Creating a website has become more accessible with powerful tools like WordPress and Django CMS. I’ll help you understand these platforms, offering practical advice on how to make the most of their features.
Popular content management systems (CMS) like Django CMS and WordPress dominate website development. This blog post compares both options, highlighting their key differences. Let’s dive in!
Contents
Key takeaways
- Django CMS: Open-source and written in Python, designed for creating complex websites from scratch.
- WordPress: User-friendly CMS written in PHP, ideal for creating websites and blogs with themes and plugins.
- Ease of Use: WordPress requires no coding knowledge, while Django CMS needs basic Python skills.
- Plugins and Themes: WordPress offers over 55,000 plugins and numerous themes, whereas Django CMS has fewer options.
- Security and Flexibility: WordPress is more popular but also more prone to security issues; Django CMS offers a more secure and flexible option with proper knowledge.
What is Django CMS?
Django CMS is an open-source content management system (CMS) written in Python and using the Django web framework. Created by Thomas Steinacher, it was released under a BSD license in 2007.
Django CMS stands out for its extensibility and flexibility. It’s built to integrate seamlessly into existing Django projects. The modular design lets developers create custom plugins and expand functionality as needed.
What is WordPress?
WordPress, a content management system (CMS), lets users build websites or blogs easily using pre-made themes or starting from scratch. You can use WordPress as a self-hosted platform, needing web hosting and a domain name, or choose a WordPress.com account.
After setting up your website, start creating content, adding plugins, and customizing your site to fit your needs. Using available plugins and themes, you can make your site look and work just the way you want it.
Django CMS vs WordPress: Key Differences
We’ve gone over the basics of each platform; now let’s dive into the key differences between Django CMS and WordPress.
Functionality
Django CMS is an open-source content management system that lets you create complex websites. It offers page tree management, a drag-and-drop interface, version control, and multilingual support.
WordPress is a powerful CMS offering a wide range of features. Unlike Django CMS, it requires little to no coding knowledge and includes a variety of handy tools.
Ease of Use
Both Django CMS and WordPress are easy to use, even for those without coding experience. However, Django CMS needs basic Python knowledge for customizations.
WordPress is easier to use than Django CMS since you don’t need programming skills. Just install WordPress on your hosting account, select a theme, and start creating content.
Available Plugins
One big benefit of a CMS is extending its functions with plugins. However, Django CMS has fewer plugin options compared to WordPress.
On the other hand, WordPress offers a vast plugin repository with over 55,000 plugins available. You’ll have many options to extend your website’s functionality.
Available Themes/Templates
Django CMS has limited high-quality themes and templates.
WordPress offers a larger selection of themes and templates. You can find both free and premium options.
Learning Curves
Django CMS has a bit of a learning curve since it requires basic Python knowledge. However, once you grasp it, Django CMS becomes relatively easy to use.
WordPress is simpler to use than Django CMS and doesn’t need any coding skills. If you can use a computer, you’ll find WordPress easy to handle.
Security
Both Django CMS and WordPress are secure, but WordPress has more security vulnerabilities than Django CMS.
WordPress’s popularity makes it a bigger target for hackers. However, keeping your site up to date and using a security plugin will help you avoid most security issues.
Hosting
Django CMS can be self-hosted on your server or a hosting provider.
WordPress can be self-hosted on your own server or a cloud provider. Alternatively, WordPress.com offers a hosted platform. This option simplifies use but lacks the flexibility of the self-hosted version.
Pricing
Django CMS is a free and open-source platform. However, you’ll need to pay for web hosting and a domain name.
WordPress is a free and open-source platform. However, using WordPress.com requires purchasing a hosting plan, domain name, and occasionally plugins and themes.
SEO
Both Django CMS and WordPress are good for SEO. However, WordPress excels with its built-in SEO features and plugins. Tools like Yoast and RankMath can optimize your site for search engines effectively.
Example Sites
Some popular sites on Django CMS include AAMC, L’Oreal Men, and University of Innsbruck.
WordPress powers many popular sites, like TechCrunch, Microsoft News, and Ted Blog.