Content Management Systems (CMS) are important tools for anyone building a website. They simplify the process of how you create, manage, and publish digital content. These platforms make website creation much simpler. Instead of starting from scratch, a CMS handles the technical details – including coding. This allows you to focus on the website's content and design.
Here are the best CMS platforms to consider in 2024
However, not all CMS platforms are the same, which makes finding the perfect web design software an important step. Each platform provides unique features designed for different needs and goals.
Ease of use is one key element to look for. A simple interface makes it easier for beginners to manage their websites without frustration. Advanced customization features are also important. They allow you to create unique designs that reflect your style.
Scalability is yet another factor to consider. As your website grows, it should be able to handle more traffic and adapt to new requirements. SEO tools are equally important as they help improve a website’s visibility on search engines.
In order to help you decide, we’ve rounded up some of the top CMS platforms for websites in 2024. There is something here for beginners and professionals alike. Let’s dive in and find the right platform for your needs.
WordPress.com: The Most Popular CMS
Credits: WordPress
When we say WordPress is one of the top CMS platforms for websites, we mean it—and the numbers prove it. Powering over 40% of all websites on the internet, WordPress continues to rule the content management system. Its popularity comes from its ease of use, flexibility, and wide range of features.
WordPress is perfect for beginners. Its dashboard is simple to use and easy to navigate. However, there are also professionals who can help you with WordPress web design and ensure you make the most of the platform’s capabilities.
What sets WordPress apart is its flexibility. With many themes and plugins to choose from, you can make your website look and work exactly how you want. When we reviewed the platform, we noticed that it has all the tools you need to create a blog, an online store, or a portfolio.
No platform is perfect, so here are some of the pros and cons of WordPress.
Pros:
- Flexibility
- Easy to use
- SEO-friendly
Cons:
- Requires frequent updates
- Security can be an issue if not maintained properly.
Wix: Easy Website Builder for Beginners
Credits: Wix
Wix is another free, easy-to-use CMS platform with various templates. Even though it’s a popular CMS platform, Wix has its limitations. If you are looking for advanced customization or more complex features, you may find Wix a bit restrictive.
Wix is often seen as the best CMS platform for small businesses and beginners who want an easy way to build a website without needing technical skills.
Wix’s main feature is its drag-and-drop editor. You can move elements like text, images, and buttons around the page, and see changes in real time.
Pros:
- Easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface.
- No coding is required.
- Great for personal websites and small businesses.
Cons:
- Limited customization for advanced users.
- Free plan includes ads.
Shopify: Best CMS for E-Commerce
Credits: Shopify
When it comes to the best CMS for large websites and e-commerce websites, Shopify is a winner.
Shopify is a favorite because of its built-in e-commerce features. It is designed for anyone interested in selling products online without the need for deep technical knowledge. This feature makes it ideal for small businesses and large online stores alike.
What sets Shopify apart is its integrated payment solutions and smooth setup process. It offers a range of services, including payments, marketing, shipping, and customer engagement tools, making it easier for any business to run an online store.
For businesses looking to take their Shopify store to the next level, professional Shopify web design services can help create a fully optimized, professional-looking store that attracts customers and drives sales.
Pros:
- Built-in e-commerce features for easy store management.
- Simple to set up and use.
- Scalable for businesses of all sizes.
- Great support and app integrations.
Cons:
- Transaction fees unless you use Shopify Payments.
- Limited flexibility for non-e-commerce websites
Squarespace: Elegant CMS for Creative Websites
Credits: Squarespace
Squarespace is a sophisticated CMS platform. It is mostly known for its unique design and easy functionality.
Businesses and individuals like it for the easy, beautiful templates it has. They are clean, professional, and easy to use. Just pick a template, add your photos and text, and your website is good to go.
Squarespace also comes with built-in tools that help create portfolios, blogs, and small online stores. Everything around it is so simple and works well together. However, if you want to take your Squarespace store to the next level, expert design services can help.
Pros:
- Beautiful, modern templates.
- Easy-to-use interface.
- Built-in blogging and e-commerce features.
Cons:
- Limited flexibility compared to WordPress.
- Expensive pricing plans.
Joomla: A More Complex CMS for Advanced Users
Credits: Joomla
Joomla is one of the best open-source CMS platforms for websites that need more advanced features. It might not be the easiest platform to use but it has great flexibility for users with technical experience.
One of the highlights of Joomla is its support for multilingual websites, which makes it easy to target international audiences.
It’s also a great option for building community-driven websites, such as forums or membership sites.
Pros:
- Flexible and customizable.
- Supports multilingual websites.
- Great for complex websites.
Cons:
- Steep learning curve.
- Smaller community than WordPress.
Drupal: The Powerhouse for Advanced Websites
Credits: Drupal
Drupal is among the best open-source CMS platforms too. It’s a good option for developers or anyone who is planning to hire one. Drupal works well for creating custom websites, especially the ones that need to handle a lot of data.
With its large capacity to manage a huge amount of content, Drupal is ideal for enterprise-level websites, educational platforms, and organizations with advanced needs. It can easily handle multi-site setups, from a single platform. If you are considering Drupal for your websites, it is important to partner with an experienced team.
Pros:
- Highly flexible and customizable.
- Powerful for complex, large-scale websites.
- Great for developers and advanced users.
Cons:
- Steep learning curve for beginners.
- Smaller user base than WordPress.
Weebly: Simple CMS for Small Businesses
Credits: Weebly
Weebly is specifically designed for small businesses. Its easy-to-use drag-and-drop feature makes it a great option for business owners who want a functional website without dealing with complicated website management tools.
One of Weebly’s best aspects is its affordability. It offers budget-friendly pricing plans, including options that come with built-in e-commerce tools. However, Weebly does have limitations when it comes to customization and scalability.
Pros:
- Easy-to-use drag-and-drop builder.
- Affordable pricing plans.
- Includes e-commerce capabilities for online stores.
Cons:
- Limited customization options.
- Less scalable for growing or large businesses.
Ghost: A Modern CMS for Blogging and Publishing
Credits: Ghost
It might sound odd but, there is one content management system designed specifically for publishing articles, stories, or other types of written content, and that is ghost CMS. Unlike other platforms that try to do everything, Ghost keeps it simple and focuses only on creating and sharing high-quality content.
Because of its minimalist design, the platform is easy to use, which makes it perfect for writers who don’t want to get involved in technical details.
Apart from that Ghost also provides sophisticated SEO tools that help your content rank higher in search engines. Overall, it is a great choice for those who want a simple and quick-to-learn platform. It is one of the top alternatives and competitors to WordPress.
Pros:
- Fast and simple for content publishing.
- Minimalistic and clean design.
- Great SEO features for bloggers.
Cons:
- Limited flexibility for advanced or complex websites.
- Requires paid hosting for full functionality.
Webflow: A Design-First CMS
Credits: Webflow
If a content management system comparison were to be made Webflow would rule for the best CMS for designers! Webflow is unique because it is made with designers and developers in mind. It makes their job easier by offering a combination of a visual website builder with a content management system. These features make Webflow one of t he best web design software options available.
Webflow bridges perfectly the gap between design and development. Its tools let you adjust every detail of your website easily. It also comes with reliable hosting and CMS features to keep your site running smoothly.
Pros:
- Full design control with a powerful visual editor.
- Ideal for designers and creative agencies.
- Robust CMS and hosting capabilities.
Cons:
- Steep learning curve for beginners.
- Can be expensive for larger or more complex websites.
Magento: CMS for Large-Scale E-Commerce
Credits: Magento
Magento, now known as Adobe Commerce, is a leading open-source e-commerce platform. Its robust tools and customization options cater to large-scale enterprises. Magento provides powerful tools for building and managing online stores.
Magento has the capacity to handle complex e-commerce needs, such as managing thousands of products, multiple storefronts, and advanced customer interactions. It also offers users helpful resources, extensions, and tools for growth.
Pros:
- Highly customizable and scalable.
- Built for large e-commerce websites.
- Strong community support.
Cons:
- Requires technical knowledge to set up and manage.
- Expensive for small businesses.
TYPO3: Enterprise CMS for Large Websites
Credits: TYPO3
TYPO3 is a free CMS platform that has been around for quite some time. Known for its enterprise-grade features, TYPO3 is designed to handle large websites and multiple sites under one setup. It’s one of the best CMS platforms for large websites, offering excellent flexibility, strong multilingual support, and robust security features.
TYPO3 is the best CMS for large websites and multilingual sites where reliability and scalability are key. If you’re looking for a CMS that can handle large-scale needs, TYPO3 is worth considering.
Pros:
- Excellent for large-scale websites.
- Strong multilingual support.
- Highly customizable and secure.
Cons:
- Steep learning curve.
- May require professional developers to manage.
Umbraco: Flexible CMS for .NET Developers
Credits: Umbraco
Umbraco is an open-source content management system (CMS) built on the .NET framework. It’s one of the top CMS platforms for websites, especially for developers who work with the Microsoft stack.
Praised for its content management tools and customizability, Umbraco allows developers to create tailored solutions for unique website needs.
Umbraco is not as beginner-friendly as other CMS options and offers limited built-in themes, which might require more time and expertise to set up. But on the other hand, it gives more control over the design and functionality of the sit.e
If you’re a developer or need a CMS that fits perfectly with your business needs, Umbraco is worth exploring.
Pros:
- Highly customizable.
- Great for .NET developers.
- Open-source with strong support.
Cons:
- Limited built-in themes.
- Not as beginner-friendly as other CMS platforms.
Contentful: Headless CMS for Developers
Credits: Contentful
Contentful is yet another leading content management system built with developers in mind. It is known as a headless CMS since it focuses on managing content separately from how it’s displayed. It is the perfect platform for developers who need content delivered across multiple platforms, like websites, mobile apps, and IoT devices.
Its API-first approach allows developers to fully adjust how and where content is used. Contentful is flexible and scalable, making it one of the top CMS platforms for websites that need advanced content management solutions.
Pros:
- Flexible and scalable.
- Great for multi-platform content management.
- API-first approach allows for customization.
Cons:
- Requires technical knowledge for setup and maintenance.
- Not as easy for non-developers.
Bitrix24: All-In-One CMS for Businesses
Credits: Bitrix24
Bitrix24 is more than just a business tool—it’s a complete platform that combines website management tools with CRM, team collaboration, and project management features.
With its cloud-based and scalable structure, Bitrix24 helps you to build and manage your website. It allows you to handle daily tasks like customer relationship management and team communication in one place.
Pros:
- Combines CMS with CRM, project management, and communication tools.
- Great for businesses looking for an all-in-one solution.
- Cloud-based and scalable.
Cons:
- Steeper learning curve.
- More complex compared to simpler CMS platforms.
PrestaShop: Open-Source E-Commerce CMS
Credits: Prestashop
As one of the best open-source CMS platforms, Prestashop has features to build and customize online stores of all sizes. This platform is specially designed for e-commerce websites.
Prestashop has a large marketplace with many modules and themes which make it easy to add features and designs to your store.
Pros:
- Highly customizable with a large marketplace for themes and modules.
- Open-source and free to use.
- Great for building robust e-commerce stores.
Cons:
- Requires technical knowledge to set up and customize.
- Limited customer support unless using paid services.
Choosing the Best CMS for Your Needs
Finding the right content management system depends on many factors such as; goals, budget, and technical skills.
Depending on the type of website you want to create, here are a few final key points to help you choose the right CMS platform.
For Bloggers and Content Creators
As a blogger or content creator, you need something simple, easy to use, and most importantly optimized for blogging/ content creation.
- Top Choices: WordPress.com, Ghost, Squarespace
For Small Businesses
For this one is hard to choose since there are many categories of small businesses. However, one is for sure that you need something affordable.
- Top Choices: Wix, Weebly, WordPress, Squarespace
For Large-Scale Businesses and Enterprises
Larger-scale and more complex businesses need to choose a CMS that offers more advanced customization and can handle heavy content and traffic.
- Top Choices: Shopify, Drupal, TYPO3, Magento
For E-Commerce Stores
This one is easy, if you’re selling online, it is better to pick a CMS that includes e-commerce features.
- Top Choices: Shopify, Magento, PrestaShop
For Digital Agencies and Designers
Agencies and designers have unique needs. They require platforms that allow detailed visual customization while providing strong website management tools.
- Top Choices: Webflow, Joomla, Bitrix24
Conclusion: Finding the Right CMS for 2024
Choosing the right content management system is essential for building a successful website. Each platform offers unique features, so it’s important to consider your specific needs. For example, small businesses may benefit from easy-to-use tools like Wix or Weebly, while large websites might require the advanced capabilities of platforms like Shopify or Magento.
A CMS that fits your goals can make managing your website smoother and more efficient. Whether you need tools for blogging, e-commerce, or large-scale content management, the best CMS platforms for websites in 2024 have plenty to offer. Take your time to compare features, ease of use, and scalability before deciding.
With the right choice, your website will have a strong foundation for growth and success.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
-
What is the easiest CMS to use?
Wix and Weebly are the most beginner-friendly platforms, offering simple drag-and-drop interfaces. -
Which CMS is best for beginners?
WordPress and Wix are great for beginners. They are easy to use, have simple interfaces, and offer plenty of tutorials to get you started. -
Are there free CMS platforms?
Yes, many CMS platforms like WordPress.org, Joomla, and Drupal are free to use. Some offer premium features or hosting services at a cost. -
Which CMS is best for blogging?
WordPress is the most popular choice for bloggers due to its ease of use and extensive plugin support. -
Do I need coding skills to use a CMS?
No, most CMS platforms are user-friendly and designed for non-technical users. However, coding can help with advanced customizations. -
Can I use a CMS for a small business website?
Yes, platforms like WordPress, Wix, and Squarespace are excellent for small businesses. They are affordable and offer features to grow your online presence.
