Whether you are starting a new business or leveling up in an existing business, a content management system (CMS) is essential. A CMS is a software application that enables users to create, edit, collaborate on, publish, and store digital content like one would with a blog. A good CMS helps businesses to get more leads, organize workflows, and save time. To help you choose the right solution for your business, let’s summarize and compare the top features of WordPress and Hubspot CMS free tools.
While at first glance it appears that these tools are very similar, there are some key differences that may make one or the other a better fit for your business. Neither option offers a one-size-fits-all solution, but both can be tailored to fit your business needs.
Why Use Hubspot
HubSpot CMS is a very effective tool and is often listed within the Top 5 content management systems used today. HubSpot’s CMS framework will put even the most inexperienced users in a position to create, update, and publish their site and blog with ease. HubSpot CMS is easy to set up and use.
What are the Advantages of Using Hubspot Free CMS
Hubspot’s free CMS natively integrates with Hubspot’s free Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. As someone just starting out, the free CMS allows you to build up to 25 pages on one domain, and this includes SSL to aid with website security without additional costs. To drive interest in your business and help answer customer questions, Hubspot’s CMS includes one blog which is more than enough for someone with basic blogging needs.
If you don’t have expert website design or WordPress development skills, the drag-and-drop editor will allow you to build a beautiful website that meets your needs. To make that much easier, you are able to choose from a small selection of customizable templates that you can use to create a functional, branded website. Then, if you get stuck, you’ll find Hubspot’s free technical support team to be a nice perk of using the service.
What are the limitations of HubSpot CMS?
Like most free tools, there are limitations of the free Hubspot CMS license. Depending on the complexity of your needs, you may quickly max out on allotted features and need to upgrade to a paid Hubspot Starter for Sales, Marketing, and Service Hubs or Professional or Enterprise versions. The upgrades can be quite costly, especially for a new business owner.
If you’re already using other tools to manage different features of your website, you will find that although moving to Hubspot tools are beneficial in the long run, the transition can be challenging for a less technical business owner. Although Hubspot Payments can give your free CMS the ability to collect payments, the ecommerce interface differs greatly from other native ecommerce platforms like Shopify and require workarounds that are less than ideal.
Why Use WordPress
There is a reason why WordPress powers over 30% of all websites on the web. WordPress is easy to install, customize, and update. It has many features that make it a great choice for creating websites.
What are the Advantages of Using WordPress?
WordPress is free in many instances, so the only fee you need to pay to set up a website is for website hosting and customized templates if none of the free ones fits your demands. That’s why the WordPress content management system is most popular for new, small companies.
If you use Hubspot CRM for your business but want the flexibility of WordPress, you can use Hubspot’s WordPress plugin which will integrate your website to your Hubspot account and allow you to create forms, pop-ups, and integrate any marketing, especially if you have a paid Hubspot plan.
WordPress grows with you and you are able to create unlimited pages instead of being limited to Hubspot’s 25. A self-hosted WordPress site is fully customizable and if you need help creating a sleek looking and flexible site, you are able access over 10K customizable themes on WordPress.org and even more on marketplaces like Envato or Creative Market. Some opt to use page builders with drag-and-drop editors like WordPress’ native Gutenburg editor, or one like Divi or Elementor, which make building your site easy.
While you can purchase a domain on WordPress.com, if you want to self-host your WordPress site, you can purchase a domain and get access to unlimited free subdomains depending on your hosting company or domain registrar. While most beginners don’t need multiple different blogs, you have the ability to use a Wordpress Multisite, which can be useful if you build different blogs but maintain a consistent look and experience.
To extend your site with additional functionality, WordPress is scalable with an open-source plugin library with solutions to meet most online business needs including event calendars, directories, e-commerce, learning management systems, appointment booking, email marketing, and form builders.
What are the Limitations of Using WordPress?
WordPress may be ideally suited to your site or blog, but it may not be optimized for complex marketing needs. It may require a number of integrations, which may be time-consuming to source and configure. WordPress is generally a secure platform, but it is recommended that you use a firewall, run automatic backups, and ensure that themes and plug-ins are up to date.
Which CMS is Best for Your Business?
As with any content management system, there is a learning curve that requires an investment of time and energy. Utilizing a WordPress agency like Spark Creative can help ensure that you have a robust and efficient website solution for your business. Reach out today!