The web post/blog post I read that inspired me to write this is in Swedish, but you can use Google translate, if you like, but you’ll get the principle here. It was about an SEO-test of content management systems (CMS)performed by Jajja. I have objections and concerns.
Yes I thought, this would be interesting to read. But to my surprise, the post about the test started with describing that some CMS could not participate (the test relies on the suppliers to perform the test, which should be fine); Episerver could not. And then Jajja says that if Episerver WOULD have participated they would surely get 5 of 5 points, according to Epi themselves, since anything can be done with adjustments.
The website I work with at work is managed on Episerver, and the CMS has a lot of benefits. And yes I agree that it is flexible. BUT. It does have problems regarding SEO and some adjustments that we are seeking to address would cost us heaps, if at all possible to fix in some cases very hard to fix. Episerver leaves in may ways the customer to fix its built in problems. I hope this will change. I and my company can continue as one customer to push for changes. Of course it varies in licenses and versions how big the SEO issues might be, but there are issues.
When we went on Episerver it was definately a good choice for our situation back then (4 years ago). Unfortunately no one new so much about SEO then and it was, by many still is, thought of more as a separate thing you added on top, not like something a CMS-system should breathe and boost naturally.
Ronnestam wrote an interesting blog post about big brands and SEO and CMS. It’s food for thought.
Not that I believe we’ll transfer to a new CMS any time soon both for cost reasons and since the bulk of webs are up to 100, I just manage one, the major one. BUT. Us customers should not pay for developing what we pay for in licenses. And Jajja should be careful to give high points (if not directly then indirectly) when the CMS was not tested as the others.
Thanks for the info. I will Practice it soon
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Hi,
I like to thank you for the input. I’m Jimmy Wirsborg the tester here at Jajja.
I know that EPiServer is an expensive tool but the test doesn’t take that into account. It is possible to create a completely SEO-friendly website with EPiServer as long as you have enough cash to put into the project. I’ve been trying to make categories and give other information that tells the reader what to expect in terms of adaptability and cost. In this years test we’ve added “målgrupp”/target group of companies so the readers know if the system is more suited for a bigger or smaller company.
I’m just about to publish the e-commerce version of the test for this year and start the years CMS version of this test. If you have any more feedback which you want me to consider please feel free to mail (jimmy.wirsborg@jajja.com) or tweet me (@Feldon) or we can keep the discussion open here, I’ll tick in the e-mail me when new comments are made box.