Not sure what website you need?
A CMS or Content Management System allows YOU to manage your website from a user-friendly interface vs a code editor and file system viewer or a combination of even MORE tools.
A CMS will have a catalog of themes, add-ons, the pages nicely organized and most of these things will originate from 1 interface that connects to your domain & web hosting account. A Static website will be scattered in different files and folders leading to a main directory which ideally connects to your hosting server.
A Static website would require that the viewer and editor of those files know html5, css3, javascript, some photoshop and possibly some java. There are programs available that make Static website a little easier but nowhere in comparison to building a website on a CMS.
With a Static website you literally write code and transfer it to some organized file system on a web server that you must configure.
Not all CMS’ are equal but assuming the advantages of simplicity, speed of being able to edit and make changes, variety of plugins for ultra-enhanced functionality, sociability and marketability through the use of content marketing, PPC and SEO – then a CMS is undoubtedly the best choice.
Most our clients tend to be business owners 1st, not necessarily website coders and want to focus on growing the business more than maintaining a web design and development team to run their custom coded website.
FREE no-obligation analysis, advice and recommendation.
Summary
Not all CMS’ are equal but assuming the advantages of simplicity, speed of being able to edit and make changes, variety of plugins for ultra-enhanced functionality, sociability and marketability through the use of content marketing, PPC and SEO – a CMS is undoubtedly the best choice for our clients who tend to be business owners 1st, not necessarily website coders and want to focus on growing the business more than maintaining a web design and development team to run their custom coded website.
Final Thoughts…
There is no “one size fits all” however, there is a significantly larger amount of clients and businesses that prefer CMS to a static code website. Our data and analysis is startups and small – medium sized businesses working in real life here in Miami, not a drag and dropped infographic from some random search.
We work with Squarespace, Shopify, WordPress & Magento and
Custom Development
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Prices shown below ARE NOT set, charged, or handled by Creative Works.
These are prices set by the CMS developers and companies themselves.
Compare Website Types
(for content and informational sites)
COMPARE website
FEATURES
Easy to Use Page Builders
Themes & Templates
BackUp/Restore Capablity
Security
Pros
Cons
Summary
SQUARESPACE
STARTING @
$12
PER MONTH
< 40
Limited Security
Hosting is controlled by Squarespace.com
Squarespace controls domain and hosting
Very quick and easy to launch a website with limited functionalities.
Easiest DIY website
Hard to create vibrant unique websites
Constant Monthly fees which provide no value.
Squarespace is easy to use for beginners, but that's all you can really achieve - a beginner's site.
There's not much flexibility, functionality or creativity beyond their basic themes.
WORDPRESS
STARTING @
$0
PER MONTH
Unlimited
Full control of security
Through plugins or custom coding.
Allows users to code or build via d"rag and drop"
Hundreds of thousands of themes and plugins to create a unique website.
Low Monthly Costs
Longer learning curve or costs for design and development needed.
Wordpress' Open-Source CMS is FREE.
To get the most out of WP you'll need solid web design and coding skills.
Compare eCommerce Websites
(mostly for online sales + content)
COMPARE website FEATURES
Estimated Yearly Costs
Transaction Fees
Payment Gateway Alternatives
Difficulty to learn, setup, and customize functionality and content
(1 = easy 10 = very difficult)
Custom Development or Outside Help Needed
Not so Good for
Best For
SQUARESPACE
STARTING @
$26
PER MONTH
$325+/year
(Squarepace + Domain)
2% per sale
Stripe Payments Only
( 1.5 )
0-5 hrs / year
(depending on how complex and how custom your requests.)
eCommerce, marketing, uniqueness, customization or tools and resources to make your site stand out.
Quick deploy websites. Portfolios of photography, bloggers or vloggers. DIY'ers. One or a few products or services. All-in-one less complicated ownership.
SHOPIFY
STARTING @
$29
PER MONTH
$360+/year
(Shopify + Domain)
1.9% + .30 per sale
70+ payment alternatives
( 2.5 - 3.5 )
10-20 hrs / year
(depending on how complex and how custom your requests.)
Customizing check out flow or visual design. Not for Traditional (domain, hosting, cms) website builders.
Entrepreneurs and small businesses that want an all-in-one platform to run site and retail part of the business with over 1000 integrations and apps to better your Shopify.
Woocommerce by wordpress
STARTING @
$0
PER MONTH
$100-$400/year
(Deluxe Hosting + Domain)
0 - no fees
140+ payment alternatives
( 3.0 - 7.5 )
10-50 hrs / year
(depending on how complex and how custom your requests.)
Not good for Extremely High Volume, Super Heavy eCommerce websites.
Low infrastructure costs. People ready to invest in a site for their business.
Multi Use sites and small to medium growing businesses
MAGENTO
STARTING @
$0
PER MONTH
$500-$2000/year
(Dedicated Hosting + Domain)
0 - no fees
150+ payment alternatives
( 7.0 - 10 )
40-100 hrs / year
(depending on how complex and how custom your requests.)
NOT a Beginners website. Blogs or content based websites. Short term or quick websites.
Serious eCommerce volume (1000+ items) and business. Products and Items that need many attributes such as weight, sku, styles, and more. Businesses that wish to customize the website top to bottom.
Old or outdated website?
Wondering if you can fix or redo the website?
If the only thing you’re thinking of is that you don’t like the way the site “looks” and aren’t concerned with conversion, functionality or hitting goals – then you might want to hear this.
Some CMS can simply be redesigned if look & feel is all you care about, some CMS can have plugins installed to add the functionality you’re missing, others not so likely.
If you constantly run into roadblocks when you have a great idea for your website only to find out “it’s not possible” or “too complicated” then maybe it’s time to consider a website redo or at least allow Creative Works to analyze your needs and website capabilities. You owe it to yourself.
Things might not be as bad as they seem. Maybe a developer or your initial setup overlooked design. It’s possible “back then” the incompetence was strong in your area. Regardless of the circumstances, we can bring clarity and change to your website. We can make having a website fun again.
Changing CMS’ for the future?
Changing from CMS to CMS is not always easy. Migration, as we call it, can be even more complicated than starting a new website because many things can be overlooked. Tread lightly and get educated
Planning Makes Perfect
Consider these main items before changing your CMS or redesigning your website.
Set Goals
Create a List
List goals and reasonable expectations regarding the redesign/changes needed.
Research
Establish 3 Things:
Best choice of the different CMS’ availableWhat you need YOUR website to do.
Your budget and price range.
Backup
Backup Again...
Backup databasesMove – (do not leave on hosting server)
Test your backup file(s)