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Professional woman choosing between a pickup truck and compact sedan, with mechanics observing and an open road ahead
Who's driving and where do they need to go?

Asking "what's the best CMS?" is like asking "what's the best car?" There isn't one. The right choice depends on the road, your driver, mechanic, and budget.

1. The road: where you’re going

A sports car is great for weekend drives but terrible for hauling lumber. Match your CMS to what you actually do, not what sounds impressive.

Consider:

  • How often do you add or update content?
  • What type of content? Job posts, articles, image galleries, product specs?
  • What are competitors using successfully?

2. The driver: who’s using it

Can your marketing team confidently update pages without calling for help every time? Some CMSs assume technical comfort while others are built for non-technical users. Also consider whether one person manages everything or multiple people need access.

Consider:

  • What's their comfort level with technology?
  • One person or a team making updates?
  • Who controls permissions and access? (This is important in larger organizations where people come and go.)

3. The mechanic: who maintains it

Every website needs maintenance: security updates, bug fixes, and occasional troubleshooting. Some CMSs require specialized developers; others can be serviced by most agencies. Make sure you have reliable support before something breaks.

Consider:

  • Do you have an in-house developer, agency, or consultant?
  • Can they actually support your chosen CMS?
  • What are the agreed response times when issues arise?

4. The budget: what you can afford

Budget determines your options, but total cost of ownership matters more than sticker price. Factor in hosting, ongoing maintenance, training, and future development costs. A "free" CMS can cost more long-term if it requires expensive specialized support.

Consider:

  • What's the true monthly/annual cost including hosting and maintenance?
  • Can we handle updates in-house or do we need ongoing agency support?
  • What happens when we need to add features or scale up?

The bottom line: it's a people decision as much as a technical one

Start with your team's capabilities and your actual needs, not vendor feature lists. The best CMS is the one your driver can confidently operate, your mechanic can maintain, and your budget can sustain over time.

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