Why we recommend and implement Sitecore
Updated December 09, 2014

Why we recommend and implement Sitecore

Chris Spears, CMTO | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review

Software Version

6.0-.7+

Modules Used

  • CMS
  • CEP\DMS
  • ECM
  • Analytics
  • CCE

Overall Satisfaction with Sitecore Web Content Management

We have been a long time partner of Sitecore doing implementations for customers across the globe. The Sitecore platform has several major components.

1) CMS - The primary content management system, Sitecore has a robust publishing capability, multilingual capabilities, a great separation of presentation and content for easy control of design.
2) DMS/CEP - The Digital Marketing Suite and Customer Engagement Platform provide ground breaking capabilities to digital marketers. Focused on the ability to personalize the experience for each visitor this platform integrates into your existing CRM platform to allow for implicit (session based personalization) and explicit (data from your CRM personalization). In addition these components of Sitecore include analytics, AB testing, and content scoring.
3) ECM - The email campaign manager let's Sitecore close the loop between visitors across devices. The platform is at its core a strong marketing automation and email delivery solution.

The best part about the way Sitecore handles everything is as a single solution. Not making you purchase multiple modules, saas solutions, etc...
  • We use Sitecore for their ability to integrate well with external systems; IE CRM Platforms, Email Platforms, Social Platforms, etc...
  • Because of the ease of integrations to platforms with lots of customer data it is easy to create personalization on your website with Sitecore
  • We utilize the Sitecore ECM (Email Campaign Manager) because it allows us to build personalized emails inside of marketing automation
  • Sitecore is working hard to improve their web analytics capabilities
  • Sitecore is working hard to improve the volume of email their system can handle
  • Sitecore is working with partners to improve their ecommerce story
  • Better digital visitor tracking
  • Better data saved into our CRM from our lead generations efforts
  • Better 1-1 marketing on our digital channels (email and web)
A great CMS is expected these days, what Sitecore brings to the table is the additional components that a marketer needs for a single digital hub. Personalization, Email Campaigns, CRM Integration, AB Testing and Analytics.

All of those features come in the core Sitecore platform and make it untouchable.
They are making huge investments in R&D and every version of the product greatly improves our ability to do digital marketing across channels.
We believe in Sitecore as a product because the functionality is all part of the same package. Unlike other marketing technology vendors in the CMS space Sitecore as built all of their components to work together. Organizations that have acquired all of the "parts" of their platform have a Frankenstein's monster that is very difficult to implement and get the expected value from.

Using Sitecore Web Content Management

20 - Sitecore is used by our marketing department, sales team (analytics and scoring), and development of our products.
1 - We have a single Sitecore admin that is responsible for the application up time, patching, etc...
  • Content Personalization
  • Lead Scoring integrated into CRM
  • Federated Analytics & Content Management
  • Using the Federated Analytics and Content Management function we have been able to create amazing experiences on our other sites not in Sitecore
  • Using Email Campaign Manager to track users across devices
  • Content Scoring
  • Marketing Automation
  • AB Testing

Evaluating Sitecore and Competitors

Yes - DotNetNuke - Older platform that hasn't kept up with our needs.
  • Product Features
  • Product Usability
  • Analyst Reports
The integration with CRM platforms to allow for explicit content personalization based on CRM data was the most important factor.
We reviewed to many platforms to start with. Should have focused on a smaller number of platforms and saved time. The price variance between a top tier platform and second tier is pretty substantial focus on what is going to bring the most value.

Sitecore Implementation

Make sure you work with a partner that can help you take advantage of the entire platform. Specifically we see a lot of customers not taking advantage of Sitecore DMS and thus missing a huge opportunity. Sitecore is a platform that is meant to be constantly optimized and improved upon.
  • Implemented in-house
  • Professional services company
Three Squared did the design and Arke Systems performed the implementation. We have always split the creative from technical implementation.
Yes - Strategy -> Content Analysis -> Information Architecture -> Visual Design -> Technical Discovery -> Implementation -> Quality Assurance -> UAT -> Go Live

Typically handled in a very agile fashion at each stage to collect the right client feedback.
Change management was minimal - We have seen a variety of levels of change management within organizations. Having a specific governance plan, security model and content publishing plan is important.
  • Content Loading (developing and making existing content fit within our new design)

Sitecore Support

We have never had an issue go unresolved. They handle issues quickly and efficiently.
ProsCons
Quick Resolution
Good followup
Knowledgeable team
Problems get solved
Kept well informed
No escalation required
Immediate help available
Support understands my problem
Support cares about my success
Quick Initial Response
None
Yes - Yes.
We had a client load over 1 million content items into the system and it caused an issue with the publishing. Working closely with Sitecore we were able to resolve the problem and greatly improve Sitecore's handling of millions of items.

Using Sitecore

We have a large number of customers using the system and they all rave about how easy it is compared to the previous platform they had in place.
ProsCons
Like to use
Relatively simple
Easy to use
Technical support not required
Well integrated
Consistent
Quick to learn
Convenient
Feel confident using
Familiar
None
  • Content Editing, Workflows and Publishing is extremely easy
  • Setting up web forms
  • Personalization of Content (1-1 marketing)
  • Analytics Reporting