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Choosing a content management system (CMS) is one of the biggest technology decisions your online publication will make. It is the foundation of your website, the hub where your staff will go to upload, edit, and publish content.
Often, publishers are torn between two CMS options: WordPress or a more focused cloud CMS like Metro Publisher. WordPress is a popular open source software, used by over 43% of all websites. Metro Publisher is a specialized CMS designed for online magazines and alternative newspapers.
To help you make a decision about your next CMS, here are six factors to consider:
1. Site Launch
Setting up a new WordPress site is a big task. WordPress does not come with customer support. So, your team will be responsible for transferring content from your old site, installing plug-ins, incorporating custom branding, setting up web hosting, and more. Companies like WP Engine offer more support. But services like this are not specifically designed for online publications. You will have to pay more for features like events calendars and local business directories.
In contrast, Metro Publisher is designed for online magazines and alternative newspapers. It includes all the features you need to run a successful online publication. When you choose to sign up with Metro Publisher, you have two options. You can choose the self-service path, which allows you to dive right in and start setting up your site independently. (If you have questions, our support staff is always available.) If you have a large team, or you’re looking for a more personal touch, you can choose the custom launch path. This route will give you access to a project manager, who will guide you and your team through the launch process. Your project manager will help you transfer content from your old site, set up the look and feel of your new site, conduct employee training, and more.
2. Pricing
At first glance, WordPress seems like a steal. It costs you nothing to grab their code and set up a site. But doing this well involves web development know-how. And WordPress does not maintain the sites using its code. You will have to manage hosting, set up a domain name, install plug-ins, among other tasks, yourself. WordPress.com, WordPress.org’s commercial wing, offers more hand holding. But it doesn’t allow room for sites to grow. If you want storage space, analytics reports, or even your own domain name, you will have to pay a higher monthly fee. Want to add a premium plug-in to your site? That’s an extra fee. SEO tools? That’s an extra fee. Premium templates or templates created by third-party providers can also cost thousands. Instead, you could hire a developer to provide custom support. According to 2021 data from CodeMentor, the average rate for a freelance developer is $61–80 per hour. Larger publications may qualify for WordPress’s enterprise solution, WordPress VIP, but this service starts at $2,000 per month.
In contrast, Metro Publisher costs between $149–395 per month. We have not raised our prices in 10 years. (We have actually lowered the data transfer costs we charge clients.) The price is predictable, allowing you to make realistic long-term budgets. It includes hosting, support, unlimited users, integrations, design tools, events calendars, and more. So, you can spend your time creating content instead of fixing bugs.
3. Customer Support
WordPress has a support page where you can search for answers to common questions. Web managers have also posted about WordPress fixes on many online forums. But you will not have access to individual customer support. Most publications using WordPress hire a developer to meet their needs.
Metro Publisher offers clients free customer support via their online ticketing system. Our support staff are familiar with the online publication industry and all client sites. They resolve most client requests within 24 hours. Clients can also pay for special requests—such as employee training and custom feature development.
4. Site Updates
WordPress does not ensure that individual sites using their CMS will be up-to-date. The owner of the site is responsible for handling site security, plug-in installation, web hosting, updates, content backup, and more.
If you sign on with Metro Publisher, we will handle these tasks. You gain all the advantages of an in-house development team at a fraction of the cost. Our developers respond to clients’ questions and requests regularly, but also think ahead. We install preventative security measures and add new features as technology and clients’ needs shift. Recently released features include: SEO improvements such as updates for Google’s new search algorithm, a new design interface, and sponsored content.
5. Managing Plug-Ins
As of March 2021, WordPress has over 58,000 plug-ins available. These plug-ins give users the ability to place a form or events calendar, for example, on their site. Some of these plug-ins are free; premium plug-ins range in cost from $47 to $200. These plug-ins are not developed and maintained by WordPress. Any developer can submit a plug-in to the platform. Some plug-ins can be buggy. Some become buggy over time. Some are not compatible with older WordPress themes. To avoid issues, leave the task of selecting and maintaining plug-ins to a developer.
In contrast, Metro Publisher has no plug-ins. Features like event calendars, directories, sponsored content, and more are available as soon as you sign up. And our development team regularly maintains all features and integrations.
6. Content Types Offered
Besides articles, Metro Publisher gives users the ability to create reviews and roundups. These content types organize information in a way that search engines reward. So, using reviews and roundups is a simple way to improve your website’s search traffic. Reviews allow authors to apply a rating, "buy now" buttons, and more to a review of an album, book, movie, product, or location. Roundups are ideal for showing users a list of, for example, the five best ice cream shops in town. Roundups incorporate maps into the content, so it’s easy for readers to see the location of each spot. (We will also soon release a recipe content type, which will provide users fields to input ingredients, cooking time, and more.)
With WordPress, some plug-ins allow users to create different content types. But this will require some development knowledge to set up and maintain. These content types are not built into the basic CMS.
So, what CMS is the best fit for your publication? If you are a tech-savvy company that wants to build, customize, and continually maintain every part of your site, then WordPress may be the best option for you. If you would like personal tech support and a system that’s designed with online publications in mind, then Metro Publisher might be for you.
For more tips on what to consider as you select your next CMS, check out this guide. For more details about what MetroPublisher has to offer, visit https://www.metropublisher.com/pricing.
