Are you torn between a custom CMS vs. off-the-shelf solution for your website? That’s not an easy choice as some would have you sacrifice scalability in favor of meeting a tight deadline. Plus, while a custom CMS could be more powerful, it does require a higher budget, which may simply not be an option for a smaller business.
As nearly 44% of websites use a custom CMS, it’s clearly a popular choice that’s usually worth the investment. But how to decide if it’s what’s right for you? Hopefully our handy guide will help you do just that.
Our team at Bits Orchestra has extensive experience in CMS development, integration, migration and customization, assisting businesses of all sizes in finding the perfect fit. You can see examples of features & integrations of CMS with challenges, solutions, and results described in case studies.
Whether planning a website launch, scaling your business, or aiming to create a better online experience for your users, we can assist you with it. But first things first.
Let’s explore the difference between custom CMS and off-the-shelf platforms. We’ll compare custom and standard CMS, highlight key factors to consider, and share insights to help you decide whether custom CMS or off-the-shelf CMS suits you best. Here are some takeaways that you’ll explore with Bits Orchestra today:
43.6% of websites use custom content management systems;
Standard solutions still offer variety with options like Kentico, Umbraco, OrchardCore;
Custom CMS could be the key to scaling a business.
Custom vs. off-the-shelf content management system (CMS) is a standard puzzle for businesses. Let’s start with their definitions and compare the options to understand which option will work best for you.
A standard or off-the-shelf CMS is a pre-built platform that offers basic functionality right out of the box. It comes with pre-designed templates and plugins. This ready-to-use package makes it more affordable upfront and quicker to launch. Some examples of top CMS are Kentico, Umbraco, and Orchard Core.
A custom CMS is one built from scratch. It is designed based on specific user requirements, with distinct features and functionalities in mind. It is fully adjusted to your workflows, goals, and infrastructure. A custom CMS allows for greater flexibility and customization from the start but is more resource-consuming and expensive to develop.
In brief, a standard CMS is cheaper and easier to launch but less flexible, while a custom CMS is the opposite. But there’s more to this off-the-shelf vs. custom CMS duality.
Standard CMS | Custom CMS | |
Launch Time | Faster, ready to go live within days or weeks. | Slower, requires time for design, development, and testing. |
Customization Level | Limited to available plugins and themes. May require additional coding for complex features. | Fully customizable. Built to match the exact specifications and business needs. |
User Experience | Standard templates are flexible enough for most businesses. | Tailored UX, adjusted for your audience and business needs. |
Integration | Pre-built integrations with popular tools and services. | Integration with any tool or service, including custom-built ones. |
Maintenance | Supported and managed by the platform provider. | Requires ongoing updates and maintenance on the user’s side. |
Cost | Lower upfront cost. Extra expenses on premium features or plugins. | Higher upfront cost but tailored exactly to your needs, potentially reducing long-term expenses. |
Scalability | May require upgrades or workarounds for scalability. | Designed to scale with your business from the start. |
Both off-the-shelf CMS and custom CMS have pros and cons. To understand what works best for you, start by defining your needs. Think about the following:
Why do you need a CMS at this point?
What challenges do you expect to solve?
What features will be critical to do it?
What problems can standard CMS solve?
How much extra development will you need?
What time and budget do you have?
According to Roman Hutnyk, CEO of Bits Orchestra, his first priority when helping clients choose is to ask 'What should it accomplish for you right now and what could it offer you years down the line?
A standard CMS will likely do the job if you’re running a website with relatively simple functionality and needs. If you’re looking for more complex integrations or a highly tailored digital experience, a custom CMS will be worth the investment. Use the list of criteria above for a detailed analysis to make the right decision
Unlock the full potential of your website with Bits Orchestra’s custom CMS solutions tailored to your specific needs.
Let’s look at custom CMS development vs. off-the-shelf solutions regarding their capability. It’s a critical point to consider when evaluating a content management system.
Standard CMS platforms like Kentico, Umbraco, and OrchardCore cover all basic user needs. They provide a robust foundation for various website types. The typical features that come in this package are:
Content management tools. You can create, edit, and manage web content (text and multimedia) through dashboards with user-friendly interfaces.
Themes and templates. There’s a variety of pre-designed themes and templates that allow you to set up the look and feel of your website without coding.
SEO capabilities. Basic SEO tools are often built into these platforms.
Plugins and extensions. There are also plugin libraries to extend functionality. They include marketing and SEO tools, security mechanisms, ecommerce features, and more.
User management. You can create user roles and assign different access levels. A multitude of roles and permissions enables effective and safe collaboration.
Blog functionality. An opportunity to create and manage blog posts also comes as a default functionality.
Contact forms. Collecting and managing user inquiries is another standard feature.
As you can see, that’s a decent feature set for businesses with relatively simple needs or tight budgets.
Yet, standard CMS platforms have limitations regarding customization. That’s what the custom CMS were invented to solve. Some key areas where they make a difference include:
Tailored user experience. Instead of using default templates, you can create unique designs and interfaces. It goes for both the UX and UI parts of the design. You can build unique flows and create a design that reflects your brand.
Custom workflows. If you have unique content management workflows, a custom CMS will provide the corresponding features. It can include approvals, content staging, multilingual support, etc.
Integration with other systems. There’s no limit to what tools, extensions, or business applications you intend to connect to your website. A custom CMS will work with software with different specializations and tech complexity.
Advanced security. Hackers often target widely used solutions. That includes off-the-shelf CMS platforms, many of which are open source. With a custom CMS, you can implement advanced security measures and protect your website from industry-specific threats.
Scalable architecture. Your CMS will need to evolve along with your business. A standard CMS doesn’t always allow it. Adding new features or accommodating higher traffic may require extra coding, face constraints, or be impossible at all.
In this case, you decide how to build your own CMS. It’ll be an investment in higher efficiency, better customer experience, and more flexibility for your business. For example, our work on the Coretec project shows just that.
According to our CTO, Serhiy Sydorchuk: "We revamped their e-commerce platform to enhance flexibility and make the company less tech-team dependent, boosting conversion rates a whopping 34% and making it easier to manage content.
Security and expenses are at least two more essential elements to consider when discussing custom CMS development vs. off-the-shelf solutions. Both can significantly impact the long-term success of your business.
Standard CMS platforms imply lower initial costs. You can purchase a monthly subscription and start setting up a website immediately. Custom CMS development, on the other hand, requires a significant upfront investment. It includes planning, design, development, and testing before the launch.
However, it gets more complicated with long-term costs. A standard CMS can become more expensive over time. There’s a need for ongoing maintenance, updates, and potential customizations with open-source CMS development as well. The development team has already accounted for the majority of those things earlier.
As for the detailed cost breakdown, there are many variables for both a custom CMS and off-the-shelf platform. The scope of features alone will affect the plan you need or the time and expertise required for development. It’s always better to specify this after you have a request or at least when your challenge and goal are defined.
Standard CMS platforms come with built-in security features. They also have a larger attack surface due to the large number of users and plugins. These CMS may require additional security measures over time. However, a platform provider is in charge of it.
Custom CMS development offers complete control over security, along with more work and responsibilities. It’s less of a target for common attacks. However, you’ll need regular security audits and proactive updates to quickly address any vulnerabilities.
“A single security breach could, within minutes, cost you millions and, more importantly, the valuable trust of your loyal customers. In order to prevent the possibility of any leaks, Bits Orchestra emphasizes the importance of tight security protocols. For instance, we helped a major retail client prevent potential losses to the tune of $2 million a year thanks to our proactive approach to security.” CEO of Bits Orchestra, Roman Hutnyk
Let Bits Orchestra help you navigate these challenges with a custom CMS designed for your unique needs.
The next step in your custom CMS development vs. off-the-shelf solutions discovery is finding the right talent to set up everything. Bits Orchestra may be the partner company you’re looking for. One of the best software development companies in Europe, we solve diverse CMS-related challenges.
Our team will help you decide whether to go for a custom CMS or off-the-shelf platform. We’ll integrate it into your system, customize the parts that need rework, or design the CMS from scratch. The experts will back you up at all process stages, from planning to ongoing support post-launch.
The examples of features & integrations of CMS speak better than words. Learn about real-world applications of our services and the results clients achieved with our support in the case studies.
So, is it a custom CMS or off-the-shelf CMS? Choosing a suitable solution isn’t just about what works now. It’s critical to consider your business needs in a longer-term perspective. Now, as you know the difference between custom CMS and off-the-shelf options, making this decision is less complicated.
A standard CMS is ideal for smaller businesses or websites that don’t require extensive customization. If you need a quick, budget-friendly solution with basic features, this is likely your option.
A custom CMS is the better option for businesses with unique workflows, complex technical requirements, or plans for significant growth. It’s a must for large-scale operations, specialized systems, and companies looking for a tailored user experience.
By investing in a custom CMS, businesses get more than just better functionality. This option guarantees tailored digital experiences, better SEO, enhanced security, and easy scalability. In a way, that’s a basic package – a package for your business growth.
If you’ve chosen a custom CMS over off-the-shelf solutions, our team can help you explore the full potential of custom CMS development services. We’ll design a platform perfectly adjusted to your flows and operating in a way to achieve your goals.
A custom CMS gives you complete control over website operations. You get a tailored system that includes specific features your team needs. A CMS like this streamlines internal processes. It increases efficiency, customer engagement, and, ultimately, revenue. You also avoid paying for unnecessary features.
We know from our own experience that custom CMS can be a game changer for ROI, all thanks to its influence on business needs and workflows. A retail client of ours saw a 25% increase in customer engagement and a 20% bump in sales within a year after our collaboration. The custom CMS we created has improved their customer experience and simplified content management.
Consider your budget, timeline, and business needs. Off-the-shelf CMS is faster and less expensive to implement. However, it tends to lack certain features and overall flexibility. A custom CMS is built around your specific flows and unique requirements. It offers more flexibility but has a higher upfront cost and longer development time.
Yes, a custom CMS can be designed to scale with your business. It can accommodate new features, more traffic, integration with third-party tools, and various changes without compromising performance.
In general, the maintenance costs of a custom CMS are comparable to those of a standard CMS. Off-the-shelf platforms can have lower maintenance costs since a provider manages updates and security patches. However, any customization in an off-the-shelf CMS affects the price tag. Hence, the cost depends on CMS complexity and frequency of updates.
Smooth migration relies on careful planning. Handle your data responsibly during the transfer. Have several backups before the migration. Map out how your workflows and integrations will transition into the new system. Let the experienced developers overview the process. And always test the new CMS thoroughly before going live. For a comprehensive guide and expert support on CMS migrations, visit our CMS Migrations page.