Since just about every large, successful company already uses a content management system (CMS) to manage its Internet presence, this article’s title question only applies to the many small to mid-sized businesses that have not implemented CMS technology. For those companies, open CMS solutions can be the key to increasing your site’s web traffic and conversion rates – in other words, more revenue.
The value proposition of CMS is well-proven. If you are not aware of the benefits from content editing, organization, user management, event calendars, newsletter management, or any of the other many features available in leading CMS solutions, a quick Web search can confirm those features save money and make your people more productive. This article assumes that fact and looks, instead, at which solution is right for your company, and specifically, whether an open CMS solution is a viable alternative for small to medium-sized businesses.
What is Open Source CMS?
Open source licensing is a growing trend among software publishers. Essentially, you can use open source software for free – there is no licensing fee. The software is supported and updated by its community of users, in addition to the publisher’s support. The publisher typically makes money either by selling technical support and customization services or by offering a more robust version of the product for sale. Popular open source CMS solutions include Drupal, DotNetNuke, and Joomla, among many others.
What is the Open Source CMS Value Proposition?
Obviously, no license fees are a significant component of the open source value proposition. However, if long-term support costs are higher, that may not matter. Still, having no license fees definitely reduces risk. Your company can implement an open source solution for minimal costs as a pilot project to confirm the overall value proposition of CMS. Once confirmed, you may decide to invest in a more robust CMS solution.
If you have unique requirements and some technical expertise, an open source solution may provide a cost effective way to develop a custom solution. The most popular applications have built an enthusiastic developer community that can often help your staff create or install plug-ins and custom add-ons. With thousands of members, someone in the community has probably already had the problem you’re experiencing.
While there are usually no warranties for open source software, neither are there service contracts and maintenance fees. Technical support can be hired from among the user community and other sources. Unlike closed software, you still receive free access to all future releases without a service contract.
Why Open Source CMS?
Small and mid-sized businesses – the only demographic not using CMS in significant numbers – are great candidates for open source CMS. The low entry cost of the free license keeps risks low. Those businesses can move from proof of concept to full implementation at their own speed. The modular design of the leading solutions lets the companies add departments and/or functionality to the system, as they expand its use. Plus, there is a lot of technical support available if you join the communities. For a hard-charging entrepreneur, who can make things happen – there are a lot of people making open source CMS happen. If you need a bit more hand holding, perhaps a full-licensed solution could be a better solution.