To compete in the digital-first era, marketing teams need to achieve rapid digital transformation. This means that you need more out of a content management system (CMS) to deliver in the now and the future.
In this blog, we will unpack the different types of CMSs and discuss what they can offer to help you select the best type for your agency.
What are my CMS options?
As an agency you need the right tools to help you create the required digital presence. It is important to find the CMS that works best for you. Let’s start with a quick overview of the current types of CMSs available.
1. The traditional CMS
In these CMS platforms, the user selects a frontend template for a platform to make it easy to create, change and publish content for a location using a WYSIWYG or HTML editor. these CMS platforms, the user selects a frontend template for a platform to make it easy to create, change and publish content for a location using a WYSIWYG or HTML editor.
A traditional CMS organizes content in webpage-oriented frameworks commingled with code enabling it to be used on the linked frontend.
2. The headless CMS
A headless CMS is an API-first content platform that focuses on the back-end and disconnects it from any specific front-end. Instead, raw content is delivered to your channel of choice such as an app, using Application Programming Interfaces.
Which CMS would suit my agency best?
The type of content you need to create and the type of frontend you need to manage should determine the type of CMS you require. Let’s unpack each option’s offerings, benefits and cons so you can see which one will suit your needs best.
When is a traditional CMS a better fit?
Traditional CMSs are easy to set up, use, and work for basic websites such as blogs, personal sites, generic themes, and smaller company websites. They are made for publishing content to one channel.
If your agency has a smaller team with limited bandwidth or experience to implement and use a headless CMS, then the traditional CMS solution would be a cheaper and easier option.
Benefits and cons of a traditional CMS
- Offers downloadable templates and extensions to customize the website.
- Allows users direct access and previews while editing the data.
- You can install custom plugins to allow more functionality.
If you are a smaller agency that caters to only a few clients or are very niche in what you do, then stick with a traditional CMS.
When is a headless CMS a better fit?
If you need to develop websites, mobile apps, digital displays, and conversational interfaces you need the increased flexibility and scalability provided by headless CMS software solutions.
Selecting an agency-ready headless CMS will enable you to deliver exceptional digital experiences for your clients through stunningly immersive advertising campaigns.
Pros and cons of a headless CMS
Increases efficiency, and faster development.
Content teams enjoy freedom from ongoing technical involvement.
Delivers native content across all platforms, applications, and devices with API-native integrations.
Acts as a built-in repository.
Enables the combination of content analytical data from your headless CMS with your customer data
Supports increased complexity and sophistication, integrates with new technology, meets security and legal requirements, and accelerates your speed to market.
Allows your development team to work with their preferred technologies and frameworks via a singular GraphQL endpoint.
Reduces any security risks as your data is completely separated from the frontend website.
The downside of a headless CMS:
might make some scenarios more complicated, such as testing new features without affecting live environments.
data is housed in the cloud which could complicate access to it when you stop paying your subscription fees.
Conclusion
There are many CMS options available, and the type of content and digital presence you require will determine the type that suits you best.
Even though there are many options, not all traditional and headless CMSs are equal in what they can deliver and their capabilities such as analytics, A/B testing tools, and personalization features so you can localize content and deliver SEO-optimized content globally.
Do you want to learn more about how the next generation of content management solutions can help your organization deliver better digital customer experiences? Have a look at How to select a future-proof CMS in 2022 for valuable insights. At Prepr we pride ourselves on our specialized partnerships with agencies. Contact us to discuss your project and find out what benefits you can get as an agency.