Content management systems (CMS) are essential tools that empower small businesses to build and maintain engaging websites without needing a deep background in web development. These platforms provide an intuitive interface for creating, organizing, and publishing digital content. For many small businesses, a CMS is not only a tool for building an online presence but also a central component of a broader digital marketing strategy. It enables businesses to streamline workflows, enhance customer engagement, and manage their content efficiently, all while maintaining brand consistency and security.

In today’s digital landscape, software buyers in the small business segment are looking for CMS solutions that offer ease-of-use, affordability, and scalability. The right CMS can dramatically reduce the workload associated with website maintenance and allow teams to focus on strategic initiatives such as content creation, SEO, and eCommerce integration. Whether a business is looking for a highly customizable system like ExpressionEngine or an all-in-one integrated platform like HubSpot Content Hub, there is a wide range of options available to suit varying needs and budgets.

What Are the Best Content Management Systems for Small Businesses?

1. ExpressionEngine – Open source, secure content management

2. HubSpot Content Hub – Integrated marketing content management

3. Tilda – Creative, animated website builder

4. Squarespace – Website platform for eCommerce companies

5. Webflow – Customizable visual content platform

6. Elementor – Intuitive drag-and-drop WordPress builder

7. Storyblok – Flexible headless content management

ExpressionEngine – Flexible, secure content management

ExpressionEngine is an open source CMS built for small businesses that want the freedom to implement custom designs while using their preferred architecture. Its robust security measures and flexible content structure allow businesses to adapt the CMS as they grow while keeping their data safe. Although the structure may require some developer familiarity, its rapid site creation and long-term security track record make it a compelling solution for those who need a balance between design freedom and reliable performance. ExpressionEngine offers a free tier for teams that only need one admin user, making it a great option for small businesses comfortable with doing some coding.

The system’s flexibility is beneficial for businesses planning for long-term growth and customization, but the initial learning curve common to most open source software might challenge non-developers. You’ll likely have to know at least a little bit of HTML and CSS to get the most out of ExpressionEngine. Overall, ExpressionEngine is a solid choice if your priority is maintaining a secure and highly customizable website environment.

Pros

• Users appreciate ExpressionEngine’s strong security track record
• Reviewers feel that the platform is more flexible than other CMS platforms
• ExpressionEngine’s simple templates allow for fast development speed

Cons

• Some reviewers felt there’s a steep learning curve for non-developers
• Limited out-of-the-box eCommerce functionality, meaning you’ll likely need to purchase an add-on or integrate with an eCommerce tool

Top features

• Front End Editing: ExpressionEngine allows content updates directly on your live site, reducing time-to-publish and improving workflow efficiency.
• Templates and Custom Fieldtypes: Its dynamic templates include over 20 field types, allowing users to tailor designs to their unique business needs.
• Member Roles and Secure Login: Each member can be assigned multiple different roles as needed, and ExpressionEngine includes a built-in CAPTCHA system. These are just a few of ExpressionEngine’s security-focused features.

“ExpressionEngine is our ‘go-to’. We like the flexibility to implement any design without a ‘default theme.’ We also love ExpressionEngine’s longstanding track record on security. This gives us and our clients peace-of-mind after launch.” 

Tim Carter | Web Developer | Marketing & Advertising Company

HubSpot Content Hub – Integrated marketing content management

HubSpot Content Hub offers an integrated solution for businesses seeking to combine content creation with robust marketing tools. Its platform brings together website building, SEO recommendations, dynamic personalization, and comprehensive analytics, enabling small businesses to manage their entire content and marketing strategy from one unified dashboard. Content Hub also integrates with HubSpot’s other Hubs, including Sales Hub, Marketing Hub, and Service Hub. These tools are all bundled together in HubSpot’s free and starter editions, making it an all-in-one platform option for growing businesses. 

Although this platform model can be a pro for some, it does come with a higher cost and limited customization compared to other options. For those who want all their customer and marketing activities in one spot, though, HubSpot Content Hub is a great choice.

Pros

• Unified content and marketing platform lets you keep all customer-facing activity in the same place
•  Built-in personalization and live chat tools for connecting with visitors
•  Comprehensive analytics and reporting, including GSC integration at higher price points, lets users track site performance

Cons

•  For the full feature set, HubSpot Content Hub is pricier than other CMS solutions
• Website customization options are limited compared to products that focus solely on content management

Top features

• Drag and Drop Website Builder: HubSpot Content Hub makes site creation and customization simple without coding, which is ideal for marketing teams that need quick turnaround on new pages.
• Built-in SEO Recommendations: Real-time feedback helps users optimize content for search engines and drive organic traffic.
• Content Personalization: Content changes dynamically based on visitor behavior to increase engagement and conversion rates.

“Running our whole pipeline through HubSpot has helped us close 14 deals in 2023. Management loves the transparency it provides.” 

Colin Tiller | Account Executive | Package/Freight Delivery Company

Tilda – Creative, animated website builder

Tilda stands out for its visually driven content creation capabilities and animated web designs. Designed with creative professionals in mind, it empowers small businesses to create engaging websites with no coding knowledge required. Tilda’s library of customizable blocks and animation features facilitates rich visual storytelling, but it’s not well suited to anyone who wants to do a lot of their own custom coding.

Tilda offers additional features beyond the standard CMS capabilities, including a members-only section of the site, a CRM, and an email campaign builder so you can ensure your emails match your web branding. These features make Tilda well-suited to small businesses, especially those that provide digital services.

Pros

• Rich visual and animation capabilities for creatives
• Aesthetic-focused template and block library
• User-friendly interface enables creative design with no code required

Cons

• May lack advanced functionality for complex sites
• Limited integrations compared to more robust CMS platforms

Top features

• Intuitive Website Builder: Tilda provides drag-and-drop functionality and over 550 pre-designed blocks that enable rapid website creation tailored to your artistic vision.
• Adaptive Design: Content is automatically optimized for various devices, ensuring the visual appeal is maintained across desktops, tablets, and smartphones.
• Zero Block Editor: Tilda’s Zero Block Editor allows for granular control over every aspect of your web design, including vector editing and animation, with no code necessary. 

“Tilda is very well suited for designers and artists who are aiming for an easy, fast, and creative website builder. Either for personal use or for a client’s work, Tilda is just what you need, if you want a blank canvas with almost full freedom to create the craziest animations and designs.” 

Deborah Avila | Art Director, UI/UX Designer | Information Technology & Services 

Squarespace – Elegant, user-friendly website builder

Squarespace combines well-designed templates with a user-friendly interface to deliver an attractive online presence for small businesses. It is well-suited for those who need a quick, visually appealing website without an extensive development process. Integrated eCommerce and hosting capabilities provide an all-in-one solution that simplifies the process of building and maintaining a professional website.

While the platform excels in design and ease-of-use, its template limitations and certain customization constraints can be a hindrance for users requiring more granular control over layout elements. Squarespace can also be pricier than competitors, especially for those who bundle hosting, eCommerce, and/or physical POS sales. Small businesses that value aesthetics and simplicity are most likely to benefit most from Squarespace’s offerings.

Pros

• Simple, professionally designed templates for eCommerce websites
• Drag-and-drop interface makes editing a website easy
• Full platform, with integrated eCommerce and secure hosting

Cons

• Limited template customization and design flexibility, including positioning some elements on the page
• More expensive than some competitors

Top features

• Customizable Templates: Squarespace offers a range of templates that can be modified to align with brand identity.
• Drag-and-Drop Builder: Content can be edited and rearranged easily without technical expertise.
• eCommerce Functionality: Fully integrated shopping solutions allow small businesses to sell products directly from the website, and Square POS system allows in-person sales.

“I think Squarespace is a great website creator for companies that do not want to have to do much on the website design and upkeep especially if you do not have a team or specific person making changes to the site. It is easy enough for someone who does not have experience in website design.”

Maria Paparella | Executive Director | Non-profit Organization Management Company

Webflow – Customizable visual content platform

Webflow emphasizes design flexibility and visual customization, allowing small businesses to create highly tailored websites. Its visual editing tools empower users to build unique layouts and interactions, making it ideal for businesses that prioritize a custom look and feel. Unlike some other primarily drag-and-drop website editors, Webflow also allows developers to extend its functionality with custom code and create their own integrations with APIs.

While its advanced design capabilities set it apart, the complexity of the interface and occasional performance issues may pose a hurdle. Webflow might be a good choice for businesses with strong design teams or those who want an option with GUI and coder friendly interfaces.

Pros

• Design flexibility for custom layouts
• Powerful visual editor with drag-and-drop functionality and custom code extensibility  
• Integrations with design tools like Figma, and API available for custom integrations

Cons

• Some reviewers express concerns with customer support
• Higher learning curve for advanced features

Top features

• Visual Design and Development: Webflow allows users to build complex layouts and interactions visually as well as with code.
• Responsive Design Support: Custom sites are optimized for different devices, enhancing overall user experience.
• CMS and Dynamic Content: Users can manage extensive dynamic content through designer-created templates.

“Webflow is our go-to tool for websites requiring more than a landing page and no direct integration with a database app like Airtable. We love its CMS features for our blog and selling digital products. It offers the perfect balance of a GUI and developer accommodations.”

William Nutt | Founder + Chief Strategist | Professional Training & Coaching Company

Elementor – Intuitive drag-and-drop WordPress builder

Elementor is unique on this list: it’s not a standalone CMS, but a WordPress plugin. Elementor is designed to simplify the website creation process for WordPress users by offering an intuitive, drag-and-drop interface. Its widget library and built-in marketing tools enable small businesses to rapidly develop engaging websites without the need for extensive coding knowledge. The platform’s flexibility makes it a solid choice for WordPress teams, although occasional plugin conflicts and performance issues can detract from the overall user experience.

Elementor allows users to create responsive WordPress and WooCommerce pages, offering templates and customization of every element, including animation capabilities. Many users find it easier to use than WordPress’s native interface, particularly for teams without developers. Some say it may not be well suited to more complex websites or those that require a lot of plugins.

Pros

• User-friendly drag-and-drop editing interface
• Extensive widget library allows for customizable design
• Time-saving design process with integrated marketing tools

Cons

• Potential compatibility issues with other third-party plugins
• Can only be used along with the rest of the WordPress ecosystem

Top features

• Drag & Drop Editing: Users can customize layouts and build responsive designs without coding.
• Built-in Marketing Tools: Elementor includes forms, pop-ups, and landing page builders that can boost conversion and lead capture.
• Extensive Widget Library: Over 100 customizable widgets extend website functionality and reduce dependency on additional plugins.

“I feel like Elementor is a really great option for the web editor that isn’t as familiar with coding and wants a more simple way to edit the site. It gives you all of the things you need to build a really complex site without making it feel overwhelming and complex on the back end.”

Rachel Garwood | Social Media and Web Developer | Retail Company

Storyblok – Flexible headless content management system

Storyblok is designed with modern content delivery in mind, offering a headless, API-first architecture that provides small businesses with scalable and flexible content management. The system supports composable blocks and visual editing, making it easier to manage dynamic content and collaborate across teams. Its focus on real-time editing and workflow management caters to businesses that need agility in content updates while ensuring a consistent digital presence.

Storyblok’s headless architecture means it can work with any front-end framework you choose. While this will be a pro for some, it might be challenging for those without developer resources to manage web frameworks. For businesses ready to embrace modern content strategies and digital scalability, Storyblok presents a robust and versatile solution.

Pros

• Modern, API-first headless architecture works with your existing tech stack
• Real-time collaboration and visual editing capabilities
• Enhanced scalability with composable content blocks

Cons

• Designed for developers and likely not a good fit for teams without development experience
• GUI can be difficult to learn

Top features

• Visual Editing: Teams can edit content with drag-and-drop functionality.
• API-First Architecture: Storyblok websites integrate with front-end frameworks like React and Vue, ensuring flexible and adaptive content delivery.
• Workflow Management: Customizable workflows simplify content approval and publishing processes, enhancing team collaboration and productivity.

Browse CMS options and their reviews here.

CMS for Small Businesses FAQs

What is a content management system (CMS)?

A content management system (CMS) is a software platform that helps you create, manage, and modify digital content. It provides tools for organizing content, managing media files, editing webpages, and often includes features like templates, drag-and-drop editing, and built-in SEO support. A CMS streamlines tasks from content creation to publishing, reducing the complexity of maintaining a website.

What are the benefits of using a CMS for small businesses?

A CMS simplifies website development and content updates, so you do not need to rely heavily on a developer for everyday changes. These systems are designed to be user-friendly and cost-effective, reducing technical overhead and allowing teams to focus on business growth and engaging storytelling. With features like integrated SEO, analytics, and eCommerce tools, a CMS can help boost online visibility, improve customer engagement, and ultimately support marketing and sales efforts.

What factors should you consider when purchasing a CMS for a small business?

When evaluating a CMS for your small business, consider factors such as ease-of-use, scalability for future growth, and the specific features that align with your needs (e.g., SEO support, eCommerce integration, and content personalization). Additionally, assess the cost of the solution—including setup fees and recurring pricing—its security track record, support resources, and plugin or add-on ecosystem to ensure it will meet your long-term business goals.

What are the main features included in CMS platforms?

CMS platforms typically include a range of features such as visual editors (e.g., drag-and-drop functionality), customizable templates, content personalization, media management, and built-in SEO tools. Many systems also offer analytics and reporting, integration with marketing or eCommerce tools, and capabilities for managing multiple websites or users. The availability of add-ons and plugins is also common, helping to extend a platform’s core functionality.

Which of these features are most important for small businesses?

For small businesses, the most important features usually include ease-of-use, cost-effective design tools, and built-in SEO and analytics capabilities. An intuitive drag-and-drop editor or user-friendly templates help users build and update websites quickly. Integrated eCommerce functions, security measures, and customer support are also crucial, ensuring a seamless experience from website design to ongoing operations. Features that support multi-channel marketing and content personalization can significantly boost customer engagement and conversion.

How much should I expect to pay for a CMS product?

Pricing for a CMS product varies significantly based on the platform’s complexity and feature set. Many open-source CMS options like ExpressionEngine, or those that cater to small businesses like Tilda, offer a free version with premium upgrades available. Cloud-based solutions might start from a few dollars per month, while advanced platforms like HubSpot Content Hub or custom enterprise solutions can range from several hundred to over a thousand dollars per month. Small businesses should balance their specific feature needs against cost, often starting with a lower-priced option and upgrading as they grow.

Our Methodology

TrustRadius is powered by genuine, verified user reviews. Every review on our platform is authenticated via LinkedIn or a work email and verified by our research team to ensure the reviewer has recent experience with the product. Our goal is to serve the needs of software buyers by providing them with all the information they need to make a confident purchase decision.

The products in this article were chosen utilizing TrustRadius downstream intent data reflecting in-market buyers researching and comparing technology products. The products featured in this article ranked highest in research frequency among small business buyers (companies with 1-50 employees) searching for content management systems within the past year.

Learn more about our Promise to Buyers here.