The term CMS has hiked in recent years and is now a crucial part of the industry. CMS has become popular, considering that 68+ million websites are built on it. So, wondering, what is a CMS?
CMS, known as Content Management System, doesn’t require dealing with code directly. It is basically an application that enables you to design and administer a website using a user-friendly interface. Sounds amazing?
With a more thorough CMS definition and some types and benefits, we’ll delve into the topic of “what exactly is a content management system” over the course of this piece. So, have a look!
What Is A CMS Website?
A content management system, or CMS, is only an application of software that enables users to build and maintain websites without having to start from scratch or even have any programming knowledge. Using an intuitive interface, a CMS for website creation enables you to create, manage, update, and publish content. Instead of writing code, you can alter the look and feel of your website by downloading or buying themes and plugins. Among other things, you can have many users interacting with the same tool’s backend.
Types of CMS
Now that you understand what is a CMS, knowing its different types is also crucial. So, further, we have explained the five popular types of CMS to help you choose the best one for your business, as per your requirements.
1. Component Content Management System (CCMS)
A component content management system is a special kind of CMS that differs from conventional CMS. Material is saved by CCMS in an unconscious manner (component) as opposed to at the document level.
CCMS maintains content by components instead of pages. These components can be single words, sentences, paragraphs, or even images. This type of CMS aims to maximize content reuse; to do this, components are only stored once in CCMS. It also acts as a source to publish data across various platforms, including mobile, printing, PDF, and many others.
2. Enterprise Content Management System (ECM)
Businesses may create, manage, and distribute a wide variety of content using Enterprise Information Management (ECM). ECM makes sure that information and documents reach their target audience.
This category may include a client, executive, business partner, or employee. To complete their ECM activities, staff members need access to saved content. Second, an ECM automatically deletes data once the retention period has passed to release occupied space that is not needed.
3. Document Management System (DMS)
Now, managing data on paper is almost a thing of the past. And documents created on paper are no longer in use – thanks to digital tech. So, in this tech-savvy era, Document Management System (DMS) offers a cloud-based solution for managing, tracking, and storing documents; it is ecologically friendly!
DMS is a fully automated CMS system that allows users to submit, examine, and publish documents online without printing or scanning them beforehand.
4. Digital Asset Management System (DAMS)
You can create, manage, store, arrange, and distribute digital assets using digital asset management (DAM) or digital asset management system (DAMS). A DAM is a centralized library that makes it simple for an employee, client, or subcontractor to access the content. Images, movies, and audio recordings were the main types of media data stored using DAM.
However, it is now available in different formats, such as papers, logos, and fonts. A digital asset management system hosted in the cloud enables users to view information from anywhere.
5. Web Content Management System (WCMS)
The type of CMS solution known as a Web Content Management System (WCMS) is created specifically for websites. With WCMS, you may manage a site’s multimedia components even if you have no prior programming knowledge.
A web content management system (WCMS) has writing, collaboration, and management functions to control web composition. WCMS, in contrast to other website design CMS, struggles to handle any other form of content besides online content. These are the several categories of web content management systems.
How Does a Content Management System Work?
Initially, you need to understand what it’s like to build a website from scratch. So, to add graphics, text, navigation bars, and other website-building material, you can start with HTML; why HTML? It helps in styling elements to reflect the great look and feel of your brand; you then use CSS.
To conclude, you will need to write some JavaScript to offer your site more sophisticated features, such as slide-in CTAs. The HTML file will then be uploaded to the server and kept in your database.
Each time you aim to update or change anything, you will have to download files from the server and manually edit the HTML code. And before transferring the data back to the server, you will have to double-check that no links or connections are broken.
It seems challenging, doesn’t it? Creating a site from scratch can sometimes be the best option for developers. But, people who lack the coding expertise or the time can use a CMS or contact top-notch CMS web development service providers who are incredible at their job.
Why Use a CMS?
We have already alluded to what is a CMS, its type, and how it works, now is the time to learn some benefits of CMS and how it can set things up and enhance productivity and your online visibility. Let’s delve!
1. No Coding Knowledge Required
A content management system is suitable for anyone who is not a developer and aims to build a website without coding. The days of relying on web developers to help you create an online presence are gone now.
Without coding, you can create and manage content, transform the look of your website, and install extensions to instill more features.
Note: The majority of platforms enable you to add some custom codes for more precise control over your website.
2. Permissions and User Roles
A CMS’s integrated (frequently adjustable) user roles and permissions allow users to communicate most effectively and securely. For instance, content creators sometimes have all the rights necessary to create, publish, and maintain the content, but they are unable to uninstall plugins or drastically change the website’s performance.
To build user roles and permissions in JavaScript without a CMS, you will need to write several somewhat complex conditions and checks. It’s pretty hectic!
3. Swift Collaboration
A CMS’s backend can be accessed and used by multiple people at once – seems impressive, no? Thus, on any day, your marketers can create content, your IT specialists can put security measures into place, and your developers can incorporate code into your theme. They may also collaborate on the same landing page.
4. SEO Features and Extensions
CMS platforms have built-in and add-on features to help you optimize your website for search engines.
Using internal or external tools, you can:
- Make page titles and meta descriptions unique.
- Build XML sitemaps.
- Include image ALT text.
- Pick URL architectures that are SEO-friendly
- Establish 301 redirects.
- Speed up page load time.
- Add a breadcrumb navigation bar.
By putting these practices, you’ll increase your likelihood of ranking highly on Google and other major search engines.
5. Predesigned Templates
Most CMS platforms have some premade templates that you can use to customize the look of your site quickly. These templates may also impact your website performance.
For instance, by selecting a responsive template, you can ensure that your website will be incredible on all gadgets without having to write much code. Some templates can speed up, simplify website redesigns and save you time before your site goes live.
6. Security Features and Extensions
Additionally, CMS platforms have built-in tools and add-ons to aid site security. For instance, CMS Hub offers an enterprise-class web application firewall, SSL, a personalized CDN, SSO memberships, and other features. This benefit allows users to have a dedicated 24/7 security team.
7. Blogging Functionality
Blogging is a trendy way to be visible and brings several benefits, so people take it seriously. It helps drive traffic to the site, convert leads, establish authority in a specific industry, generate backlinks, and attain long-term results. We understand that building a blog from scratch is challenging, even for developers with years of experience.
Thus, using CMS can offer you built-in blogging functionality (or extensions), so it’s better to begin creating and publishing blog content and make the most out of it.
8. Easy Updates
A content management system can easily make changes to your website. These changes can range from website redesign to updating the image on your home page.
You may update and alter your website’s content by going into your CMS dashboard instead of engaging a developer or attempting to edit the code yourself. You can maintain your content’s relevance and vibrancy in this way.
9. Content Scheduling
Any editorial approach should contain a schedule for content creation. It is quite easier to schedule content when developing a site from scratch; however, it involves coding and tools like GitHub.
Usually, people find content scheduling a tough task, but not really! It is as simple as hovering a cursor with a CMS software system. You can simply plan blog articles on the majority of sites. You can schedule website pages, landing pages, emails, and blog posts using different tools.
10. Easy Access
You can view and edit your site using a CMS platform from any internet-connected device or anywhere in the world. That is far simpler than building a website from scratch, which needs you to be connected every time you work on it.
Additionally, most content management systems (CMS) include a control panel or single dashboard from which you can access your site’s theme, content, settings, plugins, and more.
Which CMS To Go For?
Picking up the best CMS platforms is challenging as there are several of them that has incredible features and functionalities. Here is the list:
- WordPress
- Joomla
- Drupal
- Magento
- Webflow
- Ghost
- Sitecore and more
Nutshell!
You can create and maintain your website effectively using a content management system. A CMS will not only store all of your web content, but it will also facilitate team collaboration, enable quick and simple updates, and provide templates and plugins to let you personalize your site.
So, if you are looking for the best custom web development company to develop an appealing CMS website for your business, give a buzz to Codment – we ensure outstanding results.
