Deciding on a content management system (CMS) platform can be confusing, especially when there are so many available online for content creators to choose from.
Whether it’s text, image, or audio based content you wish to share with the online world, CMS platforms have developed so much that content formatted in almost any way can be shared freely and easily via the World Wide Web.
Many sources have cited the top three CMS platforms available to content generators now as WordPress, Drupal and Joomla, because of their no-cost, open-source models, that allow creators to share just about anything they want with whoever they wish.
However, before diving head first into the world of CMS platforms, it is important to understand precisely what features distinguish these three from their competition.
WordPress
Firstly, WordPress. WordPress is a free blogging tool and CMS based on the PHP and MySQL systems, which hosts more bloggers than any other blogging system on the Web – a staggering 60 million plus!
WordPress benefits bloggers and content sharers through its easy-to-use layout, and guides that assist users in understanding the full breadth of the options available to them on the site.
While users can utilise free themes to make their blogs more attractive, the option is there to also create custom-built themes, though this requires a solid understanding of CSS and PHP, the programming and coding languages that underlie WordPress.
Entry level bloggers wishing for theme alternatives are forced to purchase content packs if they are unable to create their own, defeating the purpose of the free aspect of WordPress that is so very appealing.
Drupal
While WordPress is favoured by designers, Drupal is chosen far more by developers when it comes the CMS.
Being the most open to customisation, Drupal is perfect for those wishing the personalise their site, offering users access to thousands of pre-built themes and templates free, that ensure the process of web development is as pain-free as possible.
However, the expanse of pre-built features means Drupal comes with far slower loading times that its competition, and due to its relative modernity, often leaves users struggling with compatibility issues.
Joomla
Finally, there's Joomla. If you are needing an interface capable of hosting a large amount of articles, Joomla is for you.
Out of the three aforementioned CMS platforms, Joomla offers its users the most powerful yet most user-friendly interface, without finding you need added features, though Joomla stands somewhat in the middle ground when it comes to comparing the three.
While WordPress is user-friendly, is easy to style and makes basic tasks easy, and Drupal allows ample user customisation (following a slight learning curve), Joomla is not as blatantly easy to operate, nor is it as easy to develop into something of your own.
Wrap Up
Though the three have much merit, offering the online content sharer a unique and relatively stress-free content management experience, they each come with their pros and cons, and at the end of the day the decision on which to host your content should be driven solely by personal preference.
