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10 Factors to Consider when Searching for a Global Enterprise Content Management System

CMS, short for content management system, is a widely utilized solution for users to quickly create and manage digital content. Though common practice today, when first introduced, the software application was a revolutionary way for users to efficiently build websites with minimal technical background.

The market for CMS has experienced remarkable growth over the years, with an expected revenue of $123.5 billion by 2026, reflecting a predicted 245% surge from 2018 to 2028 (Zippia). There are several reasons contributing to this growth, however the primary factors can be attributed to the rising consumer demand for:

  1. Digital Marketing Solutions
  2. Digital Retail Sector
  3. Omnichannel Experiences

With Ecommerce and Omnichannel becoming a forefront in enterprise business strategies, managing and regularly updating content has become crucial in the digital world. Businesses, especially without in-house web developers need a system that is intuitive, allowing anyone to easily update information while maintaining their brand identity and keeping their messaging consistent.

Internally, businesses need to put out content fast. Processes need to be streamlined efficiently and collaboration amongst various parties is essential. Externally, users expect a seamless experience in which they can immerse in the brand. The pages should have a uniform look and be able to smoothly lead users to their next action (e.g. purchase). Thus as consumers' expectations evolve, business and brands must also evolve to continue meeting exceeding customer needs.

With the influx of CMS solutions today, it’s crucial to be able to choose the right system that matches your business needs. Perhaps the following points can help you evaluate various systems as you embark on your search for the perfect CMS.

  • Scale & Performance
    • Your system should be flexible in meeting your needs as your business grows. Choosing a CMS that can seamlessly scale through time will prove essential in the long run.
  • Mobile Support
    • Mobile responsiveness is critical nowadays, and a good CMS should be able to consider a mobile first experience.
  • User Management & Security
    • With multiple people and teams using the platform (e.g. marketers , IT support, writeres, designers), user management is crucial in making sure that the right person is assigned to the right role. The easier the process to assign a new role or access the platform, the higher the chances to improve collaboration.
  • Ease of use
    • An intuitive and fast CMS will save training time and working hours to your team. This point is often overlooked but a significant criteria to take into account when considering a CMS. How easily can you create, edit, and post content?
  • Stability
    • Keep your data and systems safe with secured architectures and protocols. Ensure the systems implemented respond to the best standards and have a proven track record.
  • Custom Features
    • As your business grows, your needs and the customer’s needs will evolve. Make sure to find a system that is easily customizable.
  • Third Party Integrations
    • A great CMS should be able to integrate seamlessly with third-party systems (e.g. email marketing, ecommerce, etc) that can improve your CMS experience.
  • Design & Brand Identity
    • A good CMS will allow you to decide the design flexibility of the pages. Create custom templates that allow your teams to maintain a consistent brand aesthetic, or customize the flexibility to match the workflows of your company.
  • Multilingual Support
    • For global businesses, a CMS that can support various languages, translations, and time zones becomes important.
  • Balance of Flexibility vs Ease of Use
    • Too much flexibility can at times result in a difficult to use system and inconsistent brand outcomes. Too little flexibility can result in a system that cannot produce outcomes that match customer needs. It is important to find a system that has the right balance.

The above summary is a mere start to your journey in finding the perfect CMS. It is important to keep in mind that every business has different workflows and requirements. Reflecting internally first, and identifying what is important for your business and keeping track of features you deem essential can aid you in your successful match. At the end of the day, a CMS that can be customized to your specific and unique business needs will become a great partner in supporting your business to success.

At The Plant, we have several years of experience building content management systems for global brands. To read more about our case studies, view here. To know more about our offerings contact us here.


Citation

Zippia. "20+ Compelling CMS Statistics [2023]: Facts On The Content Management System Market" Zippia.com. Dec. 14, 2022, https://www.zippia.com/advice/cms-statistics/

SiteCore. “20+ COMPELLING CMS STATISTICS [2023]: FACTS ON THE CONTENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM MARKET” Sitecore.com. https://www.sitecore.com/knowledge-center/digital-marketing-resources/what-is-a-cms

Clickz. “What are the most important features to look for in a CMS?” Clickz.com. Apr. 1, 2019, https://www.clickz.com/cms-most-important-features/228498/