Why the right CMS makes all the difference

A content management system (CMS) is at the heart of any successful eCommerce strategy. It enables you to create, manage and present content efficiently - from product pages and blogs to complex online stores. However, not every CMS is suitable for every company or project: requirements in terms of flexibility, scalability and integration options can vary greatly.

Choosing the right CMS is therefore crucial for your long-term success. Whether you need a powerful enterprise CMS, a headless solution for maximum freedom or a simple, intuitive system - the right decision saves time and money and guarantees a smooth user experience.

Smart Commerce supports you as an experienced partner. With our expertise in the classification, comparison and implementation of CMS systems, we develop the perfect solution for your individual requirements. This is how we create the basis for your digital success!

Evaluation criteria in the CMS selection

The prioritization of the criteria can vary depending on the project. If, for example, it is clear from the outset that a website will only be offered in one language, the complexity of internationalization can be dispensed with. The prioritizations made here refer to projects at enterprise level. This means that it is assumed that a customer wants to operate several websites (e.g. company website and store).

Content

Criteria in this category relate to a CMS's ability to structure content and display it depending on dynamic conditions. The content should be personalized and be able to be displayed in several languages. It should be possible to create and send emails for communication, both in the area of marketing and for individual contact.

  • Multi-client capability
  • Multisite capability
  • Internationalization
  • Personalization
  • Support for emails
  • SEO support
  • sitemaps
[Translate to Englisch:] Entwickler am Laptop

Technology

Criteria in this category evaluate the technical aspects of a CMS that may be important in the decision-making process.

  • Technical concept
  • Frontend technology CMS
  • Frontend SDK
  • Frontend starter kit
  • Complexity
  • Headless
  • Server Side Rendering (SSR)
  • APIs
  • Hosting
[Translate to Englisch:] Consultants für CMS Auswahl im Gespräch

CMS

Criteria in this category relate to the administration of the CMS and the management of content.

  • Features
  • Usability for editors
  • Usability for developers
  • Page Editor
  • Website builder
  • Rights management
  • Publishing Workflow
  • Audit Logs
  • ...

CMS classification

In order to understand the architectural differences between content management systems, it is necessary to take a closer look at the development of CMS. This is the only way to understand what these fundamental differences mean and what consequences / advantages and disadvantages arise from them.

CMS Overview Architecture

Classic (monolithic)

The origin of content management systems (CMS) lies in the provision of static content. In the past, editors were able to enter text and images via a user interface, which were then delivered by the server - without requiring knowledge of web technologies such as HTML or CSS.

Dynamic content and server-side technologies

  • Complexity in modern applications: Static approaches are impractical for dynamic websites such as web stores. Instead, server-side technologies generate new content each time it is called up (e.g. PHP, ASP.NET, JSP).
  • Take PHP, for example: This technology was developed from CGI programs and dominates the CMS world today (e.g. WordPress with over 60% market share).

From monolithic CMS to modern architectures

  • Monolithic systems: Combine all components in one place, require specialized developer knowledge (backend and frontend).
  • Problem: Separation of tasks (frontend/backend) often leads to inefficient collaboration and slow development.
  • Frontend evolution: From static HTML to DHTML (dynamic HTML) to modern JavaScript frameworks and SSR (server-side rendering) with Node.js.

Headless

Modern web applications need flexible architectures. The headless architecture clearly separates the backend and frontend: the backend provides data via APIs, while the frontend processes it independently.

Advantages of headless architecture:

  • Decoupling: parallel development of frontend and backend through API-first approach.
  • Technology independence: frontend technologies can be freely selected, independently of the backend.
  • Modularity: Faster updates and easier integration into existing systems.
  • Multi-channel use: data can be used in different frontends (web, app, etc.).

With a headless CMS such as Strapi (self-hosted) or Makaira (SaaS), companies can react flexibly to current requirements. Smart Commerce supports you in the selection and implementation - for future-proof eCommerce solutions.

[Translate to Englisch:] Übersicht Einsatz CMS weltweit

Hybrid Systems

A change is emerging in the area of content management systems: monolithic systems must increasingly integrate flexible headless approaches. A good example of this is Sitecore, which combines both approaches with its Headless Services and the JavaScript Services (JSS) SDK.

[Translate to Englisch:] Content Marketing Workshop

Sitecore: Hybrid Architectur overview

  • Best of both worlds: Combination of classic CMS interface and headless components.

  • Independent front-end development:

    • Development with various frameworks (e.g. React) possible.

    • Disconnected mode allows local development without a Sitecore instance.

  • Seamless integration:
    • JSS SDK integrates frontend components into the CMS interface.
    • Content can be edited directly in the Experience Editor.
       
  • SEO advantages:
    • Server-side generation of the frontend improves search engine optimization.
    • The basic structure of the application is provided on the server side in order to efficiently integrate metadata.

With this hybrid approach, Sitecore combines the advantages of monolithic and headless architectures - flexibility in front-end development and the familiar user-friendliness of a classic CMS.

Success Story: Becoming the market leader with composable commerce - How fischerwerke is continuously gaining a competitive edge thanks to its high level of adaptability in eCommerce.

How does a traditional brand manage to set digital standards in a dynamic B2B environment? fischerwerke impressively demonstrates how a long-term strategic partnership and a customer centricity strategy can create a highly scalable and highly successful eCommerce platform that offers a comprehensive self-service center with innovative services for customers. Thanks to modern technologies such as composable commerce, microservices and SAP Commerce Cloud as well as a special innovation process, fischer has been able to continuously expand its online offerings - right up to market leadership in the industry. A story about flexibility, smart architecture and genuine partnership.

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Our references for CMS selection and implementation

fischerwerke

One of the first projects run by Smart Commerce at fischer was to select and implement the CMS. The decision was made in favor of Sitecore as the enterprise content management system (CMS). Important criteria for the choice were flexibility and the ability to implement a hybrid architecture. The system was also selected to support the requirements of the composable commerce architecture at fischer. The implementation included the use of modular front-end solutions based on Sitecore. A key challenge was the coexistence of monolithic and headless approaches, which was successfully mastered by using Sitecore. 

[Translate to Englisch:] Ensinger Logo

Ensinger Plastics

A comprehensive comparison of several systems was carried out in order to recommend a CMS:

  • A catalog of criteria was drawn up and documented for the evaluation.
  • The essential aspects of content management were identified and described.
  • Documentation was drawn up covering the initial steps, handling and evaluation of the respective system
     
  • Creation of an alternative CMS administration interface based on the Smartcommerce Strapi DXP project
  • Provision of the necessary infrastructure for hosting the CMS and the front-end applications in all required stages

Our services at a glance

Digital Consulting

Discover our unique consulting approach for your online success.
 

Digital Experience Platform

Maximise your eCommerce potential with our Digital Experience Platform - personalised experiences, seamless integrations, more conversions!

eCommerce

We develop & implement customised e-commerce systems for you with leading technology partners.

PIM

Optimise your product management with our PIM services - centralised, efficient, error-free. More consistency, less effort!
 

Cloud Operations

Modern public cloud solutions with maximum automation for operating efficient e-commerce systems. 

Artificial Intelligence

Use artificial intelligence for your online success - smarter processes, personalised experiences, more sales. Future-proof and efficient!

We are happy to assist you!

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