Web Development

Custom vs. Pre-built CMS: Which is Right for Your Business?

Choosing between a pre-built and custom content management system (CMS) is like choosing fast food or home-cooked meals. One offers speed and convenience while other is tailored to your exact taste. Each serves a purpose, but which one is right for the business? 

In this blog, top specialists at the best app development company in Utah help answer this question. But first, what exactly is a CMS? 

What is a CMS?
A content management system (CMS) is software that allows users to create, manage and modify digital content for a website. It enables non-technical users to manage content without coding or web development skills. Managers can use the CMS dashboard to manage pages, schedule posts, and access all content-related tasks. The application consists of two main components:  

• Content Management Application (CMA): The interface where users create and manage content.
• Content Delivery Application (CDA): The backend system that publishes content to the website.

What is Pre-built and Custom CMS? 

A pre-built CMS is a ready-to-use platform designed for website content management. They are developed for a broad audience and come with a range of standard features, templates, and more. On the other hand, a custom CMS is built specifically to meet the unique needs of the organization. 

Pre-built CMS vs. Custom CMS

Here is a breakdown of the key differences between the two types of CMS platforms:

• Cost: Pre-built CMS platforms typically have a have a low upfront cost. They are cheaper and are open-sourced or subscription-based. Custom CMS involves higher initial investment due to design, development, and testing.  
• Time to Launch: The pre-built solutions can be deployed quickly, while a custom CMS may take weeks or months to build. The timeline for developing custom tools depend on complexity of the project.
• Scalability: Custom CMS platforms are built with scalability option. It ensures organizations to upgrade the application can based on business needs. Pre-built options may require extensive customization or plugins as user needs evolve.
• Maintenance and Support: Pre-built CMSs often require regular updates and plugin management. A custom CMS may need ongoing support from developers but can be optimized for long-term performance. 
• User Experience (UX): Custom CMSs are designed with your team’s workflow. Pre-built options may include unnecessary features or lack specific ones you need.

Which One is Right for Business? 

Choosing between a custom or pre-built CMS depends on your organization’s goals, budget, and future growth plans. 

If you need a cost-effective and quick-to-launch solution for your operations, pre-built CMS is the right fit. However, if you require unique functionality and ongoing development support, custom CMS are more suitable.  

Conclusion 
While pre-built CMS provide speed and affordability, they may fall short for your business with complex needs. It can impact the organization’s long-term strategic goals and other requirements. Therefore, before making a decision, you must assess your current needs and future ambitions.