Different CMS types

Different CMS types

WordPress has been the standard for so long it’s actually unlikely to be toppled by anything else. Any new site that goes up with a CMS required usually opts for a WordPress installation because it’s become the standard.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a mistake. WordPress is one of the most easy-to-use, robust and customizable CMS setups around, but there are viable alternatives whether you run a news and reviews site or a blog about your weekly Party Poker tournament attempts.

Tumblr is one of the most in-vogue options right now – think of it as social blogging. Twitter is integrated into the publishing process (if you want it to be), and people don’t leave comments – they leave notes. Either if someone likes it, or if someone “re-blogs” it – essentially quoting it and adding a comment.

It’s a good platform, and Analytics and other tools are a-go, in addition to some great theme options (if you’re willing to shell out for customisable HTML or pricey themes). But no normal commenting system makes community involvement outside other Tumblr users far more difficult. The actual content management is great – easy to use, slick, and very customisable, but plugins and the like are a no-no, so custom fields and other such luxuries may have to be done without.

Drupal and Joomla are mainstays of the CMS arena, and you’ll get out of them what you put in. As competitiors, there’s also a nice feature rush as each attempts to become more appealing than the other, and at that point it really does become a buyer’s market.

There are a range of CMS types, and it all depends on what feels right for you, and which CMS allows you to work how you want to work, but without placing restrictions on you that stop you from creating the content and sites that you want to create. So head on out, and test them for yourself – you’ll know when you’ve got the right one.