If you’re looking to build an awesome website for your school or university but can’t decide which CMS to choose, you’ve come to the right place. The right CMS is essential for managing content and delivering a great online experience. 

In this blog, we’ll dive into the must-have features and compare some top CMS platforms to help you make the best choice. 

Ready to transform your school’s digital presence? Let’s get started!

10 Must-Have Features for a Higher Ed CMS

Choosing the best content managing system for higher education is about honoring your institution with the best digital infrastructure. You need the basics to ensure your website runs smoothly, engages users, and supports your educational mission. Nobel Courses, one of our clients, illustrates how we leveraged CMS features to create an engaging educational platform.

1. Content Creation & Editing

Content is the essence of all websites; thus, if your team has trouble modifying content, it’s a clear sign that you need to switch things up.Users should be able to generate and edit content within a CMS without requiring technical knowledge.

2. Performance

Most CMS platforms have built their reputations based on their performance. A high-quality CMS has fast loading times, a good user experience, and improves your website’s SEO rankings. 

This keeps users engaged, improves their experience, and supports your institution’s growth.

3. Responsiveness

Good performance is a game changer when it comes to SEO. Faster sites rank higher in search results and increase visibility and accessibility for potential students and other stakeholders. 

Slow websites can lead to decreased usage and a negative perception of the institution’s technological capabilities.

4. User Access Control

Using role-based access control can define permissions for different user groups like administrators, faculty, and students. 

This ensures that each group has the accurate level of access needed for their tasks while protecting sensitive information.

5. Integration Capabilities

Consistent integration is a must for a CMS used in an educational institution. It’s a way to connect with tools and platforms essential for managing operations. Your CMS can simplify processes by integrating with systems like student information systems (SIS) and learning management systems (LMS).

6. Multimedia Support

Multimedia support makes your school’s or university’s CMS shine. Imagine a website with vibrant images, videos, gifs, audio clips… The list goes on!A very good example that shows how media can make a difference is Nobel Courses. Their visuals and video content create an interactive and appealing website altogether, making their site an example of effective multimedia integration.

7. Analytics & Reporting

Integrated analytics tools offer insights into website traffic, user behavior, and engagement metrics. Tracking key metrics helps you understand what works and what doesn’t. 

These tools help you make decisions based on actual data which can further improve your website.

8. SEO Optimization

When choosing the right web content platform for your institution, how can you make sure it attracts the right people? 

By implementing structured URLs, customizable meta tags, XML sitemaps, and integration with popular SEO plugins, you can boost your website’s search engine visibility.This improves content optimization, search rankings, and organic traffic—the three key ingredients in attracting your target audience.

9. Online Payments

Managing online payments doesn’t have to be a headache. When choosing a CMS, look for one that makes handling transactions a breeze. Whether it’s tuition fees, donations, or event tickets, you’ll want a system that integrates easily with secure payment gateways. Keep an eye out for features that support multiple payment methods, like credit cards and mobile wallets.

10. Various Themes Selection

Variety is the spice of life, and your CMS should offer themes to reflect that. It goes without saying that you should go for a web publishing platform with customizable themes that match your brand. 

Plus, a theme that’s easy to tweak is good for quick updates; this flexibility helps keep your site fresh and engaging for all visitors.

Top 5 Higher Education CMS Platforms

Now that we’ve covered the essential features to look for, let’s dive into the top five CMS platforms that can improve your institution’s digital presence

1. WordPress

Over 40% of the world’s websites are on WordPress because it’s a leading choice for many institutions including schools and universities. Its open-source nature and user-friendly block editor make it easy for non-technical users to maintain and update the websites. Popular educational institutions like Stanford University, Boston University, and platforms such as inAction use WordPress for flexibility and extensive plugin options.

2. Drupal

Coming in second with 1.4% of the world’s websites, Drupal is the choice for the tech-savvy. Prestigious institutions like the University of Oxford and the University of Minnesota rely on Drupal for its powerful and customizable nature. This is also an open-source CMS so If you enjoy diving into the technical aspects and want one that you can mold to your exact specifications, Drupal is the perfect fit.

3. Joomla

Joomla has a user-friendly interface and a moderate learning curve – making it a solid choice for those who want user-friendliness and customization. It offers a flexible system that allows users to create and manage different types of websites without needing extensive tech knowledge.

Joomla’s control panel provides a good mix of power and simplicity, making it accessible for beginners while offering advanced features for more experienced developers.

4. Cascade CMS

Cascade CMS stands out with its user-friendly WYSIWYG editors, built-in accessibility checks, and advanced code editors, making content creation straightforward. It also offers unlimited version control and permission settings to tailor content templates. 

One of its standout features is the editing preview; this allows users to see changes in real-time.

5. Terminalfour

Terminalfour is a user-friendly CMS designed specifically for higher education institutions. It streamlines content management and makes updates hassle-free. 

With advanced marketing tools and insightful analytics, you can track and improve user engagement. Its integration options add flexibility and functionality, which helps institutions improve their online presence and interactions.

Bottom Line 

Finding the right CMS is like finding the perfect pair of shoes: while most will get you where you need to go, other factors like appearance, safety, and service matter. Each CMS has its pros and cons, but numbers don’t lie.

Even though WordPress often stands out due to its flexibility and user-friendliness, it’s best if you test all your options to make the best choice.

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