To keep up with the need for regular publishing, it has become essential for small business owners to have a CMS with must-have features. Maintaining a strong online presence is crucial for staying competitive and relevant in today’s digital landscape. Many IT-savvy leaders in smaller businesses are investing resources in the latest CMS technology. The CMS you choose can have a significant impact on your digital experiences and business outcomes. An ideal CMS should integrate all the necessary tools into one tech stack.
For example, WordPress, a popular CMS, offers user engagement tools like WYSIWYG editing, drag-and-drop features, blog and RSS feed creation, forms, KPI reporting, and more. An API-first CMS is also valuable for avoiding data silos. It provides marketers and developers with structured data that can be presented in the chosen framework or language. A good CMS should require minimal support from IT staff to ensure smooth website operation.
If your business considers online channels central to its strategy, investing in a suitable CMS is crucial. However, choosing the right CMS can be challenging for new and smaller businesses with limited resources and skills to manage the platform. Here are the top nine features that every small business should look for when investing in a CMS:
1. User-Friendliness: Small businesses often lack technical skills, so a CMS with an easy-to-navigate backend is essential. WordPress is known for its user-friendly admin interface, making it a great choice for novices. Drupal and Joomla, on the other hand, are not as user-friendly.
2. Scalability: A CMS should be able to scale with your business’s growth. It should handle increased demand without causing website downtime. Ensure that your CMS is built with core web technologies to handle traffic bursts.
3. SEO Tools: SEO is crucial for improving brand visibility and generating leads. Look for a CMS that makes on-page SEO easy, like WordPress with its Yoast SEO plugin.
4. Multisite and Multilingual Functionality: Choose a CMS that supports multisite and multilingual functionality to streamline content management.
5. Add-Ons and Plugins: A CMS with a wide selection of add-ons and plugins allows for easy customization of your website to suit your business needs.
6. Responsive Themes: Native support for responsive website design is a must. Look for a CMS with a variety of responsive themes, like WordPress.
7. PHP 8 Programming Language: Consider choosing a CMS programmed in PHP 8, as it offers improved performance and speed.
8. Social Media Integration: Social media is crucial for connecting and engaging with your audience. Look for a CMS with social media integration features.
9. Robust Security: Small businesses are often targeted by hackers, so choose a CMS with strong security features like a web application firewall, automatic updates, SSL certificate, and CDN.
Lastly, ensure that the CMS you choose offers adequate customer support to resolve any issues that may arise. By considering these features, you can make an informed decision and find a CMS that meets your small business’s needs.
