What is a content management system?
Throughout this blog I will refer to content management systems as “CMS”.
A CMS is a software that helps users manage, create and edit content on their website. They are incredibly useful for building websites as they don’t require technical knowledge. CMS lets you build a website without needing (or knowing) how to write any code.
Within this blog you will learn the benefits of using a CMS and as to why and how many successful businesses implement these into their websites. From the importance of knowing how to use one, how they work and how to choose the right one for you.
Why should you care about content management systems?
Using a CMS can make building and expanding your website much more efficient compared to manual website creation. The manual approach involves writing the raw code; HTML, CSS & JavaScript for every page. Whereas CMS uses editors which provide WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get). WYSISWYG editors allow us to create and format content simply using drag and drop editors. This is one of many ways a CMS can make managing a website extremely efficient.
CMS has grown exponentially in popularity for a multitude of reasons;
- Accessibility for Non-Technical Users
- Time efficiency
- Scalability
- Existing templates and themes
- SEO and Marketing Tools
- Security features
In recent times the internet has become the backbone in commerce. Website demand has skyrocketed. It allows us users to create content without having to focus on the complexities of web development.
How Does a CMS Work?
A CMS allows users to access so many features,
- Add and edit content- WYSIWYG editors let users input text and images directly. Content can also be categorised with tags to boost SEO ranking.
- Customise designs- Many CMSs have templates that can be used- whether that be basic templates for free or more advanced premium templates. These generally allow you to drag and drop text and images.
- Manage functionality- CMSs can increase functionality of your site through plugins and extensions.
A CMS consists of 2 parts: the frontend and the backend. The frontend is what users will see. It is determined by the theme of the site and whatever you have decided to include in the page.
The backend is where content will be managed. Including the admin dashboard where website owners such as yourself can control and manage content.
Benefits of Using a CMS
CMSs have a variety of benefits:
- Boost in SEO performance- many CMSs have advanced features that can help boost a website’s SEO ranking.
- Easy management and content creation- schedule posts and update content efficiently.
- Extensive functionality with Plugins and Apps- plugins can allow us to sell products online an also add a firewall for protection.
- Intuitive UI- the interface makes it very convenient to make changes. Most processes can be done by simply clicking on an item to interact and make changes.
- Scalability- CMS platforms can handle lots of traffic. They support online stores, blogs and allow customisation based on your business’s needs.
On the other hand, there are also many disadvantages of not having CMS:
- Advanced technical knowledge- creating your own website requires advanced technical knowledge.
- Time consuming- time is one of our most valuable assets. Website development can take a significant amount of time even to those with lots of experience.
- Cost- custom built sites are costly and also require ongoing maintenance and security.
- SEO- CMSs provide built-in SEO tools. For the ordinary website designer, effort to implement SEO would be very strenuous.
Popular CMS Examples
In the recent years, given the shift of commerce to being based online. There has been an emergence of different CMSs. The most successful ones have been:
- WordPress
- Shopify
- Squarespace
WordPress is a CMS best for those who want to blog, create a customised site and for businesses. It is highly customisable and scalable.
Shopify is focused on those looking to sell products online. It prides itself on being an all in one solution to e-commerce. Including easy setup and support channels.
Squarespace is good if you’re looking for design flexibility and style. The CMS is intuitive and allows you to customise your website easily and efficiently.
How to Choose the Right CMS for Your Needs
It’s important to make sure you choose the right CMS for your desired needs. A CMS can vary- meaning it is important to choose the correct one. A good rule of thumb is, create your goals first and then find an CMS from this. You want to work on an CMS that can sustain to your needs and help you reach your goals.
Different CMS platforms allow for varied flexibility for future growth and scalability. As well as this- many of them consist of SEO performance features. Knowing the capabilities of your chosen CMS align with your website goals is extremely important when creating a site.
FAQs About Content Management Systems
Why do I need a CMS?
You can access and edit your site anywhere with a device and stable connection.
What is CMS for dummies?
A regular text editor like word, with the power to insert text and pictures to your site.
Who uses CMS?
Everybody uses CMS. Not many people edit single HTML files and upload them manually.
Conclusion
A CMS system in short is a platform that allows users like yourself to create and edit a site with minimal expertise. It is simple to create, edit, host and protect. However, each person will need to use a different CMS based on their needs. To ensure your site is successful, align the goals of your website with the CMSs capabilities.
