The CMS market share in 2017 shows how the web continues to evolve. Big platforms still lead the space, but smaller tools are gaining real traction. Website owners are choosing systems based on stability, ease of use, and long-term value.
Open-source platforms continue to lead because they offer the most control and flexibility. At the same time, hosted and design-focused tools are attracting users who want faster setup and less technical work.
This year is a turning point. CMS choices are starting to depend more on real needs, not trends. That shift is shaping how websites will grow in the years ahead.
CMS Platforms Dominating the Market in 2017
Below is a 2017 snapshot based on W3Techs CMS usage data, showing the share of CMS-powered websites.
CMS Market Share Breakdown (2017)
| CMS Platform | Market Share (%) |
|---|---|
| WordPress | 58.5% |
| Joomla | 7.2% |
| Drupal | 4.8% |
| Shopify | 1.3% |
| Squarespace | 1.1% |
| Wix | 0.6% |
| Duda | 0.1% |
| GoDaddy Website Builder | 0.1% |
WordPress: The Market Leader
Market Share: 58.5% of CMS-powered websites.
Why It Leads: WordPress dominates the CMS market in 2017 due to its open-source foundation and unmatched flexibility. It supports everything from simple blogs to large publishing platforms and business websites. Its massive plugin and theme ecosystem allows site owners to customize without heavy development work.
Joomla: The Established Alternative
Market Share: 7.2% of CMS-powered websites.
Why It Leads: Joomla remains a strong choice for websites that need structured content and more control than basic CMS platforms. While new adoption is slowing, many organizations continue using Joomla for existing projects and complex content requirements.
Drupal: Built for Complex Websites
Market Share: 4.8% of CMS-powered websites.
Why It Leads: Drupal is trusted for its security and ability to handle complex content structures. It appeals to enterprises and organizations with advanced technical requirements, even though it requires more development effort than most platforms.
Shopify: Growing eCommerce Platform
Market Share: 1.3% of CMS-powered websites.
Why It Leads: Shopify is gaining clear momentum as an easy-to-use e-commerce platform. Its hosted setup, built-in payments, and store management tools make online selling simpler for small and mid-sized businesses. More merchants are choosing it over self-hosted alternatives.
Squarespace: Design-Focused CMS
Market Share: 1.1% of CMS-powered websites.
Why It Leads: Squarespace appeals to users who want polished design with minimal setup. Its template-driven approach works well for creatives and service-based businesses that value appearance over deep customization.
Wix: Beginner-Friendly Website Builder
Market Share: 0.6% of CMS-powered websites.
Why It Leads: Wix focuses on simplicity. Its drag-and-drop editor and bundled hosting make it easy for beginners to launch websites without technical skills. Small businesses and freelancers make up the majority of its user base.
Duda: Agency-Focused Builder
Market Share: 0.1% of CMS-powered websites.
Why It Leads: Duda serves a specific audience. Web agencies and professionals use it to build client websites at scale. Its white-label capabilities make it practical for teams managing multiple projects under their own brand.
GoDaddy Website Builder: Convenience-Driven Growth
Market Share: 0.1% of CMS-powered websites.
Why It Leads: GoDaddy’s website builder benefits from the company’s large hosting customer base. Users already hosting with GoDaddy find the integrated builder a convenient option for launching simple websites quickly.
Key Trends in the CMS Market in 2017
The CMS market in 2017 is moving in clear and meaningful directions. Platforms are expanding beyond basic content publishing and focusing on flexibility, security, and multi-channel delivery. These trends are shaping how modern CMS platforms develop going forward.
Rise of Hosted and SaaS CMS Models
More CMS platforms are moving to hosted and SaaS models. Businesses want fewer infrastructure responsibilities and faster updates. This makes CMS adoption easier for growing teams and smaller businesses who cannot dedicate resources to server management.
Mobile-First Content Delivery
Mobile traffic is now a primary concern for CMS platforms. Platforms are prioritizing responsive design, fast load times, and mobile-optimized editing experiences. Sites that do not perform well on mobile are losing ground in both search rankings and user engagement.
Growing Interest in Headless Architecture
Developers are exploring headless CMS setups in 2017. This approach separates content from presentation, giving teams freedom to use modern frameworks like React or Angular. It works well for businesses managing content across websites, apps, and other digital channels.
Stronger Focus on Security
High-profile data breaches are pushing CMS platforms to improve security standards. Access controls, regular update cycles, and audit features are becoming baseline expectations. Platform buyers are asking harder security questions before committing to a system.
Decline of Legacy Platforms
Joomla and Drupal continue to see gradual share erosion. Both platforms require more technical knowledge than newer alternatives. As simpler tools improve in capability, some users are moving away from more complex legacy systems.
Demand for User-Friendly Interfaces
As more non-technical users manage content, CMS platforms are focused on usability. Clean dashboards, visual editors, and simple workflows are becoming more important. The goal is clear. Let teams publish and update content without relying on developers.
2017 marks a shift from simple CMS tools to smarter, more flexible platforms. These trends are laying the groundwork for how content systems will function in the years ahead.
Conclusion
The CMS market in 2017 shows steady but meaningful change. Traditional platforms continue to lead, while new technologies are beginning to shape CMS decisions across the industry.
Open-source systems remain dominant, but cloud-based, hosted, and design-focused platforms are gaining real attention. Ease of use, flexibility, and security are now stronger decision factors than ever before.
Overall, 2017 is laying the groundwork for modern CMS growth, setting a clear direction for how content platforms will evolve in the years ahead.