What is a Traditional CMS? Key Features and Benefits Explained

Understanding Traditional CMS

A traditional CMS(external link), or Content Management System, is a software application that allows users to create, manage, and publish content on the web.

Traditional CMS platforms combine backend content management and frontend display, offering a simple, cohesive solution. They remain highly convenient and effective, particularly for projects with straightforward content delivery needs.

Despite the emergence of innovative approaches, traditional CMS platforms remain a cornerstone in web development, particularly for businesses seeking an all-in-one solution.

What is a Traditional CMS?

A traditional CMS is a platform that combines all aspects of content management and display in a single system.

Its architecture includes:

Integrated Backend and Frontend(external link): The backend manages content creation and storage, while the frontend handles how the content is presented to the audience.
Examples of Traditional CMS Platforms: Popular examples include WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal.
Content Workflow: Users can easily create, edit, and publish content without needing advanced technical skills, making it a user-friendly option for many businesses.

Key Features of a Traditional CMS

Traditional CMS platforms are packed with features that streamline content management:

WYSIWYG Editors(external link): Allow users to create and edit content with a live preview.
Template-Based Designs: Ensure consistency across pages with pre-built templates.
User Management: Enable role-based access for team collaboration.
Media Libraries: Offer centralised storage for images, videos, and documents.

Benefits of Using a Traditional CMS

Traditional CMS platforms are popular for several reasons:

Ease of Use: They feature intuitive interfaces, making them accessible to non-technical users.
All-in-One Solution: Content creation, management, and display are unified in a single system.
Cost-Effectiveness: Many platforms, such as WordPress, offer free or low-cost options.
Community Support: Extensive developer communities provide plugins, themes, and support resources.

Comparing Traditional CMS vs. Headless CMS

A headless CMS decouples content management from presentation, offering:

API-Driven Delivery: Content is delivered to any platform or device using APIs.
Flexibility: Ideal for omnichannel strategies, delivering content across websites, apps, and more.

Traditional CMS platforms, however, excel in:

Simplicity: Perfect for websites and blogs with straightforward needs.
Ease of Deployment: Quicker to set up and manage for smaller projects.

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Silverstripe CMS: A Modern Take on Traditional CMS

What is Silverstripe CMS?

Silverstripe CMS(external link) is an open-source platform developed in New Zealand, blending the strengths of traditional CMS with modern capabilities.

Key Features of Silverstripe CMS

Customisable Templates: Create unique designs tailored to specific needs.
Developer-Friendly Framework: Offers flexibility for advanced customisation.
Version Control: Enables users to roll back changes easily.
Robust Security: Includes role-based permissions to safeguard sensitive data.

Why Choose Silverstripe CMS?

Silverstripe CMS strikes a balance between traditional and headless CMS approaches, making it ideal for:

Government agencies.
Nonprofits.
Large businesses needing tailored, secure solutions.

Use Cases for Traditional CMS

Traditional CMS platforms are well-suited for:

Small Businesses and Blogs: Perfect for users needing simple, low-maintenance websites.
Community Websites: Easy to manage and update with local events or resources.
Basic E-Commerce Sites: Suitable for smaller online stores with fewer integration needs.

Best Practices for Using a Traditional CMS

Maximise the potential of a traditional CMS by:

Updating Regularly: Ensure software and plugins are up to date for security.
Optimising for Performance: Use lightweight themes and plugins to reduce load times.
Leveraging SEO Plugins: Improve search visibility with tools tailored for traditional CMS platforms.
Backing Up Content: Protect against data loss with regular backups.

Somar Digital’s Expertise with Traditional CMS

Somar Digital has a proven track record of optimising traditional CMS platforms for businesses across New Zealand.

Their expertise includes:

Custom Development: Crafting tailored solutions for unique business needs.
Silverstripe CMS Projects: Delivering impactful results with this powerful platform.
Client Success Stories: From nonprofits to large organisations, Somar Digital creates websites that drive results.

Conclusion: Is a Traditional CMS Right for Your Business?

Traditional CMS platforms remain a robust option for businesses seeking simplicity and efficiency.

For organisations with straightforward needs, traditional CMS solutions like Silverstripe CMS offer a blend of reliability and customisation.

Partner with Somar Digital to explore how a traditional CMS can elevate your online presence.

Contact us

Frequently Asked Questions

An example of a traditional CMS is Silverstripe, a robust and developer-friendly platform that combines flexibility with ease of use. Silverstripe allows content creators to manage text, images, and multimedia directly through an intuitive interface, while also giving developers the tools to create customised features.

Other examples include platforms like WordPress and Drupal, which have long been staples in web development due to their wide range of plugins, themes, and community support. Traditional CMS platforms like these are well-suited for businesses, nonprofits, and government organisations looking for a reliable solution to manage and display web content.

A traditional CMS integrates content creation, management, and presentation into a single platform. The backend allows users to create, edit, and manage content, while the frontend determines how that content appears to visitors.

Key components include:

WYSIWYG Editors: Simplify content creation with visual tools that mimic the final webpage layout.
Templates and Themes: Ensure consistent design and layout across the site.
Media Libraries: Store and manage multimedia assets like images and videos.

This all-in-one approach makes traditional CMS platforms accessible and efficient for teams with limited technical expertise.

The primary difference lies in how content is delivered.

Traditional CMS: Combines backend management and frontend display into a single system, making it ideal for simpler projects like blogs or small business sites.
Headless CMS: Decouples content management from presentation, delivering content via APIs. This allows for multi-platform use across websites, apps, and IoT devices.

Traditional CMS excels in ease of use and straightforward setup, while headless CMS offers greater flexibility for complex, multi-channel content delivery needs.

Silverstripe CMS blends the simplicity of traditional CMS with the flexibility of a developer-friendly framework. It’s particularly well-suited for organisations needing customisation without sacrificing usability.

Key features include:

Flexible Templates: Adaptable designs tailored to specific business needs.
Developer Tools: Advanced framework for building unique functionalities.
Built-in Versioning: Tracks changes to content for easy rollbacks.
Enhanced Security: Role-based permissions ensure robust access control.

Its versatility makes it a favourite among government agencies, nonprofits, and enterprises.

While traditional CMS platforms can handle large-scale websites, their suitability depends on the project’s complexity. Platforms like Silverstripe CMS are specifically designed to support high-traffic sites with advanced customisation needs, making them ideal for large organisations.

Benefits for large-scale projects include:

Extensive Plugin Ecosystems: Add functionality without building from scratch.
Scalability: Some traditional CMS platforms offer tools to manage growing content libraries.
Community Support: Large developer networks provide ongoing updates and resources.

For enterprise-level needs, a tailored traditional CMS like Silverstripe can bridge the gap between simplicity and scalability.

Traditional CMS platforms provide an all-in-one solution for content creation, management, and delivery, making them ideal for businesses prioritising simplicity and usability.

Key benefits include:

Ease of Use: Intuitive interfaces make them accessible for non-technical users.
Cost-Effective: Many platforms, like WordPress, offer free or affordable options.
Quick Deployment: Pre-designed templates and themes allow faster project launches.
Community Resources: Extensive user and developer communities ensure ongoing support.

These features make traditional CMS platforms a reliable choice for businesses of all sizes.

by Somar Digital

Silverstripe CMS