Which Content Management System is the best?

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