Choosing a content management system (CMS) is about much more than just technology. As the digital control centre, a CMS influences the overall impact of a website. And in the best case scenario, it does so sustainably. “Which CMS is the best?” is the question our customers ask at the start of every one of our online projects, regardless of whether it’s a microsite, multi-brand website or online shop. Our answer is simple: “The best CMS is the one that suits you best.” If the decision is made prematurely in favour of a system that does not meet the requirements, this can lead to a lot of unnecessary problems that quickly translate into high costs. The right CMS, on the other hand, works both internally and externally and has a noticeable effect on efficiency and customer experience. Before analysing potential CMS candidates, it is therefore important to carefully analyse the framework conditions.

Our approach: The need determines the technology.

We always want to find the best individual solution. That’s why we consistently provide vendor-neutral advice – within a tried-and-tested set. We use our CMS analysis matrix, which was specially developed for medium-sized companies, to determine the respective requirements step by step. How does the business work, how does the technology currently work? In order to provide good advice, we need a comprehensive insight into the company. We scrutinise the system landscape as well as business cases and strategies, available resources, regulatory aspects, processes and the interests of the various stakeholders. In this way, we find a content management system that suits the company and design a technical target image that not only takes into account the current situation, but also the desired future scenario.

Which CMS system is the right one?

There are now several hundred content management systems on the market. Of course, we can’t use them all. And we don’t have to. If you want to bake good bread, you don’t need to have tried all the recipes in the world. We have screened many CMSs and selected the best for us from each category: Headless, Hybrid, Cloud, Opensource, DXP, Flatfile. We currently work with WordPress, Typo3, Kirby, Pimcore, Elementor, Contentful, Storyblok and Strapi. With this CMS range, we can advise our customers according to their situation and needs, no matter how large or small the project is.

CMS comparison – four important parameters

Many CMS systems impress with a colourful bouquet of functions. This is attractive at first glance. But even more important is the reality check: What do I really need? How does the CMS support the workflow? How much technical expertise is available? Which marketing objectives are in the foreground? If you like, the character of the CMS must match the character of the company. There are many aspects to consider when choosing a CMS. Here are the most important ones:

1. Costs: Implementation, maintenance and licenses

A CMS not only entails implementation costs, but also ongoing costs such as maintenance, licence fees and continuous updates. For solid budget planning, it is crucial to keep an eye on all aspects and to know exactly what the costs will be. Elementor and WordPress are quick to implement and comparatively inexpensive. Pimcore and Kirby often involve higher initial costs, but are highly customisable and efficient and therefore offer long-term stability and flexibility. Many CMS systems such as WordPress or TYPO3 are available as open source solutions and are therefore inexpensive. Pimcore also offers an open source version. For large enterprise projects, however, additional licence fees are charged, which include an extended range of functions and support. With SaaS providers (Software as a Service) in the cloud, no updates are required, but monthly costs are incurred based on the scope of functions booked as well as usage and volume metrics and can quickly become expensive.

2. Performance: effectiveness and business relevance

The right CMS is business-relevant and the decision is therefore well placed in top management. Modern marketing processes can boost productivity and, in the best case, even enable new business ideas. This requires systems that can be integrated into CRM, marketing automation tools and analytics software. Pimcore offers a variety of interfaces for data-driven marketing, which enables personalised user experiences and much more, for example. Thanks to its minimalist architecture, Kirby is flexible and can be easily integrated into existing systems, especially in combination with other API-based applications.

3. Usability: suitability for everyday use for development and editing

The backend is the invisible area of a website. This is where all the threads that happen in the front end are held together and controlled. The editors who work in the backend usually have a non-technical background. They need to be able to work quickly and efficiently and should enjoy working with the system. Elementor and WordPress have a user-friendly backend that even inexperienced users can quickly find their way around. Kirby impresses with a modern, fast interface and offers many customisation options. Pimcore is suitable for more technically experienced editors and administrators and is ideal for larger projects and complex digital ecosystems.

4. Future-proof: scalability and flexibility

When requirements grow, so must the CMS. For companies with clear growth ambitions, a scalable CMS is essential. Pimcore offers great flexibility and future-proofing thanks to its modular options and the integration of PIM and DAM. With its flexible API architecture, Kirby is also particularly suitable for expanding companies that want to provide content across multiple touchpoints and keep all options open.

A perfect match: successful CMS implementation examples from our practice

If the needs of all stakeholders and the company’s objectives are met at the same time, if the system fits the system landscape and a CMS can do exactly what it needs to do in day-to-day work, then the CMS implementation is successful. This is how it works, for example:

• Elementor: A B2B company in the trade sector uses Elementor for a simple, flexible microsite. The system reduces the time required for changes and offers an intuitive modular system for quick customisation. Match!
• Kirby: A medium-sized technology company uses Kirby for a customised, scalable website with a complex content structure. Kirby enables a very lean architecture that fulfils high design requirements and is still easy to use in the backend. Match!
• Pimcore stack: A B2B company with a multi-brand strategy uses a combination of Pimcore as a PIM and CMS system, and Shopify as an eCommerce platform. This hybrid solution enables centralised management of all product information, flexible content management and a seamless eCommerce experience – ideal for a fast-growing company that wants to manage content and products across different channels and brands. Match!

Optimal interaction: sometimes you can also combine

The choice of CMS depends on the individual requirements of a company. In some cases, it can make sense to combine systems. An example: Pimcore as a PIM combined with Kirby for flexible content management, plus Shopify as an eCommerce backend. A customised system landscape that fulfils all requirements and at the same time enables simple, centralised control. Such combinations require technical creativity and a deep understanding of both the business and the technologies. Exactly our speciality!

CMS comparison: Find the right system with a system.

Our vendor-neutral approach and an iterative, requirements-orientated selection process allow us to develop CMS solutions that are sustainable, flexible and cost-efficient. We work closely together to develop the right digital solution – from microsites to all-in-one solutions.