Every business with a website needs a way to update content easily. A Content Management System supports web development by allowing non-technical people to add, edit, or remove content without touching code. It also makes web content management much easier and quicker.
More than 68% of all websites use a CMS. WordPress is by far the most popular: about 62-63% of the CMS market belongs to WordPress. Shopify follows, but far behind, at around 6-7%.
Headless CMS systems are gaining huge traction, too. Today, many companies are moving to headless or hybrid systems to deliver content faster, across more devices and channels.
Even many reported that 69% of organizations using headless CMS say their time-to-market for content improved.
If you are exploring CMS website development or thinking about working with a CMS development company in Australia or anywhere, this guide will help.
We’ll explain what a CMS is, compare platforms, show benefits, and share real examples. You’ll also get ideas on how to pick the right CMS for web development, and what to expect when building or migrating a site.
What is a CMS in Web Development
A Content Management System is a tool that helps people build and manage a website without writing code. It makes it easy to add new pages, edit text, upload images, and keep a site up to date.
Adobe explains a CMS as software that lets you create, manage, and deliver digital content from one place. In simple terms, it is the control center of your website.
A CMS has two main parts:
- Content Management Application (CMA): the dashboard where you type, edit, or upload content.
- Content Delivery Application (CDA): the part that takes the content and shows it on the live website.
The role of CMS in development is to save time and make websites easier to run. It allows business owners, marketers, and editors to manage a site without needing a developer for every small change.
Different Types of CMS
Not every CMS works the same way. Each type is built for different needs. Below are several types of CMS used these days, and which one fits where.
1. Traditional CMS
This is the most common type. Platforms like WordPress and Drupal handle both the content and the design in one system.
They are easy to set up and great for blogs, company websites, and marketing sites. Small to medium businesses use them. The reasons are easy usage and cost-efficiency.
2. Headless CMS
A headless CMS separates content from design. Platforms such as Contentful, Hygraph, Prismic, and Strapi store the content in the back end and send it to any front end, like websites, apps, or even smart devices.
Such a CMS type is best for quick performance and multi-channel delivery. Hygraph explains that a headless setup helps teams manage content once and use it everywhere.
3. Hybrid or Decoupled CMS
This is a mix of traditional and headless. The CMS manages the content, but also gives developers the option to connect with modern front-end tools. It is a good choice for companies that want flexibility but still prefer an easy editing experience.
4. E-commerce CMS
Some CMS platforms are made for online stores. Shopify, WooCommerce (on WordPress), and BigCommerce are popular for eCommerce web development. They come with features like product catalogs, shopping carts, and payment systems. These are best for businesses focused on selling products online.
What are the Popular CMS Platforms?
There are many CMS platforms available. However, some are more widely used than others. Each comes with its own strengths and weaknesses for web development. Here are the most popular options and what they are best suited for.
1. WordPress
WordPress is the most used CMS in the world, backing more than 60% of all CMS-based websites. It is popular because it is easy to use and has thousands of plugins and themes. This makes it simple to add features like SEO tools, contact forms, or e-commerce options.
- Pros: Easy setup, huge community, affordable, flexible plugins.
- Cons: Needs regular updates, can be slow if overloaded with plugins, and security depends on good maintenance.
2. Drupal
Drupal is built for enterprise-level websites and complex projects. It is flexible, scalable, and offers strong security. Governments, universities, and large organizations often choose Drupal.
- Pros: Strong for large websites, advanced user roles, and high security.
- Cons: Steeper learning curve, fewer themes and plugins compared to WordPress.
3. Joomla
Joomla offers a balance between ease of use and flexibility. It is often used for community-driven sites, forums, or portals. It comes with built-in features like multilingual support.
- Pros: Good for community websites, flexible structure, and multilingual support.
- Cons: Smaller community, fewer extensions compared to WordPress.
Craft CMS
Craft CMS is popular with developers and designers who want a custom experience. It focuses on giving full control over design and structure. Content editing is simple, but setup requires technical knowledge.
- Pros: Clean editing interface, strong design flexibility, secure.
- Cons: Paid license, needs developer skills, smaller ecosystem.
4. Magento (Adobe Commerce)
Magento is designed for e-commerce stores. It can handle advanced product catalogs, payment gateways, and customer management. It is suited for businesses that need scale and custom features.
- Pros: Very powerful for online stores, strong product and order management, supports large catalogs.
- Cons: Requires developer skills, higher hosting and maintenance costs.
5. Shopify
Shopify is one of the easiest CMS platforms for e-commerce web development. It comes with hosting, built-in payment systems, and ready-made templates. It is best for businesses that want a quick and reliable online store without technical hassle.
- Pros: Easy setup, hosted solution, built-in e-commerce tools.
- Cons: Monthly fees, less flexible than open-source CMS platforms.
6. Headless CMS Options
Headless CMS platforms are gaining popularity for businesses that need speed and scale. These systems separate content from the front end so the same content can be used across websites, apps, or even smart devices.
- Contentful: Known for its API-first approach, making integration easy.
- Hygraph: Offers powerful features for multi-channel publishing and is built for scale.
- Prismic: Simple to use with clean workflows for content teams.
- Strapi: Open-source and flexible, giving developers full control.
Headless CMS is a strong choice when companies need to publish content across multiple platforms and want developers to have more freedom in building the front end.
Benefits of Using a CMS
A CMS makes web development and website management easier for both businesses and developers. It removes technical barriers and helps teams work faster. Here are the key benefits.
1. Quick Content Publishing
With a CMS, content teams can add or edit pages without waiting for a developer. For
example, a marketing manager can launch a blog post in minutes instead of days. This reduces the time it takes to publish updates and campaigns.
2. Easier Workflows
Most CMS platforms let multiple users work together. A writer can draft content, an editor can review it, and a manager can approve it before publishing. This workflow makes content more accurate and consistent.
3. SEO Tools Built In
Many CMS systems, like WordPress, have plugins and tools that improve SEO. Features such as meta tags, sitemaps, and schema markup help websites rank better on search engines.
According to Edge of the Web, businesses using SEO tools inside CMS platforms often see faster improvements in search visibility.
4. Lower Costs
Building a website from scratch can be expensive. A CMS reduces costs by providing ready-made themes, templates, and integrations. For small and medium businesses, this can mean thousands of dollars saved in development and maintenance.
5. Scalability and Multi-Channel Support
Headless CMS platforms allow businesses to publish content across websites, apps, and even digital displays. This means a single piece of content can reach multiple channels without extra effort. It helps companies scale their digital presence more easily.
How to Choose The Right CMS?
Choosing a CMS is not just a technical step. It should fit your business goals, team skills, and long-term growth plans. Here are the key points to check before making a decision:
1. Business Goals
Think about what you want your website to achieve. If it’s content-driven like a blog or news site, WordPress may be enough for web development. For eCommerce, Shopify or Craft Commerce might be better. For multi-channel delivery, a headless CMS can help.
2. Technical Constraints
Check if the CMS works with your current hosting setup and tools. Some systems need skilled developers, while others are plug-and-play. If your team is small, go with a CMS that has easy integrations.
3. SEO and Performance
Your CMS should support fast loading, SEO plugins, and clean URLs. With over 90% of online sessions starting from search, this matters.
4. Budget
Open-source platforms like WordPress or Drupal are free to use, but need hosting and development costs. Licensed or headless platforms charge fees but offer built-in support. Match the choice to your budget.
5. Security and Compliance
If your site collects data, make sure the CMS supports GDPR or local compliance needs. Enterprises often prefer systems with built-in security audits.
6. Local Factors
If you’re hiring a CMS web development company in Australia, consider time zones, support hours, and local compliance laws. A local partner can give faster response times and understand regional rules.
Real Examples & Case Studies
Looking at real projects shows how the right CMS can solve different business needs. Here are three examples with proven outcomes:
1. Marketing site on WordPress
A mid-sized travel agency launched a new marketing site on WordPress. The built-in plugins helped them add SEO tools and booking forms without custom code. As a result, their publishing time dropped by 40% and organic traffic grew within three months.
2. Enterprise portal on Drupal
A government department built its internal portal with Drupal. The system’s strong user permissions allowed different teams to manage content safely. Drupal’s security modules also supported compliance needs. The portal now handles thousands of daily logins with no performance drop.
These examples show that the best CMS depends on the goal — from quick publishing to enterprise-level security or multi-channel delivery.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right CMS is a business decision that shapes your growth, rankings, and customer experience. Whether it’s WordPress for content-driven web development sites, Shopify for eCommerce, or another platform, the choice impacts long-term success.
Drupal for enterprise portals, or a headless CMS for multi-channel delivery, the platform you pick will define your digital success.
But the truth is, no CMS is one-size-fits-all. The best results come when the system matches your goals, budget, and technical needs. That’s where you can seek help from a renowned web design and development agency.
At EMU Digital Agency, we specialize in building tailored CMS solutions that are fast, secure, and built to scale. From designing simple content workflows to launching complex multi-channel platforms, our team ensures your website works as hard as your business does. Get in touch with us to build a platform that drives growth.
STAY UP TO DATE