What is Enterprise Web Development?

If you are here, it may be that you've reached a point in your company's development that requires you to switch to more Enterprise tools. Because your teams have grown, because the management of your digital ecosystem has become more complex, because it has become critical to be able to rely on a secure CMS... There are dozens of possible reasons to justify this change of technological scale.

In CMS terms, this means that you may have to abandon the solution you've been using until now and consider replatforming. Be warned, when switching to an Enterprise CMS, it's rare to be able to do without web developers. And it just so happens that Enterprise web development has a few specificities.

We explain all this in this article.

1. Why Growing Businesses Need to Reevaluate Their CMS Solution

When a business grows, its website needs to do more than just show information. Understanding what an enterprise website is crucial today. Think of it like moving from a small shop to a large department store – your old systems just won't handle the increased traffic and complexity. 

Basic platforms like WordPress work well for small businesses but struggle when companies expand and need more sophisticated features for security, scaling, multisite management, and connecting with other business tools.

2. Challenges Faced by Growing Businesses

Managing Large-Scale Content

Big companies need to manage content across many websites and languages. It's like coordinating multiple stores across different countries – each location needs some independence while maintaining the brand's consistency. You need good web content management solutions that let teams in different regions update their content while ensuring everything stays organized and consistent. 

Performance and Scalability

As more people visit your website, it needs to stay fast and reliable. Just like a store needs more checkout counters during busy times, your website needs to handle more visitors without slowing down. This means having systems that automatically adjust to handle increased traffic, like opening more registers when lines get long. Enterprise website examples show how good systems adjust automatically when traffic increases.

Enhanced Security

Big business websites are prime targets for security threats. They need strong protection, like a bank's security system. This includes keeping customer data safe and following privacy laws. Your security needs to be thorough but shouldn't make it hard for legitimate users to access your content.

Integration with Business Tools

Modern websites need to work smoothly with other business software, like your customer database and marketing tools. Think of it as different departments in a company sharing information efficiently. When someone updates customer information in one system, it should automatically update everywhere else.

3. "Buy or Build": What's the Best Approach for an Enterprise CMS?

Buying an Out-of-the-Box Solution

Platforms like Jahia, Sitecore, and Adobe Experience Manager come with everything you need to start running a powerful website. It's like buying a fully furnished house – everything's ready to use, and you get support when something needs fixing. You get regular updates, security patches, and professional help when needed.

Jahia and the other solutions mentioned above are new-generation CMS, which include advanced functionalities such as AB testing and personalization. They are also often referred to as DXP.

The main differences between the various solutions on the market are :

1. Price,
2. User experience (ease of use by business teams) and developer experience (ease of new feature development),
3. Quality of technical support.

 To help you make your choice among the DXP and CMS Enterprise on the market, feel free to check out the ratings and reviews on G2!

Building an In-House Solution

Building your own system gives you complete control over every feature. It's like custom-building a house to your exact specifications. However, this takes more time, money, and expertise. You'll need a dedicated team to build and maintain it.

Decision Criteria

Choosing between buying and building depends on your resources and needs. Consider your budget, technical team's skills, and specific requirements. Think about how much you expect to grow and what special features you need that might not come with ready-made solutions.

4. Technical Teams Needed for Implementation

For more precise information on the team you need to build an Enterprise website, have a look at this blog post : Web projects team: which skills to recruit?

Internal Resources

You need people who can handle both what visitors see (the front end) and how things work behind the scenes (the back end). Think of it as a restaurant that needs both servers who interact with customers and kitchen staff who prepare the food. Each role is essential for success.

External Support

Partners who specialize in enterprise websites can help set up and maintain your system. They're like experienced consultants who know all the best practices and can help avoid common problems. They can train your team and provide ongoing support.

Marketing Teams' Role

Marketing teams help ensure the website meets business goals. They work with technical teams to create user-friendly experiences and track how well the website performs. It's like having market researchers who understand what customers want and help shape the website accordingly.

5. Benefits of an Enterprise CMS Compared to Basic CMS

Performance and Stability

Enterprise systems handle large amounts of traffic without slowing down. They use advanced techniques to deliver content quickly, like having multiple servers ready to help during busy times. It's like having multiple backup generators – if one system gets overloaded, others take over seamlessly.

Advanced Customization

The system can show different content to different visitors based on their interests and behavior. It's like having a smart shop assistant who remembers what customers like and shows them relevant products. This personalization helps engage visitors and convert them into customers.

Integrated Tools

Enterprise systems come with built-in tools for tracking visitor behavior and managing content. Everything works together smoothly, like a well-oiled machine. You can see how people use your website and make improvements based on real data.

Support and Scalability

You get professional help whenever you need it. Regular updates keep your site secure and add new features. As your business grows, the system grows with you, handling more visitors and content without requiring a complete overhaul.

6. Key Steps for Successful Transition

Step 1. Audit Current Needs

Start by looking at what you have and what you need. Check how your current website performs and what problems it has. It's like taking inventory before moving to a bigger store – you need to know what to keep, what to upgrade, and what new things you need.

Step 2. Solution Selection

Choose a platform that matches your needs and budget. Look at how easy it is to use, what support you'll get, and how well it can grow with your business. Consider the total cost, including maintenance and training.

Step 3. Migration Planning

Moving to a new system needs careful planning. Think of it like moving to a new office – you need to plan how to move everything without disrupting daily work. This includes moving content, connecting systems, and testing everything thoroughly.

Step 4. Team Training

Everyone needs to know how to use the new system effectively. Provide clear guides and training for different roles. Regular updates help teams stay current with new features, like ongoing education for staff as new tools become available.

Final Thoughts

When your business grows, you need better tools to run your website. Jahia makes this simple by providing everything you need in one place. Our platform handles more visitors, keeps your content organized, and makes it easy for teams to work together. We help you create better websites without the technical headaches. With Jahia DXP, you get a reliable partner who helps your business succeed online through better web content solutions and a clear path to building a true enterprise web portal.