CMS (content management systems) are essential software to manage the content of a website without the need for technical knowledge.
In this article, we look at the most popular CMS in 2024.
We review:
- The best CMS platforms in 2024 by usage and market share (worldwide, France and Belgium) ;
- The fastest growing CMS in 2024 ;
- Recent trends in CMS.
What is a CMS and why use one?
A CMS (or content management system) is a software application that allows you to create, manage and publish content online, usually in the form of websites, without the need for specialized technical skills.
A CMS typically provides a user-friendly interface that allows non-technical users to add, edit and delete content, as well as control how it is presented to the end user.
Normally, web pages are written in the programming languages HTML, JavaScript and CSS. To create a web page without a CMS, it is therefore necessary to learn these programming languages and write code to put content online.
But a CMS provides an easy solution to this problem by allowing you to create a website without writing code or learning programming.
So, there are several reasons to choose to use a CMS:
- A CMS can simplify the process of creating and managing a website or other digital content, making it more accessible to people and businesses that don't have the technical expertise or resources to do it from scratch ;
- A CMS can offer features such as templates, themes and plugins that can help improve the look and functionality of a website or other content ;
- A CMS allows multiple users to collaborate on the creation and management of content, making it easy to update over time.
Overall, a CMS can be a valuable tool for those looking to create and manage digital content, whether they are individuals, small businesses or large organizations. CMS's can be used for all types of sites: personal blogs, showcase sites, e-commerce sites, whether they have simple websites or complex ones.
What are the most popular CMS in 2024 (world)?
According to a market study on the most popular CMS, WordPress is the most used CMS platform in the world with a market share of 63%.
In the following ranking, the usage rate represents the percentage of usage compared to all websites and the market share compared to all websites using a CMS.
Here is the ranking of the 5 most popular CMS platforms:
- WordPress: 43.2% usage rate and 63.3% market share ;
- Shopify: usage rate 3.8% and market share 5.6% ;
- Wix: 2.5% usage rate and 3.7% market share ;
- Squarespace: 2.1% usage rate and 3.1% market share ;
- Joomla: 1.8% usage rate and 2.7% market share.
Which are the fastest growing CMS in 2024 (world)
- Elementor: 45.52 million (daily increase in the number of sites). Note that Elementor is a sub-category of the Wordpress CMS (source: w3techs) ;
- WooCommerce: 18.03 million (daily increase in the number of sites) ;
- Shopify: 8.8 million (daily increase in the number of sites).
Recent CMS trends (2012 to 2024)
Looking at CMS trends from January 2012 to April 2024 (source: w3techs), we see that :
- The share of websites using a CMS has strongly increased (from 29% in 2012 to 69.2% in April 2024) ;
- Wordpress is the undisputed leader of CMS (but its progression seems to be slightly above 40% of market share since 2021) ;
- Shopify is the second CMS in the ranking (with a market share of 3.8% in April 2024, this market share has doubled since January 2020) ;
- Wix comes in 3rd in the CMS ranking (with a 2.5% market share in April 2024, this market share has almost doubled since January 2020).
The most used CMS in France in 2024
In France, according to figures published by Buildwith, the CMS with the largest market share are :
- Wordpress with a 53% market share ;
- Wix with a market share of 9% ;
- Duda with a market share of 4%.
Ranking of Open Source CMS in France (April 2024 - source: BuildWith) :
The most used CMS in Belgium
FAQ : how to choose the best CMS platform in 2024
What is a CMS and how does it work?
A CMS (content management system) is software that allows you to create, manage and publish content on a website. It works by providing a user-friendly interface that allows users to create and edit content without the need for programming knowledge.
The CMS stores content in a database and uses templates to display the content to the end user. Users can easily add and edit content, including text, images and videos, using the CMS's graphical interface.
The CMS also provides additional features such as user management, media management, website design customization, form creation, comment management, category and tag management, and menu management.
Ultimately, the CMS simplifies the process of creating and managing a website, allowing users to focus on content rather than programming and development.
What are the most popular CMS?
The most popular CMS are: WordPress, Shopify, Wix, Squarespace, Joomla.
However, there are many other open source and proprietary content management systems (CMS) that are used to create websites (examples include: webflow, Duda, Odoo, etc.)
What is the simplest CMS?
The simplest CMS depends on the needs and skills of each user. Some CMS, like Wix or Squarespace, are ready to use and do not require any coding knowledge of web development. Others, like WordPress or Joomla, are more powerful and flexible, but require more time to master.
Which CMS to choose in 2024?
The choice of CMS depends on the specific needs of each project. Users who need an online store can choose WooCommerce for WordPress, Shopify, Magento or PrestaShop.
Users who are looking for a simple CMS can opt for Wix or Squarespace.
Advanced users may prefer WordPress or Joomla because of their flexibility and active development community. It is important to choose a CMS that suits the skills and needs of each user.
How to choose the right CMS?
To choose the right CMS, it is important to define the specific needs of the project, such as the type of website, the required functionality, the budget and the user's skills. It is also important to research and compare the different CMS options available in terms of functionality, security, ease of use, interface usability, support and user community size.
What is the best CMS to create a website?
The best CMS to create a website depends on the needs and skills of each user. WordPress is often considered one of the best CMS to create a website because of its flexibility and large development community.
What payment methods are available for e-commerce CMS?
The payment methods available for e-commerce CMS depend on the chosen CMS. Popular e-commerce CMS like WooCommerce for WordPress, Magento and PrestaShop offer common payment options like PayPal, Stripe and Square. Users can also add third-party payment gateways to support other payment methods.
What is the best CMS to create an online store?
Choosing the best CMS to create an online store depends on the specific needs of each project. WooCommerce for WordPress is often considered one of the best CMS for online stores, due to its flexibility and large development community. However, other CMSes like Magento and PrestaShop may be more suitable for more complex online store projects.
Can a custom domain name be used with a CMS
Yes, a custom website domain name can be used. Most CMS platforms offer this feature, which enables users to have a unique web address for their website. Non-customizable website domains are often due to free versions.
What is the difference between an open source CMS and a proprietary CMS?
The main difference between an open source CMS and a proprietary CMS is the level of control and customization that users have over the software.
An open source CMS, as the name suggests, is software whose source code is freely available to the public. Users can access, modify, and distribute the code, which allows for a high degree of flexibility and customization. Open source CMS are typically community-driven, with developers from around the world contributing to the software and providing support.
Examples of open source CMS include WordPress, Joomla, Drupal and Magento.
In contrast, proprietary CMS are owned and controlled by a specific company or organization. The source code is not publicly available and users must rely on the company for updates, bug fixes and support. Proprietary CMSes often have a higher price tag than open source alternatives, as users are essentially paying for the company's software and support services.
Examples of proprietary CMS include Squarespace, Wix, webflow, Adobe Experience Manager and HubSpot.
In summary, the main difference between open source and proprietary CMSs is the level of control and flexibility users have over the software, with open source being more customizable and community-driven, and proprietary being more controlled and supported by a specific company.
What is the difference between a self-hosted CMS and an online CMS?
The main difference between a self-hosted CMS and an online CMS is where the CMS software is hosted and managed.
Self-hosted CMS requires the user to download and install the software on their own server or hosting environment. The user is responsible for managing the server and ensuring that the CMS software is up-to-date and secure. WordPress, Drupal and Joomla are examples of self-hosted CMS.
Online CMS, on the other hand, are hosted on a remote server by a third-party provider. The user accesses the CMS through a web browser and does not need to manage the server or software updates. Wix, Squarespace and Shopify are examples of online CMS.
One of the main advantages of self-hosted CMS is the level of control and customization they offer. Users have more flexibility in terms of design and functionality, and can often access a wider range of plugins (such as search engine optimization, security enhancement, website builder, content customization plugins, etc.) and themes. However, self-hosted CMSes can require more technical knowledge and maintenance.
Online CMSs, on the other hand, are often easier to set up and use, and require minimal technical knowledge. They are also generally more user-friendly, with easy-to-use website builder options such as drag-and-drop interfaces and pre-built templates. However, users may have less control over the customization and functionality of their website.
Ultimately, the choice between a self-hosted CMS and an online CMS will depend on the specific needs and preferences of the user.
CMS Comparison: Conclusion
A CMS (or content management system) is a software application that allows people to create, manage and publish content online, usually in the form of websites, without the need for specialized technical skills.
Among the most popular CMSs, WordPress remains far ahead in terms of CMS market share, but other platforms are slowly gaining ground as more and more people become aware of their benefits and features.
As technology continues to evolve, we can expect these trends to continue and for new players to enter the market in the future.
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