Are Content Management Systems (CMS) Good for SEO in 2024?

Hey, Aaron here again for your weekly dose of web design thinking time.

This week is a bit of an important one since we mark the rollout of Google's August 2024 Core Update. As of September 2024, it's fully rolled out, and it's time to think about the changes and what they mean. 

Coupled with this, I wanted to discuss the best way to present high-quality content on your website, both for your visitors and for SEO. Should you use a static website, or does a CMS like WordPress, Squarespace, or Ghost make more sense?

And since the rollout, what does this all mean for your business? Which option is best for you?

That's what I'm deep-diving today, so let's just get straight into it.

What's The SEO Landscape in 2024?

First and foremost, Google's August Core Update for 2024.

You can read it here for yourself, but truth be told, not much has changed. It's more of a commitment to raising the bar when it comes to providing Google users (and, therefore, your visitors and potential customers) with higher-quality content and online experiences.

This comes off the back of Google’s 2022 update that aimed to overall the search aligned with the rise of AI-generated content and, most notably, the spam and low-quality content that came with it.

So, as always, high-quality content and user experience are now the golden tickets to the top of search results. 

This means avoiding the spammy tactics of keyword stuffing and shady backlink services, as well as making sure every single page and piece of content you post is the highest possible quality it can be.

Search a keyword you want to target and see what's ranking number one.

Whatever is on that page, you need to beat it, either by providing more answers, more accessibility, more interactivity, or simply better written or visual content. In your case, content that Edmontonians will love.

It also means doubling down and optimising all the standard SEO factors, which include:

• Being mobile-responsive. Every single page needs to be formatted perfectly for mobile devices (smartphones and tablets).
• Lightning-fast loading times. Every page should load in under two seconds. Every second that passes above is a large chunk of your users going elsewhere.
• A positive user experience. Whoever goes on your website needs to be able to see and use everything you have to offer with ease, as well as find their way around and discover what they're looking for quickly.
• All SEO-optimised. All the technical aspects of your website need to be polished. This includes optimising images, adding alt texts, including all relevant internal and external links, using proper HTML tags, and so on.

In short, there's a lot of work to do for most websites, and it's an ongoing process. It's crucial to keep up to date with all these pieces of the SEO puzzle, both for existing content and any future content you upload.

Which brings us around to the main topic of today's guide. Does a Content Management System (CMS) fit these goals, or is a static website a better option for helping you stay in control of your website's functionality?

CMS vs. Static Websites: What's the Difference?

A CMS is like a dynamic toolbox for your website. It lets you easily create, edit, and manage content without touching any code. 

It's like having a user-friendly control panel for your website where you can add blog posts, update product information, and tweak your design with just a few clicks.

It's a simple way to run a website and is available through platforms like Squarespace, WordPress, Shopify, Wix, and the sorts.

On the other hand, a static website is more like a printed brochure. 

The content is fixed and doesn't change unless you manually edit the HTML code. While this might sound limiting, static websites can be speedy and secure, making them a popular choice for certain types of businesses.

So, which one is right for your Edmonton business? 

That depends on your specific needs and goals. If you need a website that's easy to update and manage, a CMS is probably the way to go. 

But if you're looking for maximum speed and security, and you don't need to change your content very often, a static website might be a better fit.

CMS and SEO: The Pros

Now, the real question is, is a CMS good for SEO, or does it hold you back? 

The simple answer for static websites is that you, or your web developer, code the entire website from scratch, so you have full control over every part of it. Your SEO will be as good as you make it.

A CMS, on the other hand, has all the working parts behind the scenes and you don't have access to this, so is that a problem?

Well, it can be good and bad, depending on what you're after. Let's compare the pros and cons, starting with the pros.

• Ease of Use: Remember that business owner I mentioned earlier who is struggling with her outdated website? A CMS would have been a game-changer for her. These platforms are designed to be user-friendly, with intuitive interfaces that make it easy to create, edit, and publish content without needing a degree in computer science. It's like having your own personal web design team for cheap.
• Built-in SEO Features: Many CMS platforms come packed with SEO plugins and tools to help you optimize your content for search engines. From generating XML sitemaps to analyzing keyword density, these features make it easier to implement SEO best practices and improve your website's visibility.
• Mobile Responsiveness: Remember how I mentioned the importance of mobile-friendliness? Most modern CMS themes are built with responsive design in mind, meaning your website will automatically adapt to different screen sizes, ensuring a smooth experience for visitors on smartphones, tablets, and desktops.
• Scalability: As your Edmonton business grows, your website needs to grow with it. A CMS makes it easy to add new pages, features, and functionality without starting from scratch. This flexibility allows you to keep your site fresh and engaging, which is a big plus for both users and search engines.

CMS and SEO: The Cons

Okay, so we've talked about the good stuff, but let's be real – no system is perfect. Even with all their bells and whistles, CMS platforms have a few drawbacks that can impact your SEO efforts. Let's take a look at the flip side of the coin:

• Bloated Code and Slow Loading Times: Some CMS platforms can (depending on what you're using and how much bloat you have) generate a lot of extra code behind the scenes, slowing down your website's loading speed. And let's face it, nobody likes a slow website. Google has made it clear that page speed is a ranking factor, so if your site is lagging due to a poorly optimized theme or plugin, it could hurt your SEO. 
• Limited Control Over HTML: While CMS platforms make it easy to create and manage content, they often restrict your access to the underlying HTML code. This can make it tricky to fine-tune certain SEO elements, like meta tags and structured data, giving you an edge in search results.
• Security Vulnerabilities: Popular CMS platforms can be attractive targets for hackers. It's crucial to keep your CMS and plugins up-to-date to avoid security breaches that can harm your website and damage your reputation. 
• Plugin Overload: It's easy to get carried away with all the shiny plugins available for CMS platforms. But remember, each plugin adds more code to your site, which can slow things down. Plus, too many plugins can create compatibility issues and even security risks. 

Which Option Will Make or Break Your Success?

So, which option is best for you?

Well, the answer is it doesn't matter. Not really.

If you're using a renowned CMS, like WordPress, Squarespace, or so on, these are heavily optimized for proper SEO and won't hold you back. 43% of the entire internet is hosted on WordPress, after all.

What does matter, however, is the quality of your website and the experience you provide, which goes full circle back to the latest Google update.

As long as you're ticking all the boxes and giving people what they want in the highest possible quality in the best possible way, you'll rank high.

Whether you're using a CMS or static website doesn't matter as long as it gets the job done.

Sure, using a CMS can be taxing, especially if you're using bloated themes or a poorly-written plugin, then you'll have problems. However, poorly written HTML code that doesn't use the right tags or isn't optimized can cause the same problems.

It's all about using what works best for you. If you're hosting your website and want to do everything for yourself, a CMS makes life easy.

If you want to code and want a completely unique experience with original features, then a static website will work best. As long as you're offering a positive experience, the website will do well.

Let's break this down a little further.

Laser-Focused Local Relevance

Edmontonians are a unique bunch and they crave value in their online experience.. They're looking for businesses that understand their needs, speak their language, and offer solutions tailored to their lifestyle. Your website needs to reflect that.

For example:

• If you're a fitness studio in Edmonton, don't just talk about generic workout routines. Highlight classes inspired by the River Valley trails or offer discounts for local sports teams.
• If you're a restaurant, feature locally sourced ingredients and showcase your support for Edmonton events and charities.

User Experience that Wows

Remember, today's users are savvy. They expect a website that's not just pretty but also incredibly easy to use. For example:

• Make sure your website loads in a flash, even on slower connections. Nobody wants to wait around while your beautiful homepage loads.
• Ensure your site is a breeze to navigate on any device, from a massive desktop monitor to a tiny smartphone screen.
• Make it easy for visitors to find the information they need, whether it's your contact details, product descriptions, or hours of operation.

Content that Connects

Google's latest update has spoken: high-quality, relevant content is king. It's time to ditch the generic fluff and focus on creating content that truly resonates with your Edmonton audience.

• If you're a local bakery, don't just list your products. Share stories about your bakers, highlight seasonal ingredients, and offer recipes Edmontonians can try at home.
• If you're a service-based business, create blog posts that address common pain points your customers face and offer actionable solutions.

Mobile-First Mindset

Edmontonians are always on the go. They're checking their phones while waiting for the bus, browsing for lunch spots during their break, and researching local businesses while out and about. 

If your website isn't optimized for mobile, you're missing out on a massive opportunity.

• Make sure your website's design adapts seamlessly to different screen sizes.
• Test your site on various devices to ensure it looks and functions flawlessly.
• Consider using a mobile-first design approach, prioritizing the mobile experience and then adapting it for larger screens.

Accessibility & Security

These might not be the flashiest SEO factors, but they're absolutely crucial. An accessible and secure website not only provides a better experience for all users but also signals to Google that you're a trustworthy business.

• Ensure your website adheres to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to accommodate users with disabilities.
• Use HTTPS encryption to protect your visitors' data and boost your site's security.
• Regularly scan your website for vulnerabilities and keep your software up-to-date.

By prioritizing these key SEO factors, you'll create a website that not only ranks well in Edmonton search results but also delights your visitors and turns them into loyal customers. 

Remember, it's not just about ticking boxes for Google – it's about building a website that truly serves the needs of your local audience.

The Ignite Web Design Approach: Strapi CMS - Our Secret Weapon for Edmonton SEO

While managing a website yourself can feel like a good thing, for most businesses, it's not.

You have to learn how to code or how to use your CMS; you need to learn all the latest trends and criteria for properly designing, building, and optimizing a website, and all while you're trying to run your business.

Instead, you can leave it to the professionals and guarantee a working, functional website that looks the part and ranks well, while freeing up your time to focus on the other important areas of your business.

That's what we do here at Ignite Web Design, and we use a combination of static and CMS to bring you the best website possible.

This is all thanks to Strapi CMS.

Strapi gives us the flexibility and control we need to build websites that not only look amazing but also perform like champions in the search rankings. It's like having a custom-tailored suit instead of an off-the-rack outfit – it fits perfectly and makes you stand out from the crowd.

One of the biggest advantages of Strapi is its complete control over HTML markup. 

This means we can fine-tune every aspect of your website's code to ensure it's optimized for search engines, from meta tags to structured data. It's like having a direct line to Google, whispering all the right keywords and signals to boost your rankings.

But it's not just about SEO. Strapi's lightweight codebase and focus on security mean your website will be lightning-fast and protected from those pesky hackers. 

Remember those slow loading times and potential vulnerabilities we talked about earlier? 

With Strapi, those worries are a thing of the past.

And because we're an Edmonton-based company, we understand the unique challenges and opportunities facing local businesses. 

We use Strapi to build websites that are not only visually appealing but also tailored to the specific needs of the Edmonton market. Whether you're a trendy boutique on Whyte Ave, a family-owned restaurant in Mill Woods, or a tech startup in the ICE District, we've got you covered.

Conclusion

The SEO landscape is evolving, and in 2024, it's all about creating a website that truly delights both your visitors and those finicky search engine algorithms. While the technology and trends will change over time, these foundations will likely stay the same.

At Ignite Web Design, we're passionate about helping Edmonton businesses thrive online, whatever you, your visitors, and the search engines are looking for.

We leverage the power of Strapi to build custom websites that are not only visually stunning but also optimized for search engines, mobile-friendly, and tailored to the unique needs of the local market.

If you're ready to take your online presence to the next level and dominate the Edmonton search scene, we'd love to chat. 

Reach out to us today for a free consultation and discover how we can help you achieve your digital visions.