For the classification of platforms (also known as CMS), we have chosen two essential characteristics: ownership and specialization.
📌 Based on ownership, all CMS can be divided into 2 classes – hosted or self-hosted.
◾ Hosted CMS (also known as SaaS – software as a service) offer their users a ready-to-use solution “out of the box” for a monthly fee, running in the cloud. Website owners do not need to know anything about servers, hosting, domains, or programming. Website creation is greatly simplified and occurs within an intuitive visual editor.
The most well-known representatives of SaaS platforms are Wix, Squarespace, Shopify, Weebly, Tilda, and Vigbo. Their combined market share in 2020 is approximately 20%.
◾ Self-hosted CMS, on the other hand, are usually distributed for free and installed on their own servers or hosting services. Technical knowledge of website administration is required to work with them. Each CMS also offers its interfaces and customization methods, which can be original and complex. This necessitates the involvement of a qualified developer in the website creation process.
The most well-known representatives of self-hosted platforms are WordPress, Joomla, Magento, and OpenCart. These platforms continue to dominate the market, accounting for 80% of all CMS-based websites.
📌 Based on specialization, all CMS can be divided into 3 classes – universal, e-commerce platforms, and niche platforms.
◾ Universal platforms allow the creation of websites of any functionality – from simple brochure sites to high-traffic portals.
Leaders of this class are WordPress, Wix, and Squarespace.
◾ With the rise of e-commerce, e-commerce platforms have also experienced significant growth, specializing in creating online stores. With the help of such platforms, one can launch a store without special technical knowledge within a day.
Prominent representatives are Shopify, Magento, and OpenCart.
◾ Niche platforms are diverse and exist due to their specialization for specific tasks. For example, Vigbo is popular among photographers, Tilda is among journalists, and the MediaWiki platform has become the primary solution for wiki sites, including Wikipedia.