Articles - Page 134

<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/critics/andycohen">Andy Cohen</a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/critics/deane"> </a>is the founding architect of Sitecore XM Cloud. He is VP/Chief Architect at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.altudo.co/">Altudo</a>, and a CMS Critic contributor. <hr /> When people talk about personalization, they often mean “the right content to the right person at the right time.” That idea is now past tense.I have watched this shift play out up close, from <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/sitecore">Sitecore’s</a> early rules-based personalization, through <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/contentstack">Contentstack’s</a> use of edge-based personalization in a composable architecture, to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/optimizely">Optimizely’s</a> launch of Opal, a system of marketing AI agents. Personalization no longer stops at swapping content on a page. It now reaches into the interaction itself, and soon, into the relationships agents form with one another.<h3 id="when-agents-adapt-to-us">When Agents Adapt to Us</h3>That shift, from “what” to “how,” is where the major CMS players are already moving, and you can see it in the different bets they're making:<ul><li>Contentstack has put its weight behind <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/livin-on-the-edge-contentstacks-new-adaptive-dxp-might-just-rock-your-world">EDGE</a>, which they call a hyper-personalization platform. It blends their headless CMS with a real-time CDP, AI, and automation. The goal is simple but ambitious: deliver one-to-one experiences in the moment and at scale. Because it is composable, brands can adapt interactions without locking themselves into rigid patterns. What strikes me about EDGE is that it reframes personalization as something continuous, not a campaign you set and forget.</li><li>Optimizely has taken another route with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/optimizely-opal-gets-supercharged-for-agentic-ai-powering-infinite-use-cases-for-marketers">Opal</a>. Instead of a single assistant, Opal is built as a collection of agents that act like members of a marketing team. There is a campaign manager agent, a personalization advisor, a market researcher, and more. With the 2.0 release, Optimizely put the emphasis on letting these agents collaborate and run multi-step workflows across content, data, and experimentation. I have seen teams spend weeks coordinating those same steps manually. Opal hints at a world where marketing execution is handled by an ensemble of digital teammates who can plan, act, and adjust together.</li><li>Sitecore has focused on bringing assistance directly into daily work. Through <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sitecore.com/products/sitecore-stream">Stream</a>, they have introduced AI copilots that support authors and marketers in real time as they draft and optimize campaigns. On top of that, Sitecore’s partnership with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/sitecore-sharpens-ai-focus-with-strategic-partnership-and-new-leadership-appointments">Gradial</a> shows how agentic workflows can extend into campaign execution. It is not just about smarter editors or quicker drafts. It is about agents that can carry intent through to delivery and adapt along the way. For a company that has lived for years in the world of static content publishing, that is a meaningful step forward.</li></ul>None of these approaches feels like a gimmick.They are different answers to the same problem: personalization is no longer about what content you are shown, it is about how the interaction unfolds. Whether that happens through hyper-personalization at the edge, through orchestrated marketing agents, or via copilots and execution partners, the shift is real and already in motion.<h3 id="what-nondeterminism-really-means">What Nondeterminism Really Means</h3>Most software behaves like math: 2 + 2 always equals 4. Generative AI does not. Ask it to draft a thank-you note and you will get three different answers, all plausible, none identical. That variability is what we call nondeterminism.It is the very thing that makes AI feel creative, but also the reason it needs personalization to stay useful. As <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://parivedasolutions.com/perspectives/managing-the-non-deterministic-nature-of-generative-ai/">Pariveda Solutions points out</a>, nondeterminism is what makes AI flexible and creative, but it also introduces governance challenges that remain unresolved. In my own work with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/getting-loud-with-xm-cloud-sitecore-reports-100-growth-of-its-ai-powered-cloud-based-cms">XM Cloud,</a> I have seen how unpredictable outcomes can be a feature if the system adapts well – and a liability if it does not.<h3 id="when-agents-adapt-to-each-other">When Agents Adapt to Each Other</h3>The next frontier is agents adapting not just to us but to each other. Nondeterminism multiplies when two autonomous systems interact. They need ways to converge on workable outcomes.Sometimes that looks like adjusting communication style, where one agent is structured and terse, another free-form and verbose. Sometimes, it means learning to accept differences in task style, such as fast approximation versus cautious step-by-step reasoning. Other times it's about role negotiation: who leads, who validates, who escalates.And sometimes it is memory. Agents do not just adapt in the moment; they remember. That memory can look like a grudge. A search agent that hallucinated last time will get fact-checked the next. A procurement agent that botched a deal may face stricter oversight. Even first impressions stick. If an agent’s very first hand-off is sloppy, the other agent may never fully trust it, no matter how good the later work becomes.Humans behave the same way. In corporate life, one bad kickoff meeting can color a partnership for months. Agents will carry those patterns too.<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.deepset.ai/blog/ai-agents-and-deterministic-workflows-a-spectrum"> Deepset calls this the “spectrum of determinism to nondeterminism</a>.” I call it relationship management.<h3 id="everyday-illustrations">Everyday Illustrations</h3>Picture a grocery agent told to buy apples if they are $0.99 a pound. A deterministic system comes back empty because they are $1.09. An adaptive one checks with you, “They are a little higher today. Should I buy anyway?” That is useful, until the store’s own agent learns to nudge yours into paying even more.Or ride-hailing. You set a $20 target. The price surges to $23. Do you want your agent to decline, wait, or decide on its own? What happens when the ride-share’s agent starts upselling yours into priority pickup at $28?Or travel. You say, “Book me a flight under $500.” The system finds none. A flexible agent returns with, “There is one at $525 with better times. Should I grab it?” Helpful, but it shows how quickly rules can bend.In the enterprise, this gets thornier. Procurement policies might cap software licenses at $50 per seat. A deterministic agent halts the deal. A personalized one negotiates to $55 and closes it. That looks like a win until you realize the vendor’s agent deliberately anchored higher, knowing yours would flex upward.Healthcare raises the stakes even more. You ask for an appointment with your doctor next week. A rigid agent says none available. A personalized one offers a nurse practitioner tomorrow or a specialist in two weeks. That looks like a better experience, but it could also push you toward higher-margin services instead of the care you really wanted.<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.salesforce.com/blog/deterministic-ai/">Salesforce has written about this exact problem</a> of when to script agents tightly and when to let them roam. I see it every day in delivery projects. Too rigid and you frustrate users. Too loose and you open the door to manipulation.<h3 id="agents-that-carry-“you”-with-them">Agents That Carry “You” With Them</h3>Now push it further. Imagine your agent not only executes tasks but carries your personality footprint into every interaction. If you are cost-sensitive, it pushes harder. If you are time-poor, it pays more for speed. If you are detail-driven, it double-checks everything.What if you could swap personas entirely?<ul><li>"Frugal Andy" does the grocery shopping</li><li>"Executive Andy" books the flights</li><li>"Playful Andy" explores games and hobbies.</li></ul>Your agent would not only personalize to you. It would personalize as you.But there is risk in this. If the other agent knows who you are or which persona you are using, it can adapt back. That can be powerful when aligned with your goals, but it can also be exploited. Imagine a vendor agent that recognizes executive mode and steers you toward premium packages.This is not hypothetical. Optimizely’s Opal agents already act like different team members depending on context. Contentstack’s Brand Kit lets you define voice profiles and store guidelines so that every AI-generated artifact reflects your identity. Sitecore’s Stream copilots are designed to guide content creators in real time, aligning their work with brand and role expectations.These are early signals of a future where agents carry pieces of us, including quirks, preferences, and even biases, into every exchange.<h3 id="why-this-matters">Why This Matters</h3>This is why nondeterminism is not a flaw but the feature. Deterministic systems did not need personalization. There was only one output. Nondeterministic systems can go in many directions, and personalization is what prevents chaos.The best metaphor I know is jazz. Musicians improvising do not know exactly where the others will go. They adapt, they respond, they personalize their playing to the group. The music works not because it is scripted but because the players trust each other enough to bend and flex.<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/quantumblack/our-insights/seizing-the-agentic-ai-advantage">McKinsey has argued</a> that this adaptability is the defining advantage of agentic AI. From what I have seen in publishing systems, SaaS cost optimization, and large-scale CMS migrations, I agree. The resilience comes not from rigid plans but from the ability to adapt in context.<h3 id="what-leaders-should-prepare-for">What Leaders Should Prepare For</h3>Leaders should focus on their readiness in key areas. For example, trust frameworks must extend beyond human-agent interactions into agent-to-agent ecosystems. Standards cannot stay as fixed APIs; they need flexibility built in. Identity management has to protect personality profiles and alter egos from misuse. And agents must be able to remember not just what they did for us, but how they worked with others.<h3 id="the-future-of-personalization">The Future of Personalization</h3>Personalization started with content. It evolved into experiences. Now, it is moving into interactions – first with humans and then with other agents.If we get this right, nondeterminism will not be something to suppress. It will be the source of resilience, adaptability, and creativity. The companies that thrive will not just personalize their websites. They will personalize their agents. Those agents will adapt to us, and to each other, in ways that reflect who we are or even who we choose to be.And like humans, they will remember. First impressions will matter. Grudges may form. And relationships between agents will start to look a lot like relationships between people. <hr /><h3 id="upcoming-events">Upcoming Events</h3> <img style="width:31.61%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/storyblok-joyconf-2025-logo.jpg" /><h4 id="storyblok-joyconf-2025"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://joyconf.storyblok.com/">Storyblok JoyConf 2025</a></h4>October 14-15, 2025 – Amsterdam, Netherlands November 4, 2025 – New York, NY November 6, 2025 – Los Angeles, CAJoin us at JoyConf 2025, where the future of content meets the people shaping it. Built for developers, marketers, and digital innovators, this free conference goes way beyond product updates or yet another strategy playbook. It’s where you’ll get inspired, get real, and get connected – to ideas, to the community, and to what’s possible when you build joyfully. Whether you're building lightning-fast frontends or launching cross-channel campaigns, this is where content becomes connection and collaboration becomes second nature. Come for the talks. Stay for the community. Leave with joy. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://joyconf.storyblok.com/">Save your spot.</a> <img style="width:28.9%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/sitecore-symposium-2025.jpg" /><h4 id="sitecore-symposium-2025"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">Sitecore Symposium 2025</a></h4>November 3-5, 2025 – Orlando, FLAt Sitecore Symposium, you’ll learn how to meet your customers where they are – across channels, moments, and touchpoints that didn’t exist a year ago. You’ll hear how the boldest brands in the world are transforming content into outcomes and creating experiences that are fast, relevant, and human. Join 1,500 marketers, digital leaders, and technologists in Orlando to see what’s possible when personalization scales, AI accelerates creativity, and trust becomes your competitive edge. This is the Third Wave of the Internet. And this is your moment to lead in it. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">Get your tickets today.</a> <img style="width:31.44%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/cms-kickoff-2026-logo.png" alt="" /><h4 id="cms-kickoff-2026"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff26">CMS Kickoff 2026</a></h4>January 13-14, 2026 – St. Petersburg, FLMeet industry leaders at our fourth annual CMS Kickoff – the industry's premier global CMS event. Similar to a traditional kickoff, we reflect on recent trends and share stories from the frontlines. Additionally, we will delve into the current happenings and shed light on the future. Prepare for an unparalleled in-person CMS conference experience that will equip you to move things forward. This is an exclusive event – space is limited, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff26">so secure your tickets today.</a>

Agent-to-Agent Personalization: Trust, First Impressions, and the 'Grudge' Factor

andycohen

Despite being just a little over half-way through, 2014 has already been an eventful year for CMS Critic.
Mike and I have had the pleasure of visiting Paris, Amsterdam and Basel in recent months, courtesy of <a href="http://www.jahia.com/home" target="_blank"> Jahia</a>, <a href="http://www.onehippo.org/" target="_blank"> Hippo</a> and <a href="http://www.magnolia-cms.com/" target="_blank"> Magnolia</a> respectively. Each were friendly, hospitable hosts.
Not only did we get to meet some awesome attendees and executives on our travels, but we also got to cover three exciting conferences. As always, we kept everybody updated through the blog, along with <a href="https://twitter.com/cmscritic" target="_blank">live-tweeting</a> and even <a href="https://vine.co/u/1093595208270131200" target="_blank">live-vining</a>.
Here's a recap of everything that went down.
<h2>Jahia One – Paris, France</h2>
In February 2014, Mike, his wife <a href="http://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/" target="_blank">Karlynn</a> and myself all made our way to Paris for Jahia's first ever international conference – <a href="http://www.jahiaone.com/home" target="_blank"> Jahia One</a>.
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/louvre700x0.png" alt="Paris" /> 
Paris is steeped in history, so we has a great time touring the Louvre Museum as well as climbing the Eiffel Tower. Our main attraction though, was Jahia's two-day event.
Perhaps the most exciting part of the conference was hearing about what Jahia has planned for <a href="/jahia-announce-the-release-of-jahia-7/" target="_blank">Jahia 7</a>, along with their announcement of <a href="/jahia-reveal-portal-factory-release-date/" target="_blank">Portal Factory</a>. Mike also got a chance to discuss the latest happenings with <a href="/interview-with-emmanuel-garcin-of-jahia/" target="_blank">Jahia's Emmanuel Garcin</a>.
We live-tweeted the Jahia One conference using the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?f=realtime&amp;q=%23JahiaOne&amp;src=typd" target="_blank">#JahiaOne</a> hashtag, and you can also find our full blog coverage of the two-day event below:
<ul>
<li><a href="/jahiaone-paris-jahia-shines-in-the-city-of-light/" target="_blank">JahiaOne Paris – Jahia Shines in the City of Light </a></li>
<li><a href="/jahia-one-day-one-jahia-7-glowing-feedback-and-more/" target="_blank">Jahia One, Day One: Jahia 7, Glowing Feedback, and More </a></li>
<li><a href="/jahia-one-day-two-jahia-7-release-date-demos-surprises/" target="_blank">Jahia One, Day Two: Jahia 7 Release Date, Demos &amp; Surprises </a></li>
<li><a href="/jahiaone-day-two-the-opening-keynote/" target="_blank">JahiaOne Day Two – The Opening Keynote </a></li>
<li><a href="/jahia-one-observations-of-an-attendee/" target="_blank">Jahia One: Observations of an Attendee </a></li>
</ul>
<h2>Hippo Get Together – Amsterdam, Netherlands</h2>
In May 2014, Mike and I made our way to a beautiful, sunny Amsterdam for <a href="http://www.onehippo.com/en/about/events/hippo-gettogether-2014.html" target="_blank">The Hippo Get Together 2014</a>.
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/img_6470700x0.jpg" alt="Amsterdam" /> 
Amsterdam took us by surprise. The city was clean as a whistle, the people were friendly, and getting around seemed so easy thanks to the compact nature of the canal-filled city.
Hippo's annual Get Together was a one-day event, with news regarding <a href="http://www.onehippo.org/library/essentials/hippo-developer-essentials.html" target="_blank">Hippo Essentials</a> taking centre stage.
We also got to meet with some of Hippo's executives, who filled us in on the impressive work Hippo had been doing with the Netherlands' police force. Their story of open-source-based community service was inspiring. I covered it as a <a href="/how-open-source-software-transformed-a-nations-police-force/" target="_blank">victory for open-source software</a>.
Along with my article on Hippo's contribution to the Netherlands' police force, we live-tweeted the event using the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?f=realtime&amp;q=%23hgt14&amp;src=typd" target="_blank">#HGT14</a> hashtag, and covered the day through the blog post below:
<ul>
<li><a href="/looking-back-on-the-hippo-get-together-2014/" target="_blank">Looking Back on The Hippo Get Together 2014 </a></li>
<li><a href="/how-open-source-software-transformed-a-nations-police-force/" target="_blank">How Open Source Software Transformed a Nation's Police Force </a></li>
</ul>
<h2>Magnolia Conference – Basel, Switzerland</h2>
For our third trip, Mike and I made our way to Basel, Switzerland, for <a href="http://www.magnolia-cms.com/conference.html" target="_blank">Magnolia's fifth annual conference</a>.
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/img_6917700x0.jpg" alt="Basel" />
Surprised by the hot and humid Basel weather, we enjoyed our stay along the Rhine River, taking in some scenic views.
We were invited to Magnolia's headquarters prior to the two-day event, where we caught up with <a href="/interview-with-boris-kraft-cto-of-magnolia/" target="_blank">Boris Kraft</a> and discussed the days ahead. <a href="/magnolia-conference-2014-reflections-of-an-attendee/" target="_blank">Magnolia 5.3</a> had just been released, so there was plenty to talk about. The event itself was bubbly and inclusive – especially due to the unconference activities.
On top of live-tweeting (and <a href="https://vine.co/u/1093595208270131200" target="_blank">live-vining</a>) from the event via the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?f=realtime&amp;q=%23mconf14&amp;src=typd" target="_blank">#MConf14</a> hashtag, we also covered the conference in detail below:
<ul>
<li><a href="/magnolia-conference-2014-reflections-of-an-attendee/" target="_blank">Magnolia 5.3 Blends CXM with CMS to Deliver Best of Breed Software </a></li>
<li><a href="/day-one-of-magnolia-conference-2014-personalization-apps-a-roundtable/" target="_blank">Day One of Magnolia Conference 2014: Personalization, Apps &amp; A Roundtable </a></li>
<li><a href="/day-two-of-magnolia-conference-2014-the-unconference/" target="_blank">Day Two of Magnolia Conference 2014: The Unconference </a></li>
</ul>
So, our 2014 has been pretty eventful so far, and there's no denying that Mike and I have enjoyed every minute of it. Naturally, we're grateful for the hospitality of Jahia, Hippo and Magnolia, and we hope to see their friendly faces at each of their next buzzing conferences.
However, CMS Critic isn't quite done with 2014.
There's room for a few more hefty chapters, and with the <a href="https://www.cmscritic.com/cms-critic-awards/" target="_blank">2014 CMS Awards opening its doors to nominations</a>, there's plenty to look forward to.

CMS Critic on Tour: Paris, Amsterdam & Basel

mike-johnston

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.phpfox.com/">Moxi9</a> – which <a href="/phpfox-rebrands-to-moxi9-reveals-pricing-changes/">recently re-branded from PHPFox</a> – has announced enterprise services for clients with large scale projects.This enterprise solution is now being offered alongside the classic PHPFox solution, which received a <a target="_blank" href="http://moxi9.com/phpfox/pricing">sizeable price cut</a> along with the re-branding.Moxi9 have revealed that their goal with this new enterprise service is to facilitate a close relationship between them and their enterprise clients, bringing their ideas to life in the process.The enterprise solution is aimed at those looking for custom modules, unique themes, migrating servers or to even manage an array of load balanced servers to keep sites running smoothly.<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/moxi9700x0.png" /> Here's what the Moxi9 Enterprise solution can bring enterprise clients:<ul><li>Brand integration</li><li>Dedicated 24/7 support</li><li>Data migration</li><li>Custom development</li><li>Load balancing</li><li>Product upgrades</li><li>Creative design</li><li>Product installation</li></ul>For the full details, on Moxi9's new enterprise solution, check out their <a target="_blank" href="http://moxi9.com/announcement/introducing-enterprise-services">announcement</a>, and their new <a target="_blank" href="http://moxi9.com/enterprise">enterprise page</a>.To build your very own social network, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.phpfox.com/">sign up with PHPFox today</a>.

Moxi9 Introduces Enterprise Services

If you use WordPress, you may be interested in testing out the first beta of next months upcoming WordPress 4.0 release.
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/wordpress-logo-stacked-rgb.png" />
Beta 1 has been released today and the list of changes is rather impressive. Here's a breakdown of what you can expect from the upcoming release:
<ul>
<li>Previews of embedding via URLs in the visual editor and the “Insert from URL” tab in the media modal. Try pasting a URL (such as a WordPress.tv or YouTube video) onto its own line in the visual editor.</li>
<li>The Media Library now has a “grid” view in addition to the existing list view. Clicking on an item takes you into a modal where you can see a larger preview and edit information about that attachment, and you can navigate between items right from the modal without closing it.</li>
<li>We’re freshening up the plugin install experience. You’ll see some early visual changes as well as more information when searching for plugins and viewing details. (#28785, #27440)</li>
<li>Selecting a language when you run the installation process.</li>
<li>The editor intelligently resizes and its top and bottom bars pin when needed. Browsers don’t like to agree on where to put things like cursors, so if you find a bug here, please also let us know your browser and operating system.</li>
<li>We’ve made some improvements to how your keyboard and cursor interact with TinyMCE views such as the gallery preview. Much like the editor resizing and scrolling improvements, knowing about your setup is particularly important for bug reports here.</li>
<li>Widgets in the Customizer are now loaded in a separate panel.</li>
<li>We’ve also made some changes to some formatting functions, so if you see quotes curling in the wrong direction, please file a bug report.</li>
</ul>
To get more information on this release, read <a href="http://wordpress.org/news/2014/07/wordpress-4-0-beta-1/">this post</a> on WordPress.org

Check out the upcoming WordPress 4.0

<a href="http://www.uplandsoftware.com/" target="_blank"> Upland Software</a> have announced that its web content management system, <a href="http://www.clickability.com/" target="_blank"> Clickability</a>, has been issued patent <a href="http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&amp;Sect2=HITOFF&amp;p=1&amp;u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&amp;r=1&amp;f=G&amp;l=50&amp;co1=AND&amp;d=PTXT&amp;s1=Chourey.INNM.&amp;OS=IN/Chourey&amp;RS=IN/Chourey" target="_blank">8,626,913</a> by the US Patent Office.
Founded in 1999, Clickability is a leading software-as-a-service (SaaS) WCM that helps enterprises efficiently manage content globally for all web, mobile, and social initiatives.   
 The patent in question is for a feature set within Clickability’s website personalization and targeting solution, Website Marketing Acceleration (WMA). The feature allows marketers to configure and test web visitor segmentation and profiling rules, and then apply these rules in a test setting using pre-built target personas.
In other words – together with the broader features of WMA – the feature helps marketers to target the right content to the right person at the right time. 
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/click.png" alt="Clickability" />
<h2>Audience Segmentation &amp; Progressive Profiling</h2>
Here's an overview of what enhancements this new patented feature brings to WMA:
<ul>
<li>Audience Segmentation: Marketers can define any number of audience segments however they wish, including by geography, industry, job function, company size, etc. Users create segment rules so that only the correct, targeted questions are asked of a visitor in a specific segment. </li>
<li>Lead scoring: Marketers score leads based on visitor data and activity on the website.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Profile Level: Marketers establish profile levels defined by aspects such as a visitor’s lead score and how much information is known about a visitor. Visitor information can be gathered explicitly (gather data by requesting information as visitors download content) or implicitly.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Progressive Profiling: Marketers establish gates (questions via forms that visitors must complete) for accessing content based on profile level. For example, visitors in profile level one with a lead score of 10 will receive different gates, or questions, than visitors with a lead score of 30 in profile level two.</li>
<li>Marketers can create a Resource Portfolio where visitors can save content and where marketers can add additional content.</li>
<li>Marketers can import data into WMA from any source, and aggregate visitor information from WMA into marketing automation and CRM platforms.</li>
</ul>
Regarding the news, Noah Logan, General Manager of Clickability, made these comments:
<blockquote>
“Seventy percent of the B2B buyer’s journey is complete before even engaging with a vendor, and 87% of B2B buyers say that content has an impact on vendor selection.
 There’s no doubt that for B2B marketers, the most critical investment they’ll make is in providing an engaging, effective digital content experience. Leveraging Clickability’s powerful, flexible content management platform, our WMA solution provides marketers with the easiest, most effective way to target their website content and provide truly personalized experiences. 
As a result, they can accelerate the process of moving anonymous website visitors through the marketing funnel to become qualified sales leads.”
</blockquote>
To find out more about Clickability, check out their <a href="http://www.clickability.com/" target="_blank"> official website</a>.

Clickability Issued Fourth Patent for Website Personalization & Targeting Solution

<a href="http://www.wix.com/" target="_blank">Wix</a>, the hugely popular website builder, has released <a href="http://www.wix.com/lphtml/shoutout" target="_blank">Wix ShoutOut</a>. Their first implementation using their recently announced <a href="http://globenewswire.com/news-release/2014/05/15/636828/10081896/en/Wix-Announces-New-WixHive-API-Mobile-Sonic-Technology.html" target="_blank">WixHive API</a>.
ShoutOut is an integrated newsletter app, allowing small to medium-sized businesses to reach out to their customer and client base without the need to include third-party services.
Using Wix ShoutOut, users can quickly piece together beautiful newsletters containing updates and promotions, before sending them to their email list.
As always, Wix are keeping things simple, by housing Wix ShoutOut inside the Wix backend, so users can manage their newsletter campaigns with ease.
<a href="http://www.wix.com/lphtml/shoutout" target="_blank"><img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/wix_so700x0.png" alt="Wix ShoutOut" /></a> 
Users can choose from pre-designed newsletter styles, add their content, specify the email addresses they wish to include, and then hit send. Not only will that newsletter reach the recipients inbox, but it can also be shared on social media. Plus, each style maintains its beauty across all devices.
The release of ShoutOut will certainly make small to medium-sized businesses take notice. ShoutOut is precisely the kind of feature which businesses need to create, manage and grow their presence online.
Wix users can now access the ShoutOut app by going to “My Account“, “Manage and Edit Your Site” and then “Add Business Apps“. Wix ShoutOut can then be found and added quickly and easily.
To try Wix ShoutOut, sign up to create your <a href="http://www.wix.com/" target="_blank">free Wix website today</a>.
You can also explore more of <a href="/products/wix/" target="_blank">Wix via our CMS Directory</a>.

Wix ShoutOut Goes Live

<a href="http://www.wix.com/" target="_blank">Wix</a> is a popular, cloud-based website builder which powers millions of websites worldwide. 
 With Wix, individual users and business owners can create a beautiful, professional web presence – with no coding skills required.  
 Founded in 2006, Wix has over 550 employees, boasting five offices across the globe. Recently, I got the chance to chat with the Director of Communications at Wix, Eric Mason. We spoke about what Wix offers, how it stands out in a competitive market, and even managed to find out some of Eric's favourite Wix-powered websites.
<h2>The Interview</h2>
<h3>1. Please tell us a bit about yourself and your background as well as how you came to be at Wix.</h3>
I came to Wix from my own small business, Wigdawg Marketing and Communications, where I helped organizations, small businesses and non-profits shape their message and brand, and then get online to launch their companies, drive sales, build community, motivate and educate. 
During that time I was lucky enough to build and design sites on nearly every major platform as well as coding sites from scratch too. 
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/eric_mason_color350x0.jpg" alt="Eric Mason" />
In March of 2012 Wix launched the industry’s first HTML5 editor, a true WYSIWYG drag-and-drop web canvas that allowed for maximum flexibility without the need for coding. I knew immediately it was going to be a game changer. I’d spent years watching first-hand as frustrated entrepreneurs and small businesses had to be satisfied with either limited blocky template style builders, or forced to spend significant resources in money, time or technical education (and often all three) to truly launch their vision on the web.    
I had a real desire to continue to work with, and provide meaningful solutions for entrepreneurs, non-profits, small businesses, students, etc… who aspire to share their vision and dreams. Wix provides me that opportunity each and every day. 
<h3>2.What is Wix?</h3>
Wix.com is a leading cloud-based web development platform with over 50 million registered users worldwide. Built around our industry leading HTML5 drag-and-drop editor, Wix offers a true What-You-See-Is-What-You-Get (WYSIWYG) creative environment where users can create their unique web presence all without need for coding or technical expertise. 
Because Wix is built in layers it’s something more powerful than a “template” site builder (though we’ve 100’s of beautifully designed templates) and is increasingly becoming a one-stop shop small businesses with integrated ecommerce, business management tools, marketing and contact management capabilities, and a vibrant app market eco-system.  
 Wix was founded on the belief that the Internet should be accessible to everyone to develop, create and contribute. Through free and premium subscriptions, Wix empowers millions of businesses, organizations, professionals and individuals to take their businesses, brands and workflow online. The Wix Editor and highly curated App Market enable users to build and manage a fully integrated and dynamic online presence. Wix's headquarters are in Tel Aviv with offices in San Francisco, New York, Vilnius and Dnepropetrovsk.
<h3>3.What is your personal favorite feature of Wix?</h3>
I get really excited about new features. Like, little kid excited. Part of this is because I know how difficult they are to build and execute. This experience is magnified when, for example in the case of our recently announced animations or anchors feature, I see how fun and easy our developers and engineers have made the process for users. Drag, drop, click, customize, go! The delight factor for me is really high because I know it’s going to be off the charts for our users.  
 My favorite feature recently was the launch of our new “beyond responsive” mobile solution. Everyone is considering mobile these days as more and more of our screen time is spent on our phones and on the go devices. Our team developed an algorithm that converts the full sized version of your HTML5 website into a mobile optimized version in a single click. We then allow you to enter a mobile editor and hide and manipulate elements of the mobile version customizing it even further for your mobile visitors. Your full size site remains unchanged in this process. 
 We do all this while maintaining a single source code making it great for SEO too.  It’s a unique and nuanced solution. While lots of platforms give you responsive sites by simply re-stacking blocks of content, the Wix mobile solution allows true flexibility and freedom to shape the mobile experience for your users. That’s powerful and is directly in line with our overarching goals for any product or feature we release. 
<h3>4.What differentiates Wix from the other website builders on the market?</h3>
Wix is a significantly different product and company than anything else on the market for several reasons. We’re a product and technology driven company, and were also user and customer focused in everything we do. As I mentioned earlier Wix is the only real fully flexible drag-and-drop editor on the market. Wix has hundreds of beautifully designed templates but we’re unlike any template site builder. 
 While all the others are built in blocks limiting creative expression, or needing extensive code, time, resources to customize, Wix and the Wix Editor are built in layers, fully flexible, and fully customizable. It’s more than just a technical difference but a philosophy of giving users the most robust tools without the need for coding. You see this cascade throughout the organization and right into the sites that are designed by our users too. People build amazingly unique, beautiful and functional websites when given the tools to do so.  
 As a technology company Wix has a rapid and ambitious continuous development methodology and roadmap. This is supported by an R&amp;D methodology where developers, who represent 50% of the total employee base, have complete ownership and ongoing responsibility for monitoring and improving the new features they create. This enables Wix to stay on top of a constantly changing technological landscape and quickly commoditize the continuous innovation in web design and interaction into new features offered to users.  
 As a customer focused company, this continuous development cycle is tied closely to our users feedback, support infrastructure and community. Our constant advancement and improvements to the platform are a direct reflection of listening and interacting closely and continually with our users. 
<h3>5.What kind of customers choose Wix as their website builder of choice?</h3>
We see all types of small businesses, artists, photographer, students, solo-preneurs, etc… gravitate towards Wix. Of course we fit a real need for those looking to do-it-themselves, but need to have a fully functional, scalable, beautiful and professional web presence. 
Ecommerce is critical for many of these businesses and in addition to our easy to use native Ecommerce engine; Wix has several other options through the app market. What this means is any business can design their site and then pick a suite of apps, Ecommerce to social and more that fit their specific needs.  
 We’re also seeing an increasing number of more experienced and tech-savvy web folks migrating to Wix as they come to discover the power of our drag-and-drop editor to build quickly and easily. That’s exciting to see. Website designers and developers are showing up too. If I’d had Wix’s HTML5 editor back when I was running my own businesses building sites for clients I could have easily tripled or quadrupled my business overnight. Others are figuring this out as well and we’re seeing more and more web professionals leveraging our tools for their clients.   
<h3>6. What are some examples of the best Wix built websites out there? Please share links.</h3>
As mentioned above, all sorts of people build websites and manage their businesses with Wix. We just crossed the 50 million-user milestone and highlighted 50 great websites to celebrate.  Check those out <a href="http://www.wix.com/blog/2014/06/flaunting-50m-users-with-50-kick-ass-wix-sites/" target="_blank">here</a>. 
 On our Explore Page you’ll also find examples of great Wix built site.
 Finally, we publish an ongoing series called “<a href="http://www.wix.com/blog/?s=Own+it!" target="_blank">Own it!</a> Our Template Your Website” where we show the amazing flexibility of the Wix editor by highlighting a variety of websites all created from a single template. As the evidence shows, Wix users were able to use any single template to design individual and powerful sites with a distinct vibe. 
<h3>7. What types of integrations does Wix provide with other platforms (ecommerce, analytics, etc.)?</h3>
Wix launched its <a href="http://www.wix.com/app-market/" target="_blank">App Market</a>, just a few months after the HTML5 editor in 2012. The Wix third party SDK – see dev.wix.com – allows any developer to seamlessly integrate their HTML5 apps into Wix platform via the Wix App Market. Once integrated, our users can add these third party apps to their personal websites. 
 To date we have more than 200 curated native and third party apps that greatly expand the capacity of Wix built sites. Some of the more popular apps include, Google Apps, 123Contact, Search, Instagram, Google analytics, Shopify and Ecwid Ecommerce packages, chat and social apps, business management apps, and many more.  
 With more than 50 new apps in the pipeline, expanded functionality is coming online all the time. And of course, we insist all apps in the market are easy to use and integrate seamlessly into Wix built sites. We recently announced the WixHive API which captures a variety of actions or “activities” taken by a user's website visitors such as contact information, messages, purchases, bookings and more. 
 The activity data for each site is stored and managed in a centralized database dedicated to that site, and can be accessed by installed apps and the site's owner through a dashboard.  Formerly stand-alone apps will now share the gathered data, giving site owners the ability to make business decisions, manage customer relationships and take other actions based on the strength of the integrated insights.
<h3>8. What type of support do you offer your customers? Phone, email, live chat, 24/7? Please share the details.</h3>
Wix support begins directly inside the editor. Throughout, we’ve got links to helpful videos and tutorials to assist at any stage of a users web creation process. Our continuous development cycles means that we are always monitoring where there might be issues and work diligently to address those quickly and efficiently.  
 In addition Wix offers online support through our Answers area, forum support, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/wixmypage" target="_blank">video tutorials</a>, <a href="http://www.wix.com/about/contact-us" target="_blank">phone support</a>, and finally email support via support@wix.com.
Sign up to create your <a href="http://www.wix.com/" target="_blank">free Wix website today</a>.

Interview with Eric Mason, Director of Communications at Wix

WordPress is, without a doubt, one of the most popular open source blog / CMS on the market but it suffers from several issues that make it less than ideal for complex or high traffic websites. For years, CMS Critic ran on WordPress and today, I'm going to pit our current CMS, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.processwire.com">ProcessWire </a>vs WordPress and explain why we made the switch and how things have changed.Before I get into this, however, I think its important to point out that a number of popular websites that previously used WordPress to help establish themselves as major brands, have since made the switch to different CMS. Take <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mashable.com">Mashable </a>for instance, one of the most popular websites in the world dropped WordPress in favor of a more custom solution.In a post over on Quora when asked if Mashable still ran on the WP platform, Chris Heald, Chief Architect @ Mashable stated:<blockquote>Mashable is now running on a custom technology stack. The public-facing bits are a Ruby on Rails backend, with a lot of the templating work pushed to the front-end with Handlebars and Backbone. We'll be doing a full writeup on the build in the near future.</blockquote>Now, this is just one example but there are many. Having said that, there are also plenty that are successfully making use of WordPress as their platform of choice and likely have no plans to switch. Each situation is unique. This isn't intended to be an “abandon ship for the end is nigh” post but rather to show another side of things. Sometimes the “WordPress is the best 3ver !!!?!?!” posts we see all over the Internet get a bit old and it becomes necessary to point out that it's not always the best option out there.Since our first site back in 2006, we ran on WordPress. I selected it for a number of reasons; it was easy to get up and running quickly with little effort, there were plenty of themes available for it and it was gaining in popularity which meant it would be easier to find support if needed. WordPress served us well for a number of years but we began to run into issues with the CMS that still plague it to this day. I'm going to break down the issues and address the differences in how things are handled between ProcessWire vs WordPress and why we prefer the former.<h2>Plugins – Getting rid of Bloat</h2>The #1 reason why we switched to ProcessWire from WordPress was bloat. Sadly, WordPress suffers from massive bloat issues that plague the CMS and cause countless headaches for those using the platform.What do I mean by bloat?WordPress; like a lot of CMS platforms; relies heavily on plugins for extra functionality over and above the core services. The main issue, however, is that these plugins are not actively vetted out (or tested) by core team members to ensure they use optimized code and are safe for your site. This means that by installing a plugin, you can bring down your whole site and cause yourself mountains of headaches all because you wanted to add some extra functionality.Sure, you can have an extra instance of your CMS in a development state (and you should) in order to work on it but the average joe isn't going to go install two instances of WordPress for their blog. They most likely will simply choose to install and assume everything will continue to work as it should. An assumption that should be realistic.Countless times when we were running on WP, we would have no idea that a plugin we installed broke some other functionality within our site until a user let us know. Let me tell you how embarassing it is to get an email from a user telling you your RSS feed is broken (and all because you wanted to add some fancy new widget to your sidebar).<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/processwire_vs_wordpress_-_overwhelmed.jpg" alt="processwire_vs_wordpress" />With ProcessWire, most of the capability we require is already present within the system and anything over and above this can be added quickly and easily. We took the approach of having the author of ProcessWire (the amazing <a target="_blank" href="http://www.linkedin.com/pub/ryan-cramer/0/414/292">Ryan Cramer </a>) adapt the system by modifying templates and teaching us how to best utilize the platform to function better than what we had with WordPress.What did we get by doing this?A sleek system that works as intended with code that works alongside the core and does not compromise anything along the way. Yes, it cost to have this developed but this is not something you can do with WordPress. You cannot go to Automattic and ask them to build in some new capabilities for your site. Their platform is developed for a huge user base and unless that whole user base wants something, it won't be built into the core CMS.Other frequent issues we encountered when running WP as our CMS was downtime thanks to our web hosts. We initially ran on HostGator when we first started but another frequent occurrence we would run into would be some rogue plugin causing a huge spike in memory usage which would then result in an email from HostGator support stating that due to memory or CPU load issues they've taken the site offline until I can figure out what is causing the spike. Picture yourself getting this email while trying to take your kids to the local Science Center. This happened to me quite frequently.Since moving from WordPress, I've never received this email again.Raise your hands if you are sick of updating your CMS and your plugins / themes every 2 days?I'm guessing a lot of you have your hands up and rightfully so. Nothing is more annoying than the constant need to update plugins daily (I'm talking to your WordPress SEO!). While it's great that the authors are constantly updating to resolve issues and add functionality, it distracts from the sole purpose of your site in the first place, to publish content .Furthermore, every time you update you are at risk of something breaking or causing a conflict with another plugin you have installed. Do you want to spend all of your time just trying to keep your site from breaking or do you want to get that article you've been thinking about and planning published for the world to see?Me, I'm for the latter.Don't get me wrong, it's great that there are people that work hard to constantly improve their product offerings by updating to resolve bugs and add features but do we need to update daily? The problem with the way things work here is that the end user typically has no idea if they need to update right away or if it can wait so they tend to update everything every time they see that there's a need. This simply compounds the opportunity for something to go wrong with a crash or conflict.Believe me when I tell you that the plugin developers don't work together to ensure their plugins don't conflict with one another. With ProcessWire, I know that when something hits the modules directory, Ryan has had a look at it (90% of the time) and made suggestions on improvements. This doesn't mean that crashes can't and won't happen but they are far less likely (and haven't happened yet since switching in May 2013 to ProcessWire).Caching for SpeedThe next issue is with caching, WordPress has lots of great caching plugins such as WP Super Cache, W3 Total Cache and many others and while they work great to a point, they suffer from the same issues that I spoke about earlier. They simply aren't vetted out to work reliably and they overwhelm users with options and prompts to buy upgrades.With ProcessWire, we have one plugin called ProcessWire ProCache that is installed, automatically enabled and simply does its job without annoying me with options or prompts to clear the cache. If I need to do so, I can turn it off or on and clear the cache with a simple checkbox but rarely do I ever need to touch it. Furthermore, our site loads far faster than it did in the past with a huge difference in response time over anything we had built with WordPress.Making the move to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.processwire.com">ProcessWire</a> was the best thing we've ever done. We have an amazingly good <a href="/products/">CMS directory </a>that was built specifically for our needs, our system is rarely down and if it is, it's because I broke something playing with code and not because of the CMS itself.As our writer, Kaya, will attest;<blockquote>“When CMS Critic made the switch to ProcessWire, it was the sheer speed of the system which struck me hardest. Whether you're creating, editing or deleting a post, ProcessWire just seems to snap into action a lot faster than any WordPress setup I've ever used – and I have used many.Furthermore, I've grown to prefer Processwire's interface over WordPress'. Post creation features like summary text, featured images, tags, etc, are all presented in a linear fashion, via toggle menus. It's all very clean and tidy. Paired together, the speed of Processwire along with its sleek interface makes the “ProcessWire vs WordPress” question well worth asking.”</blockquote>That's not to say that WordPress doesn't have its own place. It most certainly is the top blog platform out there and if you are looking for a quick way to put together a site based off of a host of themes that exist on the market, then WP is the way to go. When it comes to the requirements of a full fledged CMS (speed, simplicity, stability) then I would quickly dismiss WordPress as a viable option.I know for a fact that there are plenty of you who will disagree and that's great that you are experiencing success running WP in different environments but I will say that when I need something I can rely on, I will, in every instance, turn to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.processwire.com">ProcessWire</a> as my CMS of choice.What's your CMS of choice? Is it different than these? Do you have differing experiences? Feel free to let us know in the comments below.** Update 7/30/14 **I've noticed a few WP based bloggers have misinterpreted this article to mean that all publishers and bloggers should switch to Processwire because it's better at blogging. I'm not sure how this happened or why anyone would get that from this article but apparently a few people have so let me clarify a few things.<ol><li>I am not saying that Processwire is better for blogging than WordPress. That's ridiculous.</li><li>I am saying that WordPress has a number of inherent issues such as bloat and problems with the plugin directory (I've recently expanded on this <a href="/wordpress-joomla-and-drupal-are-not-the-best-cms/">here</a>) Anyone who disagrees with this point is simply arguing for the sake of doing so. There is no question that there are better alternatives and I've seen plenty of them. I can guarantee you I've tested more CMS than anyone out there and better options exist that do a better job of vetting out their plugins.</li><li>There are plenty of other great platforms out there for just writing. I'm sorry, WP may be the most popular but for straight up blogging, I am more of a fan of the more minimalistic options. I've provided a huge list of alternatives here: <a href="/minimalist-blogging-platforms/">Simple Blogging Platforms</a></li></ol>~ Mike

ProcessWire vs WordPress

The CMS Critic team –  otherwise known as Mike Johnston and myself – were recently in Basel, Switzerland for the <a href="http://www.magnolia-cms.com/conference.html" target="_blank">Magnolia Conference 2014</a>.
It was set to be Magnolia’s fifth annual conference, and as <a href="/magnolia-5.3-blends-cxm-with-cms-to-deliver-best-of-breed-software/" target="_blank">Magnolia 5.3</a> had just been unveiled, we were quite excited to see how things panned out.
Mike and I covered both days of the conference in detail. <a href="/day-one-of-magnolia-conference-2014-personalization-apps-a-roundtable/" target="_blank"> Day one</a> was focused on personalization, apps and a roundtable discussion, whilst <a href="/day-two-of-magnolia-conference-2014-the-unconference/" target="_blank"> day two</a> was all about the unconference.
On top of blog coverage, we also <a href="https://twitter.com/cmscritic" target="_blank">live-tweeted</a> the event from the ground.
Now though, I’d like to delve into the finer details of Magnolia Conference 2014. 
<h2>A Cutting-edge Reception &amp; Some Fine Food</h2>
On day one, attendees were welcomed to the conference by receiving their name tags, before being offered some food and drink, and an impressive Magnolia goody pack. 
 <img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/magnolia.png" alt="Magnolia Conference 2014" /> Included within the pack was everything from conference programs, to three-way USB cables to <a href="/day-two-of-magnolia-conference-2014-the-unconference/" target="_blank"> unconference cards</a>.  
 What got everybody excited though, was the Magnolia-branded Swiss Army Knife, which were also handed out at the reception. It was a cool, unique and memorable conference freebie which got everybody talking. 
 Somehow, the concept of an all-in-one gadget seemed to suit Magnolia's brand, especially when you consider their <a href="/magnolias-open-suite-approach-maximizing-choice-future-proofing-digital-investments/" target="_blank">open suite approach</a>.
<blockquote>
You can get cool stuff at conferences, but <a href="https://twitter.com/magnolia_cms"> @magnolia_cms </a> takes it to another level. Swiss Army Knife anyone? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/mconf14?src=hash"> #mconf14 </a> <a href="http://t.co/ZirGz6XbdG"> pic.twitter.com/ZirGz6XbdG </a>
— Kaya Ismail (@EmployTheNet) <a href="https://twitter.com/EmployTheNet/statuses/481695871210639360"> June 25, 2014 </a>
</blockquote>
There was a friendly and bubbly vibe coming from both attendees and Magnolia officials throughout both days. It was a homely atmosphere, which definitely helped encourage attendees to move between tracks freely. 
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/14541403134_1cd2b18455_b700x0.jpg" alt="Magnolia Conference 2014" /> The online environment was great too. Attendees were joining in with the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/mconf14?src=hash" target="_blank">#MConf14</a> hashtag, retweeting eachother, posting pictures and so forth. Activity on the hashtag was displayed on screens around the venue.
Now, Swiss Army Knife or no Swiss Army Knife, conference food can be a deal breaker. Thankfully though, Magnolia kept everybody well fed. 
 For lunch, a buffet was held in a separate location, not too far from the Pathe Theatre. Pasta, fish, lamb, potatoes and a wide range of desserts lined the buffet table. I certainly had no complaints. Later, at the Magnolia after-party, equally delicious finger foods were offered. 
 <img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/food.png" alt="Magnolia" /> Speaking of the after party, that too held up a pleasant atmosphere.  
Granted, the Church setting was – for lack of a better word – unorthodox. However, the presence of a bar along with a projector showing a live World Cup 2014 fixture quickly made everybody feel cosy. 
<h2>A Third Day of Activities</h2>
Many were under the impression that Magnolia Conference 2014 was a two-day event. Not so.
There was actually a third day of activities on offer for all who attended, completely free of charge.
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/14356290189_78bbb8235c_b700x0.jpg" alt="Magnolia Conference 2014" /> Attendees could engage in Yoga, mountain biking, hiking and even a Basel scavenger hunt. Once again, this was a rather unique offering, and one I felt rounded off the entire event very nicely indeed. 
 Overall, I can only speak positively of what I saw from the Magnolia Conference 2014. The company's representatives were friendly, the venue was comfortable and the freebies on offer – including all the free activities – were nothing short of fantastic. 
Here's hoping Magnolia Conference 2015 is even better!

Magnolia Conference 2014: Reflections of an Attendee

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The easiest way to translate a website

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Ecommerce is growing more rapidly by the day. In fact, by 2016, U.S. consumers alone are <a href="http://www.internetretailer.com/2012/02/27/e-retail-spending-increase-45-2016" target="_blank">predicted to spend $327 billion</a> online.
With the e-commerce industry producing such vast figures, more and more e-commerce startups are looking for their first venture – and <a href="https://www.squarespace.com/" target="_blank">Squarespace</a> is a platform primed for the task.
But just how easy is it to start selling on Squarespace? If you’re interested in selling with Squarespace, you’ll need to know if it can handle your business ideas and product types.
So, join me in taking a look at just how functional Squarespace Commerce is.
<h2>Selling on Squarespace: Good Enough for Your Online Store?</h2>
Selling with SquareSpace Commerce enables you to sell physical products, digital products, and even services. The platform does a very solid job of it too.
To get started, you only need to navigate to the “Commerce” section, located on the left-hand sidebar.
Once you get into the Commerce section, Squarespace leads you through the process of setting up your store with a three-step guide.
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/selling700x0.png" alt="Squarespace eCommerce" />
To carry out all the steps, you only need to click on them, configure your products and settings, and move on. So, let’s take a look at just how easy those three steps are to take.
<h3>Adding Products</h3>
Adding products naturally makes or breaks an online selling platform, and it’s no surprise that adding products on SquareSpace is a breeze. Although, in order to add a product, you’ll need to navigate back over to the “Content Manager” section.
Once there, you simply have to click “Add Page” and then select “Products”.
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/selling2700x0.png" alt="Squarespace eCommerce" />
Next, a window will be presented to you, allowing you to configure your product.
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/8-1700x0.png" alt="Squarespace eCommerce" />
Product images can be uploaded via a drag-and-drop system, while titles, descriptions, pricing and additional information can all be quickly added via the product upload window. If your products aren’t in need of any technical specifications, you can have a whole catalog uploaded in a matter of minutes.
<h3>Create a Shipping Option</h3>
The second step requires you to set up a shipping option. All you have to do is navigate over to the “Shipping” tab back over in the “Commerce” section, before clicking “Add Shipping Method”.
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/shipp700x0.png" alt="Squarespace eCommerce" />
A window will then prompt you to select either flat rate shipping, weight dependent shipping or UPS calculated shipping – which is reserved for Squarespace Business users.
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/shipp2.png" alt="Squarespace eCommerce" />
Once you have made your selection, you can configure the resulting options, and then hit “Save”. It’s that easy.
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/ship_3.png" alt="Squarespace eCommerce" />
<h3>Connect to Stripe</h3>
Squarespace only allows you to use <a href="https://stripe.com/" target="_blank">Stripe</a> as a payment gateway, which is quite disappointing. However, Stripe is a respected payment method, and setting up an account with them is easy.
To configure your Stripe account with Squarespace, you only need to navigate over to the “Store Settings” page within the “Commerce” section, where you will find the option to connect with Stripe.
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/stripe700x0.png" alt="Squarespace eCommerce" />
Once you connect your Stripe account, you have effectively flipped the switch, meaning that your Squarespace store is now live.
<h2>Squarespace Selling Extras</h2>
Some handy extra options are also available for selling on Squarespace, including:
<ul>
<li>Coupon Codes</li>
<li>Sales</li>
<li>Shipping Options</li>
<li>Taxing Options</li>
<li>Mailchimp integration</li>
<li>Donations</li>
<li>And More</li>
</ul>
These additional options, along with the straightforward store setup guide, make Squarespace ideal for budding online merchants.
<h2>The Verdict</h2>
To give you an overview of the good and bad which Squarespace Commerce has to offer, check out the pros and cons below.
<h3>Pros</h3>
<ul>
<li>Friendly setup guide makes it easy to build a store.</li>
<li>Product creation is extremely quick and easy.</li>
<li>Much like with page and blog post creation, Squarespace enables you to apply plenty of detail to your products and services if you wish to.</li>
<li>Good range of additional extras including Mailchimp integration and donations.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Cons</h3>
<ul>
<li>Squarespace only allows you to accept payments through Stripe – which is very limiting.</li>
<li>Adding products requires you to navigate away from the Commerce section.</li>
</ul>
Aside from its extensive design features – which is widely known as Squarespace’s forte – I’d say that Commerce is Squarespace’s biggest strength. Setting up the store and adding products takes just minutes, thanks to the user friendly walk-through guide.
Although, there are flaws to be found. I find it strange how adding products requires you to leave the “Commerce” section, as well as the limitation to using Stripe as the only payment gateway. But apart from these two relatively minor issues, everything else related to setting up a store on Squarespace flows quite nicely indeed.
For further detail on Squarespace, check out our full <a href="/squarespace-review-the-long-awaited-commerce-solution/" target="_blank">Squarespace Review</a>.
You can also get started with your Squarespace website today, via the <a href="https://www.squarespace.com/templates">Squarespace 14-day free trial</a>.

How Effective is Squarespace as an eCommerce Platform?

Concrete5 has finally slapped a <a href="http://www.concrete5.org/about/blog/core-releases/5-7-beta-release-date/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> date on the beta release of version 5.7</a> of their open-source CMS. That date, is July 21st, 2014.
Users of Concrete5 have been waiting a long time to get their hands on version 5.7, particularly because <a href="http://www.concrete5.org/about/blog/core-releases/concrete5-5-6-0-now-available/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">version 5.6 was released way back in August 2012</a>.
Concrete5 is a CMS that helps users manage websites easily, via a simple point-and-click interface and editing toolbar.
This announcement also comes a couple of months after Concrete5 gave users a <a href="/concrete5-offer-up-developer-sneak-peak-of-version-5.7/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> developer sneak peek of version 5.7</a>.
<h2>What's on Offer?</h2>
Concrete5 have revealed that version 5.7 will contain the following:
<ul>
<li>New editing UI design.</li>
<li>General code cleanup.</li>
<li>Composer 2.0.</li>
<li>Twitter &amp; Facebook Single Sign On (SSO).</li>
<li>New image editor.</li>
<li>Mobile responsive toolbar.</li>
<li>Multi-file uploading.</li>
<li>Calendar &amp; content scheduling.</li>
<li>iOS /Android App.</li>
<li>New core themes.</li>
</ul>
More updates and further detail on the updates listed above can be <a href="http://www.concrete5.org/about/blog/core-releases/5-7-developer-snapshot-available/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">found here</a>.
You can find out more about Concrete5 via their <a href="http://www.concrete5.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">official website</a>.
Also, be sure to explore more of <a href="/products/concrete5/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Concrete5 via our CMS Directory</a>.

Concrete5 5.7 Beta Release Date Announced

Choosing a content management system for your project is paramount to the success of your venture. The primary reason CMS Critic exists is to help our readership stay informed about which CMS are to be trusted and used.
However, choosing a content management system is only half the battle to getting a project up and running. The other half is all about selecting the best web host.
As a result of this realization, CMS Critic has selected <a href="https://www.bluehost.com/" target="_blank"> Bluehost</a> as their web host of choice – and we recommend them to all our readers.
<h2>Why Bluehost?</h2>
There are countless web hosting solutions on the market, but we believe Bluehost is the best all-around solution for startups, seasoned web property developers, and everybody in between.
Founded in 1996, Bluehost is an award-winning web host that powers over 2 million websites across the globe. Bluehost offers shared hosting, WordPress hosting, VPS hosting, dedicated hosting, and reseller hosting.
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/bluehost700x0.png" alt="Bluehost " /> 
Bluehost's price plans are second to none when the quality of the control panel and support system are both taken into account. They offer a one-click install for WordPress, automated backups, unlimited domains, unlimited storage space, a free domain name, and 24/7 support – all of which is included in their shared hosting plan, starting from just $4.95 per month.
Their VPS and dedicated hosting plans are equally impressive and offer great value for money. So impressive in fact, that preparations are now being made for CMS Critic to migrate to the Bluehost.
<h2>4th July Discount</h2>
Bluehost is about to roll out a 4th July special discount, coming down on their already impressive monthly price of $4.95 per month. Details of the offer are as follows:
<ul>
<li>Special 3.95/mo Promotional Pricing</li>
<li>Starts Friday, July 4, 2014 @ 12:01 a.m. MDT</li>
<li>Ends Monday, July 7, 2014, @ 9 a.m. MDT</li>
</ul>
So, be sure to grab your Bluehost discount this Friday, 4th July 2014.

Bluehost: CMS Critic's Web Host of Choice (Plus a Special 4th July Bluehost Discount)

So you are looking to create a social network. Whether it be for a local organization or a specific interest group, there are many ways to go about getting started.As with any successful website, it requires the right combination of software, planning and implementation.Today, I'm going to guide you through the process and help get you started by explaining how to create a social network.<h2>Clarify your idea and concept</h2>The most important step before you get started is to make sure your idea is sound and will actually be successful.Some questions you should be asking yourself to help you clarify your idea should include:<h3>What niche am I looking to fill?</h3>This is the single most important question you need to ask yourself when thinking about how to create a social network. Attempting to take on something like Facebook simply isn't realistic but there may very well be a specific niche that you have a passion for and that could benefit from some kind of community / network.<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/how_to_create_a_social_network_-_2-1.jpg" alt="How to Create a Social Network" />Since you've already found this article I would assume you already have an idea in mind but it's important to make sure you are realistic with your expectations. Don't expect to be the next Facebook or Myspace easily. It doesn't mean it can't be done but it's not an overnight achievement.Make sure you have a clear understanding of the niche (or specific topic) your social network will be about. Perhaps it's for musicians or animal lovers or something similar.<h3>Are there any existing social networks out there that fill the niche I'm considering?</h3>As with any good business, it's important to do your research and investigate whom you will be competing against. Are there already social networks out there that fill the niche you are looking to enter? If so, what are they doing correctly? Is there anything you would change to make it better? Make notes about what you like and don't like so you know what you need to do to gain an advantage.I'd also recommend trying something like <a target="_blank" href="https://www.semrush.com/">SEM Rush</a> to perform research into the markets, analyze your competition, and more.<h3>What services or functionality do I want to be able to offer my audience?</h3>This is partly covered in the question above but I want to make sure you truly think hard about this. What are you going to offer your audience that will make them want to be part of your community?Perhaps if you are thinking of starting an animal lovers social network you can consider looking into a partnership with a manufacturer to offer some kind of discounts to your audience or perhaps you will offer specialized services like training for pets or videos.Think things through carefully and make sure that whatever you choose to offer, it's unique and something that would convince YOU to sign up if you came across a site like it.—– Cost Considerations<h3>How much do I want to spend at the most?</h3><h4>(be reasonable here, don't expect to put one together for $100, these things cost money in order to be successful).</h4>Obviously spending the least amount of money for the highest return is everyone's goal but it's not always a realistic one. Social networks (like any website) involve a financial investment of some kind. This can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. Think about what you are willing to invest to get things going.For those of you who are not sure where to start, here are some typical costs websites such as this typically incur (note these are all conservative estimates, don't hold me to them):Logo creation or developmentIf you don't know where to start, check out the amazing Jessica Watts (she did all of our logos throughout our network and is reasonable priced and incredibly talented). Cost – $300-500Website hostingThis only applies if you decide to use purchased software that requires you to set it up on your own web host. If you want an inexpensive and reasonable hosting company with a good reputation, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bluehost.com/">check out Bluehost </a>, they are highly recommended and they will give you a 38% discount on hosting if you visit from <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bluehost.com/">our link </a>. You will typically want to start with VPS hosting for a new site so you can have extra control. There are lower cost options but upgrading packages down the road can cause outages. I'd recommend starting with a VPS solution but you can of course choose whichever package suits you best.  Bluehost is hard to beat price wise. Cost – $30 – 100Social Network SoftwareThere are numerous options available for purchase whether it be prepackaged software that includes almost everything you could need or an online solution that offers numerous options. Typically, these are the best bet as they eliminate the huge costs involved in creating something from scratch. Cost – $99 +Custom DevelopmentPerhaps after investigating, you discover that existing software solutions don't fit with your requirements and choose to go the custom development route. Don't expect to get anything up and running reasonably with anything less than a few thousand. To put things in context, a typical blog design and development runs around $3-6k for a good one so a social network which is far more involved is going to cost well in excess of that. Cost – $10k+PromotionYou will need to get your name out there and you'll need someone who can help do this for you. I'd recommend checking out sites like Elance.com and others such as Fiverr.com for inexpensive options that you can buy to help spread the word. Cost – $100+SEO (Search Engine OptimizationAs much as I'm sure you don't want to hear the dreaded SEO term, search engine optimization is critical to getting traffic to your site. Consider joining a network like <a target="_blank" href="http://www.seobook.com/">SEO Book</a> where you can learn how to do this yourself rather than end up spending hundreds on fake or illegitimate SEO companies. There are too many scams out there and you can waste thousands trying to find someone with the right skills when it's far easier and more advantageous to invest in your own knowledge.  Cost – $300 / month through SEO Book or thousands more through other SEO companies  <h3>Do I want to do the work myself or have someone do it for me? Who is going to run it once it's live?</h3>What is my expected volume? How many people could potentially visit and use my social network? (This is important as you need to have a good estimate of sizing in order to be able to help select the right software).There are more questions of course and the list goes on and on but this is a good starting point. I'd recommend grabbing a pen and paper and jotting down your responses to these so you have them readily accessible.—–Use Existing Software or Build your own?<h2>Use Existing Software or Build your own?</h2>The next step is to investigate what options are on the market with regards to pre-packaged social networking solutions. There are numerous options form self hosted (which means you will have to be responsible for putting up the website and keeping it up) or hosted solutions (you pay a fee to a provider each month and they look after this for you).It's important to see what's out there in order to determine if the solutions available can fit your needs or if you need to consider developing the site from scratch. Keep in mind that custom development is very expensive so make sure you absolutely discount all available options before going that route.Let's look at some of the solutions that are available.<h3>PHPFox</h3>PHPFox has been around for many years and is one of the least expensive options on the market. While there are always people who complain about every product that is out there, the fact remains that there are tons of great social networks running on PHPFox and doing quite well for themselves. Cost-wise, the investment has gone down quite a bit since the main company rebranded to Moxi9 and now, you can purchase PHPfox for just $99.<figure class="image"><img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/phpfox.jpg" alt="How to Create a Social Network" /></figure>I'd consider that a reasonable investment for the amount of work it eliminates you having to do yourself. For less than a hundred bucks, you've got a framework to begin with and should your site take off down the road, you can consider other options such as custom development once you've established a strong foothold and started to generate revenue from your social network.Don't discount options like these as they are fast ways to get things going with minimal investment and see if they take off. You wouldn't want to spend thousands only to find out your idea flopped so start by minimizing your costs first and keeping your overhead low. PHPFox won Best Social Networking Solution in our 2012  <a href="/cms-critic-awards/">Critics' Choice CMS Awards </a>as well.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.phpfox.com/">Get PHPFox</a><h3>Social Engine</h3>Social Engine is generally considered to be one of the top social networking products on the market along with PHPFox. Their offerings are more expansive and include both a cloud version (so you can use their product on their servers without having to install it yourself) which is currently priced at $29 / month or a downloadable version, which you would own wholly and would run you $299.<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/socialengine_screenshot600x0.png" alt="how to create a social network" />Both options are excellent ones to consider. Personally, I think the cloud solution might be a bit better due to the fact that you wouldn't be required to fight with configuring your hosting. The downside of course is that you lose a bit of customization capability and do not fully own the product. Either way, SE is a great option to consider when exploring your options.<a target="_blank" href="https://socialengine.com/">Get SocialEngine</a><h3>Dolphin Smart Community Builder</h3><a target="_blank" href="https://www.boonex.com/features">Dolphin</a> is another good option to consider. They offer plenty of great modules and loads of functionality at a reasonable price. While they are certainly more expensive than PHPFox, you may find they fit your needs a bit better (everyone has different tastes).<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/dolphin_smart_community_builder600x0.jpg" alt="How to Create a Social Network" />Prices for Dolphin range from $399 to 799 so needless to say, it's definitely more expensive than most but if you feel the options they offer suit your needs and PHPFox is out of the question, it's a good second option to consider. Certainly, it's far cheaper than developing from scratch so don't discount the price, which in the grand scheme of things is still quite reasonable.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.boonex.com/features">Get Dolphin</a><h3>Evoq Social</h3>If the network you are trying to create is more of a business style network, then you should definitely look into Evoq Social. This offering is from the fine folks at DNN Software and can help you produce a truly amazing social network for your site. They also won last years  <a href="/2013-people-s-choice-winner-for-best-social-networking-solution/">Best Social Network Solution </a>award during our Critics' Choice CMS Awards.If this looks like a good fit for you, you can <a target="_blank" href="https://www.dnnsoftware.com/products/evoq-engage">learn more about Evoq Social</a>.<h3>Oxwall</h3>Oxwall is a great open source solution that you can get your hands on for free. There is a strong community and plenty of options. You can test out a free demo on the Oxwall website to see if it suits your needs as well.<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/oxwall600x0.jpg" alt="How to Create a Social Network" />Oxwall is open source which means the code is freely available. It's also free.<a target="_blank" href="http://www.oxwall.org">Get Oxwall</a>—– What's Next?<h2>What's Next?</h2>So you've decided whether you want to use some of the social network software we've recommended, you've made a list of your answers to the questions we identified at the beginning or our article and you are ready to get going.There's only one question now, what's next?At this stage, you've got your concept and the software. Make sure you take advantage of the many communities available to get help with your questions. Places like <a target="_blank" href="http://stackoverflow.com/">Stack Overflow </a>,  <a target="_blank" href="http://www.quora.com">Quora </a>and others can be invaluable resources when you get stuck or need help.If you find yourself in need of a developer, use sites like <a target="_blank" href="http://www.elance.com">Elance </a>,  <a target="_blank" href="http://www.freelancer.com">Freelancer </a>or  <a target="_blank" href="http://www.guru.com">Guru </a>to find someone who can give you a hand at a price point you can live with.Don't forget to use the support services of whichever platform you end up using. For PHPFox and others, use their community and look for fellow users on Google as well. Be sure to work with your hosting provider to help get things up and moving if you choose to do the hosting on your own.<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/how_to_create_a_social_network_-_3600x0.jpg" alt="how_to_create_a_social_network" />If you need assistance setting up your social network, drop us a line or leave a comment below. We offer consulting services that can help you get things rolling. Good luck and may your social network be successful!

How to Create a Social Network

<a href="https://www.kentico.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Kentico</a> have announced the release date of the latest version of their integrated marketing solution, Kentico 8.1.
The date they have given is August 22nd, 2014. In addition, thanks to listening to some feedback, Kentico have also said that they will make the upgrade procedure available on the same date.
Also, Kentico have announced that the beta version of Kentico 8.1 will be available by the end of July 2014.
This news comes just a few months after the <a href="/kentico-8-introduces-slick-new-interface-and-improved-marketing-suite/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">release of Kentico 8</a>, which brought along with it a completely revamped interface, as well as a number of enhancements for Kentico's integrated marketing suite.
<h2>Social Marketing &amp; Sharepoint Integration</h2>
So, what can Kentico users expect from version 8.1? Well, here's what Kentico have unveiled so far:
<ul>
<li>Upgrade improvements</li>
<li>Pages usability enhancements</li>
<li>Online Marketing performance improvements</li>
<li>Discounts and promotion innovations</li>
<li>Social marketing improvements</li>
<li>Sharepoint integration</li>
</ul>
In addition to this list, Kentico has announced that they will be <a href="http://devnet.kentico.com/articles/kentico-8-1-removing-support-for-medium-trust-environment" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">dropping support for the medium trust environment</a>.
You can find out more about what Kentico have planned <a href="https://www.kentico.com/Product/Roadmap" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">via their roadmap</a>.
Also, be sure to explore more of <a href="/products/kentico/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Kentico via our CMS Directory</a>.

Kentico 8.1 Release Date Revealed

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