In the ever-evolving digital landscape, content management systems (CMS) play a pivotal role in shaping online experiences. Seven prominent CMS, including WordPress and Wix, have been put to the test, with their performance evaluated through the lens of Core Web Vitals (CWV) scores. These scores shed light on how these CMS platforms have evolved in 2023. Notably, one CMS has unexpectedly risen to the top with remarkably strong CWV scores, reshaping the competition within the CMS ecosystem. In this comprehensive analysis, we delve into the CWV scores, performance improvements, and the broader implications for website creators and businesses.
The Core Web Vitals Report:
The HTTP Archive Core Web Vitals (CWV) report serves as our primary source of insights. This report highlights the performance benchmarks of the top seven CMS platforms, offering a glimpse into their progress in 2023. CWV scores, indicative of user experience, have been a key focus, and the results offer valuable information for website creators and developers.
Performance Metrics & Data Sources:
Our analysis is based on CWV scores spanning from January 2023 to July 2023, with the latest data available as of September 2023. Additionally, statistics regarding the percentage of websites utilizing specific CMS platforms have been sourced from the W3Techs Technology Report, ensuring a robust methodology.
Understanding Core Web Vitals:
CWV scores are calculated based on the percentage of users experiencing a satisfactory CWV experience. A score of 40% for a CMS signifies that 40% of users had a positive CWV encounter. In this context, higher percentages reflect superior CWV performance.
#7 WordPress – 32.52%: Kicking off our rankings is WordPress, the world’s most popular CMS. Despite being at the lower end of CWV performance, WordPress has made noteworthy progress. Starting the year with a score of 30.39%, it concluded the summer with a score of 32.52%, marking a commendable improvement of 2.13%. In a broader context, this 7.13% increase since January 2022 is a testament to the dedicated efforts of the WordPress Performance Team. Overcoming challenges posed by a sprawling ecosystem of plugins and themes, this achievement is a significant milestone for WordPress.
#6 Squarespace – 39.12%: Squarespace, the fourth most popular CMS, outperforms WordPress by nearly seven percentage points, securing a score of 39.12%. This represents an increase of 4.43% since the beginning of the year and a substantial 10% improvement from January 2022. Squarespace’s continued upward trajectory underscores its commitment to enhancing user experiences.
#5 Joomla – 41.76%: Joomla, the fifth most popular CMS, stands as the fifth-best performer in terms of CWV among the top seven CMS. With a solid score of 41.76%, Joomla’s performance is commendable, especially considering its status as a free open-source CMS.
#4 Drupal – 51.38%: Drupal, the sixth most utilized CMS, takes the fourth spot in CWV performance. Boasting a score of 51.38%, Drupal demonstrates that open-source projects can excel. Its impressive performance is a testament to the power of community-driven development.
#3 Wix – 55.07%: Wix, a past performance champion, continues to lead the pack in Core Web Vitals performance. Initiating the year with a score of 49.27%, Wix improved its CWV score by nearly 6%. A broader perspective reveals an extraordinary achievement, with Wix nearly doubling its CWV scores since the start of 2022. This nearly 50% improvement underscores Wix’s commitment to delivering an optimal user experience.
#2 Shopify – 56.17%: Shopify, a closed-source e-commerce platform, narrowly surpassed Wix, marking an impressive second-place finish. Notably, e-commerce sites typically struggle with CWV performance due to the complexity of features and scripts. Shopify’s accomplishment is remarkable in this context, underscoring its commitment to delivering top-notch performance to its users.
#1 Duda – 73.76%: Claiming the top position in CWV performance is Duda, setting the gold standard for the entire year. Duda began the year with a CWV rank of 70.69% and continued to enhance its scores, culminating in an additional 3.07% improvement. These real-world performance scores, impervious to manipulation, serve as a reliable indicator of Duda’s exceptional performance.
Core Web Vitals Performance:
Intriguingly, all seven content management systems exhibited year-over-year improvements in their CWV scores, a testament to their shared commitment to performance optimization. Wix, in particular, achieved an astonishing 50% performance improvement. While WordPress may find itself at the lower end of the rankings, its steady performance improvement reflects the collective dedication to enhancing user experiences across the CMS landscape.
Conclusion:
The competition among content management systems has never been more fierce, with CWV scores serving as a vital benchmark. Duda’s unyielding commitment to performance excellence has earned it the top spot, while other CMS platforms have made significant strides in delivering optimal user experiences. Ultimately, the winners in this competition are the countless publishers and online merchants who benefit from improved website performance. As CMS platforms continue to prioritize performance, the digital landscape evolves, promising even better user experiences for all.
