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The top 5 CMS for cultural organisations
A comparison with a focus on theatres, opera houses, concert halls and museums
In the vibrant world of culture, where every moment counts and every detail tells a story, digital presence has become indispensable. Theatres, opera houses, concert halls, museums and other cultural institutions are not only places of art and artistic expression - they are also businesses that need an effective and engaging online presence. A content management system (CMS) serves as a bridge between the creative and digital worlds, allowing cultural professionals to seamlessly share their stories, events and services online.
However, with a plethora of CMS options on the market, choosing the right system can be an overwhelming task. In this Insight article, we present the top 5 CMS for cultural organisations. We pay particular attention to the special requirements of cultural organisations.
Table of contents
The art of digitalisation: Why cultural institutions need a specialised CMS
A specialised CMS for cultural businesses allows you to realise your vision without technical limitations and create an authentic, engaging digital experience for your audience.
Unique content requires special solutions
The variety of content - from event calendars and ticket bookings to multimedia galleries - requires a system that can handle this complexity without compromising user-friendliness.
Integration of special tools
Cultural organisations often require the integration of specific tools, be it for ticket sales, reservations or special event management systems. A specialised CMS can seamlessly fulfil such requirements.
Creating a tangible brand experience
Cultural institutions are not only places of entertainment, but also brands that convey a certain image and experience. A specialised CMS can help to make this experience consistent and impressive.
The top 5 CMS for theatres, opera houses and museums
Digitalisation has given rise to a variety of content management systems (CMS) that are geared towards different industries and needs. For cultural organisations, which are characterised by their uniqueness and specific requirements, there are a handful of CMSs that stand out in particular. Here is an overview of the top 5 CMS that are particularly recommended for the cultural sector:
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WordPress
As one of the world's most popular CMSs, WordPress is not only suitable for blogs, but also for extensive websites. Its flexibility and huge selection of plugins also make it suitable for cultural organisations. -
Joomla
With its versatility and expandability, Joomla is a good choice for medium to large cultural organisations that want a customised online presence. -
TYPO3
For large and complex websites, TYPO3 offers deep customisability to meet the specific needs of cultural organisations. -
Drupal
As a flexible and scalable CMS, Drupal offers cultural organisations the opportunity to implement both simple and complex web projects. -
e-publisher:stage
e-publisher:stage was developed especially for cultural organisations. With functions that simplify everyday editorial work and enable seamless integration of ticketing systems, it is at the centre of an effective digital strategy for cultural institutions.
Each of these CMSs has its own strengths, and the choice depends on the specific requirements and resources of each cultural organisation. Below we will look at these systems in more detail and highlight their pros and cons for the cultural sector. As a digital agency, we also offer in-depth CMS consulting, where we work with you to find your customised solution.
WordPress
WordPress began its journey as a simple blogging platform, but over the years it has developed into one of the world's leading content management systems. With an enormous community and a multitude of plugins and themes, it has established itself as a universal CMS with applications ranging from small blogs to large corporate websites.
Advantages
- Extensibility: Joomla has a wide range of extensions that provide additional functionality to meet the specific requirements of each project.
- Security: The Joomla team places great emphasis on security with regular updates and an in-built two-factor authentication system.
- Community and support: An active global community provides support, tutorials and documentation.
- Multilingual support: Joomla has inbuilt multilingual support, making it ideal for cultural organisations with an international audience.
Disadvantages
- Security concerns: Due to its popularity, WordPress is a frequent target for hackers. Regular updates and security measures are essential.
- Performance: Improper configuration or too many plugins can affect website performance.
Special features for the cultural sector
- Customisable themes: There are many themes developed specifically for cultural businesses to provide the right ambience and presentation.
- Event management: With specialised plugins, cultural businesses can display events, sell tickets and take reservations.
Overall, WordPress is a versatile choice for cultural organisations of all sizes looking for a reliable and customisable platform. However, it is important to choose the right plugins and security measures to get the most out of this CMS.
Joomla
Joomla is a powerful open source CMS that is characterised by its versatility and flexibility. It is used worldwide for a wide range of websites, from personal blogs to professional corporate portals.
Advantages
- Extensibility: Joomla has a wide range of extensions that provide additional functionality to meet the specific requirements of each project.
- Security: The Joomla team places great emphasis on security with regular updates and an in-built two-factor authentication system.
- Community and support: An active global community provides support, tutorials and documentation.
- Multilingual support: Joomla has inbuilt multilingual support, making it ideal for cultural organisations with an international audience.
Disadvantages
- Learning curve: Although Joomla is user-friendly, it may require some familiarisation time for beginners, especially compared to WordPress.
- Performance: As with most CMSs, overloading with extensions can affect website performance.
Special features for the cultural sector
- Customisable templates: There are special Joomla templates for cultural businesses that offer the design and functions required for this industry.
- Event management extensions: These allow cultural organisations to create event calendars, sell tickets and perform other event-related tasks.
Joomla is an excellent choice for cultural organisations looking for a robust and customisable CMS that offers both ease of use and depth in its features.
TYPO3
TYPO3, an enterprise-level CMS, is known for its high scalability and flexibility. It is particularly suitable for large and complex web projects that require deep customisability and expandability.
Advantages
- Scalability: TYPO3 can be easily scaled from medium-sized websites to large company portals without losing performance.
- Extensibility: The system offers a wide range of extensions that make it possible to add additional functions and customisations.
- Security: TYPO3 has a good reputation for security thanks to regular updates and a robust core system.
- Multisite management: TYPO3 allows multiple websites to be managed from a single installation, which is ideal for cultural organisations with multiple departments or locations.
Disadvantages
- Steep learning curve: The system can seem complex, especially for newcomers.
- Setup and development: TYPO3 may require more development resources, especially for specialised requirements.
Special features for cultural organisations
- Customisable templates: TYPO3 offers a wealth of templates designed specifically for cultural organisations to create a unique online presence.
- Event management extensions: These extensions allow cultural organisations to organise, manage and promote events, from performances to exhibitions.
For cultural organisations looking for deep customisation and a solution for large web projects, TYPO3 offers a robust and extensible platform. Learn more about TYPO3 from one of Berlin's leading digital agencies.
Drupal
Drupal, another powerful open source CMS, offers deep customisability and is known for its modular structure. It is used by a wide variety of websites worldwide, from personal blogs to large organisations and government websites.
Advantages
- Modular architecture: Drupal's strength lies in its modular structure, which allows users to add only the features they need.
- Scalability: It is suitable for both small and very large websites and can easily scale to meet growing needs.
- Flexibility: With thousands of modules available, developers can add almost any feature they want.
- Security: Drupal places great emphasis on security and offers robust features and regular security updates.
Disadvantages
- Complexity: Despite its power, Drupal can be intimidating for beginners and often requires the help of developers.
- Performance: Without careful optimisation and configuration, the performance of Drupal websites can be affected.
Special features for the cultural sector
- Customisable themes: Drupal offers a range of themes designed for cultural organisations to optimise their online presence.
- Event management modules: These modules make it easy to organise and promote cultural events, from gallery openings to theatre performances.
Drupal is ideal for cultural organisations looking for deep customisation and a platform that can grow with them as they expand their digital presence.
e-publisher:stage
The e-publisher:stage was developed by 3pc. It is a specialised content management system designed specifically for the requirements of cultural institutions. It combines the versatility of a universal CMS with functions that are specially tailored to theatres, museums, opera houses and other cultural institutions.
Advantages
- Specialised design: This CMS was developed with the cultural sector in mind, which is reflected in its specific functions and design options.
- Ease of use: Despite its specialised functions, e-publisher:stage remains user-friendly so that cultural institutions can manage their content themselves without any technical hurdles.
- Integrated cultural interfaces: Seamless integration of cultural systems such as Eventim, jet ticket, Theasoft, OPAS and others enables easy event management and ticket booking.
- Specific extensions for cultural organisations: Functions such as the simple creation of events, the import and maintenance of data and the provision of various design options make e-publisher:stage an ideal solution for cultural organisations.
Disadvantages
- Availability of resources: As a specialised system, there are fewer resources and tutorials than with the more established CMS platforms.
Special features for the cultural sector
- Customisable presentation: With e-publisher:stage, cultural organisations can ensure that their digital presence accurately reflects their brand and creative offerings.
- Support and training: 3pc offers comprehensive support and training for its in-house system to ensure that cultural organisations get the most out of their CMS.
The e-publisher:stage is an ideal solution for cultural organisations looking for a bespoke digital presence that meets their specific requirements both functionally and aesthetically. Find out more about e-publisher:stage in an interview with our developer Stephan Betke.
The smooth transition to a new CMS
Deciding on a new content management system is only the first step. Transitioning to that new system can be a complex task, especially when it comes to migrating existing content and making sure everything runs smoothly. Here are some steps and considerations that cultural organisations should take into account to make the process as simple and efficient as possible:
1. pre-planning:
- Inventory: review your current website and identify any key content, features and integrations that need to be transferred.
- Define goals: Think about what you want to achieve with the new CMS. For example, do you want to improve the user experience, add new features or synchronise data?
2. data migration:
- Back up content: Back up all current content, databases and media.
- Data cleansing: This is a good opportunity to review outdated content and decide what to keep and what to discard.
- Automated and manual migration: While some content can be migrated automatically, other content may require manual customisation - especially when it comes to specialised features or integrations.
3. customisation and integration:
- Design and branding: customise the design of the new CMS to match your brand and cultural identity.
- Specialised tools: Integrate all the tools you need, from ticketing systems to event calendars.
4. testing and quality assurance:
- Functional and stress testing: ensure that all functions work as expected and that the website remains stable even under high traffic.
- Obtain feedback: Look at the website from the perspective of your visitors and gather feedback from team members and a small group of external users.
5. training and support:
- Train your team: Make sure your team is familiar with the new CMS and knows how to use it.
- Ensure ongoing support: A good CMS provider, like 3pc with e-publisher:stage, will provide ongoing support and updates to ensure your website is always up to date and secure.
Switching CMS can be a challenge, but with the right planning and support, it can also be an opportunity to revitalise your digital presence and reach your audience in new and exciting ways. Have you already decided on a CMS and still need support with the above steps? We can help you!
Conclusion
In today's digital era, a cultural organisation's online presence is not just an add-on, but often the primary showcase for its audience. The right choice of content management system can make the difference between a functional website and one that is truly the centrepiece of your digital strategy.
Key considerations
The user experience should come first. A CMS should not only make life easier for the website owner, but also provide an intuitive and engaging experience for visitors. It is also important to choose a system that is future-proof. In the ever-evolving digital landscape, a good CMS should have the ability to adapt and keep up with the latest trends. Finally, the support and community that surrounds a CMS is invaluable. Active support and an engaged user community can help with troubleshooting, further development or simply day-to-day operations.
Our recommendations
When implementing and using a CMS for your cultural organisation, there are some best practices that should be followed. It is advisable to regularly check that your CMS still meets your current requirements as both technologies and operational needs evolve. Invest in training your team to ensure you are utilising the full potential of your system. Feedback from your website visitors can be worth its weight in gold. Use it to continuously improve and optimise your digital presence. And finally: Be creative! A CMS is a powerful tool, but it's only as good as the way you use it. Think about how you can use your CMS to create unique and memorable digital experiences for your audience.
We hope you have gained a good overview of the most important CMS options for cultural organisations and that we have been able to support you on your digital journey. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. We offer a free CMS consultation or give you deeper insights into the e-publisher:stage.