Custom CMS Lifespans: A Long Tenure
Can a CMS platform really live for 5 or more years without a massive upgrade? The answer is YES.
Custom CMS Lifespans: A Long Tenure
New Possibilities Group, LLC882 Pompton Ave, 882 Pompton Ave Cedar Grove, NJ 07009Custom CMS solutions can last much longer than their off-the-shelf counterparts.
5+
Years: It Is Possible
CMS platforms can last at least 5 years
Recently we read a comment from a Joomla proponent, which read something like this: "Custom CMS's can't keep up with the open-source community".
Our question is... Why not?
The real reason that CMS platforms update every few months is for security purposes. Every couple of years, a dramatic update will occur that makes the platform even more bloated. But are these even necessary? Backend technology has been relatively stable. Sure, front-end experiences have changed dramatically: responsive web design, HTML5, JavaScript and CSS updates. But none of those affect backend performance or the role of the server in managing your website.
The truth is, Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP (the famous "LAMP" stack) have been in existence for almost 20 years! In that time, there have been upgrades and changes, for sure. But they move at a much slower pace. The technology is more proven and more secure. So why do we have to worry about "keeping up"?
A CMS platform can be expected, when properly custom built, to last you at least 5 years.
Designs & Experiences Change. Your Platform Doesn't Have To.
One of the catches of off-the-shelf software is that when you do a large scale redesign, you may be stuck having to rebuild or reinstall your entire platform. This oftentimes is easier than building on top of what you have.
Custom solutions offer you the flexibility to keep your platform intact even when your frontend experience changes. By separating the logic and display layer, you can effectively redesign your site as many times as you want without fear of breaking the management portal.
In this way, your custom CMS is a foundation for your company's online efforts for years to come.
Lifespan Is Increased When Going Custom
At the end of the day, out-of-the-box platforms work well enough for businesses that don’t intend to grow or expand. But for those anticipating rapid or drastic growth over time, a scalable solution is an absolute must—and that’s where a custom CMS comes in handy.
