Content Management System (CMS) Software

What is the best Content Management System (CMS) Software?

A Content Management System (CMS) is a suite of software tools for creating, editing, storing, publishing, and collaborating on digital content.

CMS systems are important because they provide more control over website content and give companies the ability to make necessary edits or changes so that content stays updated and relevant for a great web experience. 

The top CMS features include:

  • Content Creation
  • Content Editing
  • Workflows and Organization Tools
  • Role-Based User Permissions
  • Personalization
  •  Reporting & Analytics
  • Security & Compliance
  • Flexibility 
  • Scalability
  • Multilingual Content Tools

The benefits of a Content Management System (CMS) are:

  • Employees spend less time tracking down necessary documents and information.
  • Paper documents can be converted to digital documents, allowing easy access on your network. This may allow businesses to save resources on file storage.
  • Because file sharing is now easier, collaboration among employees in different departments or locations is facilitated.
  • Relationships with long-term customers improve thanks to Case Management Software that closely tracks all customer interactions.
  • Online and social media presence is improved with W-CMS tools that make content creation and sharing easier.
  • Compliance with legal regulations is easier to ensure and document.
  • Customizable Content
  • Simple Content Collaboration
  • Seamless Scheduling of Content
  • Mobility & Accessibility
  • Quick, Easy Installation

There are several types of CMS solutions including W-CMS and DMS.

  • Web CMS solutions are used primarily for creating, managing, and publishing content online. W-CMS tools and features are designed to help enhance your company’s web presence through social media, blogs, online storefronts, and websites. A CMS website can help promote successful ecommerce and offer the opportunity to gather and organize feedback gained through customer interaction with your website or social media sources.
  • DMS solutions, on the other hand, are designed to aid in the storage, organization, and management of internal documents or materials that are not intended for sharing outside of your organization. A DMS solution best benefits companies that rely upon large amounts of internal data or documents and can also help streamline internal business processes as well.

Open-source CMS deployment is becoming increasingly popular, especially for web content management. An open-source CMS is an easily accessible system for managing and publishing online content with ease. The open-source nature of this type of solution is typically much more cost effective and is constantly being enhanced, upgraded, and improved through a community of developers.

If your business revolves around large amounts of highly sensitive content and data, then you may opt for a proprietary CMS solution instead. A proprietary solution will likely cost more to implement, but will offer increased levels of customization and security for internal document management.

CMS system pricing varies depending on the type of solution you choose for your business, and providers offer subscription and licensing pricing models. In a subscription based pricing model, you will pay a monthly fee based on the number of users and specific tools and features you’ll need. However, in a licensing model, you will pay a larger, one-time fee to license the software and manage it inside your company.

Choosing the perfect CMS solution that will serve your business content needs for years to come may seem a complex task. However, if you plan and prepare properly with these key tips for selecting your CMS, you’ll likely choose a solution that will serve your business well into the future.

Top 10 Content Management System (CMS) Software

WordPress / Qwilr / GetAccept / Widen / Box / DocuShare / Content Central / Agility / Canto / Adobe Experience Manager

WH Score
7.9
Hightail
14reviews
Starting Price:$0 per user / per month
OpenText Hightail CMS is a content management system (CMS) that provides businesses with a platform to manage, store, and distribute their digital content. It is designed to help organizations streamline their content creation process and improve their overall digital asset management.
WH Score
7.9
Everteam
0reviews
Starting Price:N/A
Through their J2EE platform, Everteam ECM offers a complete, advanced enterprise content management system that combines a simple aesthetic with powerful features that vastly improve productivity on both a personal level and company-wide. The platform is completely web-based, meaning that users can ...
WH Score
7.9
DataBank
0reviews
Starting Price:N/A
Databank Enterprise Content Management focuses on integration to make all of your data more than just accessible. By allowing you to manage your data from a single workspace, while integrating fully with over 500 applications, your enterprise’s data is completely dynamic. The software also all...
WH Score
7.8
SharePoint
10reviews
Starting Price:$5 per user / per month
SharePoint empowers teamwork with dynamic and productive team sites for every project team, department, and division. Share files, data, news, and resources. Customize your site to streamline your team’s work. Collaborate effortlessly and securely with team members inside and outside your organizati...
WH Score
7.8
Document Locator
11reviews
Starting Price:$23 per user / per month
Document Locator is a document management system that makes it simple for Microsoft users to control every aspect of their busy document portfolio. Instead of going through a multi-step procedure for each document within your business, you can use Document Locator to manage workflow, automate busine...
WH Score
7.8
FileHold
11reviews
Starting Price:N/A
FileHold is document management software that allows offices to easily make the transition to a totally paperless system. This software is made for businesses that don’t need an expensive asset management system; just a powerful document manager that allows users to create and edit forms, tag ...
WH Score
7.8
Dropbox
18reviews
Starting Price:$9.99 per user / per month
Finally now all your tools, content, and collaborators are accessible from the same place. Dropbox Business is more than secure storage—it's a smart, seamless way to optimize your existing workflow.      
WH Score
7.8
OnBase
32reviews
Starting Price:N/A
OnBase by Hyland is an enterprise management system that helps professional businesses organize and manage their content, cases, and processes, all from a single workspace. Users can implement solutions in a single department, or create a company-wide solution that keeps the entire enterprise workin...
WH Score
7.7
FileBound
7reviews
Starting Price:N/A
In FileBound, Upland Software has created a cloud-based solution for enterprise content management that completely automates workflow and business processes. Businesses can connect team members for better collaboration, cut out expensive paper-based processes, increase productivity, and ensure that ...
WH Score
7.7
Daminion
3reviews
Starting Price:N/A
Daminion is a digital asset management system that allows multiple users the ability to store, access, and edit photographs, videos, and documents. While the software can be used for multiple file types, the true focus of Daminion is photo files, making it easy for small teams to collaborate on proj...

Learn more about Content Management System (CMS) Software

What is a Content Management System and Why it is Important?

A Content Management System (CMS) is a suite of software tools for creating, editing, storing, publishing, and collaborating on digital content.

CMS systems are important because they provide more control over website content and give companies the ability to make necessary edits or changes so that content stays updated and relevant for a great web experience. 

What is a Content Management Platform?

A Content Management Platform, also known as a content management system or CMS, is a software system that provides tools and features for managing all the elements of creating a website and managing the content that lives on the site. 

What are the Components of a CMS?

The components of a CMS are:

  • UI (User Interface)
  • Data Storage
  • Workflow Schemes
  • Editorial Features and Tools
  • Outputs

What are the Types of CMS?

The types of CMS include Open-Source CMS, SaaS and Cloud-Based CMS, and Proprietary CMS. 

What is the Difference Between HTML and CMS?

The difference between HTML and CMS is that with a Content Management System (CMS), you can create and manage content on a website by using the tools and features in the admin panel without the need for coding. However, HTML involves coding and creating a website out of embedded images, objects, and content. 

What are the Common Features of Content Management System Software?

The common features of Content Management System (CMS) software include:

  • Content Creation
  • Content Editing
  • Workflows and Organization Tools
  • Role-Based User Permissions
  • Personalization
  • Reporting & Analytics
  • Security & Compliance
  • Flexibility 
  • Scalability
  • Multilingual Content Tools

What are the Benefits of Content Management System (CMS) Software?

The benefits of CMS Software include:

  • Ease-of-Use
  • Customizable Content
  • Simple Content Collaboration
  • Seamless Scheduling of Content
  • Mobility & Accessibility
  • Quick, Easy Installation

Who Needs a Content Management System? 

Any organization that tends to use the same content repeatedly or lacks tools to create and edit custom content for their website or business needs a CMS. 

What are the Challenges with Content Management System Software?

The challenges with CMS can include obtaining approval for implementation, migrating data and content, determining document ownership, and increasing adoption and use of the system. 

How to Buy Content Management System Software?

You can use the following checklist to help you determine how to buy the best Content Management System (CMS) software for your business:

  • Focus on business needs and growth goals driving the decision to get a new or upgraded CMS system.
  • Plan for content and data migration, implementation costs, IT involvement, and any downtime that may impact your business.
  • Make a plan to support user adoption through training.
  • Understand the content processes you’re looking to streamline, automate, and improve.
  • Don’t skip the product demos offered by CMS software vendors to show features and functionality.
  • Understand reporting and analytics needs.
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