Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) is a cloud-based content management system that offers digital asset management solutions to its users.
Companies use it to build enterprise-grade websites and applications. AEM can be described as a conglomerate of various open-source technologies. You can use this platform on a subscription basis and the prices vary depending on what components you need.
Both AEM and WordPress make use of drag and drop features. AEM has been implementing this website-building feature long before WordPress created its Gutenberg editor. However, WordPress now offers just as many website-building features, even though it was originally built in 2003 as a blogging platform.
WordPress offers countless themes, plugins, and extra features that allow anyone to create the website of their dreams. The platform now owns a 61% share in the content management system market. It’s clear that the popularity of this content management system is enjoying an upward trend. What’s more, 51% of all websites are powered by WordPress. This just goes to show how popular the platform is for all types of businesses.
Cost
A lot of website developers don’t mind paying for their content management platform of choice. But, most people wanting to start their own website prefer free software. Luckily, WordPress is and will always be free, open-source software. This means it can cater to a wider spectrum of website owners.
WordPress remains licensed under the GNU Public License. This gives numerous developers around the world access to this software’s code. What this means is that they have free reign to improve the platform and sort out glitches as it evolves. If you want, you can make it serve virtually any digital purpose without paying a penny!
The only thing that will cost extra is if you decide to purchase paid versions of themes and plugins from the official WordPress online store. With most WordPress website add-ons, you can try out the free version first. However, paying for plugins and themes is completely optional. You also don’t need to pay anything to be able to build a visually appealing, user-intuitive website. WordPress gives you the creative freedom to design the website you envision without having to worry about hefty costs.
On the other hand, to use Adobe Experience Manager, you pay a monthly or annual subscription. This is because it is closed-source software. The price varies depending on what you want your website to do but, generally, AEM is on the more expensive side. However, the price does cover everything from licensing fees to installation costs.
Features and Functionality
When it comes to creating a versatile website, WordPress offers loads of features through its vast range of themes and plugins. Not only does WordPress offer eCommerce functionality, but it has up to 55,000 free plugins to choose from. Because of this, there are virtually no limits to what you can achieve with this content management system.
Although you can accomplish a lot with AEM too, WordPress is considered superior because it doesn’t come with a steep learning curve. With AEM, even your most experienced developers will need to put time aside to fully master the platform. When using WordPress, you can focus on building and enhancing the website of your dreams.
Of course, when using AEM, you can work with an experienced AEM developer team to help your team out when they get stuck. But, this will require more out-of-pocket expenses, which again, you won’t need when using WordPress.
AEM is best suited to a highly skilled and technically advanced team. With it, any team will be able to build single-page apps with their tools of choice. Again, WordPress offers the same functionality but makes the entire process easier for novices as well as advanced developer teams.
You can integrate both AEM and WordPress with other software, like email marketing and analytics platforms. However, with WordPress, this entire process is simplified. You can get a plugin that does almost all the integrations for you!
Ready To Migrate?
When it comes down to it, Adobe Experience Manager is expensive and takes a long time to master, even with an experienced developer team in your corner. If you need a content management system that offers a wide range of functionality, then WordPress will be able to give you that at a more affordable rate compared to AEM.
Not only is WordPress open-source, but it also offers lots of free themes and plugins. This means you have full control when it comes to your website budget. It also means that you build any website you want, with all the functionality you need!
Migration of your current AEM website to WordPress is made easy through WordHerd’s migration services. With WordHerd’s help, you can keep the look and functionality of your current site and enjoy the convenience and benefits that WordPress has to offer.