What are the best practices for choosing a CMS vendor?

1 Define your requirements

Before you start looking for a CMS vendor, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with your content management system. What are your content types, formats, and workflows? How do you plan to use your content across different channels and devices? What features and functionalities do you need to support your content strategy? How much customization and integration do you require? By defining your requirements, you can narrow down your options and focus on the vendors that can match your expectations.

2 Evaluate the vendor's reputation

Once you have a list of potential CMS vendors, you need to do some research on their reputation and track record. How long have they been in the business? What are their customer reviews and testimonials? How do they handle support and maintenance? What are their security and reliability standards? How do they deal with updates and upgrades? You want to choose a vendor that has a proven history of delivering quality products and services, and that can provide you with ongoing assistance and guidance.

3 Compare the pricing and value

Another important factor to consider when choosing a CMS vendor is the pricing and value of their offer. How much does the CMS cost, and what does it include? Are there any hidden fees or extra charges? How does the pricing compare to other vendors with similar features and benefits? What is the return on investment (ROI) of the CMS? You need to weigh the costs and benefits of each vendor, and find the best balance between affordability and quality.

4 Test the CMS functionality

Before you make a final decision, you need to test the CMS functionality and usability. You can request a demo, a trial, or a sandbox environment from the vendor, and try out the CMS yourself. How easy is it to use the CMS interface and tools? How fast and responsive is the CMS performance? How well does the CMS meet your requirements and goals? How compatible is the CMS with your existing systems and platforms? You need to experience the CMS first-hand, and see if it suits your needs and preferences.

5 Ask the right questions

To get a better understanding of the CMS vendor's capabilities, limitations, and values, you need to ask the right questions and receive clear and honest answers. Some questions you can ask include: what are the advantages and disadvantages of the CMS? How does the vendor handle customer feedback and suggestions? How do they ensure security and privacy of their CMS and data? How do they deal with bugs and issues? What is their process for content migration and backup? And how do they measure and report the performance and impact of their CMS? Asking these questions can give you a better idea of the vendor's capabilities.