What is a Content Management System (CMS)?

A Content Management System or CMS is a centralized system used to create, store, organize, present, and manage website content. A CMS assists with these four primary functions: 

• Content Creation

• Content Management

• Publishing

• Presentation 

Typical features of a CMS include web-based publishing, format management, indexing, search, and retrieval. With a CMS, access is version-controlled. The version number increases each time an update is added to an existing file in the CMS.

The CMS can operate as a management system for digital assets such as documents, movies, pictures, phone numbers, etc. It enhances the storage, control, revision, and publishing of documentation for websites through these two elements: 

1. Content Management Application (CMA) - Used for adding, modifying, and removing content from the website.

2. Content Delivery Application (CDA) - Performs the actual compile and updates the website. 

Benefits

A CMS makes it easier to manage website content, perform updates, and control site information. Versioning control allows a company to know what changes have been made and what content was most recently on the website to avoid duplication.

Changes can be made by users other than the webmaster, which gives companies more control over their web content. Content Management Systems offer the following benefits: 

• Faster Content Turnaround Time

• Better Site Navigation

• Improved Website Flexibility

• Streamlined Website Authoring

• Heightened Security

• Less Risk of Duplicated Content

• Increased Growth Capacity

• Lower Website Maintenance Costs

Learn more