Make the Switch to Surf CMS
Your newspaper deserves a CMS that helps your staff move forward.
Replace outdated technology, repetitive workflows and disconnected services with one publishing platform built specifically for community newspapers.
A Better Publishing Platform
Built for NewspapersWhen your current platform starts holding you back
A newspaper CMS should make publishing easier—not create more work.
If your current newspaper website feels outdated, difficult to manage, expensive or disconnected from the tools your staff uses, it may be time to consider a better option.
Surf CMS brings publishing, newsletters, distribution, audience tools, subscriptions, advertising and support into one platform designed around community newspaper operations.
- Publish stories without unnecessary technical steps
- Reduce reliance on disconnected plugins and services
- Give staff modern tools for today’s newsroom
- Reach readers through more than one channel
- Receive migration, training, hosting and ongoing support
Is It Time to Switch?
Ask Your TeamWhat changes with Surf CMS
Explore the most important reasons publishers make the switch.
Each card links to a section on this page, keeping the switching information clear and easy to navigate.
Reason 01
Modern Publishing
Give reporters and editors a cleaner way to create, organize and publish local journalism.
Explore Modern Publishing ↓Reason 02
Connected Tools
Bring newsletters, AI, distribution and audience tools into the normal newsroom workflow.
Explore Connected Tools ↓Reason 03
Managed Migration
Move important content, users and subscriber information with experienced assistance.
Explore the Migration Process ↓Reason 04
Better Value
Compare the cost of your current collection of services with one managed newspaper platform.
Explore Potential Savings ↓Modern publishing tools
Give your newsroom a platform designed for the work it does every day.
Surf CMS was developed specifically for newspapers and media organizations rather than adapted from a generic website builder.
Reporters, editors and publishers can manage articles, breaking news, photographs, galleries, archives, e-editions and other newspaper content through one connected publishing environment.
- Easy article creation and editing
- Breaking-news publishing
- Photo galleries and multimedia
- Content scheduling and archives
- Mobile-friendly publishing tools
- User roles and editorial access controls
One Newsroom Workflow
Surf CMSOne connected publishing platform
Replace repetitive workflows with tools that work together.
Surf CMS connects publishing, artificial intelligence, newsletters and distribution so your staff can spend less time moving content between unrelated systems.
Modern tools without losing newsroom control.
Automation should support journalists, not replace editorial judgment. Surf CMS helps staff complete repetitive tasks while keeping people responsible for what is published.
Each tool is part of the same publishing environment, reducing the need to repeatedly copy article information into separate services.
Publish Everywhere with TideCast
Prepare one article and distribute it through connected publishing destinations.
Built-in AI assistance
Generate headline ideas, summaries, SEO descriptions, newsletter copy and promotional content.
Newsletter automation
Pull stories from the website, organize newsletter content and reduce weekly production time.
What your publication gains
Essential newspaper tools brought together.
These cards point to sections on this page or existing Surf New Media pages rather than creating new thin feature pages.
Newspaper Publishing
Create articles, galleries, breaking-news updates and other newspaper-specific content.
Explore Publishing Tools ↑AI Newsroom Tools
Reduce repetitive writing tasks while preserving editorial review and control.
Explore AI Assistance ↓TideCast Distribution
Publish once and extend journalism through connected reader channels.
Explore TideCast ↓Newsletter Publishing
Build direct reader relationships and reduce manual newsletter production.
Explore Newsletter Tools ↓Managed Migration
Protect valuable content and receive help throughout the transition.
Explore Migration Support ↓Human Support
Work with a team that understands community newspapers and deadlines.
Explore Support ↓Built-in AI for today’s newsroom
Use artificial intelligence to reduce repetitive work.
Surf CMS integrates AI assistance directly into the publishing workflow so staff do not need to move article content into a separate system.
Editors retain responsibility for reviewing and approving every result before it is published.
Headline and summary assistance
Generate ideas that editors can review, revise and approve.
SEO and newsletter copy
Prepare useful descriptions and reader-facing promotional text.
Social promotion
Turn article information into shorter promotional messages for connected channels.
Publish once. Reach more readers.
Make distribution part of the normal newsroom workflow.
Newsrooms should not have to recreate the same promotion for every platform. TideCast connects article publishing with newsletters, social media and other distribution channels.
Your website remains the home of the complete article while connected destinations help introduce readers to your journalism.
- Prepare the article once
- Choose the appropriate destinations
- Reduce manual copying and reposting
- Review publishing history and delivery status
One Story. Multiple Channels.
Connected DistributionAutomated newsletter publishing
Build direct audience relationships without hours of manual work.
Email newsletters remain one of the strongest ways for newspapers to bring readers back to their websites.
Surf CMS can pull content from the website, support scheduled delivery and reduce the amount of time required to assemble each edition.
Use website content directly
Select published stories instead of recreating article details.
Schedule distribution
Prepare newsletters in advance and deliver them at the right time.
Bring readers back
Use email to support website traffic, subscriptions and loyalty.
Switching does not have to be difficult
We help manage the transition from your current platform.
One of the biggest concerns publishers have is what will happen to articles, photographs, archives, subscribers, categories and search visibility.
Surf New Media works with your publication to plan the migration, preserve important information and prepare staff for the new platform.
Content and photographs
Plan the transfer of valuable articles, media and archives.
Users and subscribers
Prepare important account and subscriber data for the new system.
SEO and redirects
Protect important web addresses and reduce disruption to search traffic.
A guided transition
Move to Surf CMS through a planned migration process.
Every publication is different, so migration is reviewed and planned around the current website, available data and desired launch.
Review
Examine the current website, content, integrations and migration needs.
Plan
Identify what will move, what will be rebuilt and how redirects will be handled.
Migrate
Transfer agreed content and prepare the new Surf CMS website.
Train and Launch
Prepare staff, complete testing and move the publication to the new platform.
Integrations that support your publication
Connect Surf CMS with the tools your organization already uses.
Surf CMS can work with analytics, payment, circulation, publishing and marketing services used by community newspapers.
See your potential savings
Compare your current technology costs with Surf CMS.
A newspaper may pay separately for website hosting, newsletters, social publishing, subscriber tools, security, maintenance, development and support.
Consolidating services into one managed platform may reduce both direct costs and the staff time spent managing multiple vendors.
- Review monthly CMS and hosting expenses
- Include newsletter and distribution services
- Consider development and support costs
- Account for staff time spent on manual workflows
Look Beyond the Monthly Fee
Total CostCompare your options
Choose the platform that best fits your publication.
Every newspaper is different. Review the differences in workflow, support, flexibility and overall platform structure before making a decision.
Surf CMS vs. BLOX Digital
Compare newspaper publishing tools, support, platform structure and cost considerations.
View the Comparison →Surf CMS vs. WordPress
Compare a managed newspaper platform with a general-purpose CMS and plugin ecosystem.
View the Comparison →Surf CMS vs. Newspack
Review differences in customization, workflows, support and platform management.
View the Comparison →Surf CMS vs. Ghost
Compare community newspaper tools with a streamlined membership-oriented publishing platform.
View the Comparison →Surf CMS vs. Generic CMS
See why newspaper-specific workflows and support can make a practical difference.
View the Comparison →Compare CMS Features
Review the capabilities your publication needs before selecting a new system.
View CMS Features →Experience that supports the transition
Serving publications since 2004.
Surf New Media combines modern publishing technology with experience supporting newspapers, magazines and media organizations.
Technology backed by human support
Work with a team that understands newspaper publishing.
Moving to a new CMS involves more than installing software. Your staff needs planning, training, answers and ongoing assistance.
Surf New Media provides direct support from people familiar with local publishing operations, newsroom deadlines and the challenges facing community newspapers.
Migration assistance
Receive guidance while moving from the current website and CMS.
Staff training
Help reporters, editors and publishers become comfortable with the new platform.
Ongoing help
Continue receiving support after the new website has launched.
CMS switching checklist
What should your next platform provide?
Before choosing a new CMS, review the needs of your newsroom, audience, advertising operation and long-term digital strategy.
Publishing and Workflow
Article editing, scheduling, breaking news, media, archives and editorial access.
Audience and Subscribers
Newsletters, subscriber management, analytics, registrations and reader engagement.
Advertising and Revenue
Digital advertising, sponsorships, sponsored content and campaign management.
Distribution
Website publishing, newsletters, social channels, e-editions and news feeds.
Hosting and Security
Managed hosting, backups, software maintenance and security monitoring.
Migration and Support
Content migration, redirects, training, launch assistance and dependable ongoing help.
Ready for a CMS built around your newspaper?
See what a better publishing platform could mean for your staff.
Simplify publishing, reduce repetitive work, control technology costs and reach more readers with Surf CMS.