Content Management System Roulette

Recently, I stumbled across this helpful article, detailing the differences between Joomla, WordPress, and Drupal, the big three when it comes to content management systems (CMS).  If you're wondering which CMS to choose, you should give the article a read.

We've used all three, with about 80% WordPress, 15% Joomla and 5% Drupal. Here's the basic rules of thumb I've developed to help guide client work.

Should you choose Joomla, WordPress or Drupal for your next project?

• Choose Joomla if you plan on running an integrated online community (forum, members-only areas, access control groups, etc...). Intermediate tech skill needed if the client will be maintaining it.
• Choose WordPress (the self-hosted flavor) if you plan on publishing a ton of content (i.e. blog), or a web portfolio - its responsive Themes are also way better than the other two options, though load time can be an issue. Best platform for clients with low technical aptitude.
• Choose Drupal if you plan on creating an searchable online directory, or need to build something with complex data relationships. The trickiest of the bunch, but most powerful in terms of handling large data sets.

I've also used Ruby on RAILS ... fantastic capability for creating web apps. Support is tough for this one - RAILS is in high demand ... meaning 'simple fixes' can cost a lot. Not territory for amateurs (I hired my development out).

What's your go-to CMS?

CHALLENGE:

ACT has recently begun re-selling the classroom ModelMaker, but did not have a web platform to showcase the product OR a place for ModelMaker users to collaborate. They also needed a product video to help their re-sellers illustrate the paradigm-shaking potential of this new 3D-Printer.

SOLUTION:

Design and build a Joomla Website based on a pro-level Joomla 1.5 Template (RocketTheme) and integrate the following third-party components:

Forum - Kunena
eCommerce - VirtueMart
User Management - Communuty Builder

Produce a 60-second video targeted to educators.

THE RESULTS:

ModelMaker NATION

Before

One of my first marketing clients from a few years ago ... take a look at the before & after screen caps for site EricFridrich.com.

After

What We Did

• Simplified the menu structure ... the site visitor is now presented with a digestable number of choices
• Switched the color pallete to a warmer color ... the branding is tropical and vibrant, so the turquoise and grey just wasn't cutting it
• Incorporated the "man walking away" icon as an integral, 'in-your-face' part of the design
• Enabled music clip and video clip playing on the homepage, above the fold ... used YouTube's embed for the video, and Bandcamp's killer audio embed
• Moved mailling list from ReverbNation to MailChimp ...saved $10 / month and increased tracking capabilities.

What's Next

• Beefing up the blogging schedule and adding a weekly video blog
• Add a newsletter sign-up c2a (call-to-action) to the front page
• Decrease video thumbnail size, but embed two

I'll share some before / after Google Analytics data in a month or so once the refreshed marketing strategy has a chance to gain some traction.

- Nate -
"The Marketing Guy"

p.s. Drop me a line @ 206-271-6575 or [email protected] to learn more how we can help you improve the health of your small business.