Making the right choice when it comes to selecting the best platform for your website is a great task in itself. WordPress the popular CMS is used in almost most of the websites. So, what makes WordPress more convenient than any other CMS platform? WordPress was first developed as a blogging site in 2003. As the demands of the website grew WordPress upgraded and design and customization features were added alongside for the user’s convenience.
While other platforms like Joomla, Drupal, Shopify, and Squarespace have their own advantages, WordPress somehow stands out as the best when it comes to website management. However, while making the right choice, it is always crucial to notice what requirements you need for your website.
In this article, we are going to discuss why WordPress is better than other CMSs and help you make the right choice.
Table of Contents
What is a Content Management System
A content management system (CMS) is a software application that allows users to easily create, edit, manage, and publish content on a website. It essentially acts as a user friendly interface that eliminates the need for extensive coding knowledge to build and maintain a website.
According to the requirements of your website, there are various Content Management Systems available. Talking about the most reliable and commonly used system WordPress has been integrated with almost most of the websites for the purpose of content management. While WordPress is the most common CMS installed there are other platforms like Shopify which focuses on e-commerce and Wix which has a simple interface and lets users drag and drop to build a website they desire.
WordPress vs. Other Platforms: Comparison of Usage and Market Share
According to W3Tech, as of May 2024, WordPress has the most coverage in the market. As compared to other platforms about two third of the websites worldwide use WordPress. Let’s see a comparison column on how WordPress and other CMS platforms have covered the overall market share.
WordPress Market Share
- Compared to other CMS platforms, WordPress has the largest market share at 62.8%.
- Nearly half of the websites worldwide are powered by WordPress, that is 43.3% of the web.
Shopify Market Share
- Shopify is used by 6.2% of websites that use this known CMS.
- Shopify is marked as the second most popular content management system representing a market share of 4.4%.
Drupal Market Share
- Drupal holds only 1.5% of the market share which is 1.1% across all websites. This ranks it as the 6th most used CMS.
- Around 449,020 active websites use Drupal. 1,240,305 websites used Drupal previously.
Joomla Market Share
- Following the market share of Drupal, Joomla retains a slightly higher percentage in the CMS market i.e. 2.5%.
- The huge number of websites powered by Joomla (644,342) are registered in Europe.
Wix Market Share
- Wix is used by 3.8% of websites utilizing a known CMS.
- Across all websites, the Wix usage rate is around 2.7%.
- Wix powers roughly 8,143,320 websites worldwide.
Squarespace Market Share
- Squarescape is most commonly used in the US and UK- with 2,455,989 websites powered there.
- This CMS claims a 3.0% market share across websites.
- Squarespace is used by 2.1% of all websites.
What Advantages Does WordPress Have Over Other CMS Solutions?
WordPress has many advantages over other CMS that are available which makes it more considerable to add it to create your website. These reasons might be enough to let you know why WordPress can be the best choice you make when selecting it as a content management system for your website.
There might be a number of reasons why WordPress is widely used in almost all websites across the world. WordPress stands as a supreme CMS for several reasons, offering a compelling advantage over other Content Management Systems (CMS) like Joomla, Drupal, Wix, and Squarespace. Here’s why:
Beginner Friendly
WordPress stands out as an intuitive platform designed for users with varying levels of technical expertise. Its user-friendly Dashboard provides a straightforward interface that newcomers can easily navigate without prior experience with Content Management Systems (CMS).
Unlike alternatives such as Drupal or Joomla, which may pose steeper learning curves, WordPress offers a smoother learning curve, particularly when it comes to tasks like adding content or managing pages. This accessibility makes WordPress a preferred option for beginners seeking a hassle-free entry into website management.
Free and Self Hosted Site
WordPress will help you save more on a monthly basis as it doesn’t charge any extra for using its system. This means that users will have the robust features of WordPress without incurring any costs.
Not only is WordPress free it also allows them to host their websites on their own servers or through various hosting providers. For many website needs, WordPress stands as a great combination of affordability and self hosting capability ensuring that users to create and manage their websites without any restrictions or constrained by hosting limitations.
Simple Content Maganegment
WordPress has long been recognized as an excellent platform for blog writing. In addition, WordPress has proven to be a credible content management system when it comes to organizing and managing content effectively. Whether it’s adding headings to structure your text, inserting appropriate media related to the content, or utilizing SEO plugins to optimize your content for search engines, WordPress offers robust tools for content management. These features enable you to polish your content and present it in a well organized and professional manner, ultimately enhancing its impact and engagement with your audience.
Designing Flexibility
WordPress, as a content management system, undoubtedly offers unparalleled flexibility. By integrating various themes and plugins, you can significantly enhance the integrity and functionality of your website. With compatibility extending to numerous free themes and plugins, incorporating and utilizing these tools can prove highly advantageous for your website’s development and performance.
Built-in SEO
WordPress does not have a built-in SEO system per se. However, it does offer a range of SEO tools and plugins that can be integrated to optimize your website for search engines. Popular plugins like Yoast SEO and All in One SEO Pack provide features for on-page optimization, XML sitemap generation, and more, helping users improve their site’s search engine visibility. Would you like more information on how these plugins work within WordPress?
Comparison of WordPress with other CMS
While WordPress is widely regarded as one of the best content management systems (CMS) available, it might not always offer the specific functionalities that other CMS platforms provide. Comparing WordPress with other CMS options can help you determine which system is best suited for your website needs.
WordPress vs. Drupal
WordPress is user-friendly, ideal for beginners, and offers a vast library of themes and plugins, making it perfect for blogs and small businesses. However, it requires frequent updates for security and can have performance issues with too many plugins. Drupal, on the other hand, is highly customizable, secure, and scalable, making it suitable for large, complex websites with high traffic. It has a steeper learning curve and often requires more technical expertise, but excels in enterprise-level applications with advanced user permissions and robust security features.
WordPress vs. Shopify
Shopify being a cloud based CMS is usually designed for e-commerce websites. This platform is suited better for small and medium sized online stores that require an easy way to sell their products and services. Shopify has one advantage over WordPress as it is a user friendly interface that can create and also manage the online store without coding.
Shopify, like WordPress, offers hundreds of themes and apps that let users customize the look and functionality of their online stores. However, all these e-commerce features come at a cost. Users must pay for monthly subscriptions, and some fees can become quite high. In contrast, WordPress is free and open-source, though additional costs can arise from premium themes, plugins, and hosting.
WordPress vs. Joomla
Joomla is a more commonly used CMS in the European part of the world. Joomla is mostly based in the articles and categories section of the content types. While WordPress needs plugins to operate e-commerce, Joomla has built-in plugins in which users can easily operate their websites.
However, Joomla has an added advantage in the features it is not an open source CMS like WordPress and requires paid plans for the users.
WordPress vs. Wix
WordPress and Wix cater to different user preferences, each with its own strengths. Wix simplifies website creation through its intuitive drag and drop interface, appealing to users seeking convenience. While Wix may lack some advanced features, its built-in plugins provide added functionality without the need for additional installations.
On the other hand, WordPress stands out for its extensive customization options and a robust ecosystem of themes and plugins. It offers unparalleled flexibility for users who require more advanced features and customization capabilities. With WordPress, users have access to a vast array of plugins that can enhance website functionality to meet diverse needs.
Overview of WordPress with other CMS
| Feature | WordPress | Drupal | Joomla | Wix | Squarespace | Shopify |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | Easiest | Moderate | Moderate | Easiest (drag-and-drop) | Easiest (drag-and-drop) | Moderate |
| Flexibility | High (with plugins) | Highest | High | Limited | Limited | Limited |
| Content Types | Posts, Pages, Media | Flexible (customizable) | Articles, Categories | Limited | Limited | Products |
| E-commerce Requires plugins | Requires modules | Built-in | Built-in | Built-in | Built-in | Focuses on e-commerce |
| Open Source | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Cost Free (self-hosted) or Paid (managed) | Free (self-hosted) or Paid (managed) | Free (self-hosted) or Paid (managed) | Paid plans | Paid plans | Paid plans | Paid plans |
| Community & Support Largest | Large & Active | Large & Active | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
Conclusion
WordPress is the leading Content Management System (CMS), powering over half of all websites globally due to its user-friendly interface, extensive customization options, and a vast array of themes and plugins. It suits a wide range of users, from beginners to experienced developers.
While platforms like Joomla, Drupal, Shopify, Wix, and Squarespace offer unique benefits tailored to specific needs—such as advanced customization, e-commerce capabilities, or ease of use—WordPress remains the most versatile and widely applicable solution. Its open-source nature, affordability, and robust community support make it a top choice for many web development projects.
Choosing the right CMS depends on your specific needs, but WordPress’s combination of usability, flexibility, and features makes it an excellent option for most websites.
