Have you anytime come across this scenario? You are banking on a 20% jump in subscribers and a whopping 50% traffic boost, yet half your working hours go down the drain battling glitch gremlins in your creaky CMS—like trying to drive a jalopy up a mountain with the handbrake on. Meanwhile, your leadership team is cheering on a seamless workflow, but your stubborn backend is about as cooperative as a cat that hates baths.
So, what’s really tripping you up? These days, technology is the lifeblood of any plan, shining bright when it is not busy throwing a wrench in the works. You probably know all that already, but if you are still stuck, let’s name the usual suspects:
Your tight budget
Lack of decision-making power.
Mind-boggling choices of CMSs
Underwhelming team performance
Afraid to leap before you look, stuck in analysis paralysis.
Don’t beat yourself up—newsrooms across the globe are navigating the same stormy seas courtesy of uncooperative CMS providers.
The million-dollar question is:
How do you swoop in like a superhero and convince your board of directors it’s time to chuck the glitchy dinosaur and adopt a CMS that runs like a Ferrari on an open road?
Where exactly do you get tangled in the selection process?
Do you have enough intel on all the snazzy contenders out there? If you are overwhelmed by options, don’t worry—light is at the end of the tunnel. We are here to figure out how to nudge (or maybe shove) your leadership team into making that BOLD move toward a sleek, modern CMS.
How can you get a CMS within the budget and get a go-live success?
So grab your coffee (or your courage), settle around this round table, and let’s cut to the chase: it’s high time to ditch the digital dead weight and embrace a platform that can keep up with your ambitious subscriber boost and traffic surge.
Media companies are often a patchwork of distinct yet intertwined departments and editorial squads, each with its quirks and workflows. When integrations falter, or the platform is not up to snuff, workflows can come to a grinding halt, and content distribution might feel like trying to sprint through quicksand.
A botched CMS rollout could leave your news organization stuck at a standstill, watching opportunities pass by like trains at a deserted station.
I came across the INMA conference blog and found this shocking information from their polls. According to the survey, 46% of newsroom gladiators believe their current CMS could use a serious facelift, while another 26% are waving the red flag, convinced it’s high time to ditch their old system—stat! Many are tangled in CMS conundrums that are throwing a wrench into their growth engines.
You are shelling out valuable time, hard-earned cash, and endless effort into a platform that's more of a speed bump than a springboard. Why not redirect those same resources into a brand-new CMS that is tailor-made for your newsroom’s unique needs?
So, how can publishers tackle this Herculean task with the finesse of a tightrope walker, ensuring a smooth transition while dodging potential pitfalls? Let’s break it down and ask the hard-hitting questions that matter when it comes to speed and efficiency.
Before diving headfirst, conduct a comprehensive needs assessment. Think of it as assembling your superhero team—identify the unique requirements of each department. Check with the editorial unit to ensure the capabilities of your CMS in handling diverse demands without breaking a sweat. Here are the crucial queries to fire off, one by one:
Can it handle sudden surges in traffic during breaking news without faltering?
Can everyone on your team navigate and operate the system effortlessly?
Does your CMS support mobile reporting, allowing journalists to upload stories on the go?
Is the mobile interface as robust and user-friendly as the desktop version?
Does your CMS integrate smoothly with other essential software systems through single sign-on (SSO)?
Now, gather your team and embark on this investigative journey. Pose these questions to uncover the actual speed and efficiency of your existing CMS. Understanding these facets will illuminate the pressing need for a high-velocity CMS solution that keeps your newsroom agile and ahead of the curve.
How easily can your team switch between tools without multiple logins?
Can you upload and publish breaking news instantly, without any delays?
How quickly can your team respond to emerging stories and update content on the fly?
Does the layout always fit perfectly, avoiding awkward overlaps or formatting glitches?
Can every step of your news release process be managed separately yet cohesively within the CMS?
How well does the system handle tasks like editing, approving, and scheduling content?
How efficiently is your CMS handling multimedia uploads, such as videos and high-resolution images?
Does it support seamless integration of rich media without bogging down performance?
Does your CMS offer automated workflows to reduce manual tasks and speed up publication times?
How robust are these workflows in streamlining your editorial processes?
How powerful is the search functionality in finding and managing content quickly?
Can you locate that elusive article or asset in seconds, or does it feel like searching for a needle in a haystack?
So, let’s turn those speed demons into your newsroom’s secret weapon. Make the team understand and support switching to a new CMS. It’s time to ensure your chosen CMS meets and exceeds the demands.
You can’t keep tinkering with a run-of-the-mill CMS like WordPress, tweaking and twisting it with endless customizations, integrations, and updates— no matter how much you push.
For newsrooms, you need to switch to a newsroom CMS that’s been tailor-made for the fast-paced, ever-evolving world of journalism, one that accommodates your unique operations and dynamic needs.
A headless CMS is any day better, offering the freedom to craft a front end while uploading all the news and stories in your preferred format at the back end.
A headless CMS offers unparalleled flexibility, allowing your developers to create a bespoke front end without being shackled by the limitations of traditional platforms. It’s like having a gourmet kitchen instead of a pre-packaged microwave meal—everything you need to cook something extraordinary.
Imagine having a CMS that doesn’t just sit there like a stubborn person but actively assists you with built-in AI capabilities. These smart sidekicks can swoop in to eliminate those tedious, mundane tasks that bog down your team.
Whether automating repetitive processes or providing insightful analytics, an AI-powered CMS ensures your newsroom stays nimble and efficient, letting you focus on what you do best and delivering top-notch content to your eager audience.
Plus, with AI integration, your CMS becomes more than just a content repository; it transforms into an intelligent assistant that learns your workflows, predicts your needs, and even suggests optimizations to keep your newsroom running smoother.
With a newspaper CMS like Quintypes BOLD, you embrace the freedom to innovate, leverage AI to banish the mundane, and give your team the tools they need to thrive in today’s competitive media landscape.
It’s time to ditch the old playbook and write a new chapter with a CMS that truly fits your needs—because your newsroom deserves nothing less than the best.
Imagine your newsroom CMS is constantly sputtering and breaking down. Draining your budget with endless technical glitches and skyrocketing maintenance costs. Instead of pouring money into patching up a leaky system, invest those funds into a sleek, new CMS that runs smoothly from day one.
Now, let’s talk productivity. Your current CMS is like trying to sprint with a backpack full of bricks—every glitch and downtime episode slows you down and costs you valuable time and revenue opportunities. Switching to a new, reliable CMS means fewer interruptions and more seamless workflows.
Investing in a new CMS is like upgrading from a bicycle to a sports car. The initial cost might seem steep, but the long-term benefits are undeniable. You will enjoy lower total ownership costs, higher ROI through increased ad revenues and operational efficiency, and the peace of mind that comes with a scalable, future-proof system.
By reallocating your budget from constant firefighting to strategic growth, you are not just fixing a problem—you are driving your newsroom toward a brighter, more prosperous future. Make wise investments that will turbocharge your success.
Bring all stakeholders to the table from the get-go. Engaging editors, IT gurus, and management early ensures everyone’s voices are heard, reducing the chance of last-minute surprises.
When your entire team gets hip to the inefficiencies of your current CMS and catches the excitement about the slick new system you have handpicked, cooperation will flow smoother. Sure, there is a chorus of concerns about data migration and mastering the new CMS.
Equip your team with all the tools they need to become CMS maestros. Ensure your vendor provides top onboarding support so no team member feels left in the dark. Ask your CMS provider for a technical glitch-free migration, comprehensive onboarding training, a a dedicated Slack channel, and a dedicated go-to person until all team members are familiar with the new CMS.
A flawless implementation means your team can dive right in without tripping over unexpected obstacles. Ensure that all your needs—whether advanced features, essential tools, robust infrastructure, or ironclad security—are met to the tee. It’s like building a custom suit that fits perfectly, enhancing comfort and performance.
Ensuring that your vendor delivers comprehensive training, easy migration, and unwavering onboarding support will create an environment where every team member can thrive without getting bogged down by technical issues. This proactive approach not only smooths the transition but also fosters a united, motivated team ready to harness the full potential of your new CMS.
Rally the Troops Early On
If you are a huge brand with multiple news sites and publications, launch a pilot program in a smaller, less critical area instead of flipping the switch for the entire organization at once. This trial run is your chance to troubleshoot glitches, refine integrations, and gather invaluable feedback—like test-driving a new car before committing to the purchase.
Invest in Jedi-Level Training
Even the slickest CMS can become a nightmare if users aren’t properly trained. Make sure your new CMS partner offers a blend of hands-on workshops, online tutorials, and handy cheat sheets to help your team become CMS ninjas. Having a dedicated support squad on standby during the transition is like having a first aid kit for your digital makeover.
Phase the Rollout Like a Pro
Develop a phased implementation plan, prioritizing essential workflows first. This step-by-step approach minimizes disruptions, allowing teams to acclimate gradually and provide feedback along the way—much like easing into a cold pool instead of jumping in headfirst.
Stress-Test Like There’s No Tomorrow
In a staging environment, test the CMS and ensure all integrations—from analytics tools to ad servers—work well together. Before going live, identify and iron out potential data migration hiccups or plugin clashes. Rigorous testing is your best defense against unexpected system meltdowns.
Keep the Momentum Post-Launch
Treat the rollout as an ongoing adventure rather than a one-and-done event. Continuously monitor performance metrics, user satisfaction, and editorial workflows. Gather insights, squash bugs promptly, and make iterative improvements to cement the CMS’s role as a powerhouse driving your growth.
This research was conducted during the final days of 2024 and consolidated in the initial week of 2025. We spoke with newsrooms around the world, where several shared the roadblocks they face in adopting a new CMS, including budget constraints, migration risks, training challenges, employee cooperation, policies, and more.
However, in the end, everyone expressed a desire for a CMS dedicated to digital publishing that can also easily integrate print for some publishers. Hence, this discussion cannot be concluded without mentioning the newsroom SaaS brand Quintype.
Quintype is a full-stack digital experience platform that empowers content creators to deliver high-quality experiences to their audiences. Quintype manages over 1.5 billion monthly pageviews for more than 300 publishers, including marquee brands like NDTV Profit, The Quint, Fortune India, Outlook Publishing, The Printers Mysore, Gulf News, Khaleej Times, Outlook India, Prothom Alo, GMG, Karjalainen, and The New Indian Express.
Quintype’s Product Offerings Include:
Headless CMS
No-Code Apps and Website Builder
Audience Engagement Platform
Reader Revenue Models
If you would like to explore a highly dedicated newsroom CMS without risk and within your budget, schedule a demo with our experts. If you need guidance on selecting your CMS, explore our resources here.