As you look around for a content management system, you’re bound to come across a few open sources solutions. These are systems that are maintained by a community of developers rather than being owned by a single entity. There are a few good reasons to consider using an open source CMS product. Here are some of the aspects that you may find appealing.
A Cost-Effective Solution
The price point for using an open source content management system is one of the reasons people may decide to give it a second look. Compared to closed source options, there is no doubt that open source is more affordable. In fact, there may be no initial cost at all.
This is good for someone who is launching a business and needs to make every penny count. At this juncture, the features found in the open source product may be enough to create effective web pages that are attractive, load quickly, and serve the purpose. Even after the business begins to generate profits, the right open source tool may still have everything the use needs.
More Flexibility in Customizing the System
Since the code is open, there is the possibility of being able to make alterations. If the user happens to be comfortable working with code, taking what’s in place and making a few changes will be a simple process.
There will already be plenty of themes, font and color choices, and other add-ons that can be used with the open source product. This means you have a great deal of flexibility in deciding how your pages look. Given the ease of add or removing elements and adjusting the arrangement, you can have a lot of fun making a theme into something that’s really all your own.
Ongoing Updates Provided by the Community
With open source CMS, there is a community that’s constantly growing. All members of the community can contribute to making the product better than before. The result is updates that occur frequently and often allow for new features or elements that users can choose when and as they like.
In some cases, the updates may resolve some minor issue with the product. At other times, they add more functionality or improve an existing function. The takeaway here is that you are not stuck with whatever is included in the version that you used first. Instead, you can expect it to become better as more updates are made available.
More Security Than Many People Realize
There’s a myth that open source products lack the security of their closed source counterparts. The fact is that you will find many open source options that provide security that’s equal to and maybe even better than some of the closed source products on the market. In other words, you don’t have to compromise on security in order to use an open source system.
You may find that an open source project that’s supported by a talented community is in a position to add protections as new threats emerge. The speed with which an update can be created is the secret. A quick deployment may allow you to be protected from new threats just as quickly as those who use closed source systems.
Before deciding that any open source product is not for you, try one out and see what you think. It may turn out to be the solution that you’ve been seeking for some time.
