11 French open source CMS to create a professional website
There is a wide choice of French open source CMS : Drupal, Wordpress, Plone, Joomla, Silex, Novius, Doorgets, etc. How do you choose the content management system best suited to your professional sector and your company to create your showcase site? Internet users who use this management system can use our CMS comparison to find the ideal content management systemand easily create and manage high-quality French websites.
These French open source CMSs meet a wide range of needs, depending on the site and its structures, portal, concepts, etc. Here are a few examples of software to help you find out more about the free tools available to help you create your website, so that you can implement the best possible version of your website.
CONTENTS
Definition of an open source CMS
Free software accessible to as many people as possible
An open source CMS, or " content management system", is a software package designed to manage the content of a website. Open source CMS are designed to create a website without the need for computer skills. These management tools are very practical for novices wanting to have a presence on the Net!
If you are not using a French open source CMS, the process for creating your website is as follows:
- Creating the source code from A to Z,
- Development of the expected functionalities,
- Creating a fully customised theme, or even an additional graphic design for the site,
- Content integration, web content management and back office,
- Implementing flawless security.
CMS are described as open source because they comply with criteria such as the possibility of free redistribution, access to the source code, and so on. This solution is available to everyone, free of charge, to bring your web project to fruition, with the option of paying for additional modules.
Some are equipped with a WYSIWYG editor that simulates the page of your website. The best French open source CMSs are subject to regular updates to prevent piracy, which can cost a few maintenance fees or extensions (for greater security, more themes, etc.): this is an essential criterion to help you choose your CMS.
How does this content management tool meet your expectations?
Most professionals are faced with these issues: how do I communicate on the internet when I have no knowledge of the subject?
How can I be present on digital surfaces without calling on the services of an expensive developer? This downloadable open source software is designed to save you unnecessary costs and time so that you can concentrate on creating content.
The tool takes the coding out of your hands, and helps you manage your sites, allowing you to create a professional portal easily, for small and large businesses alike. It's a way of popularising the practice, but also of publishing quickly on an e-commerce site, web applications and so on.
This reduces your communication costs, so you can invest in content, design, research and so on. Not all programmes offer the same services: there are simple made CMSs, PHP CMSs associated with the MySQL database, e-commerce CMSs, etc.
Creating a website is not enough, this CMS solution helps you to administer it without integrating the programming language, and there are many ways of doing this. We've put together a selection of 11 software packages to help you decide which CMS to choose according to your needs.
French open source CMSs designed by French developers
The evolutionary Novius OS
The open source interface is clear for multitasking. It's easy to understand and has classic management features (six languages, management of several domains, etc.).
A special feature is the 'create my application' wizard, which enables users to work independently, while allowing them to delegate the development of specific modules to a specialist.
Novius is an IT support system that provides users with a media library and backs up your workspace. Please note: the last messages on the site's forums seem to date back to 2014...
Silex, the solution that puts you on the network
This solution publishes large professional websites online in Flash 7, Flash 8 or Flash 9, formatting them in HTML and deep linking them automatically so that they are optimised for search engines.
Your technical knowledge will soon enable you to practice natural referencing for SEO too. Silex has detailed documentation, so it's easy to learn. It is constantly evolving, and you have access to its growing community of integrators, flashers and developers.
Doorgets the polyglot
Nice multilingual performance for the MysSQL PHP CMS, with 20 languages included, but the real advantage of Doorgets is its 17 responsive themes, so you can really customise your business website.
It automatically saves your progress so you can go back to the way you were.
Ametys, the programme that thought big
This multi-channel open source solution specialises in setting up large-scale, multi-contributor and multi-site web platforms. You design simple portals and content that are well referenced on search engines.
Equipped with an online calendar and a WYSIWYG content editor, the tool offers interactive digital experiences suited to all uses.
Spip, or collaborative computing
Created in 2001 on the initiative of a group advocating Internet independence, it is developed and used by a community open to all. You can categorise your rights on the website using the CMS software according to your status: visitor, editor or administrator.
The web design and graphics are attractive, and the desktop is fairly intuitive.
The best of foreign open source CMSs translated into French
Plone, the challenger among CMS
While Wordpress may be suitable for many businesses because of its popularity, Plone has a lot going for it for larger organisations, especially as Pilot Systems has made a number of improvements.
A benchmark in new technologies, the duo of experts it forms with the French CMS guarantees you first-rate support. This open source is little known in France, yet it is widely used by international companies, NGOs and community sites, since it is available in 40 languages and is highly secure.
In terms of security, Plone leaves its competitors far behind. In fact, the Plone CMS has only required 72 security updates over the last ten years, compared with 242 for Wordpress! It's also worth mentioning that WordPress (and all other php cms) also inherit vulnerabilities from php. Indeed, CVE, Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures, (a well-known site that regularly publishes information about security vulnerabilities) has identified 555 vulnerabilities in php, the language used for WordPress, compared with just 30 in python, the language used for Plone.
Plone used to have a bad reputation because of its lack of flexibility, especially when it came to learning. Times have changed: the worldwide community has grown and become very active in France. Today, this CMS is lighter than before and highly optimised. Of course, Plone is still 'heavier' than some other php-based CMSs, but it is far more powerful.
Pilot Sytems, an expert in the Plone CMS for 15 years, has contributed to improving the CMS as an active member of the community. For example, it has demonstrated its ability to integrate Plone into a complex IT system, such as the Afdas website (the training partner for professionals in the culture, communication, media and leisure sectors).
Over and above communication considerations, Pilot Systems provided Afdas with concrete, cutting-edge and expert solutions. Pilot Systems' technical experts built the business applications in total synergy with the management information system, using Python and Plone technologies.
The almighty Wordpress
A benchmark in blogging, the manufacturer has been active in the field of content management for businesses since 2005. It offers a wide range of products, from simple blogs to e-commerce platforms and public sites.
It also organises regular events to energise the community. The free programme strives for an intuitive and agile customer experience. Negative note: WordPress' great popularitymakes it a target for hackers, which means it has to be updated regularly.
The right-hand man for your e-commerce, the Drupal CMS
The most important thing to remember about this CMS software is that it supports its customers in the creation of their professional websites. This expertise makes them a good advisor for your project, with a thorough understanding of the issues involved in your business.
If you're looking for support, Drupal is the right solution for you.
Joomla, the most comprehensive software
Joomla stands out by providing a responsive, comprehensive solution that can be upgraded to suit your IT level and your needs, thanks to its many extensions. You can set up your own extension to respond more precisely to a particular project.
Several languages are available in the native open source version, a big advantage over WordPress, where you have to install plugins that are sometimes incompatible with each other.
Joomla is less vulnerable to hackers than WordPress, but remains relatively popular, which is why it also offers security extensions.
Squarespace, the merchant interface
You could say that Squarespace specialises in qualitative and functional e-commerce (clear ads, modules for promotions and prices, etc.). The CMS shines through the care taken with its elegant, uncluttered designs.
However, the choice of themes is limited to around sixty templates. The latest version of the software has improved the overly complicated editing interface and introduced the WYSIWYG system for viewing live updates.
The highly customisable MODx
MODx, which is relatively underdeveloped in France, boasts a rich, highly customisable interface for scalable content management and can be adapted to suit your use and your professional or association needs.
It complies with the latest Internet standards, and has all the basic elements required for this type of IT tool (multilingual, responsive, optimised for SEO, etc.).
Choose a scalable open source CMS with an easy-to-use interface
Don't hesitate to visit our online CMS comparator: you can compare the different advantages of each CMS in detail.
You can choose software on the basis of its options, popularity, ease of use of the interface, etc., but above all we advise you to take into account the software's ability to evolve and adapt to your business.
The idea is to be able to transform your CMS and your portal as your business grows: it would be a shame to feel bogged down by non-existent IT functions a few months down the line.
Article translated from French