WordPress has been a colossal force in the content management systems (CMS) market since its launch in 2003.

Holding a dominant position for over two decades, it currently commands a significant 62.2% market share, as reported by W3Techs in November 2024.

However, for the first time in years, WordPress’s share has begun to shrink, marking a pivotal moment in the CMS landscape.

Let’s dive into the numbers, the trends, and what it all means for businesses, developers, and SEO professionals.

The Size of the CMS Market

The CMS ecosystem is massive.

According to W3Techs, approximately 70.2% of websites use a CMS.

With Netcraft estimating 1.13 billion active websites globally, this translates to a staggering 793 million websites relying on a CMS to manage their content.

Of these, WordPress dominates, but it’s far from the only player in the game.

Competitors like Shopify, Wix, and Squarespace are steadily carving out their niches, and their growth trajectories are worth paying attention to.

The Top CMS Platforms of 2024

Here’s how the top CMS platforms stack up:

1. WordPress (62.2% market share, 43.7% usage): The undisputed leader, but now showing signs of contraction.

2. Shopify (6.6% market share, 4.6% usage): Popular among e-commerce businesses.

3. Wix (4.5% market share, 3.2% usage): Growing rapidly, especially among small businesses.

4. Squarespace (3.1% market share, 2.2% usage): A user-friendly option for creative professionals.

5. Joomla (2.3% market share, 1.6% usage): Once a strong contender, now in decline.

6. Drupal (1.3% market share, 0.9% usage): Favoured by high-traffic, professional sites but also shrinking.

7. Adobe Experience Manager (1.2% market share, 0.9% usage): Targeted at enterprise users.

8. Webflow (1.1% market share, 0.8% usage): Rising in popularity, especially among designers.

9. PrestaShop (1.0% market share, 0.7% usage): A go-to for ecommerce enthusiasts.

10. Google Sites (0.9% market share, 0.6% usage): Simple and effective for internal use cases.

These numbers are based on W3Techs’ data as of November 2024.

WordPress’s Evolution and Decline

WordPress peaked at a 65.2% market share in January 2022 after a decade of remarkable growth.

Between 2013 and 2022, it expanded by 148%.

But in the past two years, its share has shrunk by nearly 5%.

While this might not seem like a dramatic fall, it signals a shift in user preferences and market dynamics.

So, what’s causing WordPress’s decline? Several factors come into play:

• Complexity: While not inherently difficult to use, WordPress does require some coding knowledge and understanding of web hosting, which can deter less tech-savvy users.
• Rise of Website Builders: Platforms like Wix and Squarespace offer drag-and-drop simplicity, eliminating the need for coding and hosting setup. This appeals to small businesses and individual users who prioritise ease of use over customisation.
• Third-Party Dependency: WordPress’s strength lies in its ecosystem of plugins and themes, but managing these can be overwhelming for newcomers.

The Ascendancy of Website Builders

Wix and Squarespace are riding a wave of growth, driven by their user-friendly interfaces and integrated hosting solutions.

From 2023 to 2024:

• Wix’s market share grew by 25%, now accounting for just over 3% of all websites.
• Squarespace’s market share increased by 3.3%.

E-commerce CMS: WooCommerce vs Shopify

In the e-commerce space, WooCommerce and Shopify are the two heavyweights:

• WooCommerce: A WordPress plugin with a 13.1% market share, used by 9.2% of all websites.
• Shopify: A standalone platform with a 6.6% market share, used by 4.6% of all websites.

Why CMS Market Share Matters for SEO Professionals

For SEO experts, understanding the CMS landscape is crucial.

Each platform comes with unique challenges and opportunities:

• WordPress: Its dominance means many SEO professionals are already well-versed in optimizing WordPress sites. However, this also means higher competition among service providers.
• Shopify, Wix, and Squarespace: These platforms are gaining traction, particularly among small businesses. Specializing in these systems could set you apart from competitors.
• Niche CMS Platforms: Platforms like Joomla and Drupal may have smaller user bases, but they are often used by high-traffic, professional sites, offering lucrative opportunities for specialized expertise.

As the market shifts, so do the opportunities. The question is: are you ready to adapt and thrive?