HTML verses CMS

[Niteowl]

Hi

My site is ranking quiet well for the past 10 years although it is becoming a bit dated. I am thinking of  revamping it using Modx.  Will this affect the ranking . Does a HTML site rank higher then CMS or does it no longer matter. I believe one of the reasons my site ranks so well is because it is  a very basic HTML design.  Should I just put a new HTML template on it

Thanks

[Chris.Menke]

Niteowl, here's a nice whiteboard Friday on that exact topic that's worth checking out.

http://moz.com/blog/an-seo-checklist-for-new-sites-whiteboard-friday

[Chris.Menke]

OK, not so much on the redesign but the basic points are important.  Here are some other resources for you.

http://www.seochat.com/c/a/search-engine-optimization-help/common-seo-site-redesign-mistakes/

http://www.seerinteractive.com/blog/seo-website-redesign-checklist

[Niteowl]

Thank you Chris for the reply  I had a read through  the links you sent I think I will play it safe and stick with HTML

[DrewR]

My 2 cents: I still think a CMS site can compete with pure HTML if done in the right way (minimal bloat). Also, if using a CMS like WordPress, you have access to plugins (like Yoast, Smush.it, Google Author Link, Total Cache) that assist with simple things and site-wide changes that would otherwise take a lot of time to adjust.

[Chris.Menke]

I'm not saying that you should stay away from a CMS.  In many cases there are more  advantages to using them than there are using something like Dreamweaver.  Just be sure that you understand the variety of SEO issues you'll run into when updating your site--regardless of whether you're coding in HTML or using a CMS.