A comparison of the most popular CMS in 2024

There are now around 350 different content management systems (CMS). The selection ranges from versatile blog publishing construction kits to comprehensive e-commerce solutions and numerous other options. In order for a CMS to provide effective and optimal support when building a website, certain requirements must be met. By and large, CMS are used in various areas, including websites, online shops, blogs, information portals, news and publishing platforms and intranets.

What is a content management system (CMS)?

The aim of a successful website is to attract as many visitors as possible and retain them in the long term. To achieve this, appealing and captivating content is crucial. However, managing this content can be very time-consuming, depending on the size of the website. This is where content management systems (CMS) offer valuable support by making content management considerably easier and thus saving time.

The main task of CMS is to create, edit, organize and manage digital content. Thanks to helpful plugins and modules, the CMS can be expanded and enriched with additional functions. Essentially, it is software that enables users to create content for their website without the need for in-depth programming knowledge.

The actual complexity of setting up a CMS depends on the system chosen and the specific requirements. While some systems offer user-friendly solutions that are easy to understand even for non-experts, creating a website or online shop can require technical know-how in other cases.

The setup can be done by yourself in simpler cases. However, as soon as extensive websites, online shops, specific functions, integrations with ERP systems or unusual designs are required, it may be necessary to make adjustments to the backend of the CMS. In such cases, it is advisable to seek professional support.

A basic technical understanding of CMS can be an advantage, especially when it comes to detailed functions or security aspects. Below is a comparison of some common CMS:

Webflow

Webflow has established itself as one of the leading content management systems (CMS) and is on a par with well-known platforms such as Wordpress or Magento. As a high-performance CMS, Webflow is particularly impressive due to its strengths in loading times, web design and site-building processes, making it an excellent choice for search engine optimization (SEO). The platform offers integrated SEO functions and enables flexible content design without requiring users to have knowledge of complex programming languages.

An outstanding feature of Webflow is the clean, optimized code that the platform generates automatically. This ensures fast loading times, which both improves the user experience and increases visibility in search engines. This combination makes Webflow increasingly popular, especially with SEO agencies.

Webflow also offers predefined content structures that can be easily adapted to the individual requirements of a website. Over 3.5 million users worldwide, including well-known companies such as Dell and Zendesk, already rely on Webflow. Designers and developers in particular value the platform for its high degree of flexibility and creative freedom when creating content. In contrast to conventional CMS, designers do not need in-depth knowledge of programming. Thanks to the WYSIWYG approach (What You See Is What You Get), changes can be visually implemented and optimized in real time without having to write code beforehand.

Despite its many advantages, Webflow also brings with it some challenges. One of these is the pricing structure, which is often perceived as complicated and can potentially be confusing for new users. In addition, the user interface is currently only available in English, which can be a hurdle for users with limited English skills.

Regardless of these points, the advantages of Webflow outweigh the disadvantages for many companies. From small start-ups to large corporations, Webflow makes the development of professional websites more accessible and easier.

WordPress

WordPress was developed in 2003 by Matt Mullenweg and Mike Little and has since become one of the most widely used content management systems (CMS) in the world. It offers one of the easiest and most flexible ways to create websites or blogs, making it attractive to both beginners and professional developers. Thanks to its ease of use and customizability, WordPress dominates the web development market today, with over 40% of all websites worldwide running on this platform.

The basic version of WordPress is available for free and provides a solid foundation for creating websites. With thousands of open source plugins and themes, the CMS can be easily customized to meet individual needs, whether in terms of functionality or design. Through these extensions, users can add almost any feature they want, from e-commerce solutions to complex membership sites.

Security is an important aspect of WordPress, as the platform is often the focus of hackers due to its popularity. However, WordPress offers numerous security solutions and plugins that make it easy to secure your website. With regular updates and a well thought-out use of security plugins, WordPress websites can be easily protected against potential threats.

Another major advantage of WordPress is its scalability. The CMS can grow with the requirements of a website, be it by adding new functions or by optimizing for larger visitor numbers. Plugins and add-ons offer even inexperienced users easy ways to expand and customize their website.

However, the multitude of available plugins and themes also brings challenges. Excessive use or poorly developed extensions can affect the loading speed of the website. It is therefore important to regularly check the performance of the website and only use well-rated, up-to-date plugins and themes. With regular audits and optimizations, the performance of the website can be ensured in the long term.

In summary, WordPress is an extremely versatile CMS that is suitable for websites of all sizes and types. With the right maintenance and optimization, it offers users endless possibilities for the individual design and further development of their website.

Shopify

Originally planned as an online snowboard store, Shopify has developed into one of the world's leading cloud-based e-commerce platforms under the leadership of Tobias Lütke. Today, millions of businesses in over 170 countries rely on Shopify to create, manage and scale their online shops. Shopify offers a comprehensive e-commerce solution that enables both small and large businesses to run their stores quickly and efficiently.

The platform is based on a robust infrastructure that ensures high availability and reliability. This means that the store can be accessed at any time and from any device. A major advantage of Shopify is its scalability - it grows easily with the company's requirements and is therefore ideal for companies of all sizes.

Shopify offers an all-in-one solution that can be extended via an integrated app store to customize the store's functionality. The platform also allows an unlimited number of products in inventory and offers integrated payment options. With over 100 different payment gateways, including PayPal, credit cards, Bitcoin and local payment options such as Sofortüberweisung or purchase on account, Shopify facilitates the sale of products worldwide and covers a variety of customer needs.

A minor drawback of the platform is the limited flexibility in the URL structure, which limits the customization options for SEO or special requirements without developer knowledge. Shopify is also not one of the cheapest e-commerce solutions: In addition to monthly subscription fees, Shopify also charges transaction fees, especially if “Shopify Payments” is not used. Nevertheless, the platform offers a strong and reliable solution, especially for companies that want to expand internationally.

For optimal use and customization of the system, it can make sense to seek professional support from a web agency or experienced developers to get the most out of the platform.

WooCommerce

The powerful e-commerce plugin WooCommerce was released in 2011 and acquired by Automattic, the company behind WordPress, in 2015. Since then, WooCommerce has been one of the world's most popular e-commerce solutions. It allows users to add comprehensive online shop functions to their WordPress websites for free, providing a flexible, customizable solution for the e-commerce sector.

As WooCommerce was developed specifically for WordPress, it can be seamlessly integrated into existing WordPress websites. The ease of use makes the plugin particularly attractive for small and medium-sized companies. WooCommerce is even suitable for beginners, as it does not require in-depth technical knowledge to create a functioning online shop.

A major advantage of WooCommerce is its expandability. Users can choose from a variety of free and paid plugins to customize their store. Functions such as additional payment options, shipping methods or marketing tools can be easily added. This flexibility makes it possible to expand the store as required and adapt it to growing business requirements.

WooCommerce also offers detailed reporting and analysis functions that provide a clear overview of store performance. These reports help to make informed decisions for the further growth of the store. Although WooCommerce is very versatile, it is primarily designed for small to medium-sized stores. For very large and complex e-commerce projects, the plugin can reach its limits, especially in terms of performance and scalability.

While WooCommerce is generally considered user-friendly, a certain amount of technical know-how may be required to use advanced functions. Nevertheless, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks: The tight integration with WordPress and the variety of available extensions make WooCommerce a flexible solution that allows companies to build and customize their store step by step.

For SMEs, WooCommerce thus offers an affordable yet powerful way to get started in e-commerce and create a customized online shop that grows with the company.

Magento (Adobe Commerce)

Magento is a flexible e-commerce platform that was released in 2008 and is based on PHP. Now known as Adobe Commerce, Magento has established itself as one of the leading solutions for medium and large online retailers. The platform's popularity is due to its versatility, offering extensive functionality for both B2B and B2C companies.

As open source software, Magento is characterized by remarkable adaptability and scalability. These features enable companies to design their online shops precisely according to individual needs and to expand easily as the company grows. Magento therefore offers a future-proof solution that responds flexibly to the changing requirements of digital commerce.

The platform also includes a variety of integrated marketing tools and offers a wide range of extensions and plugins available in the Magento Marketplace. Magento is also known for its security features and reliability. It offers robust product management, order fulfillment and customer service features that enable efficient and secure online shop management.

Nevertheless, using Magento comes with some challenges. For beginners, the open source software can seem complex and overwhelming, as a certain level of technical expertise is required to make the most of the platform. In addition, implementation and customization can be time-consuming and costly, which can prove to be a disadvantage, especially for smaller companies with limited resources.

However, to benefit from the advantages of the platform, Magento offers the “Community Edition” (CE), a free, fully usable version. This allows companies with limited budgets to utilize the power of Magento and gradually grow into the platform.

Overall, Magento remains one of the leading e-commerce platforms on the market. With its flexibility, scalability and extensive functionality, it is an attractive choice for medium and large companies looking for a powerful e-commerce solution.

Shopware

The flexible e-commerce platform Shopware was developed in Germany and is a modular online shop system that is available both as open source software and in commercial editions. Shopware offers comprehensive solutions for B2C, D2C and B2B requirements and is characterized by its flexibility and user-friendly interface. The platform supports various business models and enables seamless integration of content and commerce.

Thanks to powerful features and efficient automation processes, Shopware impresses users with its high level of accessibility and user-friendliness. The platform also offers a wide range of plugins and extensive B2B and B2C functions. One outstanding tool is the Flow Builder, which revolutionizes the way companies can design and automate their e-commerce processes.

With the Flow Builder, business models can be shaped according to individual needs without considering technical limitations and scalable growth is encouraged for ambitious ideas. The intuitive no-code interface allows users to automate complex business processes, create sophisticated workflows and develop customized workflows for specific tasks - all without programming knowledge.

Another useful feature of Shopware is the integration of AI-generated content, which allows texts to be automatically created, checked and translated into different languages. The main feature is the intuitive content management system, which makes it easier for users to create appealing landing pages and experiences.

However, the Professional and Enterprise editions, as well as some plugins, can be quite costly, so technical knowledge or professional support for implementation and customization is an advantage. Despite these challenges, Shopware is seen as a powerful e-commerce platform that places great emphasis on flexibility, scalability and extensive functionality and is proving to be extremely worthwhile.

In a nutshell

The selection of content management systems (CMS) ranges from simple blog tools to complex web content management systems (WCMS). These systems make it easier to manage digital content and are particularly time-saving for extensive websites. Powerful CMSs include Webflow, which stands out for its SEO and design features, and Shopify, which provides a robust infrastructure for online sales.

Choosing the right CMS depends on several factors, including the desired feature set, target audience and specific project requirements. The availability of plugins and extensions also plays a crucial role, as they extend the functionality of the website and support growth.

Overall, the variety of CMSs available enables medium to large companies to find a solution that meets their individual needs. Choosing the right platform is strategic and has a long-term impact on the efficiency and sustainability of a company.

We at ZUMO will be happy to advise you and help you with the design and implementation of your new platform (contact button).