It is the agency's responsibility to consult with your business to find the right CMS match. To ensure your agency is doing this, you should test their recommendations by asking questions such as:

• Why have you recommended this CMS over another?
• How will this CMS help me meet objectives and solve challenges?

Press your agency to demonstrate that their proposed solution is backed by a real understanding of your business needs and not just because it’s a CMS they specialise in.

The role of a consultant

When you sit internally within an organisation, it can be difficult to assess exactly what it is the business needs. In these cases, an independent consultant can help you consider the bigger picture.

In general, consultants are a welcome addition to a project. Their unbiased view and experience of different implementations add objectivity and invaluable insight. However, be wary of a consultant who pushes you towards a singular agency or CMS – they need to display the experience and expertise to provide a high-quality recommendation.

Other factors to consider

• Platform releases: Effective CMS software should have a good track record of regular releases and improvements. A CMS that hasn’t had a major release in a few years or a published a road map probably doesn’t offer the longevity you need.
• Business technical architecture: Your current technical architecture directly influences the compatibility of the CMS. Consider whether there is a preference for focused microservices or larger, more comprehensive monoliths? Maybe you need a composable solution that falls somewhere in between?
• Bespoke platforms: Generally, if a platform is widely used, it gives you a range of support options when it comes to moving elsewhere. This is one of the main issues with bespoke, in-house agency platforms. As great as the CMS may be, you’re essentially locking yourself into that agency.
• Tried and trusted vs. cutting edge technologies: Are you the type of business that prefers tried and trusted options or do you like to push boundaries and want something new? Maybe you sit somewhere in between. Wherever your business is placed, your CMS should match up.
• Business size: The size of your business is a critical factor when it comes to choosing your CMS. A professional organisation of a certain scale needs to invest in professional technologies that support its scope.
• Budget: From a technical point of view, a specialist solution is always better than a generic one. However, a specialist solution usually involves extra cost, extra skills, extra agencies and extra platforms. Explore what is possible within your available budget.

Do you need a digital partner?

Whatever your position, you should approach your CMS decision with an open mind. However, selecting the right CMS is just the starting point. To succeed in today’s online world, you need a digital partner who can help you navigate these complex waters.

Find out more about our Kentico and Umbraco web developers and the bespoke work we deliver for our clients. Want to chat about your upcoming project? Get in touch.