Time To Move On From The “Is WordPress A CMS” Debate

photo credit: Cesar Maia – cc

In the realm of WordPress, there is a particular debate that has been going on for years on whether WordPress is a CMS or not. CMSCritic has a great article by Kaya Ismail, that explains why WordPress is a CMS (Whether You Like it or Not). It’s one of the most refreshing perspectives I’ve read on the subject. The definition of a Content Management System is a web application designed to make it easy for non-technical users to add, edit and manage a website. WordPress fits that definition rather well and in many respects, excels at it. The problem as Ismail explains, is that the acronym has become muddied over the years.

The issue arises when the stripped down, true meaning of “CMS” is blown up with unnecessary jargon. In reality, those definitions hold very little weight, other than when they describe added marketing or administrative extras. The fact of the matter is, WordPress fits the definition of a CMS perfectly.

WordPress has grown up to be far more than just a blogging tool. It’s used to power apps, run large content heavy websites, and e-commerce. The reputation that it’s just a blogging tool and not a CMS is false.

If you’re curious on how to use WordPress as a CMS, read this guide published by Ozh Richards that contains a simple four step process. It’s a process nearly all WordPress users go through everyday.

It isn’t particularly amazing in any niche other than blogging, and it sacrifices being a powerhouse when it comes to things like digital asset management for the sake of simplicity. Yet at the same time, WordPress is a content management system, and a good one at that.

So, maybe it’s time everybody got over it.

Ismail sums it up rather well. I think it’s time to kick this debate to the curb.