The definitive guide to the top 10 CMS for university websites
Thursday 5th October 2023 — 6 min read
Step into the dynamic world of content management systems (CMS) that power the digital campuses of UK universities. In this comprehensive guide, we dive deep into the top 10 CMS choices, uncovering their unique attributes and why they're the driving force behind the success of higher education websites.
In today's digital era, content management systems (CMS) are the backbone of UK universities' online presence. Join us as we embark on a comprehensive journey through the top 10 CMS used by these institutions, unravelling their features, strengths, and compelling reasons why they are the go-to choices for managing higher education websites.
Joomla
10
Extendable and Adaptable
Starting off this list is... Joomla. Adopted by a few universities, Joomla is an open-source platform known worldwide for its extendability and adaptability. It could be considered a great choice for institutions with specific requirements, such as:
Extendability: Joomla's extensive library of extensions and templates allows universities to extend their website's functionality.
Adaptability: Joomla can be customized to suit the unique needs of universities, making it a versatile choice.
Community Support: Although smaller than some other CMS communities, Joomla's community is dedicated and provides valuable resources.
DatoCMS
9
Unleashing Content Flexibility
DatoCMS, although used by only one university currently, shines in its ability to handle complex content structures. Its headless CMS approach allows for ultimate flexibility with:
Content Modeling: DatoCMS allows universities to create and structure content exactly as they envision, without limitations.
Developer-Friendly API: Developers appreciate the flexibility provided by DatoCMS's API, allowing seamless integration with various platforms and applications.
Scalability: DatoCMS can grow with the university's evolving content needs.
Optimizely Content Management
8
Optimizing the Digital Experience
Optimizely Content Management, with two universities, comes in to take the 8th slot. Optimizely stands out for its optimization and experimentation features. It's ideal for institutions seeking to improve their website's performance with:
A/B Testing: Optimizely's A/B testing capabilities enable universities to experiment with different content and designs to optimize user engagement.
Personalisation: Personalised content delivery enhances the user experience and helps universities connect with their audience.
Integration: Optimizely integrates with other systems, streamlining digital marketing efforts.
Umbraco
7
Balancing Flexibility and Simplicity
Umbraco, with three universities on board, offers a balance of flexibility and simplicity. Its strong developer community ensures continuous improvements and support. Universities appreciate Umbraco for:
Developer-Friendly: Umbraco is a favourite among developers, providing the flexibility to create custom solutions while maintaining simplicity for content editors.
Community Support: The Umbraco community actively contributes to its development, ensuring a reliable and evolving CMS.
Cost-Effective: Umbraco is open-source and cost-effective, making it accessible to universities with limited budgets.
WordPress
6
Versatile and User-Friendly
Possibly the most well-acquainted offering on this list is WordPress. The user-friendly interface and vast library of plugins make it a very cost-effective and versatile CMS for universities. It's the go-to choice for institutions that want a flexible and cost-effective solution, offering:
Ease of Use: Even non-technical staff can manage and update content easily with WordPress's intuitive interface.
Cost-Effective: WordPress is budget-friendly, making it an excellent choice for universities with limited resources.
Scalability: With the right plugins and themes, WordPress can support institutions of varying sizes and complexities.
Sitecore
5
Elevating Digital Engagement
Sitecore's marketing automation and personalisation features are key reasons for its presence in our top 10. Technically speaking holding joint 4th place for the most popular CMSs being utilised - universities choose Sitecore for:
Marketing Automation: Sitecore's marketing automation capabilities help universities reach their target audience with the right content at the right time, increasing conversions and engagement.
Personalisation: The ability to deliver tailored content to students and staff members alike has garnered Sitecore popularity among higher education institutions.
Scalability: Sitecore can grow with universities, making it a sustainable choice for long-term digital strategy.
Squiz Matrix
4
Personalising the Digital Academic Journey
Also sharing the 4th spot, Squiz Matrix shares the fourth position with both Sitecore and WordPress, each used by approximately nine universities currently. What makes Squiz Matrix stand out is its strong emphasis on personalisation and analytics. Universities opt for Squiz Matrix to:
Personalisation: Squiz Matrix empowers universities to create tailored experiences for students, staff, and visitors, increasing engagement and satisfaction.
Analytics: Robust analytics tools help universities gather insights into user behaviour, enabling data-driven improvements and decision-making.
Integration Capabilities: Squiz Matrix integrates seamlessly with other university systems, simplifying workflow and data management.
Contensis
3
Crafting Seamless User Experiences
Contensis makes a grand entrance at number three with a heady total of 12 universities recognizing its prowess. What sets Contensis apart is its focus on accessibility, compliance, and efficient content delivery. Universities seemingly choose to embrace Contensis for:
Accessibility/Compliance: Contensis is tailored to meet the strict accessibility and compliance requirements of higher education institutions, ensuring everyone can access the content.
Efficient Content Delivery: Its streamlined content delivery capabilities enable universities to deliver information quickly and effectively, enhancing the user experience.
User-Centric Design: Contensis prioritizes user experience, making it a preferred choice for institutions that want to create websites with a focus on their audience.
Drupal
2
Empowering the Digital Academic Frontier
The time-served and heavily popular Drupal secures the second spot with around 24 universities entrusting it as their content management system of choice. The key to Drupal's allure lies in its flexibility, scalability, and enthusiastic community. Universities that choose Drupal will benefit from:
Customization: Drupal's modular architecture enables universities to build unique websites tailored to their specific needs. It's the ideal choice for institutions seeking a customized digital presence.
Scalability: Whether it's a small departmental site or a massive university portal, Drupal scales effortlessly to meet the needs of institutions of all sizes.
Community Support: Drupal boasts a vibrant community of developers, ensuring continuous improvement and a wealth of plugins and extensions.
Terminalfour
1
Towering Excellence
Terminalfour stands tall at the summit with approximately 25 universities harnessing its formidable capabilities. What sets Terminalfour apart from the crowd is its accessibility, user-friendly interface, and unmatched support for multi-site management. Universities rely on Terminalfour for its:
User-Centric Approach: Terminalfour prioritizes user experience, making it easy for universities to create accessible and engaging websites for students, faculty, and staff.
Scalability: Whether it's a small departmental site or a massive university portal, Terminalfour scales effortlessly to meet the needs of institutions of all sizes.
Global Reach: Its multi-site capabilities allow universities with multiple campuses to manage content seamlessly across various locations.
So what's the takeaway?
The choice of a CMS for a university website is a critical decision that hinges on specific needs and goals. Terminalfour and Drupal dominate the landscape due to their unparalleled flexibility and robust support systems. Contensis, Squiz Matrix, Sitecore, and WordPress offer tailored features catering to various priorities, ensuring universities engage their audiences effectively.
Umbraco, Optimizely Content Management, DatoCMS, and Joomla, though less widespread, each serve distinct niches, making them valuable choices for universities with unique requirements.
By gaining a deeper understanding of the strengths and specialities of these CMS options, universities can make informed decisions to enhance their online presence.