As more and more companies stay in-house for website management, they find that using a smooth, user-friendly CMS (Content Management System) is a must. There are a wide array of CMSs out there, and it can be not easy to choose one for your business. The two major categories of CMS are open-source and closed-source. Below, you’ll learn about the difference between the two, so that you’ll be able to decide which one is right for your business. Open-Sourced CMS versus Closed-Source CMS An open-source CMS is one that has been developed by numerous people. Since the source code is open for anyone to use, open-source software is likely to evolve quickly and contain new, innovative approaches to old problems. It is much easier to customize open-source software, rather than closed-source software, to suit your needs. The disadvantage to choosing open-source software over closed-source software is that since the code is so readily available, it can be more easily hacked. Closed-source software leads to more security and support. However, closed-source software is also costlier, more time-consuming, and requires more individualized experts than open-source software. Choosing a CMS for eCommerce There are a number of effective CMSs for eCommerce, both closed-source (Shopify, Volusion) and open-source (WordPress, DotNetNuke). Because of the large community that supports open-source software, its ease of use, and its ability to act like custom-developed software, Clarity generally recommends choosing open-source CMS systems for ecommerce. However, if you have the time and resources for closed-source CMS systems, they can be just as worthwhile. If a large number of people will be accessing and updating your CMS, or if you will not be assigning the project to a trained web developer, then choose a CMS with simple, attractive templates. Other CMS Considerations The main thing to consider when you choose a CMS is the number of people who will have access to it, and the skill level of the personnel involved. If a large number of people will be accessing and updating your CMS, or if you will not be assigning the project to a trained web developer, then choose a CMS with simple, attractive templates and an abundance of user support, like WordPress. Speak to a Clarity representative today if you still have questions about which CMS to choose. Find out more about Clarity Ventures See our Enterprise Web Portfolio