Do you lack coding skills and are worried about managing the content?
Now you don’t have to be stressed as content management systems bless you. Even if you lack sophisticated technical skills, an SEO content management system (CMS) will allow you to publish and update content throughout your website effortlessly. However, usability is not the only factor to consider. That’s why it is recommended to choose a CMS with SEO in mind if you want your website to rank in Google's top 10.
This blog will explain how to choose SEO-friendly CMS and which system works best for websites that primarily rely on organic search traffic. Without any further ado, let's get started with the journey of selecting the best SEO-friendly CMS for your small business:
Relevance Of SEO-friendly CMS:
Though a robust CMS is essential, those that are SEO (Search Engine Optimization) oriented will set your page above the rest. In fact, it's commonly accepted that Google mainly relies on content management systems to rank the websites. Even as per the technical SEO consultant, search engines consider both the functionality of your website and any on-page HTML components (the page content) while ranking your website. That is why having a CMS that is compatible with SEO is crucial.
The magic of a CMS that is SEO-friendly lies in the fact that it can produce correct and precise HTML markup for the content of your pages. The finest solutions will also let you manage elements that Google values for SEO, such as page URLs and meta descriptions. But while opting for the most SEO-helpful CMS, you need to consider a few factors.
Factors To Be Considered While Selecting A CMS:
The overwhelming consensus is that Google utilizes more than 200 ranking criteria. And fortunately, most of the requirements that affect a website's performance level and on-page HTML elements are tied to the best content management system for SEO. In fact, such CMS assures you that the pages on your website are simple for Google to scan, comprehend the content, and connect to the relevant keywords. The story doesn’t end here; there is much more than this, as researched by a professional SEO expert.
So, ready to get started with CMS?
Well, there are two types of CMS Programs- Hosted and self-hosted. The cost of using hosted CMS software, which is stored on a server owned by another business, includes only site maintenance. On the other hand, self-hosted CMS software is more adaptable, but you'll probably need to collaborate with a web developer to get the most out of them. Whichever option you select, for better SEO convenience your Content Management Software should have the following characteristics:
Technology Choice
One of the most crucial factors to consider is what technology your team is already utilizing or is acquainted with. There are many .NET and open-source CMS choices available to choose from. But your team will always find it simpler to continue working on related tech stacks to add new web capabilities, especially if you're currently using a Microsoft stack (.NET) or an open-source stack.
However, there is an issue to get around, i.e., pre-existing information. If you currently have data saved in an MS SQL database, you should confirm whether your best open-source CMS will work with it.
Core Capabilities
The best CMS software for small businesses must fulfill its promises. It should be capable of handling your content (create, add, and delete) using its main capabilities without any issues. In fact, the critical functionality should correspond with your company objectives to ensure that you choose the ideal CMS platform for your requirements.
You must also look at the platforms that emphasize this aspect if you're just getting started and want to ensure you're managing your content as effectively as possible. It's still helpful to consider your scalability and how your demands could alter shortly.
Implementation Speed
The development cost is impacted by the fact that specific CMS platforms need two times as much time to deploy as others.
Additionally, there is a need for a team of designers and engineers to develop a search engine-friendly web design to install content more expertly on a well-known CMS if you switch to a new CMS. It takes even more time and money to learn a new CMS's ins and outs, with some CMS systems having a higher learning curve. Therefore, you must ensure that the advantages of a new CMS outweigh the time required to establish a new system while choosing the right CMS.
Flexible To Customize
Undoubtedly, there are specific CMS whose fundamental integrations are far simpler to implement, and some other CMS platforms are considerably more adaptable. But what matters the most is - do you utilize any other software along with the CRM essential to your company’s success. If yes, you should verify its compatibility with your CMS.
Sometimes, CMS platforms even make it difficult to deviate from predetermined layouts or data formats. That’s why selecting wisely from the different CMS options is essential.
Security
What are the chances of getting hacked? The degree of installation and maintenance sophistication directly relates to the website’s vulnerability. Additionally, larger systems such as Windows OS have a higher hacker risk than Apple's closed systems. Similarly, WordPress is more susceptible to website attacks than Sitefinity.
Therefore, you must consider the security features (or suitable plugins) that block spam, phishing, and other techniques. Look for the most secure CMS allowing infrastructure changes and plugins to increase site security. The danger of choosing a more susceptible platform to hack attempts can be reduced by working with an experienced SEO team.
Team Capability
Do your team members have experience with Python or PHP? Has your team worked with Drupal a lot before? Though working with the current expertise will increase your team's productivity, it will also limit the scope of work. In such a scenario, choosing a CMS that uses all those languages proves to be the best decision.
Additionally, there are connections between team expertise and superior site execution. For instance, a less experienced team might not be able to install an open-source system safely. Here, you should inquire who is in charge of the back end and their technical expertise before deciding on your CMS platform.
User Administration
There are several users who will likely use your CMS platform. Make sure everyone is given the appropriate position on the platform, from the writer to the marketer, the SEO to the IT support. Everyone on your team should be able to manage users and provide roles and permissions quickly.
The greater the possibility of more people using the platform, the simpler it should be for your CMS to assign new roles improving cooperation among each other.
Time To Choose The Best CMS For Small Businesses In 2023
Here is a list of the best content management system for SEO:
WordPress
WordPress excels in this area with its SEO-friendly CMS platform as one of the best CMS for start-ups. WordPress is made explicitly for the job of SEO, producing permalinks and HTML pages that are simple for search engines to read. It takes care of many administrative tasks so you can concentrate on your content. It also provides free integrations with other SEO tools.
There are several connectors available, and WordPress has robust SEO capabilities. It is thus preferable for someone who is somewhat knowledgeable in WordPress technical SEO and wants to utilize more sophisticated techniques to advance.
WordPress Pros
- Easy-to-use CMS
An administrator can quickly change pages and add new content by navigating the WordPress site's backend. WordPress makes content organization simple, even for those without a lot of website maintenance experience.
- Plugins
Plugins There probably is a plugin available to perform exactly what you need to do if you need to make particular adjustments to the functionality on your site.
- SEO Compatible
There are numerous SEO plugins available with essential SEO elements like meta tags, sitemaps, keyword focus, and much more. We at Rise Socially prefer Yoast SEO.
- Customizability
WordPress, a content management software, offers a lot of free hands to alter the site's theme files, HTML, and CSS code.
WordPress Cons
- Vulnerable To Hacks
For many consumers, website vulnerability security presents a significant challenge. The likelihood of malicious code accessing your site's functionalities is increased by its excessive reliance on plugins created by third parties.
- Too Many Updates
It isn't sufficient to merely install WordPress. To ensure it works properly, you must frequently update all the plugins and themes.
- Lack Of Analytics
WordPress shortfall in terms of web analytics. It does not provide any integrated analytics feature to track reliable user data.
Read More: The Ultimate Guide To Speed Up WordPress Site For Mobile
Wix
Wix is renowned for its straightforward framework that enables anybody to create a tidy, expert-looking website from scratch, but it also features SEO capabilities. Wix helps you rank in search engines by making the website load rapidly, assisting with mobile optimization, and swiftly having the site included in Google. A robots.txt editor, SEO patterns, and structured data are some examples of sophisticated SEO capabilities.
Wix is mainly designed for non-programmers. That’s why it is the preferable content management software for small businesses that want the platform to do the bulk of the SEO work. You don't need to do anything because the site will do many things on its end to raise your position.
Wix Pros-
- Wix's editor is incredibly simple, especially for newbies without prior tech knowledge, thanks to its drag-and-drop building capabilities.
- Wix is an excellent option if you want to start an online store because it includes a large array of eCommerce tools.
- No extensions are required, and the dashboard provides basic SEO tools.
- automatic XML sitemap generation and Google Search Console submission
Wix Cons-
- Once your website has been published, changing your template requires starting from scratch.
- You might have to pay more to install third-party apps for additional features.
- Wix provides extremely few options for customizing the code because it is created to focus on people without any coding skills.
- All Wix site templates are not always responsive.
Squarespace
Similar to Wix, Squarespace is the best CMS for small business websites assisting in creation right from scratch. It also has SEO-friendly website features such as an automatically produced sitemap, SSL certificates, automated tagging, and clean URLs to help your site rank. These fundamentals guarantee that you won't be penalized by search engines if you forget to include a meta tag or something else. But you can also look for keywords that bring in traffic by using the Search Keywords tab.
Squarespace is helpful for individuals who want essential SEO strategies for new websites but don't require anything too overwhelming. It automatically handles a lot of the background SEO work so you can concentrate on the content and research keywords.
Squarespace Pros
- Squarespace has four different mobile apps for iOS and Android that allow you to alter nearly every component of your website, including the pages, blog, and store.
- Squarespace offers the “Squarespace Video Studio App” which allows one to easily create and share content.
- Squarespace is a fantastic option if a blog serves as one of your website's main components. They have a robust comments system with many features, multi-author capabilities, scheduling of articles, AMP support, etc.
Squarespace Cons
- The Squarespace CMS has some usability problems. More clicks are required than necessary to complete simple website editing activities.
- If your business demands a complex menu hierarchy and multilingual websites, Squarespace is not the right choice.
- Squarespace’s templates have comparatively lower page speed scores.
HubSpot
HubSpot is an intuitive CMS ideal for SEO beginners since it handles page analysis, offers individualized coaching, and ensures content management security. As you develop your content library, you can use this program to take its recommendations and continuously alter your website to enhance how you rank in search engines. Though ranking at the top requires much effort with trial-and-error techniques, you can hire an SEO consultant to hold your hand along the entire process practically.
HubSpot is the best option for all those who want assistance building SEO-optimized websites. This CMS tool can even help you correct any SEO issues with your website through personal coaching and page analysis.
Hubspot Pros
- It's an all-in-one platform that offers you a complete solution by combining all the publishing tools.
- Hubspot cms provide a responsive design in addition to its drag-and-drop feature.
- It has an integrated AMP for blogs.
- Hubspot offers great integrated security in its cms hub.
Hubspot Cons
- It is a little hard to customize for beginners. To begin with, even skilled web developers will need to do some research and learning.
- Hubspot is not a great option for eCommerce sites. Even they suggest integrating Shopify into their CMS.
Joomla
Joomla! is commonly referred to as WordPress for huge websites. Among the 2.1 percent of websites using the platform globally are IKEA, LINUX, and Lipton Ice Tea. In fact, its SEO content management has recently improved and is now on pace with WordPress.
The main benefit of Joomla is its architecture with a reasonable content management system cost. It was designed for prominent websites and enabled you to handle many pages without affecting the website's structure or speed, allowing you to construct almost any website. Users can even combine and contrast several themes. Additionally, it provides choices so page editors can change most on-page elements—including titles, meta tags, meta descriptions, URLs, headers, and image properties—without changing the source code.
Joomla Pros
- The script creates very friendly links in terms of SEO
- As an open-source platform, Joomla! Enables you to distribute and modify code without worrying about paying licensing costs.
- There are a few e-commerce extensions for Joomla! that you may use to handle both your products and content in one location.
Joomla Cons
- Since Joomla! is more complicated than WordPress, adding your custom design without development skills can be challenging.
- In comparison to WordPress, Joomla has very few options for additional plugins.
Weebly
Did you know? Weebly is known for providing helpful information for beginners in SEO. Using this small business web content management system, you can have an SEO checklist to ensure you follow all the rules while building your website and adding content. The four aspects of the ultimate SEO guide include getting started, keyword research, growth, and tracking. With the help of this manual, you can create a detailed strategy for search engine optimization for a new website.
Weebly is meant for individuals who are entirely new to SEO but are eager to learn because of its detailed SEO guide. It starts with the fundamentals and moves on to more sophisticated ideas.
Weebly Pros
- More experienced users can further tweak their website with your HTML and CSS files.
- Although not very extensive, it allows some SEO elements like the submission of header and footer code, Search Engine Indexing management, and redirects.
- You can also send out invitations to others to work on your website with you from the settings page.
- You can create & manage websites from your phone using the Weebly app.
Weebly Cons
- It has very limited blogging tools.
- The support is not that great. The level of support depends upon the plan you choose.
Kentico
The Xperience platform from Kentico is designed to boost traffic using the best SEO strategies. This includes the automated development of URLs accessible to web spiders, optimized HTML code, and adherence to essential online standards. The Kentico dashboard's "settings" page even provides access to SEO tools.
Kentico is exclusively for those serious about utilizing cutting-edge SEO features with the help of SEO-friendly website design services. It has strong characteristics that could be a bit difficult for some people to understand, but it will do the job.
Kentico Pros
- With Kentico, Salesforce integration is possible.
- There are also reporting features available.
- Since it is a paid CMS, security is very good.
Kentico Cons
- This CMS is not free.
- Kentico's email marketing features are not intuitive.
- Services primarily fit the needs of medium-sized and large organizations.
Don’t Choose On Your Own when RiseSocially Is Here!
To remain competitive, small businesses must transform into digital-first enterprises. In light of this, your business needs to master content management using tools that enable you to stay flexible, provide excellent client experiences both now and in the future, and adapt to rapidly evolving technologies.
However, to send the relevant offers to your customers in the appropriate context, your CMS must consider how consumers consume information at each stage of their customer journey. As this process is pretty daunting, you must seek the help of an experienced company for content management software for small businesses.
You can request demonstrations from the team of RiseSocially, and be ready to grill them with challenging inquiries to demonstrate the capabilities of each product. Find out if the CMS is scalable and how it connects with your other programs and hardware. Make absolutely sure the solution will develop with your business and continue to be helpful.
