Introduction

Choosing the right content management system (CMS) is critical for creating a successful and impactful news website. In this article, we will explore the unique advantages of using Ghost CMS for publishing, focusing on its speed, ease of maintenance, and robust collaboration tools.

Additionally, we will delve into five of the best Ghost themes available in 2025, each offering distinct features tailored to news websites. Whether launching a new platform or revamping an existing one, this guide will help you select the perfect combination of CMS and theme to elevate your digital presence.

Start your publishing journey effortlessly with Ghost(Pro), the hassle-free, fully-managed hosting. Click the button below to get started!

• 0% Transaction fees
• Custom domain
• Fully managed service
• Automatic weekly updates
• Worldwide CDN
• Enterprise-grade security
• Threat & uptime management
• Migration from current CMS

Starts at just $9/month
Includes 14-day FREE trial

Why Choose Ghost CMS for News Websites?

The right content management system (CMS) can make or break your news website in the fast-paced digital world. Ghost CMS has emerged as a leading platform for professional publishers due to its exceptional performance, simplicity, and focus on content creation.

The chart below shows that Ghost CMS is the widely used CMS for high-traffic websites (as of Dec 2024).

Here are the key reasons why Ghost CMS is an excellent choice for news websites:

Blazing Fast Performance

Ghost CMS has a lightweight architecture optimized for speed. This ensures fast loading times, enhancing the reader experience and boosting your site’s SEO rankings. Unlike heavier CMS platforms like WordPress, Ghost CMS is designed to be lean and efficient, making it perfect for high-traffic news websites.

Easy Maintenance

Ghost’s simple and user-friendly interface streamlines website management. It removes unwarranted complexity, enabling publishers to concentrate on creating and managing content instead of maneuvering through complicated settings. Additionally, updates and maintenance tasks are simplified, guaranteeing seamless operations for your website.

Team Collaboration Made Simple

Ghost CMS offers robust role-based user management. This feature allows administrators to assign specific roles to team members—such as editors, writers, and contributors—enabling seamless collaboration. By streamlining workflows, Ghost empowers news organizations to operate efficiently.

Top 5 Ghost Themes for News in 2025

Selecting the appropriate theme is essential for maximizing the potential of Ghost CMS for your news publication. Here are the top 5 Ghost themes explicitly designed for news websites in 2025, each showcasing distinct features to enhance your site.

1. Crimson

• Overview: Crimson is a feature-rich and modern theme designed for news and magazine publications. Its sleek design and functional elements make it a standout choice for engaging readers.

• Key Features:
  • Multilingual Support: This is the only Ghost theme for News that provides a true multilingual experience.

• Trending News Ticker: Highlight trending stories with a dynamic ticker that captures attention.
• Dark Mode: Offer readers a comfortable browsing experience with an easy-to-toggle dark mode.
• Performance Optimized: Scoring 100/100 on GScan, Crimson ensures fast loading times and optimal performance.
• Dropdown Menus: Organize content effectively with nested dropdown menus.

• Ideal For: Multilingual news outlets seeking a visually appealing, high-performance theme with modern features.

2. Maali

• Overview: Maali is a versatile and elegant theme tailored for publishers. Its focus on typography and layout makes it an excellent choice for news websites prioritizing readability.

• Key Features:
  • Customizable Layouts: Choose from multiple homepage layouts and topic sections to suit your needs.

• Featured Writers Section: Highlight your team of writers with a dedicated section for author profiles.
• Theme Customization: Easily modify colors, fonts, and layouts to align with your brand identity.
• Ideal For: Publishers looking for a clean, modern design emphasizing content and author engagement.

3. Newspaper

• Overview: Newspaper combines traditional journalism aesthetics with modern functionality. It’s perfect for news organizations aiming to balance heritage and innovation.

• Key Features:
  • Theme Presets: Includes seven distinct presets, such as Old Newspaper Light and Modern Newspaper Dark.
  • Responsive Design: Delivers an excellent user experience across devices, from desktops to smartphones.
  • Custom Layouts: Flexible options for announcement bars and headings to display content effectively.
• Ideal For: News websites that want a classic newspaper feel with cutting-edge design elements.

4. Noise

• Overview: Noise is a bold and dynamic theme for in-depth reporting and analysis. Its dark mode and magazine-style layout make it a compelling choice for news publishers.

• Key Features:
  • Engaging Layout: Includes a hero image, logo carousel, and article sections to captivate readers.
  • Top Authors and Tags: Highlight key contributors and topics for more straightforward navigation.
  • Calls to Action: Strategically placed CTAs encourage reader interaction and subscriptions.
• Ideal For: Publishers focused on investigative journalism or niche reporting.

5. Tripoli

• Overview: Tripoli is a minimalist theme that prioritizes readability and content presentation. Its clean design ensures a distraction-free experience for readers.

• Key Features:
  • Editors’ Picks: Highlight featured articles on the homepage to highlight priority content.
  • Tag Organization: Organize articles by tags for intuitive navigation.
  • Dark Mode: Automatically adapts to device settings for a seamless user experience.
• Ideal For: News websites seeking a professional yet simple design to showcase their content.

Conclusion

Starting a news website with Ghost CMS in 2025 is easier and more efficient than ever. With its fast performance, intuitive interface, and robust collaboration features, Ghost provides a solid foundation for any news outlet. Coupled with the right theme, such as Crimson, Maali, Newspaper, Noise, or Tripoli, you can create a visually stunning and highly functional news website that stands out in today’s competitive digital landscape.

Start your publishing journey effortlessly with Ghost(Pro), the hassle-free, fully-managed hosting. Click the button below to get started!

• 0% Transaction fees
• Custom domain
• Fully managed service
• Automatic weekly updates
• Worldwide CDN
• Enterprise-grade security
• Threat & uptime management
• Migration from current CMS

Starts at just $9/month
Includes 14-day FREE trial

Compared to platforms like WordPress, Ghost CMS offers several distinct advantages:

1. Built-in SEO Optimization: Ghost CMS has built-in SEO tools, eliminating the need for additional plugins. This simplifies optimization and ensures your content ranks higher in search engine results.
2. Lightweight and Developer-Friendly: Unlike WordPress, which can become bloated with plugins, Ghost CMS is lightweight and designed for developers. Its JavaScript foundation (Node.js) ensures fast and responsive websites.
3. Content-First Approach: Ghost is built specifically for publishers. Its editor and workflow are tailored to content creation, making it a superior choice for news organizations focused on quality journalism.
4. Affordability: Hosting and maintaining a Ghost website is often cheaper than WordPress, especially since Ghost eliminates the need for many third-party plugins and their associated costs.
5. Enhanced Security: Ghost’s simpler architecture and reduced reliance on plugins result in fewer vulnerabilities, making it a more secure platform for news publishers.

Furthermore, several widely-read news websites trust Ghost CMS for their publishing needs. Examples include:

• Tangle ($236,000 monthly recurring revenue):
  A newsletter offering nonpartisan summaries of current events.
• The Lever (140,000 members):
  An investigative journalism outlet focusing on corporate and government accountability.
• The Berkeley Scanner ($10,000 monthly recurring revenue):
  A local news site dedicated to public safety reporting.
• The Maple (64,000 members):
  A Canadian publication covering politics and society.
• Fix the News ($22,000 monthly recurring revenue):
  A commentary and analysis site on media and journalism trends.
• Untapped New York ($12,000 monthly recurring revenue):
  A platform showcasing New York City’s hidden gems and stories.

Whether launching a new publication or upgrading an existing one, Ghost CMS and its diverse range of themes make it a top choice for news publishers in 2025.

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