23 Best Blog CMS For Starting A Personal Or Business Blog

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In business blogging, selecting the correct blog CMS can make or break your content strategy. Whether you're a seasoned blogger looking to switch platforms or a newbie aiming to set up your first blog, the choices can be overwhelming. This article will guide you through the best CMS platforms for blogging, offering valuable insights to help you achieve your goals, like creating engaging content and growing your audience.

Feather's solution, notion to blog, is one of the best blog CMS for business blogging. It’s a simple yet powerful tool that makes publishing your Notion documents as a fully functional blog easy.

What Is a Blog CMS Platform?

A blog content management system (CMS) is the backbone of your website, providing the tools to:

Create

Manage

Publish your content with ease

The engine drives your site, allowing you to focus on creating great content without worrying about the technical details.

The Basics of a CMS

At its core, a CMS is a software application that provides the essential infrastructure for building websites. It lets users create a website and push content automatically to the host server. You don’t have to be a tech wizard to get your site up and running. With a CMS, you can:

Choose a theme that suits your style

Add features with plugins

Customize your site with your code if you’re feeling adventurous

This flexibility is a significant advantage, but it also means there’s a learning curve. You’ll need to keep your CMS and its add-ons updated to avoid security vulnerabilities, and you won’t have the luxury of customer support if things go wrong. With nearly 44% of custom websites using a CMS, it’s clear that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.

Customization and Flexibility

One of the biggest advantages of a CMS is its customizability. With a wide range of themes and plugins, you can create a website that looks and functions exactly how you want. Want to add a contact form, social media buttons, or an online store? There’s a plugin for that. And if you’re comfortable with coding, you can create custom extensions to add even more functionality to your site.

The Learning Curve

While a CMS is designed to simplify website creation, it still requires technical know-how. You’ll need to:

Familiarize yourself with the platform’s interface

Learn how to install and configure themes and plugins

Understand how to update your site regularly

A Journey of Learning and Growth

This can be overwhelming initially, but you’ll become more comfortable with the process with time and practice. The good news is that plenty of resources are available to help you along the way. From online tutorials and forums to official documentation, you’ll find plenty of support as you navigate the world of CMS platforms.

Security Concerns

As with any software, a CMS is vulnerable to security threats if not properly maintained. Outdated themes and plugins can create security vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can exploit to attack your site.

To protect your site and its visitors, keeping your CMS and its add-ons updated regularly is essential. You’ll also want to:

Use strong passwords

Enable two-factor authentication

Back up your site regularly to minimize the risk of a security breach

By taking these precautions, you can ensure your site remains safe and secure for years.

No Customer Support

One of the most significant drawbacks of using a CMS is the lack of customer support. If you run into issues with your site, you’ll need to rely on the platform’s documentation and the support of other users to solve them. This can be frustrating, especially if you’re not technically inclined. With nearly 44% of custom websites using a CMS, it’s clear that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.

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CMS Vs Website Builder

Choosing between a CMS and a website builder hinges on your needs. CMS platforms like WordPress, Drupal, and Joomla offer:

Customization

Advanced content management

Integration

Scalability

Choose the Right Fit for Your Project

They require more setup time but provide a robust solution for complex sites. Website builders like Wix, Squarespace, and Weebly provide an all-in-one web-building solution. These user-friendly platforms offer design tools and hosting for quickly creating visually appealing sites. They may lack the flexibility of a CMS but are perfect for more straightforward projects.

Making the Decision: What Do You Need?

If speed and ease are your priorities, a website builder might be your best bet. Want to add some excitement to an image-rich site? Go with a builder. Need a sophisticated, scalable website with advanced customization? Opt for a CMS. Your choice should align with your design, functionality, and user experience requirements.

Feather: Your Notion-Powered Blogging and Email Solution

Run your blog and newsletter with Feather today! Create a new account and send emails from Notion, or go from notion to blog in minutes!

5 Types of CMS You Should Know About

1. All-in-One Website Builders: Your One-Stop Shop for Business Blogs

All-in-One website builders are ideal for small business owners looking to launch a website quickly. These platforms offer a turnkey system that manages everything from SEO to backend functionality, including an intuitive content management system that anyone can use. They are perfect for people who don't need a lot of customization but still want a professional-looking site that can handle their needs.

2. Open-Source CMS Systems: Freedom for Those Who Know What They Want

Open-source CMS systems offer users a lot of freedom and control over the look and feel of their site. They can be challenging to learn and use, making them better suited for web developers or large businesses that require a custom solution. These systems are perfect for people who need a lot of customization and have the resources to handle the higher development costs.

3. Cloud-Based CMS: Flexibility for the Future

A third-party provider hosts cloud-based CMS systems, and there are two types:

Full cloud

Partial cloud

Customization With Managed Support

Full cloud systems don't allow for much customization, but partial cloud systems can be modified through source codes or specific modules. These systems are perfect for businesses that want their CMS infrastructure managed by someone else and need ongoing support.

4. Enterprise CMS: Advanced Features for Large Organizations

Enterprise CMS systems are designed for larger institutions that must manage significant content volumes and users. Their capacities include:

Gathering and managing an organization's unstructured data, such as emails and reports

Deliver relevant content to target audiences

These systems are perfect for organizations that need advanced features and capabilities.

5. Headless CMS: Flexibility for the Future of Content

Headless CMS systems allow users to create and publish content without a front-end user interface. These systems are perfect for people who need to deliver a wide range of content to:

Web platforms

Mobile devices

Internet of Things products

They are ideal for businesses that want to manage their content effectively and deliver it to various platforms.

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23 Best Blog CMS for Starting Your Personal or Business Blogs

1. Feather

Feather is an SEO-friendly blog and email newsletter service designed for companies to write blog content on Notion and automatically publish it to their Feather blog. Feather allows you to set up a Subfolder blog (domain.com/blog instead of blog.domain.com), which is better for SEO. You can also change design with:

Custom CSS

Collect emails

Much more

Run your blog and newsletter with Feather today! Create a new account and send emails from Notion, or go from notion to blog in minutes!

2. WordPress

WordPress is the world’s most popular CMS; it powers over 37% of all websites on the Internet. It started as a blogging platform but has long since morphed into a full CMS that you can use to build any type of website:

Ecommerce stores

Membership sites

Forums

And more

WordPress, through the WooCommerce extension, is also one of the most popular ways to create an e-commerce store.

Some of the reasons that explain WordPress’s popularity are:

It’s free and open source

You can find thousands of WordPress themes to control your site’s appearance.

You can access 55,000+ free plugins to extend your site’s features.

3. HubSpot CMS

HubSpot CMS is an excellent CMS for businesses and marketers looking to connect with customers. It has a built-in integration with the free HubSpot CRM, which lets you add leads directly to your CRM and personalize your website to individual visitors, which can help you convert them into customers.

Developers can customize the site by digging into the code, while non-technical users can build pages using a drag-and-drop editor.

4. Joomla

Joomla is an open-source CMS that powers over 2% of all websites. Compared to other CMS platforms, its core software offers more functionality right away, such as its multilingual features. The initial setup of Joomla can be challenging for non-technical users. You can manage a site with hundreds of sub-pages efficiently and use 2-factor authentication to avoid break-ins. Joomla is best for professional websites managed by multiple people.

5. Drupal

Its flexible API architecture is designed for professional web developers and supports different digital platforms. Unlike Joomla and WordPress, Drupal optimizes its built-in features for better performance and security.

It’s also worth noting that Drupal’s websites get higher web traffic than other CMS software. Drupal is a good CMS platform for advanced users with great technical knowledge who want to create large-scale and complex sites.

6. Wix

Wix is a popular cloud-based CMS platform, though it has some limitations. We often get readers asking how to switch from Wix to WordPress. That's because every smart business owner knows WordPress is better than Wix. That said, Wix is beginner-friendly, and it might be worth considering. It offers a free plan, too.

7. Ghost

Ghost is a CMS platform specifically designed for bloggers. You’ll often hear it described as a “headless CMS,” which might sound odd. This just means that the CMS platform doesn’t force content to be delivered in a specific way.

Ghost for Diverse Platforms

So, the content or data you produce could be shown on a website, but it could also be sent to a mobile app or something else entirely. If you’re not a developer, though, or you just want to use Ghost for blogging, you don’t need to worry about this.

8. Shopify

Shopify is a hosted ecommerce platform designed for online retailers to set up and manage an entire store. Best for ecommerce and first-time sellers. Shopify makes running an ecommerce store as simple as running a site on WordPress.com. Though you won’t have as much control over its appearance and functionality, you’ll get a range of:

Features

Security

Support to help you manage your site and blog

9. Magento

Magento is an ecommerce platform owned by Adobe that offers nearly unlimited possibilities for tech-savvy store owners. Like Drupal, Magento Open Source is a highly flexible platform that you can use to build a site that does exactly what you want. It will take time to understand and explore all of the platform’s out-of-the-box features and extensions, even if you have experience in website development.

10. Magnolia

Magnolia is a headless, all-in-one system built for managing:

Multi-site

Multi-language

Multi-channel digital experiences

Buyers have two options to choose from:

Cloud service

Client service

The cloud-based service allows companies to launch projects quickly without DevOps or IT assistance. In contrast, the client-hosted option will enable companies to integrate custom Java development into their infrastructure.

11. Kentico

Kentico is an enterprise-focused CMS that offers two different CMS products:

Kontent: A headless cloud-based CMS that helps you manage your content and deliver it anywhere via API.

Xperience: An on-premises or cloud-based platform that wraps a CMS and digital marketing tools into one.

Kentico has a limited free tier for its Kontent platform, but it can get pricey if you need the paid options. Because Kentico Content is a headless CMS, you’ll also need some technical knowledge to create the front end of your website.

12. Squarespace

Squarespace is a hosted website builder tool that makes it easy for non-technical users to create a website or a lightweight e-commerce store. It is not as flexible as all of these other tools, but that’s actually its selling point.

By simplifying things, Squarespace makes it easy for non-technical users to create basic websites. You’ll probably want to choose more flexible CMS software if you’re building something beyond:

Basic blog

Portfolio

Brochure website

For more info, check out this in-depth comparison between Squarespace and WordPress.

13. dotCMS

dotCMS is an open-source headless CMS with an API-first approach. You can use a drag-and-drop UI to model different types of content. For example, a blog post or an ecommerce product. Then, you can use the API to deliver your content to any destination, such as a website or app. On the backend, you’ll still get traditional authorship features and the ability to create different roles and permissions to control access to your content.

14. Concrete5

Concrete5 is open-source software designed for users with minimal technical knowledge. It offers drag-and-drop content blocks that simplify content management and customization. Its secure user management also makes it a great CMS for websites with multiple developers. This CMS platform is best for creating a complex website for medium to large businesses.

15. Contentful

Contentful is a headless CMS, meaning the content is not attached to a web page. Instead, it uses an Application Programming Interface (API) to present content as data. Because of that, the platform has a steep learning curve for non-technical users. Contentful is excellent for companies or individuals creating custom websites that incorporate other digital platforms.

16. Appy Pie Website Builder

Appy Pie Website Builder is a user-friendly web development tool that helps you create your website without any technical skills. The platform provides a simple drag-and-drop interface, allowing you to:

Easily customize the design

Add content

Integrate features like contact, social network, photos, videos, etc.

Easy Website Creation for Everyone

With Appy Pie, anyone can build a professional-looking website quickly, making their online presence a breeze. Appy Pie Website Builder is best for beginners and small businesses looking for a simple, user-friendly website development platform.

17. Zephyr

Zephyr is a cloud-hosted CMS that exclusively markets to agencies building client websites. Zephyr only licenses itself to agencies, so individuals can’t use Zephyr unless they are willing to work with an agency partner. Because it’s cloud-hosted, Zephyr’s main pitch to agencies is that it can offer a maintenance-free alternative to other agency solutions such as WordPress or Drupal.

18. Grav

Grav is an open-source flat-file CMS. The “flat-file” designation means that Grav doesn’t require a database. Instead, it queries content from text files. This makes Grav very lightweight and easy to deploy anywhere, as you only need to upload your site’s files. You can still create dynamic content types and filter content, and you’ll also be able to use a Markdown editor to create content.

19. Craft CMS

Craft CMS is an open-source CMS that focuses on a user-friendly content creation process. It also makes it easy to work with custom content types, with a built-in tool to design a custom field layout for different types of content. To control the front end, you can build it yourself using Twig templates or use Craft CMS in a headless setup with Craft CMS’s self-generating GraphQL API.

20. BigCommerce

BigCommerce is another well-known hosted CMS platform for ecommerce stores. One of BigCommerce’s standout features is its multi-channel approach to selling. You can sell via your:

Own hosted store

Amazon

eBay and more

You can even harness some of the other CMS options on this list. For example, you can pair BigCommerce with WordPress to get the best of both worlds.

21. Agility CMS

Agility CMS is another headless CMS that lets you manage content from one spot and deliver it anywhere via:

RESTful APIs

GraphQL

JAMstack

You still get plenty of options for managing your content, including features for:

Content modeling

Scheduling

Content relationships and more

Then, Agility CMS can make sure your content loads quickly by deploying content via CDNs.

22. Optimizely

Best known for its A/B testing features, Optimizely has been steadily expanding their tools for marketers. After being acquired by Episerver last year, the two have combined their strengths to create the Optimizely content cloud. This tool:

Allows editors to create and share visually appealing content with ease

Provides developers with a means to quickly create and launch new pages and sites.

23. TextPattern

Those who aim at creating simple pages and seek high-speed page loading must consider TextPattern as an option. It’s a little behind the first alternatives we’ve mentioned because it doesn’t offer a massive variety of pre-configured templates. But there’s still a lot of extra features.

How To Choose a Blog CMS Platform?

Choosing your blog’s CMS platform starts with understanding what you want to achieve. Are you a hobbyist sharing your love for gardening, or is your blog a critical part of a business marketing strategy? Defining your goals helps you determine which features are necessary.

Keep It Simple

Managing a blog shouldn’t feel like solving a complex puzzle. A user-friendly interface is crucial. Drag-and-drop functionality is a lifesaver, making content publishing straightforward and easy. If simplicity is your priority, consider platforms like:

WordPress

Squarespace

They allow you to focus on writing rather than technical details.

Customize Without Stress

Your blog’s design will evolve, so choose a CMS that offers easy customization. Visual editors are great for those who don’t want to touch code, but having the option for advanced tweaks is a plus. Platforms like Webflow offer a good mix of design freedom and customization options.

Integrate With Ease

As your blog grows, you’ll need tools for:

Email marketing

Analytics

A CMS that supports third-party integrations is crucial. WordPress excels in this area with its vast range of plugins. Ensure the CMS you choose can easily integrate with the tools you’ll need.

Prioritize Security

Security is a serious concern in the blogging world. Choose a CMS with strong built-in security features. WordPress users can enhance security with plugins, while platforms like Ghost offer robust security right out of the box. Consider this if safety is a top priority.

Support When You Need It

No matter your skill level, you’ll need help at some point. Some CMS platforms offer live chat or phone support, while others rely on guides and community forums. WordPress has a vast community, but if you prefer more personalized assistance, platforms like Squarespace or Wix offer direct customer support.

Budget Wisely

Cost is a factor in choosing a CMS. Options range from free versions with limited features to more expensive premium plans. Consider your budget not only for the CMS but also for:

Hosting

Premium plugins

Extra services you may need

Why Start a Blog

Starting a blog can be a great way to earn extra income. Depending on the blogging platform and monetization methods, you can make between $25,000 and $50,000 your first year. There are many ways to make money blogging. For example, ad revenues can be profitable with high traffic, while affiliate marketing is lucrative even with a smaller pool of engaged readers.

As a new blogger, choose a monetization method that aligns with your content and audience. This ensures your content still interests your readers while you make money.

Develop Skills and Opportunities

Maintaining a blog involves regular posting, which can help you improve your content creation skills and deepen your knowledge in your niche. As your blog gains authority as a credible information source, it can lead to career opportunities like:

Speaking engagements

Professional connections

To maximize these possibilities, focus on creating valuable content for your target audience and include clear contact options on your blog.

Build a Community

Blogging can help you attract like-minded individuals and build a community around your passion. Sharing blog posts on social media platforms can also foster discussion and engagement within your community. Some platforms provide features for setting up memberships or paid subscriptions. This way, you can monetize the blog while offering exclusive content to your followers.

FAQs on Blog CMS

What is CMS for Blogging?

A CMS, or Content Management System, for blogging is your digital sidekick. It lets you create, manage, and publish blog content without wrestling with code. Popular choices of platforms include:

WordPress

Ghost

Medium

They offer a range of features to fit your blogging style—whether you're a storyteller or a data geek.

Do I Need a CMS for My Blog?

You might think you can go it alone, but using a CMS is like having the ultimate toolkit. It simplifies the process, letting you focus on what you love—writing. A CMS enhances your blogging experience with:

Built-in SEO tools

Templates

Analytics

You’re not just creating content. You’re crafting an experience.

What Is a CMS Style Blog?

A CMS style blog is the:

Organized

Efficient cousin of the chaotic

Old-school blog

It offers structure for easy navigation and categorization. Think user:

Registration

Commenting systems

Customizable themes

This type of blog keeps your content accessible and your readers engaged.

What is the Difference Between Blog and CMS?

A blog is where you publish your thoughts, ideas, and stories in a reverse chronological order. It’s about the content. A CMS, on the other hand, is the platform that manages everything. It’s the:

Engine behind the scenes

Organizing content

Managing users

Integrating functionalities

While some CMS platforms, like WordPress, are known for blogging, they also handle other types of content management needs.

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Go From Notion to Blog With Ease Today With Feather

Imagine a world where you can publish your blog and newsletter straight from Notion. Feather makes this possible. No coding, no design skills needed. You write, Feather does the rest. It's like having your own team of developers and designers, except you don't have to pay their salaries.

Why settle for subpar SEO? Subfolders are better, and Feather lets you set up a blog at domain.com/blog instead of blog.domain.com. This helps you rank higher in search results, which means more people will find your site.

Get the HubSpot Experience in Notion

HubSpot is great, but it's not cheap. Feather gives you the same experience at a fraction of the cost. You can manage your CRM and website blog management through Notion, all while collaborating with your entire team. Plus, Feather offers options to change design with:

Custom CSS

Collect emails

Much more

It's like having a Swiss Army knife for your blog and newsletter.

Send Newsletters from Notion

Feather allows you to set up and send newsletters to your email subscribers directly from Notion. This means you can create and send emails without leaving the platform you already use to write your blog content. It's a seamless process that saves you time and effort. Plus, you can easily collaborate with your team during the publishing process.