by The Computing Australia Group | Content Management
System
Want to launch a new website or rebuild an existing one, but not sure which platform to use? Behind every successful online presence is a content management system (CMS) that makes publishing, editing and scaling content actually manageable.
If content is king, the CMS is the strategist behind the scenes—organising pages, enforcing structure and helping your marketing and development teams work efficiently. Choosing the wrong platform can leave you fighting your tools instead of growing your business.
In this guide, our web development specialists in Perth walk you through:
- What a CMS is and how it works
- The must-have features of a modern CMS
- A breakdown of leading platforms: WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, Wix and Squarespace
- How to choose the right CMS for your business and budget
- When to bring in a professional web developer
What Is a Content Management System (CMS)?
A content management system (CMS) is a web-based application that lets you create, store, organise and publish website content without needing to write code for every change.
Instead of manually editing HTML, CSS or JavaScript files, you can:
- Log into a dashboard
- Add or edit text, images, videos and pages
- Preview changes
- Hit “Publish” to push updates live
Modern CMS platforms separate content (the words, images and data) from design and functionality (layouts, themes, templates, plugins). This structure means:
- Marketers and content editors can focus on messaging and campaigns
- Designers can refine branding, layouts and user experience
- Developers can handle performance, security and integrations
Even with a user-friendly CMS, remember that a website is more than content management. Performance, accessibility, security and custom features usually need a professional web developer—especially for business-critical sites.
Key Features of a Good Content Management System
No single CMS is “the best” for everyone. The right platform depends on your goals, industry, team and budget. That said, strong CMS platforms tend to share a common set of features.
1. WYSIWYG Editing (What You See Is What You Get)
A WYSIWYG editor lets you format content visually—similar to a word processor—while showing a close approximation of how it will appear on the live site.
You should be able to:
- Add headings, paragraphs and lists
- Insert and align images or videos
- Create links and call-to-action buttons
- Embed forms or other interactive elements
A usable editor reduces reliance on developers for simple content updates and minimises editing mistakes.
2. Taxonomy & Content Organisation
As your site grows, organisation becomes critical. Good CMS platforms offer:
- Categories and tags
- Custom taxonomies (for things like products, case studies, services or resources)
- Menus and navigation tools
- Archive and search features
These tools help users find what they need quickly—and help search engines understand your site structure.
3. SEO-Friendly Features
Your CMS should support search engine optimisation (SEO), not fight against it. Look for:
- Control over page titles and meta descriptions
- Customisable URL slugs
- Image alt text fields
- XML sitemaps
- Options for implementing structured data/Schema
- Clean, crawlable HTML output
Some CMSs include built-in SEO features, while others rely on plugins or apps. Either approach is fine, as long as it’s well-supported and regularly updated.
4. Security Tools and Best Practices
Security is non-negotiable—especially for business, eCommerce or membership websites. A robust CMS should offer:
- Regular security updates and patches
- Support for SSL certificates (HTTPS)
- User role management and access control
- Protections against brute force and common attacks (often via plugins or extensions)
Open-source platforms sometimes rely more heavily on third-party plugins for security. Hosted platforms typically bundle security and updates into the service. In both cases, a knowledgeable web developer can help harden your site.
5. Simple Publishing Controls & Workflows
Your CMS should make publishing straightforward, even if multiple people are involved. Helpful features include:
- Draft and scheduled publishing
- Revision history and rollback (version control)
- Approval workflows (for teams with editors and authors)
- Clear navigation in the admin dashboard
The easier it is to publish and update content, the more likely your site will stay fresh and relevant.
6. User Accounts, Roles & Permissions
For businesses and organisations, not everyone should have the same level of access. Look for:
- Role-based permissions (e.g., Admin, Editor, Author, Contributor)
- Ability to limit who can publish, who can edit, and who can manage settings
- Options for members-only content or portals if you need them
This reduces the risk of accidental (or malicious) changes to critical pages and settings.
7. Responsive Design & Mobile Support
Most web traffic now comes from mobile devices. Your CMS should:
- Offer responsive themes/templates that adapt to different screen sizes
- Provide mobile-friendly editing dashboards or apps (nice to have)
- Support performance optimisations for mobile (image compression, caching, etc.)
A non-responsive site can hurt both user experience and search rankings.
8. Personalisation & Integrations
As your digital presence grows, you may want to:
- Personalise content based on user segments
- Integrate with CRMs, marketing automation tools or email platforms
- Connect to booking, payment or inventory systems
A good CMS has an ecosystem of plugins, apps or integrations so you aren’t forced to reinvent the wheel every time you need a new feature.
9. Analytics & Reporting
You should be able to easily track performance:
- Built-in analytics dashboards (e.g., basic traffic and form stats)
- Simple integration with Google Analytics, GA4 or other tools
- Options to add tracking codes without touching raw code
Without reliable data, improving your website becomes guesswork.
10. Support & Community
When something breaks, you’ll want help quickly. Consider:
- 24/7 chat, email or phone support (common with hosted platforms)
- Large, active user communities and forums (common with open-source platforms)
- Quality documentation, tutorials and knowledge bases
A strong ecosystem reduces your risk and helps you find answers faster.
Types of CMS: Open-Source vs Hosted
Before we compare specific platforms, it helps to understand the two broad categories.
Open-Source / Self-Hosted CMS
- Free to download and use
- You arrange your own hosting and domain
- Full access to the underlying code
- Highly customisable and extensible
- You (or your developer) are responsible for updates, backups and security
Open-source is great if you want maximum flexibility and control or have a development partner managing your website.
Examples: WordPress.org, Joomla, Drupal
Hosted / SaaS CMS
Examples: Wix, Squarespace
- Monthly or annual subscription
- Hosting, security and core updates included
- Drag-and-drop website builders
- Less access to the underlying code
- Some limitations on custom functionality and migration
Hosted platforms are ideal for small businesses, startups or solo professionals who want to get online quickly without technical overhead.
The Best Content Management Systems (CMS) Compared
Let’s look at some of the most widely used CMS platforms and what they’re best suited for.
WordPress
WordPress powers a huge percentage of websites globally and is often the default choice for businesses of all sizes.
Originally built as a blogging platform, it has evolved into a flexible CMS capable of powering:
- Corporate websites
- Blogs and news portals
- Online stores (with WooCommerce)
- Membership and eLearning sites
- Custom web applications (with the right development)
Key strengths of WordPress:
- Thousands of themes – from simple templates to highly customisable premium designs
- Extremely extensible – 50k+ plugins for SEO, forms, eCommerce, caching, security and more
- User-friendly editor – block-based editing (Gutenberg) makes content layout easier
- SEO-friendly – clean URL structures, SEO plugins, flexible metadata and sitemaps
- Active community – huge ecosystem of developers, designers and support forums
- Affordable – the software itself is free; you pay for hosting, premium themes/plugins and developer time
Potential drawbacks:
- Because it’s so popular, it’s a common target for attacks if poorly maintained
- Can become slow or unstable if overloaded with low-quality plugins or cheap hosting
- Requires ongoing maintenance (updates, backups, security)
WordPress is an excellent fit for most small and medium businesses, especially when managed by a professional web development team.
Joomla
Joomla is another powerful open-source CMS that often appears in “WordPress vs Joomla” discussions.
It’s less beginner-friendly but offers strong built-in features, especially around content structure and user management, making it suitable for more complex websites.
Top features of Joomla:
- Advanced user management – great for sites with complex permission needs
- Flexible content types and layout overrides – giving developers more design control
- Multilingual support out of the box – no need for extra plugins for multiple languages
- Multiple templates for different pages – useful for varied layouts across your site
Pros:
- Strong for sites that need granular access control
- Good option when you require multiple languages and complex structures
- Offers a lot of power without relying too heavily on third-party extensions
Cons:
- Smaller ecosystem than WordPress (fewer themes and extensions)
- Steeper learning curve, especially for non-technical users
- Customisation usually requires developer experience
Joomla is better suited to organisations that have (or work with) a technical team and need more built-in flexibility than WordPress in certain areas.
Wix
Wix is a cloud-based website builder designed for simplicity and speed to launch.
With Wix, you don’t have to worry about hosting or security. You can choose from templates or use Wix ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence), which builds a starter site based on questions about your business.
Key features of Wix:
- 500+ free templates – covering many industries and use cases
- Drag-and-drop editing – highly visual and beginner-friendly
- App Market – add contact forms, bookings, live chat, galleries and more
- Built-in SSL certificate – secure by default
- Free domain for the first year on many plans
- Membership features – password-protected pages and user access options
Pros:
- Very easy for non-technical users
- All-in-one platform (hosting, updates and security handled for you)
- Reasonable for simple brochures, small business sites and personal websites
Cons:
- Less flexible than open-source platforms for complex, custom functionality
- Moving away from Wix to another CMS can be challenging
- Some advanced SEO and performance optimisations are harder to control
Wix is a good option if you want to get online quickly with a simple, well-designed site and you’re not planning heavy custom development.
Drupal
Drupal is a powerful, enterprise-grade open-source CMS known for its flexibility, robustness and security. It’s often the platform of choice for:
- Large organisations
- Governments and universities
- Complex portals and intranets
- Sites with heavy content structure and access control requirements
Standout features of Drupal:
- Excellent taxonomy and content modelling – ideal for complex content structures
- Enterprise-grade security – strong track record; widely trusted in sensitive sectors
- Highly scalable – handles large volumes of traffic and content
- Advanced user roles and permissions – extremely granular access control
- Integration-friendly – often used as a backend for headless or decoupled architectures
Pros:
- Designed for complex, large-scale, high-security websites
- Exceptional for structured content and multi-site setups
- Flexible for custom development and integrations
Cons:
- Steep learning curve; not suitable for casual DIY site owners
- Most Drupal projects require experienced developers
- Smaller pool of ready-made themes compared to WordPress
Drupal is a strong choice when your website is mission-critical, complex and likely to scale significantly over time—especially when backed by a professional development team.
Squarespace
Squarespace is a hosted website builder known for its beautiful, design-focused templates and user-friendly interface. It’s popular among:
- Creative professionals (designers, photographers, agencies)
- Small businesses wanting a premium look
- Portfolio and brochure-style websites
- Simple online stores
Highlighted features of Squarespace:
- Sleek, award-winning templates – highly polished visual design
- Intuitive editing interface – simple drag-and-drop sections
- Built-in SEO and marketing tools – email campaigns, basic analytics and more
- 24/7 customer support – chat and email support from Squarespace
- Built-in hosting and SSL – secure and managed for you
- Multiple themes and layouts – flexible but cohesive design system
Pros:
- Strong, modern designs out of the box
- Ideal for visually driven brands and portfolios
- Straightforward for non-technical users
Cons:
- Less flexible for complex custom features
- Limited plugin ecosystem compared with open-source CMSs
- Migrating to other platforms requires planning
Squarespace is a great option when design quality and simplicity are top priorities, and your feature requirements are relatively straightforward.
Quick Comparison: Which CMS Fits Which Scenario?
| CMS | Best For | Type |
|---|---|---|
| WordPress | Most small–medium business sites, blogs, content marketing | Open-source |
| Joomla | Sites needing complex user roles & multilingual content | Open-source |
| Drupal | Enterprise, government, large/complex portals | Open-source |
| Wix | Simple, fast DIY sites and small businesses | Hosted/SaaS |
| Squarespace | Design-led portfolios, creative businesses, simple stores | Hosted/SaaS |
How to Choose the Right CMS for Your Business
Here’s a practical framework to help you decide.
1. Clarify Your Goals
Ask yourself:
- Is this a simple brochure site or a long-term content hub?
- Do you plan to run a blog, news section or resource library?
- Is eCommerce part of your roadmap now or in future?
- Are there any industry-specific requirements (e.g., booking, member portals, compliance)?
Your goals will dictate whether a lightweight website builder or a more powerful CMS is appropriate.
2. Define Your Content Types
Think beyond “pages” and “blog posts”. You might need:
- Services or product pages
- Case studies and testimonials
- Events, resources or downloads
- Team profiles or office locations
Some CMS platforms handle custom content types more elegantly than others. For complex structures, WordPress, Joomla or Drupal are often better suited.
3. Consider Your Team’s Skills
Be realistic about who will maintain the site:
- Do you have an in-house developer or IT team?
- Are you working with an external web development partner?
- Will non-technical staff be handling content updates?
If you have limited technical support, a hosted platform like Wix or Squarespace (or a professionally managed WordPress site) may be more sustainable.
4. Look at Design and Branding Needs
- Do you need a unique, fully custom design, or will a refined template work?
- Do you have strict brand guidelines to implement?
- Is eCommerce part of your roadmap now or in future?
WordPress and Drupal give developers maximum design flexibility. Squarespace and Wix provide polished templates that can be customised within a defined framework.
5. Evaluate Integrations & Future Growth
Costs to consider:
- Domain and hosting
- CMS licenses or subscriptions
- Themes and plugins/apps
- Professional design and development
- Ongoing maintenance, security and updates
Open-source CMSs tend to offer more flexibility for complex integrations and future-proofing. Hosted builders are fine if your requirements are simpler and unlikely to change drastically.
6. Balance Budget vs Total Cost of Ownership
Ask yourself:
- Is this a simple brochure site or a long-term content hub?
- Do you plan to run a blog, news section or resource library?
- Is eCommerce part of your roadmap now or in future?
- Are there any industry-specific requirements (e.g., booking, member portals, compliance)?
Open-source CMSs can be inexpensive to start, but may require development and maintenance budgets. Hosted platforms bundle many costs together, but monthly fees add up over time. A good web development partner will help you model long-term costs, not just the launch price.
7. Prioritise Security and Compliance
Depending on your industry, you may need to consider:
- Data protection and privacy requirements
- Secure payment handling (for eCommerce)
- Audit logs and user access control
- Hosting location (e.g., Australian servers)
Platforms like Drupal and well-maintained WordPress setups are often preferred for more stringent security requirements—especially when supported by professional IT and cybersecurity teams.
How to Choose the Right CMS for Your Business
If you are interested, you can also read our blog on Website Builders Showdown.
These are our picks for the best content management systems. All the CMS software mentioned above has been tested and proven to be the most versatile yet comfortable. Always remember to choose the platform that suits your needs the most. A word of caution – since CMS have ready templates and themes, your site may end up looking like one among many. Also, technical aspects need a professional eye to ensure your site is optimised and pages are not broken. A professional web developer can help personalise it as well as ensure that the site is functioning smoothly. For further website and web development related queries, contact us or email us at sales@computingaustralia.group. Let us help you design and build both an aesthetically pleasing and functionally efficient website.
Jargon Buster
SEO – Search Engine Optimisation – a set of tactics to increase your website traffic quality and quantity via organic search results.
SSL Certificate – Secure Socket Layer Certificate is a data file that enables encrypted communication between a web browser and a web server.
Plugin – a software add-on that is installed to a host program to add additional functions while not altering the host program itself.
FAQ
What is the main purpose of a content management system?
A content management system (CMS) lets you create, edit and publish website content without needing to write code for every change. It separates content from design and functionality so your team can easily update pages, blogs and images through an admin dashboard instead of editing HTML files manually.
Which CMS is best for a small or medium business website?
For most small and medium businesses, WordPress is usually the best all-round choice because it’s flexible, widely supported, SEO-friendly and integrates with many tools (including eCommerce). However, simple brochure sites or portfolios may work well on Wix or Squarespace, especially if you prefer a hosted, drag-and-drop solution and minimal technical overhead.
Is an open-source CMS like WordPress or Drupal secure?
Yes—open-source CMS platforms can be very secure if they’re properly maintained. Security depends on using reputable plugins, keeping software and themes up to date, choosing quality hosting, and following best practices such as strong passwords, backups and firewalls. Many businesses work with professional web developers or IT support teams to manage security on an ongoing basis.
Can I switch from one CMS to another in the future?
It’s possible to migrate from one CMS to another, but it’s not always straightforward. Some platforms (especially hosted builders like Wix or Squarespace) make content export more limited. Moving between systems often requires planning, data mapping and manual design work. If you expect to grow or need complex features later, it’s worth choosing a flexible CMS (like WordPress or Drupal) from the start.
Do I still need a web developer if I use an “easy” CMS?
Even with user-friendly platforms, a professional web developer can add significant value. They can handle custom design, performance optimisation, security, SEO, accessibility and integrations with other business systems. You may be able to manage basic content updates yourself, but a developer helps ensure your site is fast, secure, scalable and aligned with your long-term business goals.
