Choosing The Right CMS to Support Usability

July 29, 2015In Framework3 Minutes

Aligning a company to the right content management system is a critically important decision for an organization’s future – particularly one facing re-entry into the market, rebranding or restructuring.

Since there are several types of CMS tailored to the content needs of a business, it is first important for a company to understand why the CMS is necessary. What aspects of content need to be managed, and how much? Though there are options such as web, mobile and component – often an enterprise CMS is the route most traveled, being that it has a keen ability to support best practices and be implemented with scalability options. CMS platforms, and in particular enterprises, when used at optimized levels, can deliver a level of success to a company not seen before the CMS was introduced.

Beyond serving its functional purpose(s) to an internal team, a solid CMS should adhere to usability standards, making it as easy to use as possible, efficient and even intuitive. When choosing a content management system, a company must consider its core needs and ensure that users can accomplish their tasks and navigate the system.

Implementing a highly usable CMS can increase productivity and maximize a company’s financial performance on a large scale. Much of the success is ensuring that the CMS is user-friendly, which will prove beneficial regarding its long-term investment. Most usable systems are intuitive enough for a tech-literate user to engage with immediately, but some training for a committed team is recommended.

Features to look for when selecting a CMS for usability include, but are not limited to:

  • Training, Web Tutorials or User Manuals
  • Ongoing User Support
  • Detailed Account Management
  • Online Community
  • Intuitive Interface
  • Simple Language
  • Calls To Action
  • Pathways to Completion
  • Error-Free
  • Robust Platform
  • Tested & In Market Presence

Content Management Systems such as WordPress and Drupal are great examples of usable CMS platforms. WordPress CMS is rising and proving a solid contender for a highly usable enterprise platform, specifically for its user-friendly properties. Drupal provides a robust platform with many features but requires a bit more of a learning curve.

Though a CMS can provide great ROI, there’s no arguing that they are often a big investment for a company. Ensuring the right type of CMS for the business is chosen first, then focusing on the platform’s usability factors is key. Work with a development team that understands the business needs to align the right fit for a lasting partnership.

Revolutionizing UX Design with the Binary Approach to Project Management

Embracing a clear approach to task completion—where tasks are strictly marked as 'done' or 'not done'—can significantly enhance the efficiency, clarity, and accountability of UX projects. This project management method offers a straightforward…


Human-Centered Design: The Heart of Creating Impactful Digital and Physical Experiences

Whether it be digital, physical, or conceptual, one philosophy consistently emerges as the cornerstone of impactful and effective creation: Human-Centered Design (HCD). At its core, Human-centered design isn’t just a methodology; it’s a…


a person typing on their phone

The Conundrum of Empathy in UX Design: A Driving Force or an Unrealistic Ideal?

Empathy is often touted as the backbone of user experience (UX) design, a tool to perceive and feel what end users might experience. However, the practicality and efficacy of empathy in UX design is a subject of intense debate. While empathy can be…