7 Best CMS platforms to start your new website (2022)

At the time of writing this article, more than 50 million active sites are managed by some type of CMS. As a result, users are able to develop sites and organize their content with the help of such a platform, rather than having to build a site manually and from zero. Nevertheless, if you build your site on the incorrect platform, the procedure will be far more challenging.

More than two thousand of these kinds of platforms are now accessible, and the number is continuing to rise. Because each caters to a distinct demographic and offers a unique set of features, the one that is selected must be suitable to the goals of the site and its overall scope.

This article will discuss 7 of the most popular platforms, as well as the characteristics and benefits of each application, with the goal of assisting you in selecting the platform that will serve you effectively.

However, before we get into all of that, we are going to discuss what are the fundamentals and how this platform is different from other software that is used to develop sites.

What is it?

This is a piece of software that enables the development of content, as well as its administration and delivery. It is possible to use it to either develop a site from scratch or to manage the content of an already current site. They can be obtained for free or through paid membership. You may use them to build sites from scratch, or you can use them to manage and update sites that already exist.

What characteristics are essential in an excellent CMS platform?

The question now is: how can you tell if a platform is suitable for your site? Here are some of the most important characteristics to keep an eye out for:

Tailor-made: You want your company to stand out for all the right reasons, and the best way to do so is with a site that is consistent with your brand and demonstrates the full potential of your company. Keep an eye out for a variety of adjustable themes and layouts. Look at platforms that make it simple to create sites from the ground up as a solution.

User-friendly: If you don’t intend to employ a programmer, you should probably look for a platform that is straightforward and easy to use. Editors that work like a drag-and-drop make things simpler for the entire team.

Secured: Protecting oneself and one’s property should be a primary concern. And besides, you don’t want your brand-new site to be compromised by malicious software or technical problems. Therefore, investigate the availability of a variety of user authorization options and access levels. Your preferred platform has to furthermore have specialized security staff to address any problems that may arise.

Compatibility: A platform that is able to incorporate with the application framework that you use makes life easier. Create a list of all the apps that are essential to the operation of your company, and then check to see if the platform you’ve chosen is compatible with each one.

Strong assistance: It may appear impossible to resolve the issue at times. If there is customer help available, you won’t have to waste time attempting to figure things out on your own.

How is CMS different from other software that is used to develop sites?

It is quite easy to confuse this platform with the software used to build and develop sites. But both applications have various differences. Here are some differences between them.

Hosting: While applications that are used to build sites often include hosting services as part of their product offering, applications like this are typically self-hosted, giving users the freedom to select their preferred provider independently. Having to choose a solution that is especially suited for such platforms will provide the best results for your site.

Accessibility: Applications that are used to build sites often include editors that are accessible to users in order to facilitate the creation of content and the personalization of sites. On the other hand, due to the nature of their user interfaces, many platforms may have a higher learning curve for users who are not technically savvy.

Versatility: The vast majority of platforms, particularly those that are open-source, offer a selection of extensions that may be used to enhance a site’s capabilities. Applications that are used to build sites, on the other hand, typically impose greater constraints on the extent to which a site may develop.

Here are the best CMS platforms of 2022

Now that we are clear with the basics, let us start with the list of best and most effective platforms.

1. Magnolia

Magnolia is a piece of software that is available for free download and is aimed to provide consumers access to tools that enhance complex digital experiences. Java is the programming language that the platform employs, which elevates it to the level of enterprise-grade software and gives it superior dependability and stability.

Pros:

• Excellent scalability for the expansion of a site.
• Simple to modify the pages and add your own touches to the material.

Cons:

• Insufficient availability of online assistance and communities.
• In order to use some functionalities, prior knowledge of the Java programming language is required.

2. Typo3

Because of its excellent scalability, Typo3 is ideally suited for use on enterprise-level applications. Furthermore, it distinguishes the web front-end from the administration interface, which is what gives it its one-of-a-kind quality. As a consequence of this, it is now more difficult for hackers to impair the functioning of the sites.

Pros:

• Automate the process of resolving any security concerns.
• Outstanding adaptability and scalability for the development of sites, suitable for companies of all sizes.

Cons:

• Users who are not technically savvy may find the setup to be difficult.
• The process of personalizing the information requires extensive training.

3. Umbraco

One of the finest replacements to WP, Umbraco is a system that is both expansive and user-friendly. It is built on Microsoft’s.NET architecture. This platform, in contrast to other platforms, is supported by a team of industry professionals that offer assistance on an enterprise level.

Pros: 

• Publishes information through a wide variety of different digital channels.
• Security patches are installed on a system immediately once a threat has been identified in order to protect it.

Cons:

• There is a limited selection of extensions available to increase the functionality.
• The absence of a development community.

4. Grav

Grav is a platform that is built on files and has straightforward navigation. Because it does not use a conventional database, the platform can run far more quickly than competing applications. However, in order to use the graphical interface, some level of technical expertise are require.

Pros:

• Installation that takes very little time and requires very little space on the server.
• Functionality is based on an advanced taxonomy that enables the creation of links between pages.

Cons:

• There is no library to browse any of the files that have post to a site.
• E-commerce platforms suffer from inadequate stock management.

5. Sitecore 

ASP.NET was use in the development of Sitecore, which is one of the most successful enterprise platforms currently available. The content development capabilities of this platform extend to various other digital platforms. The key distinction between this versatile program and other popular platforms is that it incorporates a greater number of marketing tools.

Pros:

• Interface that is both simple and straightforward to use.
• Functionalities that provide enhanced assistance for the protection of personal data in accordance with the most recent regulations.

Cons:

• Costly in relation to the other available choices.
• Insufficient user support, network, and information that keep up to date.

6. Sitefinity

The digital marketing industry might benefit greatly from using Sitefinity as its platform. This platform stands out from others since it makes it simple for companies to interact with visitors and keep them as customers. In addition to this, the platform contributes to the creation of a more individualized experience for site visitors.

Pros:

• Delivers information that will assist maximize the experiences of your users.
• Utilizes a user-friendly interface in order to easily build and manage both structure and layout.

Cons:

• Integrations with external parties are restrict.
• No automated updates.

7. Bitrix24

Bitrix24 is a business tool that provides its users with a fundamental platform in addition to advanced tools such as the capability to manage their activities, projects, contacts, and interactions with their customers.

Free of charge at the most fundamental level, it provides a comprehensive answer to problems that small businesses face.

Pros:

• Because the application’s most fundamental level offers at no cost, users allow to experiment with it before making any financial commitments.
• You will have access to everything you want to successfully run a company of any size, thanks to the extensive list of features that come standard with the product.

Cons:

• It is most suitable for use as a marketing tool; hence, acquiring a platform through this method might be challenging if you are already satisfy with another tool or if you do not want the capabilities that it provides.
• You could find the program interface difficult to navigate or confusing as a result of the large number of functions it has.

Which option is the best?

Finding the finest platform boils down to considering your specific needs. A photographer who is interest in displaying their collection and a person who has interest  in selling items and services online are two examples of established businesses that have different requirements. Before making a choice, it is important to give adequate consideration to the ideal option for your site. It is possible to migrate to another program, but doing so may be difficult and time-consuming. Because of this, it is always preferable to do things right the first time around.

Conclusion

Our goal with this article was to help our readers understand what a CMS is and how this platform differs from other software used to build sites. We also provided you with a list of the best and most effective platforms for your business needs, along with the pros and cons of each application. Hopefully, you enjoyed the post, and until next time.