Interested in the state of the content management system market?
Knowing the latest trends, statistics, and even future predictions in the CMS market share can give you a competitive edge.
Hereās what you will learn:
An overview of the global CMS market Detailed insights into the top players Future predictions on key trends Letās get started!
Global CMS Market Overview
When I first started blogging, I was overwhelmed by the many options available for content management.
However, WordPress stood out for its ease of use and extensive community support, which is probably why it dominates the market.
Here are general statistics in the market:
Today, there are over 1.11 billion websites in the world , with an estimated 3 new websites created every second. As of August 2023, WordPress powers a whopping 44.62% of those websites (according to BuiltWith ). Wix follows at a distant second with 10.42%, and Squarespace is at 3.76% . Other platforms like Plesk, Joomla, and Drupal also have their share of the pie but are relatively smaller players. Letās go over the top content management systems, their market share, and usage statistics:
Top Players in CMS
Despite having a billion websites on the internet, not all of them use a content management system.
As you may know, there are a host of content management systems availableāāāfor blogging, web hosts, and even website builders.
Here are the ten most popular content management systems and their statistics:
1. WordPress.org
WordPress is not just another content management system.
Itās a phenomenon that has revolutionized the way we create and manage websites.
With a staggering market share of 44.62% , WordPress is the undisputed leader in the CMS world.
ā ļø Note : Donāt confuse wordpress.org and wordpress.com. WordPress.co m is a hosted, easy-to-use platform with limited customization. WordPress.or g is a self-hosted, fully customizable platform but requires you to manage hosting and technical details.
š Market Share
As of the latest data , WordPress holds a commanding 44.62% of the global CMS market . That translates to over 34 million live websites .
Its closest competitor, Wix, trails far behind with a 10.42 % market share. This dominance speaks volumes about WordPressās reliability and user-friendliness.
š» Key Features
Ease of Use : Known for its user-friendly interfaceāāāyou donāt have to be a developer to start building a website on itCustomization : With thousands of themes and WordPress plugins, you can customize your website to look and function exactly how you wantScalability : Whether youāre running a blog or a full-fledged online store, WordPress can scale to meet your needsSEO-Friendly : WordPress offers various SEO plugins like Yoast and All in One SEO that help you optimize your website for search enginesOpen-Source : Being open-source means that WordPress is continuously updated by a community of developers (it also means you can dig into the code yourself if you need to)Ecommerce Capabilities : With plugins like WooCommerce, you can turn your WordPress site into a full-fledged ecommerce platform
š Best For
WordPress is incredibly versatile, making it suitable for a wide range of websites .
Whether youāre a blogger, a small business owner, or running a large corporation, WordPress has something to offer.
Itās particularly beneficial for:
Bloggers Ecommerce Websites Small Businesses Nonprofits Portfolio Websites
š° Pricing
Open-source CMSāāāfree to download and use However, you will need to invest in a domain name and hosting service, which come with their own costs.
Various premium themes and plugins may also require a one-time or recurring fee.
WordPress indisputably leads the pack, which could be due to its flexibility, particularly through versatile themes and templates.
But maintaining and updating these can sometimes become a hassleāāāand thatās where Darrelās offer shines.
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2. Wix
Wix has carved out a niche for itself as a user-friendly, drag-and-drop website builder.
Itās a platform that allows you to create a website without touching a line of code, making it a go-to choice for many who are new to website development.
š Market Share
Wix holds a 10.42% market share in the CMS world, according to the latest statistics .
While it may not be as dominant as WordPress, itās a significant player , especially among those who prioritize ease of use and design flexibility.
š» Key Features
Drag-and-drop builder: Provides a user-friendly drag-and-drop website builder for easy design without coding skillsWix ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence): Auto-generates a website based on your answers, catering to those who want a quick online presence without design and setup hassleApp market: Discover numerous third-party and Wix-developed apps in the app market to expand your websiteās capabilities, including eCommerce, SEO, and marketing toolsMobile optimization: Modify your siteās mobile appearance and functionality separately from the desktop version with the mobile editorSEO tools: Offers various SEO tools to enhance your websiteās search engine ranking, including customizable URLs, meta descriptions, and integration with Google AnalyticsBuilt-in hosting: Eliminates the need for separate web hosting, making website setup easier, especially for beginners
š Best For
Wix is best suited for individuals and small businesses that want a visually appealing website without a steep learning curve .
Itās particularly good for:
Beginners Small business websites Portfolios Personal blogs Non-Technical Entrepreneurs
š° Pricing
Website plans start at $24.50/month , with 35 GB storage space Business and ecommerce plans start at $35/month , with a 50 GB storage space Wix offers a free plan that comes with a Wix-branded domain.
However, if youāre serious about your website, you will likely want to upgrade to one of their premium plans, which start at $24.50 per month.
These plans come with additional features like a custom domain, more storage, and ecommerce capabilities.
3. Squarespace
Squarespace is another key player in the CMS landscape, known for its design-centric approach to website building.
If youāre someone who values aesthetics and wants a platform that makes your content look good without much effort, this is a good choice.
š Market Share
According to the latest data, Squarespace holds a 3.76% market share in the CMS world.
While it may not have the massive reach of WordPress or Wix, it has carved out a solid niche among users who prioritize design and aesthetics.
š» Key Features
Design-focused templates: Offers a variety of professionally designed, visually stunning templates that cater to a range of industries and aestheticsBuilt-in ecommerce: Has robust built-in eCommerce features, allowing for easy management of products, inventory, orders, and paymentsContent blocks: Uses a block system for content management, allowing users to insert, arrange, and style content in a modular fashionSEO optimization: Provides SEO-friendly settings like customizable URLs, meta descriptions, and mobile optimization to help your site rank better in search resultsBlogging tools: Offers a suite of blogging tools including post scheduling, categories, tags, and analyticsIntegrated analytics: Has its own analytics platform that gives insights into visitor behavior, helping you make data-driven decisions
š Best For
Squarespace is particularly well-suited for creative professionals and small ecommerce sites that want a visually stunning website.
Itās ideal for:
Design-conscious users Freelancers and portfolio sites Artists Designers Small ecommerce stores Personal blogs
š° Pricing
The personal plan costs $23/month (only includes templates) The business plan costs $33/month (includes advanced website analytics and a fully integrated ecommerce) Squarespace offers a 14-day free trial to get you started. After that, their premium plans start at $16 per month when billed annually.
These plans offer a range of features including a custom domain (only for annual plans), SSL security, and unlimited bandwidth and storage.
4. GoDaddy Website Builder
GoDaddy Website Builder, also known as GoDaddy Studio, is a platform thatās often associated with domain registration and hosting services.
However, itās also a noteworthy player in the CMS market, particularly for those looking for an all-in-one solution for their online presence.
š Market Share
GoDaddy Website Builder holds a 2.26% market share in the CMS industry.
While it may not be a dominant force like WordPress or Wix, itās a convenient option for those who are already using GoDaddyās other services.
š» Key Features
Simple drag-and-drop editor: Offers a user-friendly drag-and-drop editor for easy website creationIntegrated marketing tools: With features like email marketing, SEO tools, and social media integration to promote your websiteQuick setup: Designed for quick website creation, with ready-to-use templates and themes
š Best For
GoDaddy Website Builder is best suited for small businesses and individuals who are looking for a quick and easy way to establish an online presence.
Itās particularly good for:
Quick launch requirements Small business owners Freelancers Non-technical users Individuals who already use GoDaddyās other services
š° Pricing
The basic plan costs $9.99/month (no website optimizer and ecommerce features) The ecommerce plan costs $16.99/month (with website optimizer and ecommerce features) You can basically create a free site with them, with access to premium features with their free trial (after which pricing starts at $9.99 per month).
However, you wonāt be able to connect your website with a custom domain, and you will lose access to premium features once the trial is over.
The basic plan has most things you need. However, if youāre after ecommerce features, itās only available in their highest plan.
5. Joomla
Joomla is another heavyweight in the CMS arena, offering a middle ground between the user-friendliness of WordPress and the developer-oriented capabilities of Drupal.
If youāre looking for a platform that offers more built-in functionalities than WordPress but doesnāt require extensive coding skills, Joomla might be the right fit for you.
š Market Share
Joomla holds a 1.45% market share in the CMS industry.
While it may not be the most popular CMS platform, it has a dedicated community of users and developers who appreciate its flexibility and robust features.
š» Key Features
Content management: Known for its robust content management system that allows complex site structures and content hierarchiesCustomizable templates: Offers a range of templates that can be customized to fit various design requirementsExtensibility: Can be customized to offer a variety of functions, from eCommerce to social networking with thousands of extensions availableUser access control: Has strong user role and access control functionalities, allowing you to manage who can access and modify your siteMulti-lingual support: Offers strong multi-language support, making it easier to create websites in multiple languagesSEO-friendly: Includes built-in SEO features, like metadata and URL rewriting, to improve search engine rankings
š Best For
Joomla is best suited for users who need more advanced functionalities but donāt want to delve into extensive coding.
Itās particularly good for:
Experienced web developers Medium to large enterprises Ecommerce websites Social networking sites Online magazines and newspapers
š° Pricing
Open-source and free-to-use One of the appealing aspects of Joomla is that itās open-source and free to use.
However, you will need to invest in hosting and may also choose to purchase premium extensions to add more functionalities to your website.
6. Duda
Duda is a CMS platform thatās gaining attention for its focus on team collaboration and client management .
If youāre an agency or a freelancer who works closely with clients, Duda offers features that make the design and approval process more streamlined.
š Market Share
Duda holds a 1.22% market share in the CMS industry.
While itās not a major player in terms of market share, itās carving out a niche among agencies and professionals who prioritize client collaboration and white-label solutions.
š» Key Features
White label solution: Allows agencies and freelancers to white-label their service (they can brand the platform as their own when presenting to clients)Personalization and dynamic pages: Enables website personalization features that can dynamically change content, calls-to-action, and other site elements based on user behavior and profileTeam collaboration: Provides team collaboration tools that allow multiple users to work on a project simultaneouslyWidget builder: Offers a widget builder to create custom widgets without needing to write code, extending the functionality of your site easilySite comments: Allows for direct commenting on specific parts of a website during the design phase, facilitating better communication between teams and clients
š Best For
Duda is best suited for agencies and freelancers who need to collaborate with team members and clients.
Itās particularly good for:
Digital marketing agencies Freelancers Businesses that require white-label solutions
š° Pricing
The basic plan costs $25/month (for one site only) The agency plan (best value) costs $69/month (4 sites, client management, client billing, etc.) Duda offers a 14-day free trial to get you started. After that, their premium plans start at $19 per month when billed annually.
These plans offer additional features like client management tools, ecommerce capabilities, and more.
7. Weebly
Weebly is a user-friendly CMS platform that has gained popularity for its simplicity and drag-and-drop interface.
If youāre a beginner or someone who wants to get a website up and running quickly without the technical hassle, this might be the platform for you.
š Market Share
Weebly holds a 1.14% market share in the CMS industry.
While itās not a dominant player like WordPress or Wix, it has carved out a niche among users who value ease of use and quick setup.
š» Key Features
Drag-and-drop builder: Features an intuitive drag-and-drop interface that makes it easy for anyone to build a website without coding skillsIntegrated ecommerce: Offers built-in eCommerce features such as product listings, inventory management, and a secure checkout processSEO-friendly: Includes basic SEO tools to help your site rank better on search enginesApp center: Offers a wide range of third-party integrations to extend the functionality of your websiteHosting included: A fully hosted platform (you donāt need to purchase hosting separately)
š Best For
Weebly is best suited for individuals and small businesses that want a simple, hassle-free way to create a website.
Itās particularly good for:
Personal blogs Small business owners Non-profits Online retailers
š° Pricing
Weebly-branded domain free plan The personal plan costs $13/month (can connect to a custom domain) The professional plan costs $16/month (unlimited storage, free domain, no square ads, etc.) Weebly offers a free plan with basic features, but it comes with a Weebly-branded domain.
For more advanced features and a custom domain, their premium plans start at $10 per month when billed annually.
8. Blogger (Google Blogger Software)
Blogger, owned by Google, is one of the oldest players in the CMS market.
Known for its simplicity and integration with other Google services, Blogger remains a popular choice for those looking to start a blog without the complexities of website management.
š Market Share
Blogger holds a 0.36% market share in the CMS industry.
While it may not be a major player compared to giants like WordPress, it has a loyal user base , particularly among those who are new to blogging.
š» Key Features
Simple editor: Features a straightforward post editor that makes it easy to create and publish blog postsCustomizable templates: Offers a range of templates that can be customized to fit various design requirementsMonetization: Allows easy monetization through Google AdSense, enabling you to earn revenue from adsFree hosting: Provides free hosting, with the option to use a custom domain or a free subdomain from Blogger
š Best For
Blogger is best suited for individuals who want to start a blog without the hassle of website management .
Itās particularly good for:
Personal blogs Hobbyist writers Those new to blogging Users heavily invested in the Google ecosystem
š° Pricing
One of the most appealing aspects of Blogger is that itās completely free.
This includes hosting on Googleās servers. However, if you want a custom domain, you will have to purchase it separately.
9. Drupal
Drupal is a robust and flexible CMS that offers a range of advanced features for those who need more than just a basic website.
Known for its scalability and security, Drupal is a preferred choice for complex, high-traffic websites.
š Market Share
Drupal holds a 0.63% market share in the CMS industry.
While it may not have the mass appeal of WordPress or the simplicity of Wix, itās a go-to choice for enterprises and advanced users who require a high level of customization and control.
š» Key Features
Modularity: Known for its modular architecture, allowing you to extend functionalities using a vast library of modulesCustom content types: Allows you to define your own content types, providing greater flexibility for specialized use casesUser role management: Has robust user role and permission features to manage who can access and edit different parts of your websiteMultilingual support: Provides extensive multilingual features to create websites in multiple languagesHigh scalability: Designed to handle high-traffic websites and can easily scale to accommodate growing user bases
š Best For
Drupal is best suited for organizations and individuals who need a highly customizable and scalable website .
Itās particularly good for:
Large enterprises Government websites News and media outlets Educational institutions Complex ecommerce platforms
š° Pricing
Drupal is an open-source platform, meaning itās free to download and use.
However, the costs can add up when you consider hosting, development, and any premium modules you may need for additional functionalities.
10. Webflow
Webflow is a rising star in the CMS world, offering a unique blend of visual design tools and code-free customization.
If youāre a designer who wants to bring your visions to life without relying on a developer, Webflow might be the perfect platform for you.
š Market Share
Webflow holds a 0.54% market share in the CMS industry.
While itās a relatively new player and doesnāt have the widespread adoption of platforms like WordPress, itās quickly gaining traction among designers and agencies for its unique capabilities.
š» Key Features
Visual design and code synthesis: Offers a design platform that simultaneously generates production-ready code as you designAnimation and interactions: Enables intricate animations and interactions without requiring you to write custom JavaScriptHosting and export: Provides fast, secure hosting, but also allows you to export your design and code to host elsewhere
š Best For
Webflow is best suited for designers and agencies who want a high level of visual customization without the need for coding.
Itās particularly good for:
Design agencies Freelance designers Marketers who want visually stunning landing pages Small to medium-sized businesses with specific design needs
š° Pricing
Free plan with webflow.io domainThe basic plan costs $18/month (50 GB bandwidth) The CMS plan (the most popular) costs $29/month (200 GB bandwidth) Webflow offers a free plan with basic features, but to unlock its full potential, you will need one of its premium plans, which start at $14 per month (annual billing).
These plans offer additional features like custom domains, CMS items, and ecommerce capabilities.
Prediction for the next few years
If you have been following the trend of content management systems, you will notice that WordPress market share actually dropped (from 60+%).
The content management system market is expected to generate around $50.5 billion in the year 2026 (according to Statista ).
So what will happen in the next few years? Well, here is what I think:
1. Continued Dominance of WordPress
WordPress has been the dominant player in the CMS market for years, and there are several reasons to believe this trend will continue:
User-friendly interface : Known for its ease of useāāāeven those with minimal technical skills can set up a website quicklyExtensive plugin library : Offers a wide range of plugins that extend its functionality, from SEO tools to ecommerce solutions, making it adaptable to various needsCommunity support : Being open-source, it has a large community of developers and users who contribute to its ecosystem, providing updates, security patches, and new featuresSEO capabilities : Has robust SEO features, and with additional plugins like Yoast SEO, it becomes a powerful tool for driving organic traffic While WordPress is strong, itās not without challenges.
The platform must continue to innovate to stay ahead of emerging competitors and meet the evolving needs of users, especially in areas like page speed and mobile optimization.
2. AI and Automation
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is poised to revolutionize the CMS landscape in several ways:
Content personalization : AI algorithms can analyze user behavior to deliver personalized content, enhancing user engagement and conversion ratesAutomated analytics : AI can automatically analyze website performance metrics and suggest improvements, reducing the manual effort required in data analysisChatbots : AI-powered chatbots can handle customer service inquiries, freeing up human resources for more complex tasks The integration of AI into CMS platforms will raise questions about data privacy and the ethical use of user information.
Moreover, the technology must be fine-tuned to avoid errors that could negatively impact user experience.
3. Open Source vs. Proprietary Battle
The choice between open-source and proprietary CMS platforms has always been a point of contention:
Open-source advantages : Platforms like WordPress offer greater flexibility and control, allowing users to modify the source code to fit specific needsProprietary benefits : Systems like Wix and Squarespace offer ease of use with drag-and-drop features but are generally less flexible than their open-source counterparts As both types of platforms evolve, the lines between them may blur.
Open-source platforms might offer more user-friendly interfaces, while proprietary systems could provide greater customization options.
The ābestā choice will increasingly depend on the specific needs and skills of the user or organization.
Itās evident that WordPress is poised to maintain its lead.
Innovations like Elementor enhance its user-friendliness and power, but keeping up can be costly and complex.
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