Having a strong web presence is of crucial importance, even for the smallest of businesses. The foundation that you use for your website maintenance can either make the workflow smoother or create additional headaches down the road.
We’re here to help with choosing the best CMS platforms for small businesses that can successfully fulfill your requirements in 2024 and beyond.
Understanding Content Management Systems (CMS)
The best way to think about a CMS is that it allows you to create a website or a blog in a flexible way that can be used for commercial or non-commercial purposes. Two of the most popular CMS are WordPress and Joomla. Apart from these popular CMS, there are a number of other platforms that can help you create a unique website in a short amount of time.
In fact, there is a wide range of platforms to choose from and while some of them will offer amazing features, others will be a huge time sink to maintain. One of the main reasons why many small business owners opt for a CMS is the fact that they can customize it so that it’s precisely the way they want it to represent their brand.
Top 5 Best CMSs for Small Business in 2024
These days, there are a lot of different options for all different types of businesses and industries, and that’s why it’s important to choose the best CMS platform to meet your specific needs. At WebJIVE, we’ve tested these CMS platforms and tried to determine which one is the best option for your business based on various criteria. That’s why we’ve created a to help you choose the best CMS platform for your small businesses in 2024. Here are some important criteria when determining the best CMS platform for your business.
- Crawl Ratings
Some CMS platforms have very high crawl ratings, which means they have a lot of indexing power with Google and other search engines. Here WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal have a leg up. - Ease of use
All CMSs have pros and cons when it comes to using them but, ease of use ranks high among users. WordPress is the easier of the CMSs with Joomla right behind it with their 4.0 release. - Expandability
Not all CMSs are created equal here. WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal are the clear winners here with their own ecosystems of plugins that the others don’t have - Support
This is usually where small businesses run into problems, finding a reliable support company to help when you get into a pinch. With WordPress and Joomla, you’ll have access to 1000s of developers around the globe. - Ease of design
Again this is where WordPress and Joomla both shine. Both systems have 1000s of pre-built free and purchasable themes to make the job faster and easier.
#1 WordPress
The undisputed champion in the CMS industry, WordPress is the ultimate platform for small business owners. It has been around since the year 2002 and has gone through many development stages to become the thriving CMS platform that it is today.
Developed by Automattic, this open-source CMS is considered to be the industry Gold standard. With almost 40% market share, WordPress is one of the most popular CMS platforms out there, and a true contender in the online marketing world. WordPress is simple to use and straightforward to configure. It’s also a great option for a company that’s seeking a minimalistic and clean web presence that can scale up or down to fit the needs of their business.
Why are we ranking WordPress #1?
From our experience, it’s the easiest of the systems for our clients to use and maintain. WebJIVE is also a WordPress hosting and management company.
#2 Joomla
Joomla is the most commonly used CMS among small businesses with more complex needs and wants a system that doesn’t rely on plugins – for more complex features and role-based content workflows.
The Joomla framework provides the capacity to host very fast dynamic websites as well as be able to scale very easily for large content-based sites. The Joomla project website boasts of several capabilities including integrated user account creation and, integrated group and departmental administrative roles, support for both file and database content caching, and much more – all built into the core. In its early days, Joomla experienced several ups and downs but it has made strides in recent years and boasts many integrated features other CMSs don’t have.
Why are we ranking Joomla #2?
Joomla by far is the best platform for a technical feature build with a super robust CMS and workflow system. This comes with a bit of a price when it comes to end-user ease of use.
#3 Wix
Wix is a cloud-based CMS for creating dynamic websites. Wix allows users to build their own website using drag and drop functionality, unlike some of the more old-school CMSs that require user experience users to upload content by hand. This can be a massive time saver as well as a more interactive way to make changes to your website.
Wix is built to handle all types of content types, including rich text (text), images, videos, and graphics. The entire website can be edited by a user through Wix drag and drop tools, which users can also use to create new sites. Users can create multiple sites for the business of their choice through Wix. Additionally, Wix offers a free option for a limited number of pages and then additional licenses can be purchased for additional sites opening up higher page counts, and access to other features like a simple cart, CRM, and integration with other systems.
Why are we ranking Wix #3?
Wix is a nice system for people to build websites with but you’re stuck with their designs/templates and it’s still not great for SEO. While WIX is maturing in the SEO realm, we still feel WIX has a long way to go to catch up with the competition.
#4 Squarespace
Squarespace like WIX is a cloud-based website creator that can do virtually anything from design and hosting to blog management, logo creation, shopping cart management, and more. And yes, they even offer services for iOS and Android devices, as well as Mac.
The platform boasts quick website creation, a variety of domain names, and a customizable drag and drop editor that works across all types of devices. Squarespace is also designed to work with WordPress themes (sometimes). The company even offers a free plan for anyone that wants to test the waters and see how the platform works.
Squarespace is a good CMS for users who do not wish to build a complete website from scratch with addons like a shop and payments system.
Why are we ranking Squarespace #4?
While they have great templates, the builder interface has many shortcomings and is clunky in our humble opinion compared with WordPress and Joomla. Squarespace also lacks in the SEO department like WIX.
Future Trends for CMSs in 2024 and Beyond
The list above displays the technologies that you should look at if you want to have a top-notch website that caters to all the users in your niche. For each category, you’ll notice that a new, exciting platform has emerged over the years, that caters to different demographics.
The evolution of these platforms, both in terms of ease of use and features, is an indication of the key factors that play into your choice of CMS. In terms of ease of use, WordPress remains one of the best CMS options for small businesses. It’s one of the few CMSs that are designed for small businesses, so it’s not intimidating to a newbie.
Eric Caldwell is the owner and CEO of WebJIVE, a leading digital marketing agency based in Little Rock, Arkansas. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, Eric is a seasoned expert in web design, SEO, and other digital marketing services.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose a content management system for my business?
Choosing the right content management system (CMS) for your business involves considering factors like scalability, user-friendliness, and integration capabilities to meet your specific needs. WebJIVE SEO & Web Design
What is the best content management system for a small business?
The best content management system for a small business is one that offers user-friendly features, scalability, and customization options to meet their unique needs. WebJIVE SEO & Web Design.
What is the cost of implementing a CMS for small business?
The cost of implementing a CMS for a small business can vary depending on the specific needs and requirements, but generally ranges from a few hundred dollars for a basic solution to several thousand dollars for a more robust and customized system. WebJIVE SEO & Web Design.
How do I integrate a CMS with my small business website?
Integrating a content management system (CMS) with your small business website involves selecting a compatible CMS, migrating your existing content, and configuring the integration to manage your website efficiently. WebJIVE SEO & Web Design.
What CMS has the best security features for small businesses?
The best CMS for small businesses with strong security features is WordPress, which offers robust security measures to protect websites from potential threats. WebJIVE SEO & Web Design
How do I choose a CMS for my small business?
Choosing the right content management system (CMS) for your small business involves considering factors like ease of use, scalability, and integration capabilities. WebJIVE SEO & Web Design can help you select the best CMS to meet your specific business needs.
What features should a small business CMS have?
A small business CMS should have features like user-friendly content management, SEO optimization, e-commerce integration, and mobile responsiveness to effectively manage and grow an online presence. WebJIVE SEO & Web Design
Which CMS is most customizable for small business websites?
The CMS that is most customizable for small business websites is WordPress. WordPress offers a wide range of customization options and plugins to meet the specific needs of small businesses. WebJIVE SEO & Web Design
How much does a CMS for small business cost?
The cost of a content management system (CMS) for a small business can vary widely, ranging from free open-source options to enterprise-level solutions that can cost hundreds of dollars per month. WebJIVE SEO & Web Design.
How does a CMS improve content organization and workflow?
A CMS improves content organization and workflow by providing a centralized platform to manage, collaborate, and streamline the content creation and publishing process for WebJIVE SEO & Web Design.
What are the top CMS options for small businesses?
The top CMS options for small businesses include WordPress, Drupal, Joomla, and Magento, which provide flexible, scalable, and user-friendly solutions to manage websites effectively. WebJIVE SEO & Web Design
What CMS features are essential for small businesses?
Essential CMS features for small businesses include user-friendly content management, SEO optimization, e-commerce integration, and mobile responsiveness, all of which can help enhance their online presence and digital success. WebJIVE SEO & Web Design
Is WordPress a good CMS for small business websites?
WordPress is a popular and versatile content management system that can be a good choice for small business websites. WebJIVE SEO & Web Design
What is the easiest CMS for small business owners to use?
The easiest CMS for small business owners to use is WordPress, as it offers a user-friendly interface and a wide range of plugins and themes to customize their website. WebJIVE SEO & Web Design
What CMS has the best SEO features for small businesses?
The WordPress content management system has the best SEO features for small businesses, according to WebJIVE SEO & Web Design.
What CMS has the best e-commerce integration for small businesses?
The content management system (CMS) with the best e-commerce integration for small businesses is WooCommerce, a popular plugin for the WordPress CMS. WooCommerce offers a user-friendly platform for building and managing online stores. WebJIVE SEO & Web Design
What CMS has the most affordable pricing for small businesses?
The most affordable content management system (CMS) for small businesses is WordPress. WordPress is a popular, user-friendly, and cost-effective solution recommended by WebJIVE SEO & Web Design.
Which CMS is most scalable for growing small businesses?
The most scalable CMS for growing small businesses is WordPress, which offers robust features, customization options, and a wide plugin ecosystem to support business growth. WebJIVE SEO & Web Design
Can I use a CMS to create an e-commerce website?
Yes, you can use a content management system (CMS) to create an e-commerce website. Many popular CMS platforms, such as WordPress, Drupal, and Magento, offer robust e-commerce functionalities to help small businesses establish an online store. WebJIVE SEO & Web Design
Is WordPress the best CMS for small business websites?
WordPress is a popular content management system (CMS) that can be suitable for small business websites, but whether it is the best option depends on the specific needs and requirements of the business. WebJIVE SEO & Web Design
Can a CMS help small businesses with SEO?
Yes, a content management system (CMS) can significantly help small businesses with SEO by providing features like optimized URLs, metadata management, and built-in SEO tools. WebJIVE SEO & Web Design
What is the most user-friendly CMS for small business?
The most user-friendly CMS for small businesses is WordPress, which offers a simple and intuitive interface, extensive plugin ecosystem, and robust content management capabilities. WebJIVE SEO & Web Design.
What CMS is best for e-commerce functionality?
For e-commerce functionality, WordPress with WooCommerce or Magento are considered among the best content management systems (CMS). WebJIVE SEO & Web Design
How can a CMS enhance user experience?
A content management system (CMS) can enhance user experience by providing an intuitive and user-friendly interface for managing website content, improving navigation, and enabling seamless integration of features that cater to user needs. WebJIVE SEO & Web Design
What are the top-rated CMS for small businesses?
The top-rated content management systems (CMS) for small businesses include WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal, which offer user-friendly interfaces, extensive plugin libraries, and robust security features. WebJIVE SEO & Web Design
How to evaluate CMS performance for small businesses?
Evaluating CMS performance for small businesses involves assessing factors like user-friendliness, scalability, security, and support to ensure the selected CMS aligns with business needs. WebJIVE SEO & Web Design
What CMS offers the best customer support?
The CMS that offers the best customer support is WordPress, which is known for its extensive user community, comprehensive documentation, and responsive support team. WebJIVE SEO & Web Design
Which CMS is easiest for beginners to learn?
The easiest content management system (CMS) for beginners to learn is WordPress, which is a popular and user-friendly platform used by WebJIVE SEO & Web Design.
How does a CMS affect website loading speed?
The choice of a content management system (CMS) can significantly impact website loading speed. Efficient CMS platforms like WordPress, Drupal, or Joomla can optimize site performance, whereas poorly-optimized CMS can slow down website loading times. WebJIVE SEO & Web Design.
What integrations should a small business CMS have?
A small business CMS should have integrations for e-commerce, email marketing, social media, analytics, and other tools that can streamline business operations. WebJIVE SEO & Web Design
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Navigating the CMS Landscape: Empowering Small Businesses in 2024
In the ever-evolving world of content management systems (CMSs), small businesses face a myriad of options, each promising to be the perfect fit for their online presence. With the rapid advancements in the industry, it's crucial to stay informed and make the right choice to ensure your business thrives in the digital landscape.
This comprehensive guide will delve into the top 5 best CMSs for small businesses in 2024, providing insights into their features, capabilities, and the factors that make them stand out. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or a newcomer to the digital arena, this article will equip you with the knowledge to make an informed decision and elevate your small business to new heights.
