CMS Market Trends: WordPress Faces Challenges as Rivals Gain Ground

The content management system (CMS) market, long dominated by WordPress, is undergoing significant shifts as competitors like Shopify, Wix, and Squarespace make strides. As of November 2024, WordPress holds 62.2% of the CMS market, but its share has contracted by nearly 5% over the past two years, according to W3Techs. This shift highlights a changing landscape, with simpler and more accessible platforms gaining traction, especially among small businesses and individual users.

With 70.2% of websites using a CMS, the market is substantial. Netcraft reports over 1.13 billion live websites, which translates to approximately 793 million CMS-powered sites. WordPress remains the largest player, powering 43.7% of all websites. However, its market share decline signals an evolution in user preferences and growing competition from other platforms.

WordPress has been the cornerstone of website development since its launch in 2003. Supported by an extensive ecosystem of plugins, themes, and third-party developers, the platform experienced remarkable growth, peaking at 65.2% market share in January 2022. However, recent years have seen a slow but steady decline, coinciding with the rise of user-friendly website builders. Platforms like Wix and Squarespace offer an all-in-one solution for small businesses, allowing users to build websites without coding or managing hosting. These features are attracting users who prioritize simplicity over customization.

SaaS-based website builders like Wix and Squarespace are rapidly gaining popularity due to their ease of use. Wix saw a 25% increase in market share between 2023 and 2024, while Squarespace grew by 3.3% during the same period. Shopify, another key player, expanded its share by 15.8%. These platforms simplify website creation, offering drag-and-drop interfaces and integrated hosting. Their appeal lies in their accessibility, particularly for small businesses and individuals looking for quick, hassle-free solutions.

Once major players, Joomla and Drupal have seen significant declines in market share. Together, they now account for just 3.6% of the CMS market, down from 15.9% in 2013. This decline can be attributed to a lack of user-friendly features and limited third-party support compared to WordPress. Meanwhile, SaaS platforms like Wix and Squarespace continue to gain traction.

In the e-commerce space, WooCommerce and Shopify dominate. WooCommerce, a WordPress plugin, commands 13.1% of the market, while Shopify holds 6.6%, making it the second-largest e-commerce platform. Shopify experienced rapid growth during the pandemic but faced a temporary decline in 2023. It has since rebounded to match its 2022 market share, showing resilience in a competitive market.

The shifting CMS landscape has implications for SEO professionals. While WordPress remains the dominant platform, the rise of competitors presents opportunities to specialize in emerging systems like Shopify, Wix, and Squarespace. Understanding the strengths and limitations of these platforms can provide a competitive edge in a crowded market. WordPress’s dominance means many professionals already service the platform, but focusing on less saturated markets could open new client opportunities.

The CMS market is evolving, driven by changing user needs and technological advancements. While WordPress remains a powerful tool for high-traffic websites, the demand for accessible, all-in-one solutions is growing. As platforms like Wix and Shopify continue to innovate, the CMS landscape will likely see further diversification. For businesses, staying informed about these trends is crucial. Whether leveraging the versatility of WordPress or the simplicity of website builders, understanding the CMS market will be key to navigating the future of digital content management.