If you’re starting a new blog for yourself or your business, one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is which content management system (CMS) you want to use. The content management system is the platform where you publish all your content including text, pictures, video and more. It will store the data, display it to visitors and determines the formatting of your site.
There are dozens of different content management systems available today, and most of them are completely free to use. The following five options are exceptional for just about any type of site whether you’re making a personal blog, a small business site or even an eCommerce page.
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WordPress
WordPress is the world’s most popular content management system with more than 23% of all of the top 10 million sites on the web using it. It did not become the most popular by accident. This platform is very easy to use (Go Get Space even offers hosting packages designed specifically for this platform) and very flexible.
One of the best things about this platform is that there are thousands of ‘plugins’ available. Plugins are used to add or change the functionality of your site. This is how millions of sites can all use the same CMS while still looking and feeling completely unique.
Joomla
Joomla is another very popular option. This CMS is best known for being very customizable and also for being very SEO friendly. Just about everything concerning this platform can be adjusted to your liking, which makes it an excellent option for creating a site that will reflect your personality perfectly.
Geek Log
If you prefer a content management system that is less mainstream, Geek Log is a very nice option. It has a tiny fraction of the total number of users that WordPress or even Joomla have, but those who use it are typically very happy. Geek Log allows you to store the data for your site in multiple different types of databases, which many people will appreciate. The fact that it is not as popular does mean that you won’t have as many options for plugins or free themes, so keep that in mind.
PHP-Fusion
This content management system gets its name from the fact that it is coded using the PHP language (which is what most CMSs are coded in). This would be considered a mid-level CMS in popularity, which for many people will be the sweet spot. It is popular enough to get excellent support and lots of features, but still small enough to have a personal touch (and to not attract hackers!). One of the best things about PHP-Fusion is that it is very user friendly on the back end, which is ideal for newer users.
Drupal
Drupal is another very popular content management system. While not nearly as big as WordPress or Joomla, it is still a great option for those who want a CMS with lots of users. The popularity does attract a lot of developers, which means you will be able to find plenty of plugins and themes for your site. It is also easier to use than many other CMSs out there.
Choosing Your CMS
While it is possible to migrate a site from one CMS to another, it can be somewhat of a hassle. With this in mind, it is best to take your time and figure out exactly which CMS is right for you before you start creating your site. The above mentioned five CMSs are a great place to start so learn about them and see if they will be able to meet your needs.
