7 Powerful and Popular Content Management System Options

CMS (Content Management System) has become an indispensable super-widget for the creation and updating of a professional website with no knowledge of HTML or other code. With a dedicated server that provides exclusive connectivity for all of an organization's databases and web content, plus the means to easily create a powerhouse web presence, there is no better time to lay claim to an international, online market share.

1. Fatwire:

Fatwire


Established in 1996, Fatwire launched its CMS division in 2004. Its web management software is designed to enable companies to design, publish, and manage interactive, large-scale websites. Auxiliary offerings from Fatwire include content targeting to reach select audiences, content analysis, plus tracking individual assets, deals and promotions to determine what's working and what isn't. Fatwire's latest CMS release, Content Server 7.5, offers a user interface that creates an efficiency-driven personal dashboard for each user, a preview feature that allows marketers to create future campaigns or seasonal pages in advance of publication. Fatwire caters to a spectrum of mid-sized to larger organizations.

2. SiteCore:

SiteCore


Founded in Denmark in 2001, SiteCore is built on a Microsoft.net platform. Its Page Editor offers a role-based user interface that personalizes editing capabilities depending on the user's level of skill. Metadata management and more complex page functions provide experts with the tools they're looking for, while simpler, straightforward features keep frustration at bay for newbies. Web analytics help marketers target under-performing pages for immediate redesign, and visitor experience data gives statistical feedback. SiteCore's total disclosure of code source materials, open programming and .net languages makes the software readily accessible and customizable by those with the knowledge to do so. SiteCore CMS is appropriate for any business, but markets its technology toward larger organizations.

3. Refresh:

Refresh


Located in Massachusetts, Refresh was founded in 1996 and revamped in 2000 as a software provider. It offers affordable CMS with clear and user-friendly website development optimized for easy updating to keep sites topical and current. Refresh offers full training so users will have a complete understanding of the extent of its CMS capabilities, as well as guaranteed service levels. Refresh is geared toward nonprofit organizations but is appropriate for any business that wants to establish an affordable yet professional online presence.

4. SilverStripe:

SilverStripe


Originated in New Zealand in 2000, Silver Stripe became an open-source software distributor in 2006. An open-source CMS is non-proprietary software available to the public at no cost. An additional benefit of the open-source model is that the community of users can contribute improvements for the benefit of the community. SilverStripe utilizes a Sapphire encoding framework that works behind the scenes unless an advanced user wants to access and customize it. The content designer can create editing access permissions and restrictions governing different site components to protect certain elements while allowing other personnel to make changes in others. SilverStripe and its SilverStripe Development Network offer plenty of technical support, too. Government agencies, services and retail businesses alike utilize SilverStripe open-source CMS.

5. Drupal:

Drupal


Also built on an open-source principle, Drupal, a Dutch-originated open source project released in 2001, offers a free CMS download that is open to community additions and improvements. Enabling users to get a head-start on site development with a menu of installation profiles -- retail, blog, social network, etc. -- Drupal's CMS offers hundreds of themes and modules that facilitate total site customization. Drupal gears its CMS toward mid- to large-sized organizations. Although one reviewer considers the software learning curve to be steep, with Drupal's online guides, tech support chat, community support forums, and commercial support, chances are good the developer's questions will be addressed.

6. Joomla!:

Joomla!


A 2005 spin-off from the Australian Mambo company, Joomla! is now the leading open-source CMS in the industry. With a company mission of developing a flexible CMS for digital publishing and collaboration, Joomla! offers free downloading of its extensive web development system. Special CMS features include user management with space for up to 9 individuals with various levels of editorial permission, and template management with the flexibility to choose unique templates for different site sections and template overrides to make each page unique. With an integrated help system that includes a glossary and directory of where to find specific features, Joomla! CMS is especially user-friendly. Accessibility to a wide range of users has resulted in more than 15 million Joomla! downloads since 2007.

7. XOOPS:

XOOPS


An open-source CMS established in 2002 by co-founders K. Ono and G. Cheng, XOOPS (say "zoops") stores user website content and data in a MySQL database. XOOPS CMS is a modular system allowing users to select those items they need and drop them into their choice of 1000 customizable web theme templates. User management tools, as well as a group permissions system that regulates how company personnel collaborate on specific editing tasks, make XOOPS a useful CMS for businesses large or small. Volunteers worldwide oversee the open-source XOOPS community.

Each of the above seven CMS options provide many similar tools for in-house website and database development. While certain features, such as modules and content management tools, span the spectrum of CMS software, each company also offers unique features that may provide a more precise fit with a specific organization's website requirements. With an informed CMS selection as well as dedicated web hosting, building a professional online presence is easier, yet more effective, than ever before.

Written 2010-12-08 (Updated 2016-10-12)

Chad Bean

Share your thoughts

Laxman Budakoti,  11 February, 2012

Thanks sir for this nice article ..... this is more help full for me because i don't know about SiteCore, Refresh, SilverStripe.

Thanks once again
Laxman Budakoti

Elvin,  8 November, 2010

what about WORDPRESS???? i was expecting to see it on the list here :(

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