Curious About a Custom CMS? Here’s What To Expect
There will come a time when you ponder about a custom CMS for your business. Find out if you really need one, including the pros, cons and what to expect.
Most times, using an open source CMS like WordPress, Drupal or Joomla to build your website will more than suffice. There are plenty of ready modules & plugins available. Plus, a good developer will know how to customise plugins to fit specific project needs.
So, when will you need a custom CMS?
As your business grows in size, having a custom CMS is advantageous. It provides more flexibility while maintaining a flawless digital presence before your clients. But there are also times when a custom CMS may not work for you.
Why a custom CMS may not work for you
Most times, developers favour building a custom CMS over using an open source one. The more obvious reason being, it’s easier for them to customise modules while having full control of the codes.
Yet, it comes with some caveats for you. So, if you’re thinking about redesigning your website using a custom CMS, consider these:
Migration Difficulties
You’ll have to rely on the developer team to add new features or make simple changes to your website. It can make migration from your custom CMS a nightmare.
Bugs
Software gremlins will pop up from time to time. Question is, is the developer team capable or willing to provide you with the fixes you need? At what cost and for how long?
Functionality
Your custom CMS may lack the basic features for you to perform critical tasks. You need to rely on them to add/edit custom title tags, custom URLs, and meta descriptions for each page. Some companies may even charge a “SEO Package” fee for these basic features.
An Unpolished CMS
It’s not surprising that your brand new custom CMS may feel visually unrefined, awkward or fall short of user-friendliness. Unlike open source CMS, a custom CMS is yet to undergo multiple feedback and updates from developers and users. It will have to start somewhere.
Lack of Documentation
Given that development is sourced to a third-party, there may be a lack of clearly written documentation on how to use or make changes to your custom CMS. You’ll have to refer to the developer team every now and then.
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All that being said, if you know for certain that your business needs a custom CMS, fret not. The advantages will far outweigh these inconveniences. And now that you know what to expect, it’s easier to hash it out with your design company.
The pros of having a custom CMS
Customisation
With the power of customisation, comes the power to fulfil highly specific needs. Open-source CMS like WordPress instantly betrays itself once you discover the limits of its application to your unique business needs.
It may have sufficed a decade or two ago, but if you’re looking to differentiate yourselves from the rest, then a custom CMS is the way to go.
Web Apps Load Quicker
Another benefit of using a custom CMS to develop a website from scratch? Greater loading speeds thanks to the ability to fully optimise the codes. Open source CMS that uses ready plugins has a potential of slowing down your website.
Better Security
Open-source CMS solutions such as Wix or WordPress may be free, but they offer less security than a dedicated CMS. Using your own custom CMS allows you to use software with updated and effective security protocols to protect your client’s data.
Originality
Using a custom CMS allows your website to be truly unique from your competition. Your website will not end up looking familiar or hard to differentiate from the rest. This is because it does not utilise the usual ‘drag and drop’ CMS solutions.
Having a website that looks like no other is a unique selling proposition on its own. Your clients are more likely to engage with your business because they perceive that you have something significant to offer.
The cons of having a custom CMS
Unfortunately, if you have the wrong team handling it, the website may load slowly, compromising both security and user experience. Therefore, it’s essential to find a developer team that knows what they are doing.
Conclusion
For projects on a smaller scale, website builders do more than a decent job. But if you own a business or operations on a larger scale, then a custom CMS is what you need to be a cut above the competition.
Talk to us for a free consultation if you need help, or an expert opinion about creating your ideal website. Send us an email at enquiry@fuse.com.my and we’ll get back to you ASAP!
