Are You Using the Right CMS for Your Population Size?

In our recent study on government website CMS usage, we formed a theory that we proceeded to dig deeper into in our new blog on how population size drives government CMS choices.

What we found reveals a clear trend: As population size increases, CMS preferences shift dramatically. This insight is crucial for public-sector IT decision-makers and public-sector web service providers.

Key insights

Small counties' CMS usage:

• 44.5% overall use government-specialized CMS
• 92.7% of proprietary CMS users choose government-specialized solutions

Mid-sized counties show a shift:

• Overall government-specialized CMS usage drops to 35%
• 84.8% of proprietary CMS users still choose government-specialized solutions

Large counties abandon government-focused systems:

• 0% usage of government-focused CMS
• 66.7% use enterprise-level solutions like Drupal , Microsoft SharePoint, and WordPress

Small cities' CMS usage:

• 65.1% overall use of government-focused CMS
• 96.4% adopt government-focused proprietary CMS platforms

Mid-sized cities shift as well:

• Overall government-specialized CMS adoption drops to 48.5%
• Adoption of proprietary government CMS sits at 91.8%

Large cities completely abandon government-specialized systems:

• 66.7% use enterprise-level CMS

Strategic considerations

• For small entities: While government-specific platforms offer ease of use, consider their scalability. Can they grow with your population and service needs?
• For mid-sized entities: This is often where entities outgrow their initial CMS. Assess your current platform's limitations and the cost of potential migration.
• Large entities: At this scale, customization, integration capabilities, and scalability are paramount. Your CMS should handle complex content structures and high traffic volumes.

What to consider

1. Scalability is crucial: Choose a CMS that can grow with your entity to avoid costly migrations.
2. Consider future needs: Factor in projected population growth and planned service expansions.
3. Look beyond population: Service complexity, citizen engagement goals, and system integration needs also impact your CMS choices.

A quick and dirty decision framework

Ask yourself:

• Can our current CMS handle a large increase in traffic?
• Does it integrate easily with other systems (e.g., payment gateways, GIS)?
• Can we easily add new features or services without a major overhaul?
• Does it meet our security and compliance requirements?

Recommendations

• Small entities: Consider open-source solutions like WordPress alongside government-specific platforms. They offer room for growth and customization.
• Mid-sized entities: If you're using a government-specific platform, evaluate its limitations. Consider transitioning to more flexible solutions like Drupal.
• Large entities: Focus on enterprise-grade CMSs. Open-source platforms like Drupal offer both robust features and customization flexibility.

Read: 9 Ways Drupal Keeps Government Sites Ahead of the Curve →

Remember, the right CMS isn't just about current needs—it's about future-proofing your digital presence. By taking factors like your own growth plus the scalability and flexibility capabilities of a CMS, you're setting up your government website for long-term success.

Is your government website ready for the future? Let's discuss how to align your CMS with your growth trajectory.