Sitecore Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages of Sitecore:

• Web framework. Sitecore is much more than just a web content management tool, but is actually an entire web framework which allows you to create reusable site components in one repository, all of which can be selected and assembled across multiple sites
• Cutting-edge technology. Sitecore is built upon Microsoft Net 2.0 technology, which enables it to be run cleanly in any modern browser.
  Ease of integration. Sitecore CMS has an entire layer (Sitecore Data Providers) devoted to integration with external systems for the delivery of content, and for connection with any kind of database.
• Highly customizable - able to override most Sitecore events such as saving content, publishing content, etc
• Highly scalable – Sitecore can run on a single server or one hundred servers. Both the CMS and the backend databases can be scaled to multiple servers as demand increases with little effort
• Flexible – Create any type of content and relate content in various ways
• Easy internationalization – Languages can be added at any time and are each versioned separately
• Ease of customization. Sitecore has a highly customizable workflow engine which allows integration with third parties, and is so flexible that right out of the box, you can setup versioning, approval control, notifications, publishing, and archiving.
• Schedule publishing of content or automatically publish content live
• Quickly compare versions, view version history, and roll back versions
• Create simple or complex workflows with email integration or other custom actions
• Create content once and display it for any device
• Intuitive end user interface. Sitecore has invested great time and effort to make its user interface easy to use and intuitive, understanding that no matter how good software is, no one will use it if it isn't understandable to users. Sitecore CMS is designed so as to have the look and feel of Microsoft Word, which virtually everyone is familiar and comfortable with.
• Package content, templates, and layouts
• Modular Design – Sitecore modules are available to add functionality to an existing Sitecore CMS. Sitecore offers many paid and free community modules that install seamlessly
• Manage multiple sites or sub-sites easily within Sitecore, even providing different domain names as desired
• Recover deleted content from the recycle bin
• Set dates to retire old content automatically
• Site Tools – Broken links report, HTML validation, custom validation, Spell Check
• SEO friendly URLs and support for Vanity URLs
• Ability to store physical assets such as images and flash in the database or on the file system
• Wizard driven interface
• SEO module. Included in the Sitecore Service is an SEO module that allows you to see your website as search engines will see it, so that you can adapt and optimize your search rankings to achieve your desired goals.

Disadvantages of Sitecore:

Companies that decide on the system’s unmatched personalization capabilities should be ready for the following limitations:

·       EXPENSIVE. Per user license agreement. Needs heavy customizations.

·       Less of user guides for the newly workers who haven't any idea about that.

·       High cost. As it usually happens in software development, the cost depends greatly on the company’s business specifics and requirements. However, irrespective of the case, a Sitecore-based CMS comes at a high price.

·       EXPENSIVE. Per user license agreement. Needs heavy customizations.

·       Less of user guides for the newly workers who haven't any idea about that

·       A “per user” licensing. Companies with a broad reach may consider this pricing model unsuitable as it significantly increases the overall cost.

·       CMS development requires IT expertise. Non-pro users cannot develop a full-fledged CMS out of the basic framework that Sitecore delivers, as it requires programming skills. The framework is “empty,” it does not come laden with a template that allows creating a system on its basis. That is why, to build the core that will enable further system management, companies turn to an outsourced help.

·       Cloud-related issues. Sitecore has not been as quick as its competitors in shifting to the cloud, which causes various issues. Recently, however, this vendor has begun utilizing the cloud in a fast-paced manner, which brings hope for the elimination of this issue.