Did you know that 73% of small businesses have their own website?
This clearly highlights the importance of a website for running a successful business.
But simply creating one is not enough; you need powerful content to make your site functional.
From blogs and images to videos and infographics, it is important to regularly add and update the content on your website.
However, the process can be very time-consuming and challenging.
This is why more than 73 million websites on the web are using CMS (content management system).
These platforms help you to manage the content on your website easily and in a systematic manner.
But with more than 800 CMS platforms available online, it can be difficult to choose the right one for your business needs.
So, to help you with this, we have created this guide.
In this article, we are going to discuss the 8 best small business website CMS platforms.
What is a Content Management System?
A content management system (CMS) is software that simplifies creating and editing digital content like – images, text, and videos for websites. You can do all these without knowing how to code.
CMS platforms provide themes and templates to make content creation and uploading straightforward. These tools can handle all technical tasks for you. This frees up time to focus on writing or other business activities.
The best CMS systems facilitate collaboration among various teams in areas like content strategy, marketing, writing, and analytics. You can also integrate with other tools for complete website management.
8 Best Small Business Website CMS Platforms
Here’s the list of the top 8 small business content management systems you can use:
WordPress – Best Overall Small Business Website CMS
WordPress.org is our top pick for the best CMS platform. It’s the most widely used CMS globally, powering about 43% of all websites.
It’s essential to distinguish between WordPress.org and WordPress.com. WordPress.org is a free, open-source CMS initially intended for blogging but is now used by various types of websites and online stores. WordPress.com, on the other hand, is a blog hosting platform.
WordPress provides abundant third-party plugins, customization options, themes, and other features – thanks to its open-source core software and an extensive community of developers and users. This flexibility makes it an ideal choice for any website.
Features
- User-friendly interface
- E-commerce capabilities
- SEO-friendly
- Customization options
- Community support
- Low maintenance cost
- Many plugins available
Wix – Small Business Website CMS Runner-Up
Wix is another excellent small business content management system platform you can use. It offers affordable pricing and user-friendly features, making it accessible even for beginners. With a wide range of templates to choose from, Wix provides everything you need to manage your website efficiently.
While Wix is primarily a website builder, it effectively serves as a CMS with its content manager. This feature allows you to create and organize content for your site easily, including blogs and media. You can schedule posts and videos effortlessly.
What makes Wix appealing is its all-in-one solution, providing security features, hosting, and a custom domain name. You won’t need to piece together different solutions for your website.
Features
- User-friendly interface
- Budget-friendly options
- Specially made for small businesses
- Ability to schedule blog updates
- Over 800 templates available
- Access to over 300 apps
- CMS without coding required
Hocoos – AI Website Builder
If you are looking for a small business content management system that can help you build a website from scratch without any coding, Hocoos is the best option. It is an AI website builder that you can use to run any type of small business online.
Similar to other AI website builders, Hocoos will guide you through a series of questions to tailor the perfect website to your needs. Once you provide the necessary information, Hocoos will generate three demo templates for you to choose from.
The platform allows for extensive customization from its primary dashboard. You can use it to create images and logos for your website. It also helps you to create content using AI. From booking sites to e-commerce stores, Hocoos builds everything. It can also help you with domains, hosting, and marketing to grow your online business.
Features
- Create, launch, and edit websites
- Contemporary design
- Various ready-to-use templates
- AI logo generator
- Online store capabilities
- AI content creation
- Blog creation and management
- AI image completion
Joomla – Best for New Developers
Joomla is among the top open-source small business website CMS platforms favored by businesses for website development. It strikes a balance between offering robust customization options for content types and being user-friendly. Compared to Drupal, Joomla’s interface is simpler, making it easier to navigate. However, some coding skills are still required to fully utilize Joomla’s capabilities.
One of Joomla’s key advantages lies in its backend management and content display features. You can configure permissions for user groups, allowing or restricting access to different parts of your site. This flexibility enables easy adjustment of permissions within the CMS.
Features
- Over 6,000 extensions available
- Free to use
- Visual editing tool
- Integrated caching
- Simple interface
- Extensive control over backend operations
Shopify – Best for E-Commerce Websites
E-commerce operations demand specific functionalities like payment processing, shopping carts, and robust security measures. Shopify’s CMS provides all these essentials for running an online business. From small startups to large enterprises, Shopify offers an intuitive platform for selling online without requiring developer assistance.
While Shopify’s pricing may be higher compared to other CMS systems, the comprehensive features included in the monthly cost make it a relatively affordable option. You can start with a basic plan and upgrade this CMS as your site grows.
Features
- Integrated payment processing
- Inbuilt shopping cart
- Access to plugins for added features
- Continuous support available 24/7
Drupal – Best for Complex Websites
The primary reason to opt for Drupal as your small business content management system is if you intend to construct a sophisticated website with customized features. It is an open-source content management software akin to WordPress.org, which differs significantly from the latter.
While Drupal is free, it’s more challenging to use compared to pre-packaged solutions. You can opt for paid add-ons or develop your own plugins if you possess technical expertise.
Features
- Customizable themes
- Over 3,000 templates available
- More than 40,000(plugins offered
- Multilingual support
HubSpot CMS Hub – Best for Marketers
HubSpot CMS Hub is a comprehensive content management system customized for business owners and marketers. It easily integrates with HubSpot’s CRM platform, offering a wide array of marketing automation, service, sales, and operations tools.
This makes CMS Hub an excellent choice for both small businesses and large enterprises looking for an all-inclusive solution to oversee their website.
Features
- Personalize web pages for different visitors
- Flexible theme option
- Integrates with sales CRM and email marketing tool
- Built-in security features
TYPO3 – Best for Extension Library
TYPO3 is a widely used open-source system for managing web content. It is commonly used for constructing intricate websites and apps.
It offers flexibility and scalability, allowing customization to suit the particular requirements of businesses or organizations. With a vibrant community of developers and users, this small business content management system benefits from ongoing contributions to its enhancement and assistance.
Features
- Over 8,400 extensions available
- Workflow management
- Abundance of built-in features
- Robust security features
How to Pick the Right Small Business Website CMS Platform?
With so many CMS platforms available, choosing the right one can be tricky. Consider these key factors when selecting a good small business content management system.
Simple content editing
Make sure the CMS allows for quick and straightforward content edits after publishing. This means you should be able to make changes easily without any hassle.
User-friendly interface
Look for a CMS that’s easy to use, allowing you to create and edit content effortlessly. A drag-and-drop interface is often preferred, enabling you to add various elements to your pages seamlessly.
Extensions and add-ons
Since every website has unique needs, no CMS platform can offer all features by default. That’s where extensions and add-ons come in. These are like additional software that you can easily install on your CMS to enhance its capabilities and introduce new features when required, similar to apps for your CMS platform.
Design choices
Your CMS should provide a variety of website design templates for you to select from. Additionally, it should enable simple customization of these designs to suit your needs without requiring technical skills or coding.
Support options
While CMS platforms aim to simplify website building, you may still encounter questions along the way. Look into the available help and support options if you encounter difficulties.
Some CMS providers offer limited FAQs and slow customer service responses. Others boast a vibrant community ready to assist you anytime, day or night.
Data mobility
A good CMS platform should include tools that allow you to effortlessly export your data for relocation. This feature ensures you have the freedom to switch to a different platform or hosting provider in the future without any hassle.
Conclusion
There are many small business website CMS tools out there, each offering different features and benefits. When picking one, think about,
- What you need
- How comfortable you are with technology
- How much you can spend
Whether you run a small business, build websites, or write a blog, there’s a CMS tool for you. With the right one, you can easily create and run your website, freeing you up to concentrate on growing your business and connecting with your audience.