The content management system (CMS) you choose for your website build significantly impacts cost, capabilities and ease of use. Especially when working with a cheap web designer on a tight budget, your CMS choice is critical.
The top platforms like WordPress and Joomla are feature-rich but also require more web development skills which can inflate cost. A simpler CMS like Wix is very user-friendly but lacks customization.
How do you choose the right CMS for your needs and budget? Here are key factors to consider:
Development and Design Flexibility
If you want extensive customization without code, Wix, Weebly, and Squarespace offer drag-and-drop simplicity. However, flexibility is limited compared to open-source CMS options. For maximum design control on a budget, WordPress paired with a cheap web designer is ideal.
Built-in Features and Functionality
Evaluate included features like contact forms, galleries, blogs, e-commerce and member accounts. Some CMS platforms nickel and dime you for add-ons that quickly sum to big costs. Others like WordPress offer thousands of plugins to add features for free. Know what’s included.
Available Themes and Templates
Pre-made themes and templates jumpstart website creation and save costs by avoiding custom design from scratch. But too much similarity with other sites can look generic. Assess the theme catalog and customizability when working with a cheap web designer.
Ease of Use
If you have no coding expertise, choose an intuitive CMS like Squarespace where you can build a site through visual editors and widgets without touching code. While powerful, WordPress and Joomla have steeper learning curves. But an experienced cheap web designer can make them user-friendly.
Scalability
As your business grows, can your CMS easily scale with you? Open-source options like WordPress offer the most flexibility to build bigger, more complex sites over time. Make sure your platform won't limit future expansion needs or require costly migrations.
User Roles and Permissions
Managing access for multiple users like staff or guest contributors is important. Compare role options to allow granular permissions and segmentation by user type. Give access only to what each user needs to streamline workflow.
SEO Optimization
Your CMS should make it easy to optimize pages for search visibility through customizable metadata, URLs, alt text, XML sitemaps and built-in speed. Open source CMS platforms generally offer the most SEO control, which your cheap web designer can maximize.
Security Protections
Vulnerabilities like outdated software or plugins open security holes. Choose a CMS that makes it easy to leverage HTTPS, implement firewalls, manage software updates and use role-based access controls. Security upkeep should be straightforward, not an afterthought.
Affordable Pricing
Some proprietary systems require expensive monthly licensing fees that add up, as well as charges for add-ons. Others like WordPress are 100% free. Compare pricing models closely when evaluating CMS options on a budget.
Community Support Resources
For cost-effective troubleshooting, open-source CMS options offer knowledge bases, forums, and documentation created by active user communities. This allows you to tap help beyond just a cheap web designer. However, quality varies.
While not sexy, your CMSChoice has huge implications. Balance ease of use, flexibility, and security based on your budget and needs. With due diligence, you can find an option allowing you and your cheap web designer to build a quality website at an affordable cost.
