Today, I’d like to talk about something increasingly relevant in the digital world, that being SaaS CMS systems.
What are CMS systems, exactly?
CMS is an acronyms of Content Management System. CMS is a communication platform and delivery system that saves you from having to design a complex web system. They are usually designed for content and data feed systems such as blogs, galleries, video and other media forms. With a little elbow grease, CMS can be harnessed for almost every kind of content delivery.
While some argue that SaaS CMS solutions drain the web of creativity, the standardized templates save time and energy. Two factors that far outweigh this fear. Besides, templates can look as unique and ‘creative’ as you want; it’s easy to apply themes and aesthetics to them. With a little bit of understanding of a given CMS’ format, you can customize almost any feature. The most widely popular CMS systems are Wiki, WordPress, Joomla and Squidoo. But, there are other options out there that work just as well.
#1 – Concrete5
Concrete5 is a new CMS system that borrows heavily from the other systems I mentioned above, but with a bit of a twist. It’s vastly easier to use. You can achieve the levels of intricacy the others offer, without forsaking any of the flexibility and diversity CMS provides in today’s web environment.
Offering multiple add-ons, an inclusive API for designing new add-ons, an open source SVN repository, and a load of structure and guidelines for PHP developers, Concrete5 is designed to give you as much or as little control over the internal mechanics as you need. It is intended for businesses far more than for general purpose.
Does it offer themes, though? Oh heck yes, both free and commercial themes are available, and a complete set of guides for designing or modifying themes comes right along with them. Concrete 5 has a nice community designing some really nice stuff.
#2 – Webpop
Webpop is a bit heftier, but requires less understanding of PHP coding and API. Webpop offers a browser-based point and click IDE, an open platform, rich text editing, integrated search engine functionality, chat support, project centrality and multiple users accounts. It also offers dynamic image and media resizing, frequent nightly backups, custom paths and URLs, on-site editing and of course, a great theme platform. Wepop has a huge community of designers and provides guides on how to design your own theme (or modifying theirs).
This CMS platform is for the company looking for a lot of flexibility and power without any development intrinsics in place.
#3 – TourCMS
TourCMS is for companies whose content is not necessarily aimed towards a web service, but rather software or goods. TourCMS offers guided tours to highlight the features and benefits of each service or product.
Some features include a reservation system, a booking engine, content management, enquiry management, marketing, tracking, widgets for various social networks and a diversified theme system (that rivals WordPress in functionality and versatility. TourCMS is not for massive content delivery. You’d be better off with Concrete5 or Webpop for that solution. But, if you just want to take your customer on a tour of a service, product or facility, this CMS system is amazing.
It’s pretty neat to see how many new and interesting SaaS CMS solutions are being developed, (versus the big names that I mentioned at the beginning of the post). If you’re a company looking for the best CMS offerings, you have many options to choose from!