• We do, on our own
  You set everything up yourselves and keep it running. That takes a system that works without technical knowledge. It rules out a lot, but gets you online fastest.

  You set everything up yourselves and keep it running. That takes a system that works without technical knowledge. It rules out a lot, but gets you online fastest.

• An agency builds, we carry on
  Someone else builds it, then it is on you. What matters then is how much you can change without help: only text and images, or new pages and blocks too.

  Someone else builds it, then it is on you. What matters then is how much you can change without help: only text and images, or new pages and blocks too.

• An agency builds and carries on
  You maintain content, everything technical stays with an agency. How simple the setup is barely counts then — what matters more is how far the system can grow with you later.

  You maintain content, everything technical stays with an agency. How simple the setup is barely counts then — what matters more is how far the system can grow with you later.

• Nobody on our side — we tell you instead
  If nobody on your side changes content, the editor does not matter. This answer does not shift the result.

  If nobody on your side changes content, the editor does not matter. This answer does not shift the result.

• One person on their own
  For one person, what counts is how fast they find their way around. Roles, approvals and working at the same time as others are not needed.

  For one person, what counts is how fast they find their way around. Roles, approvals and working at the same time as others are not needed.

• Two or three people
  From two people on, it matters that each can change their part without shifting someone else's page. That works better when content sits in fields instead of free-floating on the page.

  From two people on, it matters that each can change their part without shifting someone else's page. That works better when content sits in fields instead of free-floating on the page.

• Several people, some at the same time — without risking the layout
  Several people working at once need fixed fields instead of freely movable layouts, or sooner or later something shifts out of place. Editorial systems can do that; site builders less so.

  Several people working at once need fixed fields instead of freely movable layouts, or sooner or later something shifts out of place. Editorial systems can do that; site builders less so.

Size and rhythm count separately — many pages that rarely change point somewhere else than a few that change all the time.

• Under 10 pages
  With few pages, a lot of structure does not pay off yet. You maintain each page on its own, and that stays manageable.

  With few pages, a lot of structure does not pay off yet. You maintain each page on its own, and that stays manageable.

• 10 to 50 pages
  From around ten pages on, reuse starts to count: change a block once and it changes everywhere, instead of by hand on every page.

  From around ten pages on, reuse starts to count: change a block once and it changes everywhere, instead of by hand on every page.

• Over 50 pages
  With many pages, navigation, overviews and cross-references become the real work. Then it counts whether the system assembles them itself or you maintain them by hand.

  With many pages, navigation, overviews and cross-references become the real work. Then it counts whether the system assembles them itself or you maintain them by hand.

• A few times a year or less
  What rarely changes does not need a system that makes changing especially easy. What counts more then is what the build and running cost.

  What rarely changes does not need a system that makes changing especially easy. What counts more then is what the build and running cost.

• Roughly monthly
  Whoever changes monthly works in the system often enough for learning it to pay off, and rarely enough that tools for many people are not needed.

  Whoever changes monthly works in the system often enough for learning it to pay off, and rarely enough that tools for many people are not needed.

• Weekly or more often
  Whoever changes weekly works in the website, not on it. Then every click the editor saves counts, and whether you can see how the page looks while you write.

  Whoever changes weekly works in the website, not on it. Then every click the editor saves counts, and whether you can see how the page looks while you write.

Multiple choice. We ask what you need — whether an alternative exists is ours to judge.

• Forms with complex logic
  This means forms that do more than send messages: fields that appear depending on the answer, calculations, or several steps. All systems can do simple contact forms.

  This means forms that do more than send messages: fields that appear depending on the answer, calculations, or several steps. All systems can do simple contact forms.

• Newsletters, automations
  This means the website collects addresses, sends newsletters or triggers workflows. Some systems bring that along, with others it hangs on extra tools.

  This means the website collects addresses, sends newsletters or triggers workflows. Some systems bring that along, with others it hangs on extra tools.

• Sell a few products
  This means a small amount of selling alongside the content, not an online shop as a business. Some systems bring that out of the box, others solve it through a shop service alongside.

  This means a small amount of selling alongside the content, not an online shop as a business. Some systems bring that out of the box, others solve it through a shop service alongside.

• Customer accounts, member area
  Customer accounts or a member area turn the website into an application: people log in and see what is meant only for them. Here the systems clearly part ways.

  Customer accounts or a member area turn the website into an application: people log in and see what is meant only for them. Here the systems clearly part ways.

• Connect a specific piece of software
  This means a connection to a tool you already use, such as a CRM, accounting or booking system. How well that works depends on how open the system is for interfaces.

  This means a connection to a tool you already use, such as a CRM, accounting or booking system. How well that works depends on how open the system is for interfaces.

• Own data, calculations, reports
  This means your own data records that the website stores, calculates with or evaluates — more than text and images. That needs a system with its own database and logic behind it.

  This means your own data records that the website stores, calculates with or evaluates — more than text and images. That needs a system with its own database and logic behind it.

• One
  One language does not tell the systems apart. This answer does not shift the result.

  One language does not tell the systems apart. This answer does not shift the result.

• Two, same content
  Two languages with the same content are doable everywhere, but free nowhere. What counts is whether translation is built in or runs through an extra tool.

  Two languages with the same content are doable everywhere, but free nowhere. What counts is whether translation is built in or runs through an extra tool.

• Three or more, own content
  Several languages with their own content need multilingualism at the system's core: each language with its own pages, addresses and approvals. Bolted on afterwards, this quickly becomes a permanent construction site.

  Several languages with their own content need multilingualism at the system's core: each language with its own pages, addresses and approvals. Bolted on afterwards, this quickly becomes a permanent construction site.

• A good template is enough
  A good template is online fast and looks tidy — just not unmistakably like you. Whoever is happy with that saves themselves a custom build.

  A good template is online fast and looks tidy — just not unmistakably like you. Whoever is happy with that saves themselves a custom build.

• A design of our own, no template
  A design of your own means: the site follows your identity, not what a template allows. That takes a system that lets design be implemented freely.

  A design of your own means: the site follows your identity, not what a template allows. That takes a system that lets design be implemented freely.

Multiple choice. Nothing ticked means none of these weights count.

• Being able to take the site with us
  This means being able to switch provider or hosting later without starting over. On rented platforms the site stays there; with open systems it moves with you.

  This means being able to switch provider or hosting later without starting over. On rented platforms the site stays there; with open systems it moves with you.

• Custom work that survives updates
  This means custom solutions that still run in five years, even as the system keeps developing. On rented platforms and with lots of add-ons, that breaks more easily.

  This means custom solutions that still run in five years, even as the system keeps developing. On rented platforms and with lots of add-ons, that breaks more easily.

• Letting an AI assistant edit content
  This means an AI assistant from outside that reads and changes your content through an interface. Not AI help with writing — that comes later, in its own question.

  This means an AI assistant from outside that reads and changes your content through an interface. Not AI help with writing — that comes later, in its own question.

• Not needed
  Without that wish, this question does not shift anything.

  Without that wish, this question does not shift anything.

• Would be nice
  This means AI right inside the editor: text suggestions, translations, variants, without a detour through another tool. Some systems bring that along, with others it has to be built in.

  This means AI right inside the editor: text suggestions, translations, variants, without a detour through another tool. Some systems bring that along, with others it has to be built in.

• Yes — text, translations, variants
  If AI should be a fixed part of your work, what counts is whether it is already in the editor out of the box or has to be added later. This means help with writing, not other programs accessing your content.

  If AI should be a fixed part of your work, what counts is whether it is already in the editor out of the box or has to be added later. This means help with writing, not other programs accessing your content.

• None — we do everything ourselves
  Without a budget for the build and support, all that is left is what you can set up yourselves. That is an honest path, but it narrows the choice a lot.

  Without a budget for the build and support, all that is left is what you can set up yourselves. That is an honest path, but it narrows the choice a lot.

• Small, manageable
  This means the budget for the build, not ongoing running costs. A small budget speaks for a system that brings a lot ready-made instead of a lot custom-built.

  This means the budget for the build, not ongoing running costs. A small budget speaks for a system that brings a lot ready-made instead of a lot custom-built.

• Solid, this is a project
  If the build is paid for, what counts is which system carries the most afterward. The difference usually does not show in the first year, but when requirements grow.

  If the build is paid for, what counts is which system carries the most afterward. The difference usually does not show in the first year, but when requirements grow.

• No, everyone may do everything
  Without graded permissions, this question does not shift anything.

  Without graded permissions, this question does not shift anything.

• A few roles are enough
  A few roles means, say: some write, others approve, someone administers. Most editorial systems can do that; site builders only to a limited extent.

  A few roles means, say: some write, others approve, someone administers. Most editorial systems can do that; site builders only to a limited extent.

• Finely graded, many roles
  Finely graded means: you decide who may see and change which areas, or even individual fields. That needs a system where permissions can be freely defined.

  Finely graded means: you decide who may see and change which areas, or even individual fields. That needs a system where permissions can be freely defined.

• Not particularly
  Without a particular demand on load time and findability, this question does not shift anything.

  Without a particular demand on load time and findability, this question does not shift anything.

• Important
  Load time and clean markup help decide whether search engines and AI answers find you. What counts is how much influence you have over what the page delivers.

  Load time and clean markup help decide whether search engines and AI answers find you. What counts is how much influence you have over what the page delivers.

• Decisive — visibility is our livelihood
  If visibility is your livelihood, every tenth of a second and every piece of markup counts. Reliable top scores only come with a front end of your own, over which you have full control.

  If visibility is your livelihood, every tenth of a second and every piece of markup counts. Reliable top scores only come with a front end of your own, over which you have full control.

This question beats the score: systems that miss your requirement drop out.

• No requirement
• The EU is enough
• Switzerland, mandatory

• No
• A few products on the side
• Selling is the business

• No
• Yes