Which content management system (CMS) is the best choice for my website? The website has a simple structure consisting of 15-20 pages and a section with a large number of articles, with an expected monthly page view of 40-50 thousand.

Here are the requirements:

• Ability to customize the design easily (themability).

• Simple categorization of pages in a tree-like structure.

• User roles and permissions for adding, publishing, and editing articles.

• Robust search functionality for site content, with the ability to manage search results.

• SEO-friendly features such as acceptable page loading speed, customizable HTML tags (description, title, h1-h6), and alt & title attributes for images.

• Built-in blog/news engine.

After a preliminary evaluation of multiple CMS options, a shortlist was created:

Open-source:
• Joomla
• Drupal
• Typo3

Paid:
• 1C Bitrix
• AmiroCMS
• UMI.CMS
• NetCat

All of these CMS options offer similar functionality, but none of them will work "out of the box" without customization. Therefore, it will be necessary to find a contractor for implementation. The question now is: which CMS will be more cost-effective for the initial setup and implementation of the required functionality? Additionally, which one will be more affordable to maintain in the long run, especially if there is a need to expand its functionality?

Based on your requirements, Joomla, Drupal, and Typo3 are all good open-source CMS options that can handle the structure and volume of your website. They offer customization options, user roles and permissions, search functionality, and SEO-friendly features.

The cost-effectiveness of the initial setup and implementation will depend on your specific needs and the expertise of the contractor you choose. Generally, Joomla and Drupal have larger communities and more available resources, which may make finding a contractor easier and potentially more cost-effective. However, if you have specific requirements that are better suited for Typo3, it may be worth considering.

In terms of long-term affordability, open-source CMS options like Joomla and Drupal are typically more cost-effective since they have no licensing fees. They also have active communities that continually provide updates and new features. This can make it easier to maintain and expand the functionality of your website without incurring significant costs.

Paid CMS options like 1C Bitrix, AmiroCMS, UMI.CMS, and NetCat may have additional features and support, but they come with licensing fees and potentially higher maintenance costs. If your budget allows for it and the paid options align better with your specific needs, they can be worth considering, but it's important to carefully evaluate the long-term costs and advantages.

Let's dive into more details about the shortlisted CMS options and their cost-effectiveness.

Open-source CMS options like Joomla, Drupal, and Typo3 are popular choices because they are free to use and have a large community of developers. They offer extensive customization capabilities, including themability, which allows you to modify the design easily. These CMS platforms also provide simple categorization of pages in a tree-like structure, user roles and permissions for managing articles, robust search functionality, and SEO-friendly features.

When it comes to the initial setup and implementation costs, open-source CMS options generally require more effort and expertise compared to paid solutions. You'll likely need to hire a contractor who has experience with the specific CMS you choose to customize and set up the desired functionality. However, due to the availability of resources and communities, finding a qualified contractor might be more accessible, potentially resulting in lower costs.

In terms of long-term affordability, open-source CMS options typically have an advantage. They don't require any licensing fees, and ongoing maintenance and updates are often community-driven, which can help keep costs down. Additionally, the robust communities surrounding open-source CMS platforms mean that new features and extensions are frequently developed and made available at no extra cost.

On the other hand, paid CMS options like 1C Bitrix, AmiroCMS, UMI.CMS, and NetCat often come with additional features and dedicated support. However, they usually have licensing fees and may require ongoing payments for updates or support. While these paid options may offer certain advantages and potentially save time on implementation, it's important to consider the long-term costs and whether the additional features justify the investment.

Here are some additional points to consider when evaluating the cost-effectiveness of CMS options:

1. Customization Effort: Consider the level of customization required for your website. Open-source CMS options like Joomla, Drupal, and Typo3 offer extensive customization capabilities, but they may require more effort and expertise to implement compared to paid CMS options. Assess the complexity of your desired customizations and the availability of qualified contractors for each CMS.

2. Contractor Availability: Evaluate the availability and cost of contractors experienced in implementing the CMS options you are considering. Open-source CMS platforms like Joomla and Drupal typically have larger communities and more developers available, making it potentially easier to find affordable contractors. This can help reduce setup costs and future maintenance expenses.

3. Licensing Costs: Paid CMS options come with licensing fees, which can be a significant upfront cost. Consider your budget and weigh the added features and support provided by paid options against their associated costs. Evaluate whether these features are essential for your website or if the open-source alternatives can fulfill your requirements adequately.

4. Ongoing Maintenance: Consider the long-term maintenance costs associated with each CMS option. Open-source CMS platforms benefit from active communities that contribute to regular updates, bug fixes, and security patches. This means ongoing maintenance is typically more affordable. In contrast, paid CMS options might require ongoing payments for updates or support, increasing the overall cost of ownership.

5. Scalability and Future Expansion: Anticipate any potential future needs for expanding your website's functionality. Open-source CMS options often have a vast library of free plugins and extensions, giving you more options for adding new features without incurring additional costs. Paid CMS options may have a more limited selection or require additional payments for certain extensions.

6. Learning Curve: Consider the learning curve associated with each CMS option for you and your team. Open-source CMS platforms like Joomla and Drupal may have steeper learning curves, while paid CMS options often prioritize user-friendly interfaces. Factor in the time and cost required for training or hiring individuals familiar with the chosen CMS.

I recommend checking out CMS WebSiteCollect, as it includes all the features you mentioned. It offers a built-in blog with the ability to add videos without relying on YouTube. Additionally, you can create websites with tree-like menus, both horizontal and vertical, and customize button styles. The platform also allows for the inclusion of comments and provides user authorization tools. Furthermore, if you're a photographer, you can utilize CMS WebSiteCollect to create photo albums and photo diaries. To learn more, visit www.wscollect.com.

I have experience working with Joomla and Drupal about five years ago. Initially, I found the admin panel of Joomla to be inconvenient and everything else seemed inconvenient as well, so I eventually disliked it. On the other hand, I found Drupal to be more preferable because of its convenient admin panel, quick template creation, numerous add-ons and plugins, and overall flexibility. I'm not sure about the current state of Drupal, but it used to be a good choice for a flexible and free CMS with regular updates.

Wordpress was also tried by me, but only during its early stages of development. It had a relatively simple admin panel, which was suitable for clients. However, I found the template engine to be less convenient. Perhaps I am being too picky, but Wordpress just wasn't my cup of tea.

In 2010, I tried Typo3 for a specific project. To be honest, I found it to be a very complex system. The admin template, especially for users, had to be created from scratch, and while it was simple, it looked extremely ugly. Overall, there was a lot of manual work involved in using Typo3. The template engine was a separate headache, with many people complaining about its difficulty. Personally, I agree with them. I would consider Typo3 not only as a CMS but also as a CMF for custom projects where its API can be utilized to its full potential.

Currently, I am heavily using 1C-Bitrix, which is a demanding and resource-intensive CMS. However, it performs exceptionally well on good hosting and offers a wide range of features. Despite the rumors and criticisms about its code quality, the system has flaws in its standard modules that can be fixed fairly quickly through manual intervention. Many of these flaws are resolved by redesigning the module templates. The template system itself is quite straightforward, and working in the admin area doesn't pose any major difficulties for clients. It's important to note that the developers have made a compromise to ensure convenience for both developers and end-users. One significant advantage (or disadvantage, depending on perspective) is that the system has strong marketing support and constant updates. However, the major downside is the considerable cost of the license and the need for annual renewal to receive updates.

I would highly recommend taking a closer look at CMS ModX. It boasts a very convenient template engine and a well-designed admin panel. Not only is it free, but it also receives active updates. In my opinion, ModX is much more user-friendly compared to Joomla, Drupal, and Wordpress. The only drawback is the limited number of add-ons, themes, and plugins available for ModX compared to the aforementioned CMS options. If you are open to creating custom features yourself, ModX is an excellent choice.

For smaller projects, I would suggest considering the domestic open-source CMS called Santafox. It allows for quick development of standard projects, has a relatively simple architecture, and well-commented code. Additionally, it comes with a built-in online store module, which is a significant advantage. Santafox features a convenient template engine that is similar to ModX and a straightforward admin panel.

Cost of the CMS System.
Business Requirements.
CMS Platform Ease of Use.
SEO Friendliness.
Integration with Backend Systems.
Level of Personalization.
CMS Hosting Options.

Here, also pay attention to how often these other systems are updated. Because I used Jomala once and I remember that it had serious security problems. It was many years ago, of course.

So how often the add-on is developed and by a large group also matters. Worpdress is also free - but you can't modify it for your own use at the core.

I'd recommend Joomla as the most cost-effective option for your website. Its themability is unparalleled, with thousands of free and paid templates available, making it easy to customize the design. The built-in article management system, with user roles and permissions, is robust and easy to use. Joomla's search functionality is also excellent, with features like faceted search and filtering.

Joomla's SEO capabilities are top-notch, with customizable meta tags, alt and title attributes for images, and a built-in caching system to ensure fast page loading speeds. The built-in blog/news engine is also a major plus. As an open-source platform, Joomla has a large community of developers and a vast array of extensions available, making it easy to find contractors for implementation and maintenance.

In contrast, the paid options, such as 1C Bitrix and AmiroCMS, may require more significant upfront investments, and their customization options may be more limited. Drupal, while a powerful platform, may require more technical expertise for implementation and maintenance.

Choosing the right Content Management System (CMS) depends on factors like ease of use, scalability, security, and customization. Platforms like WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal offer different features tailored for blogs, e-commerce, or enterprise websites. Consider budget, technical expertise, and required integrations to ensure the CMS aligns with your business goals.